4-day, 3-night Junior Naturalist Outdoor Skills Camp at ONSC

ONSC offers a unique, immersion-based approach to learning about nature and the natural sciences. Students visit us for authentic science learning experiences that are correlated with national and state science learning standards and provide in-depth education in biology, ecology, geology, and social studies– all while having fun hiking and experiencing nature. 

ONSC's Jr. Naturalist Summer Camp will help curious campers learn how to be great observers and investigators of nature, provide opportunities to use different tools and methods of field science and research, and be so much fun!  Campers will be divided into field groups for hikes and some other activities by age level.  Camp activities include day hikes, night hikes, hands-on classes, team-building, games, nature art, and small-group activities.

Campers will stay in ONSC's lodges, and will be assigned to rooms by age and gender. 

We also have a limited number of free tickets for parent chaperones. We strive to assign chaperones to field groups that don't include their own child(ren), to allow all students an authentic feeling of "camp independence." However, exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis. An interview and background check are required to become a chaperone. Signing up for a chaperone position does not guarantee that you will be placed in a position.

Scholarships:

We strive to make ONSC programs accessible and affordable for all. In addition to ONSC's regular scholarship fund, we have been given a generous grant from the Walton Family Foundation so we can provide more camp scholarships. Apply here for a scholarship.

Registration:

Step 1: Purchase tickets below

Step 2: Complete the Camper Registration Form​ for each camper

Step 3: Read the Parent/Guardian Packet and Packing List

Tentative camp schedule and details: (Note: specific classes and activities are subject to change)

Day 1

7:30am - Arrival

8am - Staff-Parent-Camper Meeting

9am - Camper Meeting & Orientation

10am - Name Games / Ice-Breakers

11am - Nature Journal Activity

12pm - Lunch

1pm - Field Investigation (guided hike)

4:30pm - Downtime on the Deck

5:30pm - Dinner

6:30pm - Discovery of the Specimen Class

7:30pm - Campfire (Intro to Fire Building & Making Techniques)

8:30pm - Mini night hike

Overnight in ONSC lodges with chaperones

Day 2

8am - Breakfast

9am - Geology/ Finding Tools in Nature Field Investigation (guided hike)

12pm - Lunch

1pm - Active Recreation Time

2pm -  Botany/ Wild Edibles Field Investigation (guided hike)

5:30pm - Dinner

6:30pm - Downtime on the Deck

7pm - Lunar Cycles Class

8:15pm - Astronomy Viewing

Overnight in ONSC lodges with chaperones

Day 3

8am - Breakfast

9am - Radio Tracking Class & Box Turtle Research Project 

10am - Turtle Tracking and Herpetology Field Investigation (guided hike)

12pm - Lunch

1pm - Water Time! (Bus to War Eagle Creek for water quality testing, water purification techniques, searching for and identifing aquatic species, and fun in the water!)

4:30pm - Return to ONSC Campus/Lodges (change into dry clothes & take a break)

5:30pm - Dinner

6:30pm - Downtime on the Deck

7:00pm - FrogWatch Class/Activity

8:00pm - Campfire w/Lorax Play

8:45 - More Astronomy and/or Mini Night Hike 

Overnight in ONSC lodges with chaperones

Day 4

8am - Breakfast

9am - Ornithology Class

10am - Birding & Animal Signs/Tracking Field Investigation (guided hike)

12pm - Lunch

1pm - Lodges - packing

2pm - Active and/or Quiet Rec Time

3pm - Class/Activity/Short Hike

5pm - Dinner

5-6pm - Parents arrive, store time, departure

About the Instructors:

Visit www.onsc.us/staff to learn more about our Teacher Naturalists and other staff.