Nocturnal Camp

As the sun sets and darkness descends, another world awakens. At ONSC’s Nocturnal Camp, campers explore the nighttime world while the daytime dwellers are sleeping.

Campers will explore nature's mysteries at night, gradually staying up later each evening. The adventure culminates on the final night, where they'll stay awake all night to experience the world as it transitions through night and back into day.

This camp is for ages 12 - 16.

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 (we'll email it after you purchase your tickets)

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

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.

About the Instructors:

Visit www.onsc.us/staff to learn more about ONSC's Teacher Naturalists and other staff.

Tentative Camp Schedule:

Sat, Nov 23

8:30am - Arrival & Registration

9:00am - Staff-Parent-Camper Meeting

9:45am - Parents depart

10:00am - Camper mtg. & orientation

11:00am - Name games / ice-breakers

12:00pm - Lunch

1:00pm - Nature Journal construction & Naturalist notes

2:00pm - Field Investigation with snack break

4:45pm - Return to campus, tick check, bathrooms

5:00pm - Down Time

5:30pm - Dinner

6:30pm - Frogwatch/Herpetology

7:30pm - Campfire with s'mores

8:30pm - Night Hike

10:15pm - Campers in lodges

Sun, Nov 24

8:30am - Wake up

9:30am - Breakfast

10:15am - Eco-Art

12:00pm - Snack

12:30pm - Rec Time

2:00pm - Lunch

3:00pm - Creekside Trail hike with snack

4:45pm - Return to campus, tick check, bathrooms

5:00pm - Downtime in the Lodges

6:30pm - Lunar Cycles Class

7:30pm - Dinner

8:15pm - Astronomy Viewing in Field (alt Constellation stories in Pavilion or Ewing)

9:45pm - Snack & Bathroom Break

10:15pm - Extended Night Hike

12:30am - Return to campus, tick check, bathrooms

12:45am - Campers in Lodges

Mon, Nov 25

11:00am - Wake Up

12:00pm - Breakfast

1:00pm - Class (TBD)

2:00pm - Active and/or quiet rec time

3:00pm - Snack and eco-art/crafts

4:30pm - Downtime in Lodges

5:30pm - Lunch

6:30pm - Night Journaling

7:00pm - Campfire w/Lorax play and snack

8:30pm - Downtime in Lodges or a Movie in Ed bldg

11:00pm - Dinner

12:00am - Extended night hike

Tue, Nov 26

4:45am - Return to campus, tick check, bathrooms

5-6:30am - Night Games!

6:30am - Listen to the Birds Awakening!

7:00am - Watch the Sun rise!

7:15am - Breakfast

8:00am - Back to Lodges to SLEEP!

4:30pm - Wake Up and get packed up

5:15pm - Take luggage to pavilion

5:30pm - "Lunch"/Dinner; Parents arrive, store time, departures