Day Camps 2021

CAMP IS FULL.

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 field investigations, games, stories and art activities.    Highlights include wading in a nearby stream in search of aquatic insects, setting up insect motels, creating pattern block insects and celebrating and exploring the vital role of insect pollinators.

CAMP IS FULL.

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, and read stories.

YOUTH CORPS IS FULL.

Hildene has moved its bee yard so our guests may observe and learn about the honey bee as a powerhouse pollinator.  The team will construct a rail fence around the bee yard to keep our visitors at a safe distance while still enjoying the comings and goings of the bees. During the construction of this project, the Youth Corps team will develop basic carpentry skills under the guidance of Hildene’s Building Superintendent, TJ Lillie. While mornings will focus on the honey bee operation, the afternoons will be spent learning about and exploring the ecology of Hildene, helping with chores at the goat dairy and Dene farm, researching nonprofit organizations, enjoying crafts and playing games. This is a two-week summer program for 6 highly motivated young people. Visit: https://hildene.org/learning/youth_corps for more information.

CAMP IS FULL.

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.

CAMP IS FULL.

From nature walks, to the formal gardens, to the goat dairy and beyond, campers explore the beauty of Hildene while gathering materials for projects. Campers create colorful drawings, paintings, sculptures and prints inspired by the styles and materials used by artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe, Picasso, Seurat and Monet.  Their imaginations soar as they learn about new techniques. The week ends with an art show for students’ families, exhibiting work created during this week-long artistic journey.

CAMP IS FULL.

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, the week ending with the campers giving their parents a tour of the farm in the dene.

CAMP IS FULL.

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, the week ending with the campers giving their parents a tour of the farm in the dene.

CAMP IS FULL.

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.

Using our camp themes, Plants and Pollinators, Ponds and Wetlands, Forests and Farm Day, we have selected favorite investigations and activities, and included all the tools, equipment and special materials you'll need to have fun while learning with your families and caregivers. Guided by your child’s curiosity, discover the simple wonders of the natural world. Camp-in-a-Box provides all the tools needed to have fun, learn together, and peak a child’s curiosity, while discovering the simple wonders of the natural world. Unprecedented times require unprecedented solutions and this solution includes lots of fun! Camp in a Box is designed for curb-side pick-up, and includes a 5-day grounds pass to Hildene to have the option of doing the activities at Hildene. For more information, contact Diane Newton: newton@hildene.org.