Registration for the 2024 EDventure Camps is now open! For more information or if you have any questions, please call 618-453-1121 or email ton@siu.edu.
In addition to registering for camp, Touch of Nature has add-on option for EDventure Camps. These add-ons include the following:
Pick Up and Drop Off at the SIU Arena - $20
Camp T-Shirt - $12.50
Thank you for considering Touch of Nature EDventure Camp! We're a summer day camp situated by Little Grassy Lake in Makanda, IL, providing a mix of traditional outdoor education, free-play, and adventure activities. At EDventure Camp, our focus is on fostering a sense of belonging, usefulness, optimism, and competence among campers. During their time with us, we guide them in making positive behavioral choices, expanding their comfort zones, valuing citizenship and stewardship, and cultivating respect for themselves, others, and the environment.
Geared towards children ages 5-10, our camp aims to create a safe, positive, healthy, and enjoyable environment through various outdoor education and character-building experiences. Campers are organized into small groups based on their age, ensuring a well-rounded experience each week. From swimming and environmental education to boating, sports, games, outdoor education, and arts and crafts, every week promises memorable opportunities for growth and fun.
Ultimately, Touch of Nature's mission is to enhance the lives of all people through outdoor experiences. At EDventure Camp, we actively pursue this mission by facilitating group processes and shared outdoor experiences. Our overarching goal is to provide an environment where campers can have fun, acquire new skills, take social risks in a secure setting, and develop greater confidence as young individuals.
Look up! It's not a bird or a plane; it's our campers soaring to new heights at Touch of Nature EDventure Camp during Aerial Adventures week! Embrace the sky as the ultimate limit and let your inner bird take flight. Throughout the week, campers will engage in crafting, performing, and immersing themselves in all the airborne fun inspired by our feathered friends. Whether guiding kites from the ground or swinging high among the trees on Touch of Nature's giant swing, every moment promises an exhilarating aerial adventure. Get ready to spread your wings and elevate the excitement!
Embark on a magical journey with Touch of Nature EDventure Camp's Enchanted Forest Week! Immerse yourself in a whimsical world where campers indulge in a week of enchanting activities. From free play amidst the mystical trees to spirited sports and games, every moment is filled with wonder. Unleash creativity in arts and crafts inspired by the enchanted realm. Dive into the refreshing waters for a splash-filled swimming adventure, or paddle through the enchanting waters in boating escapades. Our outdoor education activities weave nature's secrets into an educational tapestry, fostering a love for the environment. Join us for a spellbinding week where imaginations soar and friendships blossom in the heart of nature's enchantment!
Dive into the world of scientific exploration at Touch of Nature EDventure Camp as campers unlock the secrets of the scientific method through hands-on experiments, nature observations, and captivating talks by local scientists. From purifying water to designing terrariums and experimenting with magnets, the week promises an array of engaging activities. Fear not, amidst the scientific excitement, we'll sprinkle in snacks, arts and crafts, swimming, and free play ensuring young minds stay energized. The primary goals for the week include fostering scientific confidence, empowering campers to share newfound knowledge, and cultivating an appreciation for respecting diverse ideas. Embracing the spirit of experimentation, campers will learn to be comfortable with making mistakes – a delightful bonus after a week of quirky and wonderful science adventures!
Get ready to channel your inner critter enthusiast! At Touch of Nature EDventure Camp, campers are urged to inquire, explore, and express themselves as budding Naturalists. Amidst the enchanting woodlands of Touch of Nature, they'll engage in free play, lessons, and activities, becoming an integral part of the mystical realm that is the forests of Southern Illinois. Armed with questions and magnifying glasses, our campers will venture into the woods, embarking on quests to discover critters, curiosities, and magical moments that await within the heart of nature. It's time to embrace the joy of exploration and uncover the wonders hidden beneath the canopy of the Southern Illinois forests!
Week 5: Water Wonders, Ages 5-10, 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. $290
July 15-19, 2024
Embark on a week-long journey introducing budding explorers to the captivating realm of water and the extraordinary inhabitants of Little Grassy Lake. During the week at Touch of Nature's EDventure Camp, campers will delight in playful moments in the water while diving into the fascinating world of water ecology through engaging activities. Campers will immerse themselves, both figuratively and literally, in the exploration of Little Grassy Lake and Indian Creek, navigating by boat and enjoying refreshing swims throughout the week. As they acquire new skills and venture into new territories, campers will cultivate greater confidence and broaden their comfort zones, creating lasting memories of aquatic discovery and personal growth.
Want to help support our 2024 camps? Check out our wishlist! Items may be ordered and shipped to Touch of Nature, or can be purchased elsewhere and dropped off at Touch of Nature during business hours, 8:30-4:30 M-F.
