Each day at Young Naturalists camp, children will explore the field station with our naturalists and learn about the plants and animals that live in the northern Virginia Piedmont. Each week will follow a different theme (insects, plants, vertebrates, fungi, etc.), so you can sign up for both weeks and still learn new things!
Each day begins with a Morning Workshop where campers dive deep into the subject for the day, which prepares them for the rest of the morning which is spent exploring through the lens of what they learned earlier. After a picnic lunch on the front lawn, students are given the chance to cool down by playing in the hose before getting ready for Afternoon Choices. Afternoon Choices give campers agency in shaping their camp experience by picking what they prefer to do from a set of 3 options which are different each day. These could include things like water coloring at the beaver pond, hiking to the lichen rocks, playing camouflage, or foraging for wine berries! Lastly, we give each camper a journal and conclude each day by sitting and reflecting in small groups before ending with Closing Circle–a chance to share what we liked, what we were challenged by, and things we’re looking forward to.
Families are welcome and encouraged to register for both weeks but must pay for each session separately. Students will bring their own snacks and lunches from home each day.
Ages: 7-12 at the time of camp.
Time: 9AM – 4PM, Monday – Friday
Cost: $215.00. Please note that the ticket will appear as “Free” until registration opens.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations prior to 30 days before the start of camp will receive a refund, minus a $50 nonrefundable registration fee. Cancellations within 30 days of camp start date forfeit full tuition.
Paperwork: Within 1 week of registration, you will be emailed liability, medical, and emergency contact forms to be filled out and returned by May 31st, 2023. If you do not submit your paperwork by this date, you will be refunded all but the $50 and the spot will be offered to the next person on the wait list. Paperwork is important for us to plan! Please send it to camps@cliftoninstitute.org upon completion!
Vaccination Policy: All staff and campers aged 5 and above must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, in addition to being up-to-date with all Virginia Board of Health School Immunization requirements for the appropriate age (found here). Masks will be provided and required to be worn by all staff and campers should we need to be indoors during inclement weather or while administering first aid.
Scholarships: If you are interested in a scholarship, please email camps@cliftoninstitute.org before registering so that we can send you a scholarship application. We don’t want financial limitations to get in the way of your child attending camp!
