Nature Up Close Camp is a day camp for kids that is committed to providing fun and meaningful experiences in nature. Everyone is welcome! We believe that all kids can participate in our program, no matter what their ability. We encourage community, understanding, teamwork, stewardship, fun, respect, emotional and physical health in a safe and nurturing environment. Camp is a place where children will make connections with the natural world using all their senses to explore and observe the beauty of Michigan. It is a hands-on setting where campers and staff have the types of real life experiences that many only get to watch on TV or read about in books.
Camp Sessions
Camp sessions are 9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday programs for 6- to 15-year olds and half-day morning or afternoon sessions for 3- to 5-year olds.
Each of our camp sessions are designed with themed programs planned and delivered by the Summer Education Staff, supplemented by guest visitors, overnight camping events and field trips. One Senior Educator and one Junior Educator lead the camp group on exploratory hikes throughout the property, incorporating art, stories, games, skits and songs to supplement the weekly and daily themes. Camps groups are organized by age, with plenty of chances for everyone to come together as a whole during all-camp activities such as group games, flagpole ceremony and Friday Family Fest.
Summer Camp 2008 begins Monday, June 16 and ends Friday, August 29. There will be no camp sessions the week of June 30-July 4. Each staff member is required to attend Pre-Camp Orientation, which will be June 9-13 for Senior Educators and June 12-13 for Junior Educators.
Campers
Staff have the opportunity to work with children ages 3- to 15-years, representing a diverse cultures, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds. Campers generally come from the Greater Kalamazoo Area, but also attend from other states and countries. Children do not have to be members of the Kalamazoo Nature Center to attend, but we encourage family membership in order to enjoy our site and programming year round. We put the safety and wellbeing of our campers first, provide as many opportunities as possible for them to have fun. We want each of them to make a connection with nature and with the other campers in their group.