For nature enthusiasts ages 7-12, the Division of Nature Preserves and Natural Resources offers week-long, science-based summer ecology camps and L.A.N.D. Camp, a half-day camp for ages 4-6. 

All three of the Mecklenburg County nature centers will be offering camps this summer!  Click on the link below to look at the camps offered at your favorite nature center!

• Reedy Creek Nature Center
• Latta Plantation Nature Center
• McDowell Nature Center

Summer Ecology Camps at Reedy Creek Nature Center
Please call 704-598-8857 to register for or receive more information on any of the following camps:

• Eco-Explorers (ages 7-9)
• Eco-Careers (ages 10-12)
• Nature Adventure Camp (ages 10-12)
• Herpetology  Camp (ages 10-12)
• L.A.N.D. Camp - (ages 4-6)
• Summer Science Camp

Eco-Explorers Nature Camp: Web of Life 
Join us for this exciting, hands-on adventure into the web of life!  We will explore the web through various activities, crafts and field trips.  This will be one web you won't mid getting caught in!
Campers will be involved in hands-on investigations of the natural world, engaging activities, nature crafts, hikes and field trips. 
Fee: $150/child (Registration is limited to one session/child; Fee includes field trips and program materials.)  ( Additional fees apply for Pre and Post Camp)
Times for all sessions:
Pre-camp 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Camp 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Post-camp 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Course #: 39173 June 22-June 26 *  Ages 7-9
Course #: 39174 July 20-July 24 *  Ages 7-9

Return to top

EcoCareers Camp
What do you want to be when you grow up?  Joins us for this special camp to meet environmental scientists.  Get an inside look at how they help our planet.  Learn how you can make a career out of being a nature lover. 
Fee: $150/child (Registration is limited to one session/child; Fee includes field trips and program materials.) (Additional fees apply for Pre and Post Camp)
Times for session:
Pre-camp 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Camp 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Post-camp 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Course #: 38807  July 27-July 31*  Ages 10-12

Return to top

Nature Adventure Camp
Looking for adventure?  Discover the Nature Preserves of Mecklenburg County.  We'll go fishing, hiking canoeing, and camp over night!  All activities will begin at the Reedy Creek Nature Center.
Fee: $150/child (Registration is limited to one session/child; Fee includes field trips and program materials.)  (Additional fees apply for Pre and Post Camp)
Times for this session:
Pre-camp 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Camp 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Post-camp 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Course #: 39181 August 3-August 7 *  Ages 10-12

Return to top

Herpetology Camp
This unique camp will get you up close and personal with slimy, slithering critters that call Mecklenburg County home.  We will explore the lives of a variety of reptiles and amphibians and discover the many ways that scientist are studying them.  This knowledge will be taken into the field as we help scientists on a variety of field trips.
Fee: $150/child (Registration is limited to one session/child; Fee includes field trips and program materials.) (Additional fees apply for Pre and Post Camp)
Times for session:
Pre-camp 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Camp 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Post-camp 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Course #: 39172  July 6-July 10*  Ages 10-12

Return to top

L.A.N.D. Camp - Learning about Nature through Discovery
Bring your child out to discover the wonders of nature as we investigate different areas of the preserve including the forest, gardens and meadows.  This exciting camp will be packed with fun activities, crafts, stories, and much more!

Return to top

Fee: $75/child (Registration is limited to one session/child; Fee includes snack and all program materials.)
Course #: 39125  June 29--July 3 * 9am-12pm *   Ages 4-6
Course #: 39128  June 29--July 3 * 1pm-4pm *   Ages 4-6
Course #: 39126  July 13-July 17 * 9am-12pm *   Ages 4-6
Course #: 39127  July 13-July 17 * 1pm-4pm *   Ages 4-6

Summer Science Camp
Through collaborative efforts with Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, Discovery Place, Inc. offers summer camps for June through August 2009 at Reedy Creek Nature Center.  We are very excited to offer specialty science camps that allow participants to explore science in a fun and hands-on way, using the spectacular 700 acre nature preserve as our classroom.  We look forward to seeing you this summer!  Register by phone by calling 800-935-0553 or 704-372-6261 ext. 309 weekdays from 8:00am to 4:30pm. 
Fee: $250/week/child (Additional fees apply for Pre and Post Camp)
Times for session:
Pre-camp 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Camp 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Post-camp 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

H2O Detectives Jun. 22 - 26
Dive on in as you test the waters in this immersive camp! Test local water for pollutants and examine its chemical content. Catch, study, and release pond wildlife while you learn about water habitats. Learn about precipitation, weather and its effect on the places we live and play.
Animal Adventures Jun. 29 – Jul. 3
Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with some of Charlotte's local wildlife? Join us this week and you will! Learn about the habitats these animals live in, the dangers that they face, and how we can help to protect them. Learn how to safely collect, study, and release local insects. Build your own backyard bird habitat and practice bird watching.
Rock Hounds Jul. 6 -10
What goes on beneath our feet, under the ground that we walk on? To the untrained eye, it can look like nothing is happening inside of the earth, but to those who love geology understand that this is not the case! The earth is constantly moving and changing and we would like for you to come experience the transformations this week at camp. Start your own rock collection, dig for fossils, and discuss how we use rocks in everyday life.
Survival Skills Jul. 13 – 17
Find out what it's like to build your own shelter, start a fire, and navigate through the woods. Go hiking through the preserve to learn about trails signs and how to use a compass, and snack on edible plants along the way. Discover how to go fishing in the pond and what to do if you or a friend gets hurt during your adventures in the wild.

Our Culture Jul. 20 - 24
Become an archaeologist and time traveler in this camp as you learn how people of the past lived. Where and how did they build shelter? How did they get food and clean water? Discover these answers and more as you examine artifacts from cultures past. Try making your own pottery to better understand their traditions, learn Native American games and tell a story using only pictures.
Going Green Jul 27 – 31
Have you heard the word? The word is GREEN! How can we protect the earth and preserve it for the future? The answer is simple, and fun: by going green of course! Learn how you can save the planet by discussing global warming and investigating alternative energy for the future. Create your own garbage and nature art, figure out how you can make your own paper, and discuss ways to exercise the 3 R's in your everyday life.
Fun in the Forest Aug 3 – 7
Tromp through the woods to find and identify species of plants. Create your own pocket tree guide by collecting leaves from the nature preserve. Identify edible and poisonous plants. Become a junior botanist as you learn to recognize plants that are native to our region. Learn about the parts of the flower and plant one to take home!

Return to top

Summer Ecology Camps at Latta Plantation Nature Center
Please call 704-875-1391 to register for or receive more information on any of the following camps:

• L.A.N.D. Camp (ages 4-6)
• Outdoor Adventure Camp (ages 7-10)

L.A.N.D. (Learning About Nature through Discovery) Camp

Amazing Animals
39690 June 15 - 19
39691 July 13 - 17
9 a.m. - noon each day • Ages 4 - 6 • $75
In this camp we will investigate what makes animals amazingly different from one another.  Your child will get up-close encounters with some animals and go out into the nature preserve to learn where these animals live. 

Return to top

L.A.N.D. (Learning About Nature through Discovery) Camp

Web of Life
39692 July 27 - 31
39693 August 10 - 14
9 a.m. - noon each day • Ages 4 - 6 • $75
 

Join us for this weeklong, half-day camp where we will discover how everything is connected.  Investigate why bees help you buy new clothes or why the smallest mushroom helps the tallest tree grow. 

Return to top

Outdoor Adventure Camp
42379 June 22 - 26
42380 August 3 - 7
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. each day • Ages 7 - 10 • $150
Explore Latta Plantation Nature Preserve as you have never done before.  Canoeing, fishing, orienteering, wilderness survival, wild edibles and field games are just some of the many fun activities we will enjoy during this weeklong day camp.

Return to top

Summer Ecology Camps at McDowell Nature Center
Please call 704-588-5224 to register for or receive more information on any of the following camps:

• Where the Wild Things Really Are (ages 4-6)
• Outdoor Explorers Camp (ages 7-9)
• Icky Sticky Truth (ages 7-9)
• Adventure Camp (ages 10-12)

• Camp Wild Water (ages 10-12) 

Where the Wild Things REALLY Are!
41996 June 15 - 19 • 9 a.m. - noon
42016 June 15 - 19 • 1 - 4 p.m.
42005 August 10 - 14 •  9 a.m. - noon
42017 August 10 - 14 • 1 - 4 p.m.
Ages 4 - 6 • $75
Where are all the wonderfully wild things here at McDowell Nature Preserve? Discover animals and habitats at the Preserve while completing fun crafts and a variety of fun filled activities!

Return to top

Outdoor Explorers Camp
42024 July 13 - 17 • 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
42036 August 3 - 7 • 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Ages 7 - 9 • $150
Interest in nature and outdoor recreation starts at an early age, help your child get a jump on discovering both as we explore the nature around them through canoeing, fishing, hiking and other outdoor recreation opportunities. As always animal encounters, crafts, games, and lots of fun are included.

Return to top

Camp Wild Water!
42054 July 27 - 31 • 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Ages 10 - 12 • $160
Water makes up a good deal of our planet but what wild things are going on down there? Discover all the wonders that water contains and even participate in an overnight campout at the McDowell Nature Preserve! Everything will be wet and wild at Camp Wild Water! (Camp ends at 10 a.m. on Friday July 31 following an overnight Campout)

Return to top