Summer Adventure Camp
For campers entering grades 4 -11. Eco-Rangers will have campers
exploring the coolest local waterways, forests, natural areas and
attractions as they hike, bike, swim, canoe and more during each fun-filled
session.Adventurers programs are 5-6 days of exciting treks to the
top regional locations on the east coast.
Our staff are professional educators, trained in basic and wilderness
first aid and CPR, who have numerous years experience working with
children and leading trips throughout the United States. At least
one certified lifeguard and certified canoe staff accompany each trip.
Our trips have a maximum staff to camper ratio of 1:7 to ensure a
safe, exciting once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Travel is always in state-inspected minivans. Open
House dates from January - June will allow parents to meet staff,
ask questions and possibly meet other campers. Click here to download packing lists, draft
agendas, medical forms and registration information.
For more information about our camp policies and procedures, please click here to read our FAQ's.
Eco-Rangers (Grades 4 - 6)
For campers entering grades 4-6. See individual sessions for grade
requirements. Programs run 9a.m - 4p.m., although some sessions will
include overnights and extended hours to accommodate programs. Each
week will consist of off-site field trips, as well as activities on
NCNC grounds, and will take place mostly outdoors. Campers must bring
a peanut/tree nut free lunch and drink each day. Travel for field
trips is done in state-inspected minivans driven by professional educators
with clean driving histories.
June 23 - June 27
Field Zoology I: (Grades 5 & 6)
A week of great animal adventures awaits all! Go behind-the-scenes
at the Nature Center to see how we care for our non-releasable animals
and help to survey our on-site bluebird boxes for active nests. We
will also build our own nest boxes and learn the best way to install
them, as well as constructing spider web frames to hang in gardens.
We will create enrichment toys for our animals and also visit the
Acton Wildlife Park in Goshen, CT for an up-close look at non-native
wildlife such as giraffes. We will also tour a local vet office and
learn the ins and outs of pet first aid.
The highlight of our week will be a trip to the Mystic Aquarium for
a chance to participate in their hands-on penguin encounter, where
participants will be able to perform a basic vet check-up on a live
penguin! This week is a must for animal lovers and future vets. Limited
to 8 participants.
Cost: $485.00
June 30 - July 2
Fly High: (Grades 4 - 6)
This short session will give Eco-Rangers a chance to camp out away
from the Nature Center and get their feet high off the ground! We'll
start with a special program featuring our hawks, owls and falcons,
then visit the Cradle of Aviation Museum for an in-depth look at all
things sky-high and a chance to ride a flight simulator.
When campers return on Tuesday, we'll hit the road and head up north.
We'll head to the EcoTarium in Worcester, MA for a chance to be among
the treetops in their Tree Canopy Walkway, the only of its kind in
New England. While at the EcoTarium, we will visit their non-releasable
animal collection, including a polar bear and bobcats, and perhaps
get a chance to make toys for their critters.
On Tuesday night we'll camp at Wells State Park in Massachusetts,
where we will enjoy a campfire and dinner under the stars! Before
heading home on Wednesday, we will have another chance to fly high
at the Trampoline Gym, where we will bounce and flip on Olympic size
trampolines. Limited to 14 campers.
Cost: $300.00
July 7 - 11
Wildlife Cinema Adventure: (Grades 4 - 6)
Campers will learn to film, edit and wrap their own wildlife movie.
We'll travel to local wildlife hotspots, including Devil's Den in
Weston, to look for signs and sightings of birds, mammals, reptiles
and amphibians and try to capture them on film.
We'll also work with the Nature Center's non-releasable animals and
head out on our trails to see what we can find. Campers will have
the opportunity to be on camera, as well as behind-the-scenes as producers
and directors. At the end of the week, we will work together to cut,
edit and title our film so it is ready for viewing. A unique camp
experience! Limited to 12 campers.
Cost: $500.00
July 14 - 18
Crime Scene Camp: (Grades 4 - 6)
Become a crime scene investigator as we delve into all things CSI
this week. We'll learn the techniques of fingerprinting, hair and
ink analysis, DNA extraction and more through real lab exercises.
We will also investigate blood spatter analysis by entering a mock
crime scene and test our witness identification skills.
We will visit the Connecticut DNA Center in New London for a class
on "Mixtures and Murder" as well as tour the Dolan DNA Learning
Center in Cold Spring Harbor, NY. Limited to 14 campers.
Cost: $485.00
July 21 - 25
Adventure Connecticut I: (Grades 5 & 6)
The first installation of our most popular camp returns! This week
will bring us a caving adventure deep below the earth that is not
for the faint of heart. We'll also take to the water by canoe and
explore an awesome local waterway, as well as lace up our boots for
a day of great hiking.
Our travels will take us to a local climbing area where we will get
harnessed up for an outdoor climbing challenge lead by professional
climbing guides. We will also test our adventure skills with a campout
at the Nature Center one evening during the week, where we will cook
dinner over the campfire and take a hike under the stars. There will
also be plenty of time to hit the water for a well-deserved swim.
Limited to 14 campers.
Cost: $485.00
July 28 - August 1
Roller Coasters, Rockets and Rails: (Grades 5 & 6)
Who said science was boring? Join us for an unusual look at some
of the basic principles of science through roller coasters, rockets
and go carts!
Our first day will be spent at the Nature Center discovering some
of the principles of physics as we work on challenges such as egg-drops,
building solar cars, launching rockets and more. During the week we
will travel to the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey for a look
at the engineering of skyscrapers as we get blown away in a wind tunnel
and have a chance to walk a steel beam 18 feet in the air.
We will also visit Lake Compounce in Bristol for a first-hand look
at the science behind roller coasters and waterslides. Put the pedal
to the metal as we hit the track for some go-cart racing and practice
our swings in the batting cages. This week is for anyone who wants
to try out science in the fast lane. Limited to 14 campers.
Cost: $485.00
August 4 - August 8
Aquatic Adventures: (Grades 5 & 6)
Prepare to get wet as we dive into a great week of water! We'll explore
the shore from the salt water of Long Island Sound to the freshwaters
of our major rivers. Grab a tube as we take a ride down the Farmington
River, explore islands in Long Island Sound and hit the water in canoes!
We will also discover who lives in the water with a day of netting
in fresh and salt water, as well as performing basic water testing.
Limited to 14 campers.
Cost: $485.00
August 11 - 13
State Park Explorers: (Grades 4 - 6)
We'll visit some of Connecticut's best state parks during our three
day session! Hit the waves at Hammonasset Beach State Park, the largest
public beach in the State of Connecticut. While at Hammonasset, we
can also hit the trails and visit their nature center for a look at
native reptiles and amphibians.
We'll also spend an overnight at Kettletown State Park in Southbury,
where we will canoe, swim and hike, then spend the evening camping
by the shores of Lake Zoar. A great session to end the summer!
Cost: $300.00
Adventurers (Grades 5 - 11)
For campers entering 5th through 11th grades. See individual sessions
for grade requirements.
Adventurers will spend 5-6 days and 4-5 nights in great regional
locations experiencing great adventures in natural history and outdoor
adventure. All trips include food (except first day lunch), all activity
and travel expenses and sleeping accommodations.
A minimum of 2 professional NCNC educators lead groups of campers.
Campers are asked to bring a peanut/tree nut free lunch on the first
day.
July 7 - 11
Gap Attack (Grades 6 - 11)
Our most popular trip returns! We'll start the week with a trip on
horseback through the woods and a chance to test our group's skills
on low and high ropes courses that will let us get high in the trees
and zip line down again!
Mid-week we'll hit one of the Gap's best climbing areas to spend
the day climbing rock faces. We'll spend our final two days camping
alongside and rafting on the Delaware River, where eagles and black
bears could greet us on our journey! > Click here to view itinerary.
Cost: $840.00
July 14 - 18
Maine Event (Grades 5 - 9)
Spend a week in Vacationland exploring some of the best spots in
New England! We'll camp at Freeport's rustic Recompence Shore campground,
which sits right on the beautiful Casco Bay. Throughout the week we'll
swim, island hop in Casco Bay via sea kayak, rock climb, take a whale
watch and more!
Of course, we will visit the famous LL Bean Flagship store and other
Freeport sights. Hike along the shoreline with sights of osprey and
other wildlife as we trek on the trails at Wolf's Neck Woods State
Park. We'll even get a taste of true Maine tradition with a lunch
right on the South Freeport wharf! > Click here to view itinerary.
Cost: $840.00
July 27 - August 1 (6 days)
Cape Cod Adventure (Grades 6 - 11)
For wildlife enthusiasts and coastline fans, this is trip is one
of the best. We'll camp in the awesome Nickerson State Forest and
take full advantage of their incredible kettle ponds for swimming
and canoeing. Nickerson also sits on the Cape Cod rail trail, so we'll
explore the local area by bike too!
For an up-close look at some of the aquatic inhabitants, we will
set sail on a fantastic whale watch and an evening marine life cruise,
where past groups have gotten to handle squid, young sharks and more!
The week will not be complete without a visit to the world-famous
Cape Cod National Seashore. Our new extended trip will also feature
a chance to parasail high above the Cape Cod National Seashore and
an evening movie at the Welfleet Drive-In! > Click here to view itinerary.
Cost: $950.00
August 4 - August 8
Nantucket Island Adventure (Grades 6 - 11)
Spend an incredible week on the island of Nantucket and leave the
camping gear at home! After arriving on the island of Nantucket, we'll
set up house in the University of Massachusetts field station (or
the Nantucket Youth Hostel should the UMASS field station not be available)
that sits right on Nantucket sound!
Take an over sands vehicle tour of the lighthouse on the very tip
of the island and spend the afternoon in the surf of one of the best
beaches in New England! We'll tour the island by bike, take an evening
staff-led ghost tour and hit the waters of Nantucket Sound in sea
kayaks. This trip is one of our most popular! > Click here to view itinerary.
Cost: $860.00
August 11 - 15
Adirondack Explorers (Grades 6 - 11)
We'll end the summer with a week of high adventure! We'll camp in
beautiful Blue Mountain Lake State Park right on the shores of Blue
Mountain and be able to canoe right out of our campground!
We will start the week with a visit to one of the best water parks
in the northeast and end it with an absolutely awesome day-long adventure
tackling the rapids of the Hudson River by raft! In between, we'll
hike, view wildlife, swim and visit a world-famous museum that will
transport you back to pioneer life in the Adirondacks! > Click here to view itinerary.
Cost: $840.00
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