Day Camps 2022

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.

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.

YOUTH CORPS IS FULL

The portion of our trails that run through forested wetlands often leave hikers with soggy shoes. The 2022 youth corps team will complete a boardwalk on one of these trails, protecting its integrity and plant life, while also making it more accessible and enjoyable to hikers. 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. The team will also spend time learning about and exploring the ecology of Hildene, helping with chores at Hildene Farm, researching nonprofit organizations, enjoying crafts and playing games. This is a two-week summer program for 8 highly motivated young people. Visit: https://hildene.org/learning/youth_corps for more information.

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.

Join us to create a miniature village! Campers design peeps (little people) and build a rustic village using natural materials. Through their peeps, campers playfully explore community themes, such as collaboration and teamwork, and experience connections to something bigger than themselves. There are jobs to be done, products to be made, and services to provide. While building their community, campers investigate the forest, meadow, and wetland habitats of Hildene and learn about the native plants and animals. They also make nature-based crafts, prepare medicinal “sun” teas, play cooperative games, and engage in observation and awareness activities.

CAMP IS FULL

Campers tend to the care of sheep, chickens, pigs and cows at Hildene Farm in the Dene… 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 the 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 in a mini farm-to-table celebration.

CAMP IS FULL

Campers tend to the care of sheep, chickens, pigs and cows at Hildene Farm in the Dene… 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 the 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 in a mini farm-to-table celebration.

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.