ONSC Summer Camp

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 day hikes, night hikes, team-building, games, and small-group activities.

Campers will spend 4 days and 3 nights exploring ONSC’s trails, learning  primitive skills, Leave No Trace ethics, and various natural sciences, including: botany, ornithology, and astronomy.  These young naturalists will also take part in a citizen science project, Frogwatch.  Campers will learn the basics of field observations and naturalist notes, and practice their skills while keeping their own nature journals.  Participants will take a day trip to the nearby Kings River to learn about river ecology and stream organisms and to escape the heat.

This camp provides a great blend of fun and education, including “field investigations” on ONSC’s trails, nature games in our activity field, and aquatic studies while cooling off in the Kings River. Campfires and a night hike are also highlights!

Campers will be supervised by ONSC’s Teacher Naturalist staff and Environmental Education Interns.

Tentative Camp Schedule

Sun, June 11th

1:00 - Arrival/Registration

2:00 - Staff-Parent-Camper Meeting

2:30 - Camper meeting & orientation

3:15 - Lodge meetings & orientation

4:00 - Camp Projects: Topics and planning

Journal Construction/Naturalist Notes

5:30 - Dinner

6:30 - Continue project planning

7:00 - Leave No Trace Ethics 

7:30 - Campfire & reflections

8:30 - Night Hike

9:30- Campers in lodges - bedtime and/or reflection/journaling

Mon, June 12th

8:00 AM - Breakfast

9:00 - Plant presses / botany hike/ nature journaling

12:00 PM - Lunch

1:00 - Primitive Skills

3:00 - Solo sit time, relax, reflect (Nature Journal)

4:00 - “Intern Hour” (Rec Time activities), clean-up

5:30 - Dinner

6:30 - Astronomy lesson & exploring star charts/wheels

7:30 - Campfire & Telescopes

9:30 - Campers in lodges - bedtime and/or reflection/journaling

Tue, June 13th

8:00 - Breakfast

9:00 - Depart for Kings River (ONSC bus)

9:30 - River Time, by groups

12:00 PM - Lunch

1:00 - River Time, snack

4:30 - Leave for ONSC

5:00 - Lodge time, cleanup

5:30 - Dinner

6:30 - Project Frogwatch

7:30 - Program Project time

8:30 - Campfire w/ s'mores, Lorax

9:30 - Campers in lodges - bedtime and/or reflection/journaling

Wed, June 14th

7:45 - Gear packed and at pavillion

8:00 - Breakfast

9:00 - Binocular Use & mini-birding session

10:00 - Hike

12:00 - Lunch

1:00 - Hike 

3:00 - Final program prep

4:00 - Nature games

5:00 - dinner

5:30-6:00 - Parents arrive

6:00 - Parent program

6:30 - Checkout & departure

Tuition Assistance:

We strive to make ONSC programs accessible and affordable for all. Learn more about camp scholarships here.

About the Instructors:

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