Summer Day Camp at ONSC Lake Fayetteville - June 9-12

Dive into an unforgettable summer of nature, science, and adventure with ONSC! During our Summer Day Camps, campers will:

🔍 Embark on field investigations with our Teacher Naturalists during guided hikes.

🎨 Let their creativity bloom with eco-art projects

🎉 Enjoy exciting games and activities to stay active and engaged throughout the day.

📝 Learn nature journaling to record their experiences and discoveries, nurturing a deeper connection with the world around them.

🔬 Experience fascinating science lessons that bring the wonders of the natural world to life.

📍 Located at ONSC’s Lake Fayetteville location, our day camps combine the benefits of being outdoors with the chance to immerse in our science classrooms for lessons and activities.

Ages 7-14

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: Be on the lookout for a packing list and info packet which will be sent out before camp to the email address you provided!

Chaperones:

We 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.

Summer Day Camps: (choose one or more!) (see camp descriptions below)

June 2-5: Life in the Water

June 9-12 : Life of the Reptiles and Amphibians

June 16-19: Life of the Bugs

July 23-26: Life of the Birds

June 30-July 3: Life in the Forest

July 7-10: Life in the Solar System

August 4-7: Life on Lake Fayetteville

Daily Schedule (tentative):

• 7:30 - 9am: Drop-off

• Morning Session: Field investigation (guided hike), nature journaling, active games

• 12pm: Lunch (bring your own packed lunch)

• Afternoon Session: Eco-art and activities, games, science lessons (bring your own snack)

• 5 - 6pm:  Pick-up

Camp Descriptions

June 2-5: Life in the Water - Campers will learn about aquatic ecosystems--life in and on the water, water quality testing and assessment using indicator species, watersheds, and how to keep our water healthy! Discover the watery world of beavers, birds, amphibians, invertebrates, and more.

June 9-12: Life of the Reptiles and Amphibians - Campers will learn about herpetology--the study of reptiles and amphibians--and how to identify these creatures that can be found all around us! Discover their adaptations, learn frog calls, and use radio tracking to study turtles like a scientist.

June 16-19: Life of the Bugs - Campers will learn about entomology--the study of insects--and will also learn about spiders to see how these small creatures have a big job to do! Discover their critical roles in the ecosystem, how scientists are studying them in Arkansas today, and how to find, safely capture, and identify them with tools and field guides.

June 23-26: Life of the Birds - Campers will learn about ornithology--the study of birds--alongside bird watching basics to track and identify species that can be found locally! Discover birds' unique adaptations, their calls, how to protect their habitats, and the secrets of flight.

June 30-July 3: Life in the Forest - Campers will practice outdoor skills for camping and hiking while learning about the many interconnected organisms and natural features in the forest. Discover campsite set up, outdoor preparedness, specimen identification, water purification, and botany. 

July 7-10: Life in the Solar System - Campers will learn about how solar systems work and how the Earth's position in ours impacts life on our planet! Discover geology, lunar cycles, astronomy, and the greenhouse effect. 

August 4-7: Life on Lake Fayetteville - Campers will learn ecology and environmental conservation as they explore the human and cultural history of the Lake Fayetteville area. Discover how our community has used and impacted the land and life around the lake over time, local ecology, and and individual as well as collective actions we can take to keep the environment healthy!

Guided Hike Topics Include (but are not limited to):

Natural Science Topics – Adaptations and Natural Selection, Food Webs, Geology and the Rock Cycle, Human and Cultural History (Osage Native Americans and Settlers), Phenology and Seasonal Changes, Succession and Natural History, Symbiosis, Water Quality-Biotic and Abiotic Testing, Weather, Weathering and Erosion, Watersheds, and The Four Spheres: Atmosphere, Biosphere, Geosphere, & Hydrosphere

Wilderness Exploration Topics – Mentality for Outdoor Exploration, Physical Preparedness, Wilderness Safety, Monitoring and Adjusting for Environmental Conditions, Emergency Action Plans, Comfort Management, Materials and Tools Found in Nature, Wild Edibles and Foraging, Water Quality and Purification

About Ozark Natural Science Center: 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, social studies, and nature art – all while students have fun hiking and experiencing nature. Camp activities include  hikes, team-building, games, art, and small-group activities.

Ticket Refund Policy:

• Refunds up to 1 week before the event: Tickets are refundable minus any applicable fees (processing, administrative, etc.) until 7 days before the event.

• Refunds within 1 week of the event: For refund requests made less than 7 days prior to the event, a 50% refund will be given.

• No refunds within 24 hours of the event: Refund requests made within 24 hours of the event are not permitted, except in exceptional circumstances and only with approval from ONSC administration.

*Please note that all refund requests must be submitted in writing to jill.bowman@onsc.us. Refunds will be processed within 7-10 business days.

About the Instructors:

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

Questions? Please email School Program and Camp Manager, Breana Patterson at breana.patterson@onsc.us with any questions about ONSC Day Camps