- Forest Day Camps - Ages 4-7
Forest Day Camps: Ages 4-7, $245
Forest Camp focuses on discovering the natural world and making new friends through outdoor play and exploration. Campers participate in active free play and experience new sounds, scents, and sights, using all of their senses as they explore Touch of Nature Environmental Center.
Campers will be invited to play new games, participate in daily nature walks, create art projects, sing camp songs, and practice nature-based activities related to our weekly themes. Weekly themes are designed to promote understanding of the natural world while encouraging imagination, creativity, problem solving and collaboration.
Enchanted Forest
June 7-11
Discover the natural world through imagination and curiosity. Tales of magical creatures such as gnomes, trolls, dragons, fairies, and unicorns will spark imaginative free play as we discover the real magic of nature. In addition to hearing fairy tales featuring magical creatures, little explorers will be introduced to many other ordinary and extraordinary living things that call Touch of Nature home.
Forest Explorers
June 14-18
Imagine a week of exploring the nooks and crannies of Touch of Nature; getting excited for every bug discovered, or asking why the leaves of trees look different, or discovering the wonders of mud, water, and sand play. Encouraging your child’s natural curiosity, we will spend the week going on forest adventures, studying bugs, learning about the plants and animals of the forest, and discovering the magic a stream has to offer.
Forest Critters
June 21-25
What is a coyote’s favorite food? How do squirrels leap from tree to tree without falling? How do snakes grow? How do turtles stay under water for so long? This week we will encourage campers to ask questions about local wildlife and we’ll find the answers together. Little explorers will have many opportunities to investigate the wild creatures that call Southern Illinois home!
Forest Superheroes
June 28-July 2
Calling all superhero! This week we need kids who want to make the world a better place. We will have fun learning about ways we can take care of our natural world. We will plant trees, build a bat house, add plants to a native plant butterfly garden, learn how to Leave No Trace and help your child become a Forest Superhero!
- Eco Day Camps - Ages 7-10
Eco Day Camps: Ages 7-10, $250
Aspiring naturalists are invited to join us for full days of outdoor exploration, discovery, and play. Eco Camp focuses on discovering the natural world and making new friends. Each week we will encourage your child’s excitement and curiosity through inquiry-based learning.
Campers will be invited to ask questions and will be supported in finding answers. Additionally we will participate in daily nature walks, create art projects, and have plenty of time to just be kids in the woods. Weekly themes are designed to promote understanding of the natural world and while encouraging curiosity, creativity, problem solving and collaboration.
Big Buzz
June 7-11
Get all of the important buzz in this camp while learning about the vital role of pollinators in our environment! Discover how birds, butterflies, bats, beetles and bees support an ecosystem. We’ll identify different species of pollinators and the plants they love. Additionally, we’ll work on some projects to make our pollinator-friends more comfortable at Touch of Nature.
Camp Campout
June 14-18
Gear up for daytime hiking and “camping” excursions. Each day we will use a map and compass to find our adventure. Campers will work together to pitch a tent, pack a backpack, catch a fish, and create some classic camp snacks. Enjoy nature games, hikes and songs. We’ll also learn how to Leave No Trace, and what plants should be avoided when hiking and camping.
Wild Illinois
June 21-25
Discover the unique creatures large and small that roam Touch of Nature and our own backyards, and leave traces as they go. Why do these animals call Southern Illinois home? Put your detective skills to work while searching for information about your favorite local animals. Focus is on tracks, scat and habitats.
Water Camp 1
June 28-July 2
Dive into this camp and investigate the water all around us. Explore water from every angle as you dip, measure, splash and explore. We will study the aquatic life in and around Little Grassy Lake as well as Indian Creek. We’ll spend our days outdoors making small waterways, dams, boats, observing and learning about local plants and animals, and more. Bring your curiosity, ingenuity, and a change of clothes because we will get wet! Eco Campers will have several opportunities to go fishing this week!
Water Camp 2
July 5-July 9
More of the same fun as Water Camp 1.
- Adventure Day Camps - Ages 10-13
Adventure Day Camps: Ages 10-13, $255
The Adventure Camps focus on connecting to the Earth, to each other, and to ourselves as we explore the land and waters of Touch of Nature and Southern Illinois. Safety, fun and education, in that order, are our priorities as we learn and adventure in the great outdoors.
Youth in the Wild
June 7-11
Want to learn the ins and outs of living in the woods? Youth in the Wild day camp will teach campers everything they need to know about shelters, map and compass, exploration off trail, food, and so much more! From homemade ice cream, creek exploration, and shelter building, you and Bigfoot can learn to not only survive but thrive in the outdoors!
Aquatic Adventure
June 14-18
At Touch of Nature’s Aqua Adventures Camp the fun will never stop. Campers will learn how to protect our most important natural resource by exploring the Little Grassy Lake watershed. While uncovering the mystery of the lake, campers will participate in water-based games, learn about aquatic animals, and learn to travel on canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. You’ll even go on a pontoon boat ride! Beat the heat by jumping in to this aquatic adventure!
X-treme Adventure Camp
June 21-25
X-treme Adventure Camp is the best way to try all of the adventure experiences Touch of Nature has to offer. Activities include hiking, games, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing and our high ropes challenge course. You’ll even get to fly down our famous zipline! Get ready to get outside, have adventures and make new friends!
Southern Adventures
June 28-July 2
At Southern Adventures Camp, campers get to explore the hidden gems of Southern Illinois. Spend your days going on new adventures by hiking through forests, climbing sandstone bluffs, and exploring swamps. While experiencing the areas surrounding Southern Illinois; such as Jackson Falls, Bell Smith Springs, Heron Pond, Cache River, and Garden of the Gods, your campers will also learn the importance of Leave No Trace.
(Just added) X-treme Adventure Camp Session 2
July 5-9
X-treme Adventure Camp is the best way to try all of the adventure experiences Touch of Nature has to offer. Activities include hiking, games, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing and our high ropes challenge course. You’ll even get to fly down our famous zipline! Get ready to get outside, have adventures and make new friends!
