2009 Nature Explorers Summer Camp

Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center (BEEC) Nature Explorers Camp is for the young person who loves the natural world. Our goal is to foster children’s love of nature in a safe, supportive environment. Campers spend most of each day outdoors, in small groups with our Naturalist Educators, exploring BEEC’s 100 acres of forest, meadow, and wetlands on the land of a former farm. Non-competitive games, music, stories, art projects, and a cooling ride down our gentle water slide at the end of the day add to the BEEC camp experience. We are located on Bonnyvale Road, in West Brattleboro, VT.  Campers may sign-up for one or more weeks; this year we plan to offer early drop-off/extended day options. Camps fill fast, be sure to register early! Join us for discovery, investigation, exploration and fun!

Registration and Medical Forms

Cub Camp     
June 29 – July 2 (4 day camp)
Ages 4–5
$140 for BEEC members,  $175 for nonmembers  
9:00 am – 1:00 pm (note shorter day)      
This camp blends imagination with discovery. Campers explore the natural world through inquiry, sensory activities and play. Stories, songs, and art projects enhance to the young naturalist’s experience. Max. # Campers: 12

Budding Naturalists II  
July 6 – July 10 Ages 6–8
$180 for BEEC members,  $220 for nonmembers  
9:00 am – 3:00 pm   
Each day we explore a new facet of the natural world. Through games, forest wanderings, and hands-on activities, campers learn about the life of the pond, the world of honeybees, bird communication and the delicate balance between predator and prey.  Budding Naturalists I, catered to younger children, is later in the summer, July 27 - 31.  Max. # Campers:  16

Roots & Shoots    
This program is now full.
July 13 – July 17   Ages 9–11
$180 for BEEC members, $220 for nonmembers
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Explore the world of plants from the ground up as we meet the herbaceous plants and trees of Heifer Hill. We will identify plants with the help of field guides and through drawings. We will learn how to read the forested landscape, and help to restore populations of woodland flowers in our forest by participating in an onsite conservation project. We'll gather greens and flowers to create a healing salve and brew a vat of natural dyes to color our own tee shirts. In celebration of high summer, we'll gather wild edibles to feast upon. * This program has been developed with generous support from New Chapter. Max. # Campers: 12

Hug A Bug     
July 20 – July 24  Ages 6 – 8  
$180 for BEEC members, $220 for nonmembers  
9 am – 3 pm      
Bugs, bugs, glorious bugs! Come discover how bugs communicate and how they see their world.  We’ll hunt for beauteous bugs and honey-making bugs in the meadows, gardens and woods.  We’ll visit the pond to search for whirling bugs, hunting bugs, and bugs with built in snorkels. Bug based songs, stories, games and crafts enhance this fun filled week.
Max. # Campers: 16

Budding Naturalists I  
July 27 – July 31, Ages 5–7
$180 for BEEC members, $220 for nonmembers
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Each day we explore a new facet of the natural world. Through games, forest wanderings, and hands-on activities, campers learn about the life of the pond, the world of honeybees, bird communication and the delicate balance between predator and prey.  
Max. # Campers:  16

Magical Explorations of the Natural World   
August 3 – August 7, Ages 6 –9
$180 for BEEC members, $220 for nonmembers  
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Venture into the forest in search of small beings and magical places. Craft a home for the Wee People, make a fairy potion, and turn yourself into a mystical beast. Play games where we catch a dragon’s tail and create our own fairy tale. Stories, songs, woodland walks, hands-on activities and art projects add to the fun! Max. # Campers: 16

Adventures in Summerland
August 10 – August 14   Ages 8–10
$180 for BEEC members,  $220 for nonmembers    
9:00 am – 3:00 pm    
Experience life on the wild side! Explore the stories of animals’ lives: make and follow scent trails, and learn the ways of predator and prey. Investigate animal  homes & build a summertime shelter. Learn how to identify wild edibles and prepare a lawn salad. Try some tasty wild plant tea! Through exploration, sensory activities, and playful mimicry we’ll gain a deeper understanding of our wild neighbors, and imagine ourselves living closer to the land.  Max # Campers: 16

To Register: 
Click links below to download:
Registration Form
Medical Form

Print and mail forms with full payment or a $50.00 nonrefundable deposit per camp.  The full balance is due four weeks prior to the start of your first camp.

If you have any questions or are unable to access the Registration and Medical Forms, please call or email BEEC: (802)257-5785, or emily@beec.org.

Our hope is that cost will not be a limiting factor; some scholarships are available through local schools and through BEEC directly on a need basis.