Science & Nature Camps
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Ages 7-9 (Girls Only)
If you have ever wanted to be Julie of the Wolves or Alice Gribley from On the Far Side of the Mountain then this is the camp for you. Led by female instructors we will learn the skills to be at home in the wilderness. Track coyotes and deer and learn the habits of the wildlife in your backyard. Rub wood together and make fire with your own hands. Walk with the plants and learn safe eating, harvesting and medicine. Listen to inspiring stories of girls in nature and weave a few tales of your own.
Girls will:* Learn to stay "found" in the wilderness
* Safely Climb Trees
* Make baskets from invasive forest plants
* Learn edible and medicinal plants
* Track wildlife
* Practice friction fire making7 years old-9 years oldGirls06/24/2013 - 06/28/2013M-F 9am-3:30pmYes$267 -
"Going on an Expotition?" said Pooh eagerly. "I don't think I've ever been on one of those. Where are we going to on this Expotition?"
"Expedition, silly old Bear. It's got an 'x' in it."
"Oh!" said Pooh. "I know." But he didn't really.
"We're going to discover the North Pole."
In the sprit of high adventure we will set out on this week to explore what the woods have to offer us. Along the way me might discover some interesting heffalump tracks or some tasty edible berries. We will also certainly tell some stories about all sorts of adventures. Ultimately, we might even find the North Pole. We will certainly make some new friends.
Students will:
Go exploring
Make art from natural objects
Track wildlife
Learn and draw wild edible and medicinal plants4 years old-6 years oldCo-ed06/24/2013 - 06/28/2013M-F 9am-1pm (4-6)$197 -
Using the interdisciplinary nature of archaeology, campers will explore Oregon's diverse heritage, natural landscapes, and ecosystems. Camp activities encourage cooperation and instill a sense of wonder and stewardship for Oregon's past, present, and future. Session 1 is designed for new campers and children with little to no museum experience.
7 years old-11 years oldCo-ed08/05/2013 - 08/09/2013M-F 9am-4pmYes$210 ($190 for MNCH members) -
Using the interdisciplinary nature of archaeology, campers will explore Oregon's diverse heritage, natural landscapes, and ecosystems. Camp activities encourage cooperation and instill a sense of wonder and stewardship for Oregon's past, present, and future. Session 2 is designed for returning campers and other children with some experience at the museum.
7 years old-11 years oldCo-ed08/19/2013 - 08/23/2013M-F 9am-4pmYes$210 ($190 for MNCH members) -
Mark Lewis presents a new challenge! Map tunnels, find dragon writings, dig up skeletons and piece together an understanding of the everyday life of an ancient, extinct dragon civilization below the earth. Be forewarned … those afraid of the dark need not apply.
8 years old-11 years oldCo-ed08/26/2013 - 08/30/2013M-F 9 am-3:30 pmYes$160 -
Discover the art of getting messy. Experiment with ordinary things that ooze and fizz. Play with mud, slime and things that go glop. Exploding volcanoes, Jackson Pollack style splatter murals. It’s art, science and fun all in one messy week.
8 years old-11 years oldCo-ed08/05/2013 - 08/09/2013M-F 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.Yes$140 -
The year is 1938 and our intrepid time traveler, Archie Diggs, is trapped in time by sinister agents of Umbra. Decipher ancient languages, explore different cultures and create artifacts. It’s full-contact creativity as you work with professional actor Mark Lewis to foil our nemesis.
8 years old-11 years oldCo-ed07/08/2013 - 07/12/2013M-F 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.Yes$160 -
Visit Big Bear Valley…
Lost in the old coastal mountains is a land where the water runs clear and clean and the Coho Salmon come to spawn. Ancient trees stand tall and regal. This is a place where black bears den and raise their young and where cougars travel the ridges looking for food. In this hidden valley is where we will build Big Bear Village.
Muddy CamperThe banks of Miller Creek will be our home for the week. Days will be spent learning and playing in the woods. Foraging trips led by our expert staff will return with wild foods for the village to eat. Teams of village Scouts will follow the game trails and report back to the village on the movements of wildlife in our camp. Archers will hone their aim on bows made from their own hand. We will all build shelters from natural materials that can keep us warm and dry. And by night we will share stories of our day by the fire made without matches. Join our village for an epic week outdoors.
In addition to receiving a locally hand-dyed Whole Earth Nature School t-shirts, a nature journal and a pocket field guide (a different guide for each week), Big Bear Village participants also receive our Whole Earth Nature School stainless steel water bottle, and a bowdrill friction fire kit of their own making!Note: this camp is a 7-day overnight at an established camp. Participants should be comfortable with the idea of sleeping outside in tipis or yurts.
10 years old-12 years oldCo-ed07/07/2013 - 07/13/2013Sun - SatYes$497 -
You always knew you were somehow different from the other kids. You just didn't know how different. It turns out that one of your parents is an Olympian god. Now, the only safe place in the world for you is here at Camp Half-Blood, the home of the demigods. Here at camp you train in archery, swordfighting, tracking, and survival. You get a chance to really use your magical senses to perceive things that others can't. Plus, you get to be friends with the dryads, nymphs, and satyrs, the guardians of the forest. Still, the gods, your parents, can't resist stirring up trouble and leaving a mess for you to clean up. Here we go again, heading out on a magical adventure to save the day.
Students will:
Practice archery
Practice sword fighting with safe, foam, swords
Play training games like capture the flag in the forest
Learn to expand your awareness
Track wildlife
Learn wild edible and medicinal plants7 years old-12 years oldCo-ed06/17/2013 - 06/21/2013M-F 9am-3:30pmYes$267 -
Surviving in the wilderness doesn’t have to be a struggle. In this camp we practice the ancient skills of survival that kept our ancestors alive. Our days will be spent exploring the woods in search of adventure. Meanwhile we will create our own “primitive camp” as a home base. Our home is made by our own hands as we design a shelter that can keep us warm and dry. Our fire is made without matches as we practice the ancient art of friction fire. We will become part of our landscape as we track and trail wildlife through their forest home. We will also find nourishment from safely collecting the wild edible plants. PLUS Camp Little Bear includes a pot luck dinner on Thursday and overnight camp out at Oak Hill School. Camp will end at 12:00 pm on Friday.
7 years old-10 years oldCo-ed07/08/2013 - 07/12/2013M-F 9:00 am to 3:30 pmYes$317 -
Dive into a week of water exploration! Discover ocean geography and the ocean's effect on our planet. A marine ecologist will help us investigate the ways we use and misuse ocean resources. Make some waves at the beach; we'll visit the Oregon coast tide pools, sand dunes, and the Oregon Cost Aquarium.
5 years old-11 years oldCo-ed08/05/2013 - 08/09/2013M-F 8:00am-5:45pm$20 non-refundable registration fee + UO affiliates - $190, Community families - $205 -
Get ready to get down and dirty! Learn about growing and preparing food, saving seeds, and composting. Tour local farms, including camp favorite, Farmer John's Farm, and the UO Urban Farm! Get the buzz on bees and sustainable farming from a local beekeeper. Volunteer at Food for Lane County and check out the farm animals at the Lane County Fair.
5 years old-11 years oldCo-ed07/22/2013 - 07/26/2013M-F 8:00am-5:45pm$20 non-refundable registration fee + UO affiliated families - $190, Community families - $205 -
Ages 7-8, 9-12
Fire is an important tool which provides us with many benefits. It gives us light, cooks our food, helps us to make tools, helps us to purify water in the woods, keeps us warm and was used for thousands of years to manage our unique valley ecosystem. Fire can also be destructive which is why at Whole Earth Nature School our teachings about fire begin and end with safety. When used safely, fire can be a wonderful thing.fire, Fire, FIRE! is all about understanding and respecting the amazing gift of fire. During this Summer Nature Camp kids will learn how to collect dry tinder and fuel even in wet weather. They will learn how to prepare a safe fire pit. They will learn how to build a proper fire structure. They will learn about different ways of igniting fires, including using wood friction. They will learn how to safely manage and extinguish a fire. And they will also get to make their own warm tea from wild plants growing in the area.
Please note: We take fire safety very seriously at Whole Earth Nature School. All of our staff are professionals and will ensure that all participants understand the potential hazards of fire and how to be safe around fire. Any child that is not willing to be respectful of the rules and guidelines for fire safety will be removed from any active fire-making activity. Finally, all of our staff are required to keep their first aid certifications current and up to date.
Students will:* Learn fire safety
* practice different methods of friction fire such as bowdrill and handdrill
* Practice with flint and steel
* Make char cloth
* Make wild plant tea
* Boil water with hot rocks7 years old-12 years oldCo-ed06/17/2013 - 06/21/2013M-F 9am-3:30pm (7-12)Yes$267 (7-12) -
Through a blend of environmental education and outdoor adventures, youth will discover the local natural world. Campers will explore an old growth forest, raft down the river, learn about gardening, canoe in a lake, and climb a tree in a local park.
6 years old-8 years oldCo-ed07/15/2013 - 07/19/2013M-F 10 am - 4 pmYes$180 -
Through a blend of environmental education and outdoor adventures, youth will discover the local natural world. Campers will explore an old growth forest, raft down the river, learn about gardening, canoe in a lake, and climb a tree in a local park.
6 years old-8 years oldCo-ed08/12/2013 - 08/16/2013M-F 10 am - 4 pmYes$180 -
Through a blend of environmental education and outdoor adventures, youth will explore the local natural world. Campers will explore an old growth forest, raft down the river, learn about gardening, canoe in a lake and climb a tree in a local park.
8 years old-10 years oldCo-ed07/22/2013 - 07/26/2013M-F 10 am - 4 pmYes$180 -
Through a blend of environmental education and outdoor adventures, youth will explore the local natural world. Campers will explore an old growth forest, raft down the river, learn about gardening, canoe in a lake and climb a tree in a local park.
8 years old-10 years oldCo-ed08/26/2013 - 08/30/2013M-F 10 am - 4 pmYes$180 -
The Shire is a fine place for hobbits. No better place in the whole world, I always say. So how did I end up on this crazy adventure? In this camp we will be journeying to discover and reclaim the dwarves lost treasure in the Lonely Mountain. Along the way we will need to solve riddles, traverse mysterious forests, and put our survival skills to the test.
Campers will:
Learn to stay "found" in the wilderness
Search for treasure
Build forts
Practice natural camouflage for invisibility
Sneak through the forest
Track wildlife
Play at riddles.7 years old-12 years oldCo-ed08/12/2013 - 08/16/2013M-F 9am-3:30pmYes$267 -
This week we'll have our eyes on the sky! Discover the science and history of flight and rocketry. Build rockets, gliders, and paper airplanes, and create a wind tunnel. Travel with us to the Creswell Airport, the Evergreen Air and Space Museum, and the Wings and Waves Waterpark in McMinnville.
5 years old-11 years oldCo-ed06/24/2013 - 06/28/2013M-F 8:00am-5:45pm$20 non-refundable registration fee + UO affiliated families- $190, Commity families - $205 -
Imagine the joy of spending five days in the Shire, surrounded with friends so close you’ll call them all family! At this camp you’ll be quite busy:
Making food to eat
Eating
Building an earthen-sided “home” replete with a circular door!
Singing
Dancing
Eating Second Breakfast!
And all manners of things hobbit!
Keep a watchful eye, I’ve heard an old grey-bearded wizard might happen this way…4 years old-6 years oldCo-ed08/12/2013 - 08/16/2013M-F 9am-1pmYes$197 -
Investigate the life cycle of "stuff". Visit the Glenwood Transfer Station, Short Mountain Landfill and BRING Recycling. Increase your awareness on how to reduce, reuse, and recycle to help keep the earth clean and healthy. Turn trash into treasured works of eco-friendly art using recycled materials. Conduct an audit of waste produced at the Olum Center and check out the recycling center on campus.
5 years old-11 years oldCo-ed06/17/2013 - 06/21/2013M-F 8:00am-5:45pm$20 non-refundable registration fee + UO affiliated families - $190, Community families - $205 -
It’s a spacetacular week learning about the universe above us. Arts: Make moon pies, balloon rockets, and flying saucers. Sports: Badminton, soccer, and capture the moon.
6 years old-12 years oldCo-ed07/01/2013 - 07/05/2013MTuWF 7:30am-6:00pmYes$116 -
Dig for your own buried treasure and have a dino-might adventure. Arts: Make fossils, dino door hangers, and a xvgiant dino sculpture. Sports: Running, jumping and throwing.
4 years old-5 years oldCo-ed06/24/2013 - 06/28/2013M-F 9am - 2 pmYes$111 -
It’s a spacetacular week learning about the universe above us. Arts: Galaxy play-dough, flying saucers, make moon pies. Sports: T-ball and soccer.
4 years old-5 years oldCo-ed07/01/2013 - 07/05/2013MTuWF 9am - 2 pmYes$88 -
You can find radical rocks everywhere and we are going to investigate! Arts: Rock hunt, pet rocks and story stones. Sports: Dribbling and tumbling.
4 years old-5 years oldCo-ed07/22/2013 - 07/26/2013M-F 9am - 2 pmYes$111 -
Explore some history mysteries and learn some cool science. Arts: Egg drop, sun prints and moai statues. Sports: Intro to tennis, and wall ball.
4 years old-5 years oldCo-ed07/15/2013 - 07/19/2013M-F 9am - 2 pmYes$111 -
Blast off for a week of space exploration! Discover how ancient civilizations used the stars. A guest astronomer will help us on our journey through the galaxy. Tour the Solar System at Alton Baker Park and visit the planetarium at the Science Factory.
5 years old-11 years oldCo-ed08/12/2013 - 08/16/2013M-F 8:00am-5:45pm$20 non-refundable registration fee + UO affiliates - $190, Community families - $205 -
Ages 4-6, 7-8, 9-12
The fields, forests, and hills are bursting with nature's bounty! Come exploring with us as we gather wild greens and berries. Returning from our harvest we will learn to make delicious jams and other wild food creations. Instructors will focus on how to safely identify wild plants and practice safe and sustainable harvesting. Eat to your heart's content and become a caretaker and steward of our environment. All campers will bring home jars of jam for their families.
Students will:* Harvest berries
* Make jam to take home
* Learn to safely identify wild edible plants
* Learn wild medicinal herbs
* Pick apples and plums
* 7-12 year olds will go fishing in the canoe canal4 years old-12 years oldCo-ed08/26/2013 - 08/30/2013M-F 9am-1pm (4-6) 9am-3:30pm (7-8) (9-12)Yes$197 (4-5) $267 (6-8) (9-12) -
Summer Enrichment Program participants spend two weeks in residence on the UO campus enjoying an exceptional experience that weaves challenging academic enrichment with friendship and fun. Bring your love of learning and unique talents to a community where intelligence and creativity are valued and supported.
10 years old-17 years oldCo-ed07/07/2013 - 07/20/201324/7 for two weeksYes$1595 -
Summer Enrichment participants are advanced learners who spend two weeks in residence on the UO campus enjoying an exceptional experience that weaves challenging academic enrichment classes with friendship and fun. Bring your love of learning and unique talents and interests to a community where intelligence and creativity are valued and supported.
10 years old-17 years oldCo-ed07/21/2013 - 08/03/201324/7 for two weeksYes$1595 (includes application fee) -
If you are an older student interested in developing leadership skills and earning up to 130 community service hours, we provide an opportunity to participate in SEP as a Junior Counselor. During morning class, JCs learn leadership tools that help enhance self-confidence, motivation, verbal communications, creative problem solving, and conflict resolution skills. When not in class, JCs work with staff members to create and supervise projects, activities, and excursions for campers, acting as mentors, friends, and confidantes to younger students. JCs also receive support and a head start with resume writing, interviewing, and applying to colleges--including essay writing, time management, and budget creation.
15 years old-17 years oldCo-ed07/07/2013 - 08/03/201324/7 for one of two 2-week sessionsYes$1180 -
TEOTWAWKI: The End Of The World As We Know It
Come train for the end of the world. The world may not have ended at the end of the Mayan calendar but surely it must eventually, right? Let's be prepared. Campers will be training in all manner of post-apocalyptic survival skills. We will be looking at ways to purify water, find shelter, and start fires. We will also learn about escape, evasion and camouflage. We may even learn a little bit about combatting zombies.
Students will:
Practice "stealth missions"
Learn several ways to create fire in an emergency
Learn to make your own water purification system
Construct shelters from found materials11 years old-15 years oldCo-ed08/05/2013 - 08/09/2013M-F 9am-3:30pmYes$267 -
Ages 4-6, 7-8, 9-12
Moving silently, invisible to all creation, the Earth Ninja glides along the ridge top. She is searching for a good winter camp for her people. She must travel lightly and quickly through foreign territory and remain unseen. Returning to the village she reports to the people what dangers and opportunities lie ahead.Being a ninja in the wilderness means living closely with the plants and animals that surround us. By understanding movement and camouflage we learn to travel unseen and unheard in any environment. Beware, there are rumors of another clan traveling in the forest. You will learn to read tracks and understand the language of birds to foretell of any approaching danger. Become the silent ninja who is the protector and provider for the village.
Students will:* Learn techniques for unseen movement
* Practice camouflage with natural materials
* Track wildlife and other clans
* Listen to birds to foretell of approaching danger
* Learn to safely identify edible plants4 years old-12 years oldCo-ed08/19/2013 - 08/23/2013M-F 9:00am-1:00pm (4-6); 9am-3:30pm (7-8); (9-12)Yes$267 (6-8);(9-12) -
Ages 4-6, 7-8, 9-12
Moving silently, invisible to all creation, the Earth Ninja glides along the ridge top. She is searching for a good winter camp for her people. She must travel lightly and quickly through foreign territory and remain unseen. Returning to the village she reports to the people what dangers and opportunities lie ahead.Being a ninja in the wilderness means living closely with the plants and animals that surround us. By understanding movement and camouflage we learn to travel unseen and unheard in any environment. Beware, there are rumors of another clan traveling in the forest. You will learn to read tracks and understand the language of birds to foretell of any approaching danger. Become the silent ninja who is the protector and provider for the village.
Students will:* Learn techniques for unseen movement
* Practice camouflage with natural materials
* Track wildlife and other clans
* Listen to birds to foretell of approaching danger
* Learn to safely identify edible plants6 years old-12 years oldCo-ed07/15/2013 - 07/19/2013M-F 9am-1pm (4-6); 9am-3:30pm (7-8); (9-12)Yes$197 (4-6); $267 (7-8);(9-12) -
You're in for some shocking discoveries as we investigate the world of power. Examine how we power our lives from the Leaburg Dam to solar panels. Learn about pollution and discover some alternative energy sources by building solar cars and wind turbines.
5 years old-11 years oldCo-ed07/08/2013 - 07/12/2013M-F 8:00am-5:45pm$20 non-refundable registration fee + UO affiliated families - $190, Community families - $205 -
The forest is filled with all manner of creatures. But they lead secretive lives and we rarely get to see them. That's where the Wild Animal Trackers team comes in. If you join the team you will begin to develop your own track awareness and get a glimpse into the secret lives of animals. Not only will you learn to identify animals by their footprints but you will start to tell the stories of where they have been and what they were doing. Plus, you will get to practice tracking your instructors and your friends.
Students will:
Identify wild animal tracks
Make plaster casts of footprints
Track your instructor
Listen to birds to foretell of approaching danger
Learn to move like the animals you track7 years old-8 years oldCo-ed07/22/2013 - 07/26/2013M-F 9am-3:30pmYes$267 -
Ages 4-6
Most people don't believe stories of the faeries that live in the forest. We know better. The forest is full of all kinds of magic and mystery for us to explore. During camp we will go tracking faeries, build faerie houses, learn faerie plant medicine and discover notes from the faeries that live around us. If we are lucky we might even catch a glimpse of one of these secretive creatures.
Students will:* Practice awareness to search for faeries
* Build faerie houses
* Sing songs
* Learn healing faerie herbs4 years old-6 years oldCo-ed07/22/2013 - 07/26/2013M-F 9am-1pmYes$197 (4-5)