General Information

• Reservation:  Registration forms and fees must be received by mail  or in person prior to each program.  We will not accept telephone registrations.  All campers must be potty trained.  Due to the popularity of the programs early registration is recommended.  Registration will be held at the Battle Creek Nature Center between the hours of 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.    

• Registration form:  Please complete a separate registration form for each child.  For additional copies of the registration form please call the Nature Center (410-535-5327) or click here: Summer Camp Registration Form

• Drop off & Pick-up:  Drop-off  and pick-up  times vary with each camp, check the schedule for your camp and  please pick your child up promptly at the scheduled time given.  A detailed agenda for the week will be mailed closer to camp start date.  

• Lunch:  For full-day camps, each child should  bring a lunch  of non-perishable food with his/her  name on it. Snacks are provided (Please let us know if your child has any food  allergies. We want to avoid offering the wrong food for snack).  No refrigeration is available.

• Clothing:  Children should dress in clothes that can get dirty or muddy (It is recommended that your child bring in an additional set of clothes). A hat, bug spray, water bottle and sunscreen are recommended.     

• Medical Information: Please let us know  in writing if your child has any serious medical problems.  We are not qualified to administer medications, but wish to know how to proceed if the need should arise. 

• Information:  Please feel free to call  the Nature Center (410-535-5327) for additional information or questions.  We look forward to seeing everyone this summer.

Winter Adventures Camp

 When:   Friday, January  13-14

**camp begins Friday at 9am, and goes to 9am Saturday**

Location:  Flag Ponds

Grades:   grades 3-5

Fee:  $60.00/BCNES members $45.00 per child  

This short but intense camp will be a real adventure.  During the day, we will trek thru the woods and to the beach looking for bones, tracks, and other mysteries – stopping to play some games on the trail or maybe to build a fort.  After the sun goes down, we will head out into the quiet winter woods for a night walk to search for owls and to check out some stars. A campfire and s’mores will put the finishing touches on our day. Don’t worry about getting too cold – this camp will include indoor, as well as outdoor activities and plenty of hot chocolate and time by the fire.  The overnight will be in the education building.  Dinner, breakfast, and some snacks included.

AGES 3-5 WITH ADULT (ONE ADULT PER CHILD)

Hand In Hand-Inner Child and Outer Child 

July 11 - July 14                    9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Can your "inner child" come out to play?  This camp is designed to be a special time for a young child to explore and discover hand-in-hand with a playful adult.  During this camp, we will contemplate the wonderful world of "critters!"  "Critters" are animals - big and small, cute and slimy, ones we like and those we really don't. We will use both structured activities (like stories, dramatic play, and crafts) and unstructured activities (like exploring the creek and the swamp) to investigate and observe the mysteries of the world around us.  Each day will have introductory activities indoors and an outdoor adventure!  Due to time/staff considerations, no extra siblings may be brought to class please - only one child per adult.  FEE - $75/$50 BCNES Members.  Location: Battle Creek  Cypress Swamp.

 

AGES 4-5 YEARS ONLY

Little Seedlings

July 5-8                                      Session I:  9-noon

                                                     Session II: 1-4:00 p.m.

 Plants and animals are growing all around us!  Come to our camp and learn about growing things.    Using stories, crafts, hands-on experiences and fun adventures, we will find out about the life around us.  Cannot register for both sessions.   Fee - $75./$50. BCNES Members. Location:  Battle Creek Cypress Swamp.

 

AGES 4-5 YEARS ONLY

 

Little Rangers Camp

August 1 - August 3                       9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Little ones can become park rangers too! Our three mornings will consist of exploration of the woodlands, the fields, the wetlands and the river. Little rangers will hike, climb, crawl and learn about basic safety skills for the outdoors. Mom or dad is welcome to attend but encouraged to allow little ones to explore with their peers in a nature park setting. Wear good walking shoes, a hat and dress for the weather. No prior information will be forwarded just be ready for outdoor fun! Please pack a bag lunch daily to eat on the trail. Snacks and beverages will be provided. For more information call the Ranger at (410)535-2661.  Fee:  $75/$50. BCNES Members.  Location:  Kings Landing Park. 

ENTERING GRADES 1 - 2

 

Herpetology Camp

 July 25 - July 29                                     9:00 a.m. - 2:00.pm.

Explore the fascinating world of reptiles and amphibians as you search the ridges, ravines, wetlands, and beaches of Flag Ponds Nature Park.  Have a blast as you play games and practice using seine nets, dip nets, and traps to safely observe these incredible animals.  Investigate the differences between reptiles and amphibians, and learn why herps are important to us.  Daily animal encounters will provide you the opportunity to observe a variety of live turtles, frogs, salamanders, lizards, and non-venomous snakes.  You will have a chance to safely handle some of these animals too.  FEE $125/$100  BCNES members.  Location: Flag Ponds Nature Park

 

ENTERING GRADES 1 - 2

Wild and Wonderful

June 27-July 1                                           9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Do you have a favorite animal?  Come to this camp to learn about the wild animals who live here in Calvert County.  We will search the forest, the swamp and the bay to find wonderful creatures from insects and spiders to minnows and osprey!  Play games, hear stories, and use hands-on activities to find out about those wild and wonderful animals and their amazing adaptations!   Fee:  $125/$100 BCNES Members.   Location:  Flag Ponds Nature Park.

ENTERING GRADES 1 - 2

Connections

July 18 - July 22                    9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Everything that you see around you is connected to everything else - even we humans are caught up in it!  We'll spend this week searching field, forest, and pond and Bay for critters, and we'll see if we can discover some of those connections for ourselves. We'll use nets, jars, and our hands to explore a variety of habitats - from the meadow to the Bay.  If you like to be outdoors and like to catch stuff - this camp is for you!  Journals and games will enhance our explorations and help us to make connections between these fantastic critters and ourselves.  FEE :  $125/$100 BCNES Members.  Location: Flag Ponds Nature Park and Battle Creek  Cypress Swamp.

ENTERING GRADES 2 - 4

 Outdoor Adventure Camp for Girls

July 11 - July 15                               9:00 a.m. - 3:00.pm.

Join other girls your age for a week of fun and adventure at Flag Ponds Nature Park.  Learn new skills and discover your hidden talents as you broaden your knowledge of the outdoors.   Find out how to use a compass, identify plants and animals, tie knots, design your own walking stick, cook with campfires and solar ovens, and learn basic survival techniques.   Boost your self-confidence and build friendships as you face fun new challenges every day.  Come to Flag Ponds for this ultimate camp experience where everyone will come away feeling like a winner.  FEE $125/$100 BCNES members.  Location: Flag Ponds Nature Park

ENTERING GRADES 2 - 4

Summer Adventures for Boys

July 11-15                                                  9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Get outside and get moving!  Run, hike, climb and crawl.  If you are active and like to be outdoors, this is the camp for you.  We will get down and dirty exploring, building, and learning about the habitats at Flag Ponds, spending most of our time outdoors.  On the last day we will have a challenge to show what we have learned!  Fee: $125./$100. BCNES Members.

Location:  Flag Ponds Nature Park.

 

ENTERING GRADES 3-5

Reflecting Pools

June 27 - July 1 **                                9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

The aquatic habitats of Calvert County are some of our most life-filled - and some of the most beautiful.  These bodies of water are a reflection of how the land around them is used - sometimes wisely, sometimes not.  This week we will wade in to these marvelous wet places - to the creek, the river, the swamp, and the Bay - hunting for critters and testing the quality of the water to see what is reflected.  We'll end the week with an overnight so we can discover some watery places by the light of the stars!  Come prepared to get WET! Tents and breakfast for the overnight provided, as well as hot dogs and hamburgers for the overnight's potluck cookout! **Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday are full days (9-3). Thursday camp begins @ 6pm for a family picnic dinner/cookout - followed by an overnight for the campers only which ends at @ 9am Friday.   No camp Friday after pick-up time.   FEE - $125/$100 BCNES Members.    Location:  Flag Ponds Nature Park.

ENTERING GRADES 4-6

Nature Photography Camp   

July 18 - July 22                                          9:00 a.m. - 3:00.pm.

Immerse yourself in nature as you capture the wonders of Calvert County Parks on camera.  In addition to the typical fun camp activities, you will learn camera basics and picture-taking tips, and will have a blast exploring the bay, the river, the cypress trees, and much, much, more.  There will be endless opportunities to photograph wildflowers and animals, including special appearances by the nature center's live animal collection.  Camp will end with a cookout and a photo display to allow families an opportunity to celebrate and admire campers' work.  Campers are required to provide their own digital camera.  We will provide photo CDs and prints for the art display.          FEE $125/$100 BCNES members.  Location: Flag Ponds Nature Park (Mon, Thurs, Fri) Kings Landing Park (Tues) Battle Creek Cypress Swamp (Wed).

ENTERING GRADES 5-7

Fishing Camp

July 4-8                                                  9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Anglers enjoy a wide variety of fishing experiences including fishing for pan fish and bass as well as a charter boat excursion on the Bay. Instruction will be given on the various types of tackle, lures, knots and fish removal and cleaning. Bait and some tackle will be provided. Each participant will need to bring their own fishing pole and reel. Fee: $190/$160 BCNES members. Location: Varies.

 

ENTERING GRADES 5-8

 Junior Ranger Camp

July 25 - July 29                               10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

The definition of Ranger is "one who roves and wanders, one who protects the natural areas." Outdoorsy kids can explore the woodlands, the wetlands, the Patuxent River and hidden areas of Kings Landing Park while learning what it's like to be a park ranger. Backpacking, orienteering, canoeing, kayaking, animal and bird studies, fire building, emergency shelters, procurement of wild foods and water are all part of the hands on fun. Thursday we'll camp overnight and enjoy archery, swimming, night fishing, night hiking and campfire revelry. Participants are advised to wear sturdy walking shoes, a hat and light colored clothing. Come get sweaty, dirty and tough. You'll go home with the confidence that YOU can make it anywhere! For more information, call (410)535-2661.  Thurs. July 28 no day camp, overnight begins at 6:00pm  Fri. July 29 pick up at 9am  Fee: $125./$100. BCNES Members.   Location:  Kings Landing Park.

 

ENTERING GRADES 6-8

 Upstream, Downstream

August 1 - August 5                               9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

This week we will explore all things aquatic while learning the basics of getting around on the water using a variety of watercraft - like canoes, kayaks, tubes and rafts.  We'll explore different aquatic habitats as we retrace the path that water takes from the mountains to the Bay.  The last 2 days will be an overnight adventure to western Maryland to visit Antietum Creek (for tubing) and the Shenandoah River (for rafting).  Come prepared to get WET and have fun!  Transportation to and from western MD, food for the overnight, outfitters and camping fees included. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (location: Battle Creek, Flag Ponds, and Kings Landing)  **Thursday and Friday - overnight trip to trip to western MD:  FEE - $190/$160 BCNES Members.  Location: Varies.

 

A Kaleidoscope of Fun

Calvert County Parks have joined together to bring you a kaleidoscope of summer camp opportunities to choose from. Mix and match so every child in the family signs up for the same week, or link the camps at different sites for an extended summer experience. Fun, affordable, educational, and led by professionals in the field, these programs offer something to engage every child’s interest.

SOUTHERN CALVERT CAMPS 2011

Annmarie Garden

Calvert Marine Museum

Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum