Classes and Camps

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Classes and Camps

2013 Summer Camp

At the Dunwoody Nature Center, we feature 22 acres and four distinct habitats that allow our campers to explore nature in a structured environment. By combining play and learning, children are able to grow and develop at their own pace and better understand how they are a part of the larger world. But don't just take our word for it - here's what some of our summer camp parents had to say:

The kids were excited to get up and go every day. What they learned in one week was more than they learned in science class all school year. Best camp ever! My son had the best time and learned so much My child had a wonderful time, made friends she still wants to play with after the summer is over, and remembers the lessons learned about nature. She loved her counselors! This was the best summer ever. Well organized, great activities, more prepared counselors We were thrilled that she had the opportunity to really get outside and enjoy nature/your gorgeous facility Loved Junior Ranger camp at Island Ford. Very unique experience It was great to have a hands-in-the-dirt, no electronics week to kick off the summer. My children had a great time and we'll definitely be back Small groups, age-appropriate activities and a good combination of classroom-based and outdoor adventures. I think this is a great camp for the end of the summer vacation, in that it eases children back into some of the more structured, academic skills they will need in school Loved the simple discovery of catching tadpoles and watching birds and learning lessons about nature. The lessons and times you remember for your entire life and tell your grandchildren about The leadership at this camp was exceptional and provided a warm and fun environment for my son. He learned so much and came home exhausted - a sign of a great day! It was my son's favorite week of the whole summer!”

In 2012, the Nature Center served over 500 children through our camps. Were their parents satisfied? You Bet! Among survey respondents, over 98% would recommend the Nature Center's camps to a friend and another 94% plan to return again this summer!

Go to our Summer Camp Page Download our Camp Flyer Download our Camp Brochure


2013 Camps: Fast Facts

Half Day Camp
Full Day Camp
Junior Rangers
For Ages 3 & 4 For Rising K-5 Ages 9-12
From 9:30 - 12:30 From 9:30 - 3:30 From 9:30 - 3:30

Members: $135 (5 days)
Non-members: $160 (5 days)

Members: $225 (5 days)
Non-members: $250 (5 days)

Members: $250 (5 days)
Non-members: $275 (5 days)

* Memorial Week Camp (4 days) will be $180 for Members and $200 for Non-Members for the Full Day
* Memorial Week Camp (4 days) will be $115 for Members and $135 for Non-Members for Half Day
* July 4th Week Camps (3 days) will be $135 for Members and $150 for Non-Members for the Full Day
* July 4th Week Camps (3 days) will be $85 for Members and $100 for Non-Members for Half Day


Come Early - Breakfast with the Birds:
  • Early drop off before camp beginning at 8:15
  • All ages of campers
  • $25 per camper for 5 days

Stay Late - Games of Strategy:
  • Late pick up after camp up until 5:30 PM
  • Kindergarten through 5th grade only
  • $50 per camper for 5 days

2013 Camps and Descriptions


Week


Camp Theme and Description

May 28 - May 31
(Memorial Day Week
4-day camp)

Unsolved Mysteries

Have you ever wondered how beautiful crystals can grow inside of a rather bland looking geode? Or why a garter snake always smells when you try to pick it up? Nature is full of the unknown; and uncovering those mysteries will be your task during this fun-filled and eye-opening week. All one needs in order to unravel the mysteries of nature is an open and curious mind, and a willingness to explore. So grab your magnifying glass, microscope, and other nature detective tools and join the fun. Help us to unravel the mysteries of nature.



June 3 - June 7

The Science of Nature

Does your camper love to mix things together to see what will happen or have a curiosity about how things work? Then this is the perfect camp for the budding scientist! During the week, we will ask questions, hypothesize, experiment, and analyze as only the Nature Center can do. Using Dunwoody Park as our subject, we will begin to make sense of the natural world through hands-on activities. Nature, in all its abstract beauty, is full of things that we can better understand… if we think like a scientist!



 

June 10 - June 14

We Love Bugs!

Kids love bugs! They are just plain fun, especially when you can spend a whole week learning about and scouring Dunwoody Park for ladybugs, roly-poly’s, ants, water striders and more. Campers will learn how to identify and classify creepy crawlies from insects to spiders. Bugs are hopping at the Nature Center during the summer and it is the perfect place to learn all about them while playing games, taking hikes, or making cool crafts. Kids will explore the world of bugs as they sing about them, move like them, paint them, and even hold them!



June 17 - June 21

Wonderful Water

Wanna be cool? Then come and spend a week celebrating water with us! We will study it, we will experiment with it, we will play in it, and we will see how far it flies. We will explore the wetlands and Wildcat creek and appreciate the delicate balance between who lives there and how we affect their ecosystem. Through games, experiments, crafts, and exploration, campers will learn the properties and importance of water.



June 24 - June 28

Lizards, Frogs, and Snakes

If it slithers, croaks, or scampers, it will be fair game this week as our campers are immersed in all things reptile. Through nature exploration, games, and crafts, campers will leave no stone unturned learning about our cold-blooded friends. Our creek and wetlands are the perfect place to begin to understand what makes reptiles and amphibians so interesting. Sshhh... if we're quiet, we'll probably see some of our cold blooded friends as they bask in the sun, search for food, or swim in Wildcat Creek.



June 24 - June 28

Junior Ranger Camp (At Island Ford)

Each day, campers will engage in nature discovery and games, using the Island Ford Facility on the Chattahoochee River as our classroom. Campers will practice strategies learned during the week from their Junior Ranger booklet by canoeing in the facility's pond and performing safety skills. We will learn about orienteering using both a compass and GPS to navigate throughout the park and we’ll explore the ponds/watersheds of the park while discussing conservation methods and the importance of the Chattahoochee River to Native American tribes such as the Cherokee and the Creek. Campers will learn more about native plants and animals and will learn to identify the various flora and fauna in the National Park. At the end of the week, parents are invited to join us as the campers receive their Junior Ranger badges in a presentation led by the Rangers of the Chattahoochee National River Area.

 


Week


Camp Theme and Description

July 1 - July 3
3-Day Camp
No camp July 4&5

Circle of Life

They say that "what goes around comes around" - this is true in nature as well. Campers will use the 4 habitats and 22 acres of Dunwoody Park to explore and learn about the circle of life that exists in nature. From the water cycle to the growth of frogs to dissecting owl pellets (yum!) campers will get a close-up and hands on look at the life cycles that make nature the dynamic and fascinating place that it is.



July 8 - July 12

The Birds and the Trees*

This week will fly by and the kids won't want to leave as they spend the week learning about the birds and the trees. From bluebirds to hummingbirds and owls, campers will take bird walks, learn calls, feeding and nesting habits, and the importance of trees in the bird world. We will study the trees from the ground to the canopy and then end our week with our own Tree Climb with our partners from Tree Climb International (full day campers only). Campers will get a birds-eye view from high up in the trees! A truly unique week of camp fun.

*Additional fee of $15 for this full day camp for tree climb



July 15 - July 19

Junior Ranger Camp (At Island Ford)

Each day, campers will engage in nature discovery and games, using the Island Ford Facility on the Chattahoochee River as our classroom. Campers will practice strategies learned during the week from their Junior Ranger booklet by canoeing in the facility's pond and performing safety skills. We will learn about orienteering using both a compass and GPS to navigate throughout the park and we’ll explore the ponds/watersheds of the park while discussing conservation methods and the importance of the Chattahoochee River to Native American tribes such as the Cherokee and the Creek. Campers will learn more about native plants and animals and will learn to identify the various flora and fauna in the National Park. At the end of the week, parents are invited to join us as the campers receive their Junior Ranger badges in a presentation led by the Rangers of the Chattahoochee National River Area.

July 15 - July 19

The Art and Architecture of Nature

From the simple beauty of a dogwood bloom to the intricate patterns of a newly spun spider web and the Fibonacci patterns of coneflower seed heads, nature is a wonderful display of art and architecture. This natural beauty can also be an inspiration to aspiring young artists and architects. Campers this week will be taken on a journey to discover the beauty found in nature and to marvel at the building skills of nature’s creatures. This is a perfect week for campers who want to appreciate nature in a new way and want to build and create beautiful works of art.



July 22 - 26

Creek Week

Our campers love Wildcat Creek! This is a whole week dedicated to the crown jewel of Dunwoody Park. The campers will learn all there is to know about our creek: What feeds it? Where does it go? Who lives in there? What grows near it? And perhaps most importantly – how can we help to preserve this local treasure! Bring them prepared to get wet and go home happy!




Week


Camp Theme and Description

July 29 - August 2

The Music of Nature

Sounds are an important part of nature. From the melodious and diverse bird songs and calls to the ominous sound of thunder, nature can provide a symphony of sound. Campers will experience these phenomena first hand and investigate nature with a whole new sense of wonder! Not only can you hear the music of nature, but nature also provides many things that can help us make music. Our campers will enjoy creating their own musical instruments. By the end of the week – our campers will be ready to rock!



August 5 - August 9

Mostly Fun with a Chance of Sun

The forecast for this week is for lots of smiles with no chance of frowns. Tornadoes, Hurricanes, even a good lightning storm... nothing fascinates us more than weather. It can be destructive and it can be picturesque, but either way, it's fun to learn about weather. Campers will investigate the science behind weather, learn the basics of measuring weather, and understand the impact that the weather has on us and our environment. We’ll also play weather games, do experiments, and maybe even try our hand at being a weather person!



August 12 - August 16

We Love Bugs, Too!

Kids love bugs! They are just plain fun, especially when you can spend a whole week learning about and scouring Dunwoody Park for ladybugs, roly-poly’s, ants, water striders and more. Campers will learn how to identify and classify creepy crawlies from insects to spiders. Bugs are hopping at the Nature Center during the summer and it is the perfect place to learn all about them while playing games, taking hikes, or making cool crafts. Kids will explore the world of bugs as they sing about them, move like them, paint them, and even hold them!



August 19 - 23
(Half Day Camp only)

The Wing's the Thing

Floating like a butterfly or soaring like a hawk… nothing fascinates curious young minds like the magic of flight.  The week will fly by as they learn about flight in nature.   What makes bees buzz, how is a bat wing like a human hand, what allows a hawk to soar so gracefully yet hunt at speeds up to 40 mph.  Through hands on discovery, fun games and crafts, our campers will earn their wings as they discover the magic of flight.

August 26 - August 29
4-Day Camp
(Half Day Camp only)

Too Cool for School

Come join us for our last week of camp this summer.  It’s hot, but we will stay cool as we learn how animals keep themselves cool when the heat is on!   We will find the coolest places at the Nature Center and play games, do crafts, and explore the secrets of warm blooded and cold blooded creatures and how they stay cool!  A great way to get ready for an exciting year of learning and growing!

 

 

 

General Information

  • Camps offer age-appropriate, themed activities that appeal to different learning styles.
  • Campers enjoy nature discovery, trail walks, arts & crafts, science experiments, games, free play and snack/lunch time.
  • Our teachers are adult professional educators, with extensive backgrounds in science, environmental education and art. A staff member trained in CPR and First Aid is on site at all times.
  • Too old to be a camper? We place junior counselors with each session. Call for information on age and service requirements.
  • We emphasize waste reduction and water conservation in every camp. So we recommend reusable containers for food and drink.
  • Federal Identification Number (for childcare tax forms): 58-2009823. Confirmations are sent immediately upon registration - please save this for your records.

 

CamperReg 101

  • Click your camp choice.
  • Click "Register" at the bottom of the camp description.
  • Either enter your account information or set up your account.
  • You will receive electronic confirmations of placement, payment, and waitlisting.
  • If you're waitlisted, your payment information is NOT processed until a spot opens; we'll contact you before placing your child in the camp (and processing your payment).
  • You can manage your camper's account, updating information, adding or changing camps if they're available, and cancelling if plans change (cancellation refund subject to DNC policy outlined in General Information
  • Membership status will be confirmed upon receipt of your registration. Not a member? Add a $50.00 Annual Family Membership to you shopping cart to receive $25.00 off per camper per week! Other membership benefits include class discounts, free admission to our spring, summer and fall concert series, Special "Members Only" sneak preview at our Butterfly Festival and birthday party privileges. Become a member today! We will invoice the “up-charge” non-member amount if we are unable to confirm your membership. Please call us at 770-394-3322 if you are unsure of your membership status. Thanks for choosing the Dunwoody Nature Center - where kids thrive.

Payments and Cancellations


PAYMENT: Registration is online only; we accept Debit and Credit, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover.

 

CANCELLATIONS: Camps cancelled by parents up to two weeks before the start of a camp are refunded at 80% of the original fee. Camps cancelled closer to camp are not refunded.

 

 

Behavior Policy

The Dunwoody Nature Center’s goal is for ALL campers to have the opportunity to discover their strengths and have fun. In order to do this, all of our kids must feel safe at camp. Please review the following policies with your child before arriving at camp, as this is what helps us ensure everybody’s safety and the quality of our programs. Download the Behavior Policy here.