Summer Day Camps 2018

Explore the largest group of animals in the world – insects. These six-legged wonders abound in our fields, forests, ponds and rivers. We’ll investigate their amazing adaptations, life cycles and ecology through outdoor games, explorations, stories, art activities and songs. Highlights include a search for aquatic insects in a nearby river, setting up insect motels, creating pattern block insects and exploring the characteristics and habitat of honey bees.

Calling all nature explorers! How does a water scorpion breathe, a beaver eat under water without drowning or a Great Blue Heron catch fish? Come and learn the answers to these and other questions during our week exploring and comparing river, pond and wetland communities. We’ll catch and identify aquatic insects, build a river food web, investigate a beaver pond and identify common wetland plants. We’ll also play, do crafts, sing songs, and read stories.

Explore gardens, fields and forests of Hildene to discover and learn how the human and natural worlds are interconnected. We will be foragers of the field and forest! As naturalists, we will observe and identify plants through activities, games and projects including hunting and gathering for wild crafting and eating. From teas to dream pillows to terrariums and vine baskets, we will make crafts and foods to eat to become closer to the natural world around us.

Come and discover how the forest is more than just trees! Campers explore the forests in and around Hildene and learn about the woodland ecology of the region from the ground up. Through the exploration and identification of the flora and fauna, habitat and life cycle studies, games and wild crafting, we’ll get to know the diverse forest communities of the Taconic and Green Mountains that surround us.

In a world of growing technology, it is so important that our children and this generation stay connected to the Earth and nature. Join us as we trek through the beautiful wilderness of Hildene and explore its hidden treasures. Students will learn fire safety, tracking, shelter and edible/medicinal plants using natural and primitive techniques. This includes plant, tree and bird identification and primitive tools, crafts and games. Campers use observational and hands-on skills while exercising their senses with movement and awareness challenges. Together we will build trust and confidence with each other and our natural surroundings.

Campers tend to the care of sheep, chickens, pigs and cows at our Dene Farm. They learn about the importance of composting, while getting their hands in the soil, cultivating and harvesting vegetables. They explore the operations of our greenhouse, including planting and harvesting micro-greens. At our goat dairy, campers learn about raising goats and the cheese making process. Farm-based crafts, stories and foods are also part of the mix, with the week ending with a mini farm-to-table celebration.

Campers tend to the care of sheep, chickens, pigs and cows at our Dene Farm. They learn about the importance of composting, while getting their hands in the soil, cultivating and harvesting vegetables. They explore the operations of our greenhouse, including planting and harvesting micro-greens. At our goat dairy, campers learn about raising goats and the cheese making process. Farm-based crafts, stories and foods are also part of the mix, with the week ending with a mini farm-to-table celebration.
 

Travel around the world exploring art from past cultures and art movements without leaving the grounds of Hildene. Campers create art while learning about famous artists. Creativity and personal expression are encouraged as campers learn about new materials and techniques. They go on hikes, gather materials for projects and create paintings in the gardens of Hildene. The camp culminates with an art show for family and friends exhibiting the work created during this artistic journey.