For more than ten years, our Environmental Education Center has been providing programs that connect our community with nature and instill an appreciation and understanding of our natural world. Our programs are led by a staff of professional naturalists, teachers, and certified instructors.
- Nature Safari Camp (4-7 years)
- Children experience nature firsthand through shaded woodland and wetland walks, nature craft projects, games, stories, and an up-close looks at the Environmental Education Center’s animals.
Half Day Mornings (14600)
June 1-June 4 |
June 14-18 | June 21-25 |
June 28-July 2 |
July 5-9 |
July 12-16 |
July 19-23 |
July 26-30 |
August 2-6 |
August 9-13
Afternoons (14601)
July 5-9 |
July 12-16 |
July 19-23
- Tracks & Trails (7-10 years)
- Summer is the time to test bullfrog catching skills, search for salamanders on a woodland hike, and walk through the creek with nets in hand! This is the YMCA’s all day nature camp, where campers participate in nature games, arts and crafts, stories, and daily hikes through our woods and wetlands. This eco-experience opens the door of discovery to the natural world.
Full Day (14851)
June 14-18 | June 21-25 |
June 28-July 2 |
July 5-9 |
July 12-16|
July 19-23
July 26-30 |
August 2-6 |
August 9-13
- Jr. Wildlife Explorer Academy (7-9 years)
- Beginner Level This program allows the younger explorer to trek out on field trips to some of our region’s parks, forests, and preserves. These field trips will be in close vicinity to the YMCA and will be light hikes on well-worn paths, rain or shine. Days one and five will be spent at the YMCA. A daily recreational swim is included.
Week of July 5: Ridley Creek State Park, St. Peter’s Village, Tyler Arboretum
Week of August 9: Ridley Creek State Park, John Heinz Nat’l Wildlife Refuge, Warwick Park
Please note that field trips are subject to change.
- Wildlife Explorer Academy
(10-13 years)
- Beginner/Intermediate Levele Our staff naturalists lead hikes to mountain peaks, tidal salt marshes, towering oak forests, and through cool running streams. Participants take day trips to regional state forests, parks and/or preserves to prepare for the culmination of the outdoor adventure experience, an overnight camping trip at Hickory Run State Park! Participants will undergo rigorous physical activity for extended periods of time, rain or shine!
Week of June 21: Hibernia State Park, Hawk Mountain, White Clay Creek, Hickory Run State Park
Week of July 12: Nolde Forest, The Wetland’s Institute, St. Peter’s Village, Hickory Run State Park
- Fishing Academy 101 (9-12 years)
- Beginner Level Learn the basics from Mike Mostello, our certified fishing instructor. In addition to taking home a brand new rod, reel, and tackle box, your young anglers will learn casting, pole lining, water reading, baiting, equipment maintenance and repair, and fish retrieval and release. This 4-day Academy includes daily trips to local ponds, creeks, lakes, and/or reservoirs and meets on the following weeks:
Tuesday, July 6 – Friday, July 9 | Monday, July 19 – Thursday, July 22
Monday, August 2 – Thursday, August 5
Times: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM*
*If you need to have your child stay later than 2:00 PM, a 5-day option is available. Please contact Karen Murphy (610/647-9622, x2500). We will work with you to better accommodate your needs.
- Advanced Fishing Academy (10-14 years)
- Intermediate
Level Prerequisite: Fishing Camp, Fishing Academy 101, or similar experience with approval from the Environmental Education Coordinator Jean Zimmerman, x2408. Use the skills learned in Fishing 101 for more challenging fishing fun. Young anglers spend most of their time fishing at local ponds, creeks, lakes, and/or reservoirs with our certified fishing instructor. Participants will receive new fishing equipment. Program led by Mike Mostello and his staff.
Monday, June 21 – Thursday, June 24 | Tuesday, July 13 – Friday, July 16
Monday, July 26– Thursday, July 29*
Times: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM*
*If you need to have your child stay later than 2:00 PM, a 5-day option is available. Please contact Karen Murphy (610/647-9622, x2500). We will work with you to better accommodate your needs.
- Eco-Adventure Academy (11-14 years)
- Beginner/Intermediate Level Come experience the thrills of the great outdoors with our environmental education staff. From rock climbing and zip lining to kayaking and canoeing this academy teaches outdoor recreation skills. Day trips to regional state forests, parks, and outdoor recreation facilities are on the schedule rain or shine. Activities include river canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, geocaching, rock climbing, and/or zip lining. Some field trips may require participants to arrive early and depart later than camp hours. This truly is a hands-on feet wet experience.
Tuesday, July 6* – Saturday, July 10
Marsh Creek, Northbrook Canoe, PRG, white water rafting, geocaching and/or ziplining
Monday, July 19 – Friday, July 23;
Marsh Creek, Northbrook Canoe, NJ Kayak, PRG, geocaching and/or ziplining
- Marine Ecology
(12-15 years)
- Beginner/Intermediate Level Explore the natural wonders of New Jersey’s Barnegat Bay in cooperation with the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center. Come discover the delicate nature of the marine environment through fun activities including marsh walks, fishing, crabbing, clamming and kayaking. Learn to identify some marine life and sea birds. Marine Ecology participants will be staying at Sedge House, a renovated duck-hunting cottage on Sedge Island, equipped with a common room, 7 bunkrooms, a full kitchen, and dining room. On Monday participants will spend the day exploring the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine. Then our adventurers will set out for Sedge Island where they will spend four evenings at Sedge House.
Monday, July 26 – Friday July 30
- Maine Wilderness Adventure (13-18 years)
- Beginner/Intermediate Level Come discover the rugged coast and scenic wilderness of Maine with this trip to Acadia National Park! Our naturalist staff will lead this program to explore, hike, and study the unique wildlife and ecosystems found throughout this cluster of islands on the Maine coast. While surrounded by the ocean, Acadia hosts a wide variety of freshwater, estuarine, forest, and intertidal ecosystems, many of which contain plant and animal species of international, national and state significance. Through hands-on activities in forests, bogs, and on beaches, students will learn to identify and observe the diverse flora and fauna in this scenic national park. Wildlife that may be spotted throughout the program include moose, black bear, white-tailed deer, seals, whales, common loon, bald eagle, northern woodland warblers, and more. This program is based from campground cabins, that include hot and cold running water, electricity, and full baths. All meals will be provided for throughout the program. Students will be transported from the YMCA to Maine and back. Transportation expenses included.
Saturday, August 6 – Saturday, August 14
- Glacier National Park, Montana (14 – 20 years)
- The magnificent and rugged northern Rockies await you. For 100 years, this has been the crown jewel of the national park system, with its pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes.
- Highlights of the program include two-day overnight rafting trip on the Middle Fork Flathead River, hiking to the Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, and exploring the park’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife.
- Base camp is at the Glacier Rafting Company that features a two-story lodge with hot and cold running water, electricity, full kitchen, and full baths.
- All meals will be provided for throughout the program. Ground transportation in Montana is included.
- Air transportation to Kalispell, Montana is NOT included.
- YESC staff will greet participants at the Kalispell airport and see them off on their return home.
- For information about flight times and travel days, contact our YESC staff.
Saturday, June 26 – Sunday, July 4