Nature

Nature and Outdoor Recreation camps for kids in the Rochester, NY area

(If you belong to a camp organization and wish to submit a camp listing, please see the examples below and email your entry to suggestions@kidsoutandabout.com.)

Genesee Country Nature Center: Earth Camp
Flint Hill Rd.
Mumford, NY 14511
Contact: Linda Bender
(585) 538-6822
Earth Camp 2008: Get Down ‘n’ Dirty!
Campers will get closer to the natural world than ever before as we explore the muck, dirt, and soil that so many local creatures call home. Campers will explore and become part of this wonderfully dirty world by taking part in activities including swamp stomps, creek hikes (in the creek!), fossil hunting and pond studies. Through games, hikes, crafts and team-building activities campers will become familiar with the natural world and discover their place as a member of our local ecosystem.

All-day camp for grade-school students is available for five weeks during summer 2008: July 7-11, July 14-18, July 21-25, July 28-Aug. 1, Aug. 4-8. The camp day runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The fee for one week of all-day camp is $200/$150 GCV&M members. Dirt Cheap!

Groups are determined by the grade level each camper will be starting in the fall: Down ‘n’ Dirty Bunch (grades 6-8); Nitty Gritty Gang (grades 3-5); Good ‘n’ Grungy Gaggle (grades 1-3). Younger kids have a shortened day of camp. Mud Buddies (ages 4-6) meets Monday to Friday, August 11-15, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee per week: $140/$105 GCV&M members (For $200/$150 for the week, parents of children riding the bus may choose to have their child stay after camp for a period of extended care that will enable them to ride the bus in the afternoon as well.

Springdale Farm
700 Colby Street
Spencerport, NY 14559
Contact: Heather Chasman
(585) 349-2090 x4506
Springdale Farm offers four recreational camps to be held in the summer of 2006 for children ages four to nine. Each session encourages campers to explore the wonders of nature and learn about their environment through hands-on experiences and games. Highlights include: tours of Springdale’s newest major attraction, the Riedman Robotic Milking Center, which is home to 60 cows and the region’s only robotic milking system; petting barnyard animals; enjoying nature hikes and hay wagon rides; exploring pond life and making homemade ice cream. 2006 camp sessions for children ages 4-6 will be held July 17-21 and July 24-28. 2006 camp sessions for children ages 7-9 will be held August 7-11 and August 14-18. Each camp runs from 1:00-3:00 pm Monday - Friday and costs $75. This fee includes a nutritional snack each day and a t-shirt for each camper. Pre-registration is required.

Woods Play
F93 Dikeman Rd.
Pittsford, NY 14534
Contact: Marcie Matthews, marcie@woodsplay.com
585-359-3725
A mixed-age day camp in the forest of Mendon Ponds Park dedicated to reconnecting childhood with nature. At Camp Woods Play, one day builds on the next and free play, imaginative games, art, skits, music, dance, and water play, come out of a shared experience of nature. The Camp is for children of any age and, as in Scandinavian Forest Kindergartens that the camp is modeled on, parents and caretakers are welcome to participate and assist. Safety is a high priority. Fees are on a sliding scale & hourly basis, there is a generous sibling discount, before- and after-care are extra. The summer, weekly, and daily schedule is individualized. Mounted Police barns and Wild Wings raptor education center nearby. Organic snacks, filtered water provided.

Camps run Monday­Friday, 9am­4pm. Extended Care, supervised by our Youth Program staff, is provided from 8am-9am, and/or 4pm-5:30pm for an additional charge of $20 per child, per am/pm session, per week. Please note: Lunch is not included.