First Posted: 6/12/2014

The Endless Mountains Nature Center will host Nature Day Camps June 30 through August 8. Children age four to grade six will explore nature by playing games, hiking, meeting live animals, searching the river and forest, listening to stories, making craft projects, and creating a journal, among other activities.

Children in grades 7 to 12 can gain experience and learn new skills as Counselors-in-Training, or CITs. CITs help the staff lead games, set up activities, make their own craft projects, and explore with the campers.

Every week, science-based activities and lessons will focus on age-appropriate themes, and children may attend as many weeks as desired.

“We even have need-based scholarships available for people who might need some financial help to attend the camps,” said Executive Director Rebecca Lesko in a news release. “People can check out our website for more information.”

The scholarships are funded through grants as well as donations from local individuals and area businesses.

Nature Day Camps are sponsored this year by Citrus Energy Corporation, whose sponsorship helps to keep camp affordable. The registration fees do not cover the full cost of camp per child, so families are able to enter their children in camp at a lesser rate than they would have without the sponsorship.

Parents can register their children online, where they can also learn more details about each week of camp. Nature Day Camps take place at the Nature Center, at Keystone College, and returning this year, one week of camp is at Little Rocky Glen. The Glen is a preserve of the Countryside Conservancy, and it features unique aquatic, meadow and hemlock habitats. More descriptions are available online at the Nature Center’s website, www.EMNConline.org/camp.php.