Boston Nature Center Camp - Habitat Is All That

Weekly themes (below) will be explored in a multitude of meaningful and interesting ways to ensure that each camper ends the week with a well-rounded understanding of the overall theme, in addition to a better understanding and appreciation of nature in general. The weekly theme is explored through a combination of the following activities: close observations, investigations, simple projects, nature journals, walks on the trails, art activities, related group games, songs, and more. The open house… Show more on the last day of every week invites campers to share their understanding of the weekly theme with their friends and families.
Week 1 - June 25-June 29: Habitat is all That (Habitats)
Some homes hang 20 feet in the air by string, some are filled with thousands of tunnels and rooms, and a few are made entirely of paper. Let's examine these amazing animal homes and the unique habitats they are found in. This week we will take a close look at animal shelters and the parts of a habitat. Come explore the forest, meadow and wetland habitats at the BNC and maybe even create your own!
Week 2 - July 2-July 6: Geology Rocks (Geology)
Everyone has found a special rock, and many have a collection of their favorites. We will find rocks that sparkle, rocks that roll, and rocks with ancient fossils inside. Through scavenger hunts, geology experiments and field trips we will learn the characteristics of local rocks, how rocks are formed and how they impact the landscape. We'll explore the secrets of sand and soil, too in this week filled with adventure.
Week 3 - July 9- July 13: Natural Artists (Art & Nature)
Let nature be your inspiration, whether you are sculpting with natural materials on the trails, or painting a landscape on the front lawn. What kind of art could you make with mud or grass or even twigs? The Boston Nature Center will be transformed into a gallery for our own budding artists.
Week 4 - July 16- July 20: Wild Thing (Wildlife)
Living creatures have all kinds of survival strategies! Apply your detective skills as you uncover the mysteries of adaptations such as camouflage and biomimicry. What adaptations will you discover? Create a critter of your own choosing and equip it with some survival tools!
Week 5 - July 23- July 27: Animal Superheroes (5 Senses)
Can you listen with your legs or taste with your feet? We will discover some of the amazing superhero senses that help animals to find food, avoid predators and stay alive. Put your own senses to the test in games that challenge you to listen like an owl or echolocate like a bat.
Week 6 - July 30- August 3: Bug Bonanza (Insects & Others)
Stinkbugs and monarchs and beetles, oh my! Explore our fields and forests to find the many different kinds of six-legged creatures that abound when you start looking closely. Grab a net and a bug box, and be prepared to learn something new about these abundant and important organisms.
Week 7 - August 6-August 10: Can You Dig It? (Plants & Gardening)
"You put your shovel in, you take your shovel out, you put your shovel in and you twist it all about..." Find out what all the excitement is about as we discover a world of roots, seeds and weeds. Explore the structures of plants and learn about helpful insects and animals while collecting fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots for a feast.
Week 8 - August 13-August 17: Science Superstars (Science Investigations)
So many questions and so little time! We will learn to ask questions the way scientists do, and then set up experiments to test and prove our theories. We will use experiments to learn more about the world around us, everything from weather to wildlife. By the end of the week you'll realize that you, too, can be a science superstar.
Week 9 - August 20-August 24: Wet & Wild (Water Investigations)
Water is necessary for life on Earth. It can freeze, turn into vapor, seep into very tiny places, and so much more! Water is an amazing substance and is everywhere. Learn about water and the never ending journey it makes from earth to sky and back again. Join us for a water scavenger hunt, ice cube races and much more.
Week 10- - August 27-August 31: Under Construction (Design & Construction)
Can you drop an egg from two stories high without breaking it? Can you make a nest like a bird? Challenge yourself during this week of building and design. We will model our creations after what we discover in nature while exploring our place in the food web.
Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Children can attend up to 4 weeks of camp. If additional weeks are desired, you may be put on a waiting list.
Instructions and Directions: Fees are based on a sliding scale. To request a registration packet, please call (617) 983-8500 or print registration forms from BNC's "Summer Camp" page.
Registration is required.
To request a registration packet, please call (617) 983-8500 or email bnc@massaudubon.org.
For your own security, DO NOT send credit card information via email.
For more information, contact:
Boston Nature Center
500 Walk Hill Street
Mattapan, MA 02126
(617) 983-8500
bnc@massaudubon.org

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