Environmental Education Camps

Little Nature and Science Exploreres

1 Week/Half Day Afternoon (14540)

4 to 6 years Within the Nature Center, children conduct hands-on science experiments, make craft projects and get up-close looks at animals that make the YMCA their home. Outside the Center, campers explore the creek, woods and wetlands of the Cassatt Preserve.

Weekly Themes:

May 27	Under the Sea
June 3	Nighttime Animals
June 10	Art of Survival

May 28-May 31 • June 3-5 • June 10-14

Full Member: $182.00/Program Member: $215.00

Nature Safari

1 Week/Half Day

4 to 6 years Children experience nature firsthand through shaded woodland and wetland walks, nature craft projects, games, stories, and an up-close look at the Environmental Education Center's animals.

Weekly Themes:

June 17	Reptiles & Amphibians
June 24	Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs
July 1	Growing Greener
July 8	Fur & Feathers
July 15	Reptiles & Amphibians
July 22	Who Lives Here
July 29	Water Wonders
August 5	Flying Friends

Mornings (14600)
June 24-28 • July 8-12 • July 22-26 • August 5-9

Afternoons (14601)
June 17-21 • July 1-5 • July 15-19 • July 29-August 2

Full Member: $182.00/Program Member: $215.00

Einstein Science

1 Week/Half Day

4 to 7 years Explore the wonders of science and learn more about the world around us. Activities include hands-on experiments that are gooey, slippery, slimy and/or just plain weird. Our outdoor classroom experience includes exploring the woods, our one acre pond, and Darby Creek, weather permitting.
The curriculum runs on a three-week cycle.

Mornings (14200)
June 17-21 • July 1-5 • July 15-19 • July 29-August 2

Afternoons (14201)
June 24-28 • July 8-12 • July 22-26 • August 5-9

Full Member: $182.00/Program Member: $215.00

Tracks & Trails

1 week/Half or Full Day

7 to 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.

Weekly Themes:

June 10	Wonderful Wings
June 17	Growing Greener
June 24	Art of Survival
July 1	Home Sweet Habitat
July 8	Science Fun
July 15	Nighttime Animals
July 22	Reptiles & Amphibians
July 29	Shark Week
August 5	Water Wonders

Mornings (14850) • Afternoon (14852) • Full Day (14851)
June 17-21 • June 24-28 • July 1-5 • July 8-12 • July 15-19 • July 22-26 • July 29-August 2 • August 5-9

Half Day
Full Member: $182.00/Program Member: $215.00

Full Day
Full Member: $300.00/Program Member: $330.00

Jr. Wildlife Explorer

1 Week/Full Day (15166)

7 to 9 years Beginner Level Younger explorers trek out on field trips to some of our region's parks, forests, and preserves. Field trips are in close vicinity to the YMCA with light hikes on well-worn paths, rain or shine. Mondays and Fridays will be spent exploring UMLY's Cassatt Preserve.
Please note that field trips may be subject to change.

June 24 Ridley Creek State Park, French Creek, Tyler Arboretum
July 29 Valley Forge National Park, Warwick, Okehocking Preserve

June 24-28 • July 29-August 2

Full Member: $300.00/Program Member: $330.00

Eco Discovery at Okehocking Preserve

1 Week/9:30 AM to 2:30 PM (14857)

7 to 10 years We are excited to bring our camp program to the Okehocking Nature Preserve this summer! Okehocking is a 180-acre nature preserve in Willistown Township that encompasses meadows, woodlands, wetlands, and Ridley Creek. Five miles of trails provide easy access for children to explore the diverse ecosystems. The onsite farmhouse provides indoor facilities in case of inclement weather. Camp is led by a staff of UMLY professional naturalists, teachers, and certified instructors. Come explore this new location with us!

Pre- and Post-Camp options available. Drop-off/pick up is at Okehocking Preserve.

Eco Discovery Weekly Themes:

July 8	Woodland Creatures
July 15	Reptiles and Amphibians
July 22	Water Wonders
July 29	Flying Friends

Camp Fee: $165.00

Eco Discovery runs from 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Extended hours are available for an additional fee:

AM Extended 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM (14855) Fee: $30.00
PM Extended 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM (14856) Fee: $80.00

Online registration is available for current YMCA members with an EZ to Enroll id. If you are not a member, please visit the General Info section for registration options.

Beginner/Intermediate Camps

Nature Camps for this age group are primarily travel camps. Each day or week includes destinations throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and beyound. Please note that trips are subject to change at any time.

Wildlife Explorer

1 Week/Full Day (15167)

10 to 13 years Beginner/Intermediate Level Our staff naturalists lead hikes to mountain peaks, tidal salt marshes and towering oak forests. Participants take day trips to regional state forests, parks and/or preserves, hiking various terrains and investigating the habitats of everything from salamanders to barred owls. The week culminates with an overnight camping trip Thursday through Friday. Participants will undergo rigorous physical activity for extended periods of time, rain or shine!

Week	Planned Locations
June 17-21	Nolde Forest, Ridley Creek State Park, Hawk Mountain, Rickets Glen State Park
July 8-12	Hibernia State Park, Wetlands institute, White Clay Creek, Hickory Run State Park

Full Member $375.00/Program Member $425.00

Stream and Watershed Explorers

1 Week/Full Day (15169)

10 to 13 years Beginner/Intermediate Level Take a creek walk with our staff naturalists in search of aquatic life. Campers learn the basics of stream sampling and water tests exploring our local streams and watersheds. Mondays are spent at the YMCA learning stream sampling techniques and stream life identification. Campers should be prepared to get wet as much of the time is spent in the water. Some field trips may require campers to arrive earlier and depart later than regular camp hours.

Week	Planned Locations
July 23-27	Ridley Creek State Park, White Clay Creek, Hibernia Park, and French Creek

Full Member $350.00/Program Member $390.00

Fishing 101

1 Week/Full Day (15140)

9 to 12 years Beginner Level Learn the basics from our certified fishing instructors. Take home a brand new rod, reel, and tackle box, and learn casting, pole lining, water reading, baiting, equipment maintenance and repair, and fish retrieval and release. Camp includes daily field trips to local ponds, creeks, lakes, and/or reservoirs.

June 17-21 • July 8-12 • July 22-26

Full Member: $350.00/ Program Member: $390.00

Advanced Fishing

1 Week/Full Day (15110)

10 to 14 years Intermediate Level 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 certified fishing staff. Prerequisite: Fishing 101 or similar experience with approval from Jean Zimmerman , x2408.

une 24-28 • July 15-19 • July 29-August 2

Full Member: $350.00/Program Member: $390.00

Eco-Adventure

1 Week/Full Day (15137)

11 to 14 years Beginner/Intermediate Level Come experience the thrills of the great outdoors with our environmental education staff. From rock climbing and geocaching 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, and rock climbing. Some field trips may require participants to arrive early and depart later than camp hours. This truly is a hands-on feet-wet experience.

Week	Planned Locations
July 15–19	French Creek, Northbrook Canoe, South mountain YMCA, Spring Mountain geocaching, Pocono White Water Rafting* (*Pocono trip only August 6-10 session)
August 6-10

July 15–19 • August 6-10 (Tuesday-Saturday)

Please note that trips are subject to change.

Full Member: $430.00/Program Member: $470.00

YESC Summer Programs

YMCA Earth Service Corps (YESC) is a national service-learning program for teens ready to make a difference in their communities. Leadership development, environmental education, action and cross-cultural awareness allow teens to use their talents, develop new skills and learn more about themselves and their surroundings. YESC Expeditions to locations throughout the country provide students the opportunity to explore diverse and unique ecosystems in a small group setting, while promoting leadership, teamwork, and discovery. Each Expedition provides a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural world and how each of us is connected to it.
For dates, detailed trip description, fees, itineraries, packing lists and additional information, please visit
www.umly.org/yesc.

YESC Marine Ecology Expedition

1 Week/Overnight (07306)

12 to 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. Participants will try out fishing, crabbing, clamming and kayaking, in addition to identifying marine life and sea birds.

YESC Members: $510.00
Participants must have a current YESC summer membership ($25.00).

YESC Maine Expedition

7 Day/Overnight (07306)

13 to 18 years Intermediate Level Discover the rugged coast and scenic wilderness of Maine as we travel to Acadia National Park. Our staff naturalists will lead this program to explore and observe the unique wildlife and ecosystems found throughout Acadia.

YESC Members: $950.00
Participants must have a current YESC summer membership ($25.00).

YESC Force of Nature

1 Week/Full Day (07306)

13 to 18 years Ideal for students looking for a career in the great outdoors or just passionate about nature, there’s no better way to learn than by exploring nature preserves with the land stewardship staff of Natural Lands Trust. Staff from UMLY and NLT will lead daily excursions to beautiful preserves that showcase the diversity of habitats in our region. Each day will focus on a different land management skill and each student will develop their own land management project for an open space in their community and be prepared to be a Force of Nature for life!

June 24-June 28

YESC Members: $275.00
Participants must have a current YESC summer membership ($25.00).

YESC Canoe Adventure

4 Day/Overnight (07306)

13 to 18 years Enjoy a 4-day, 3-night paddle on the Susquehanna River, stopping on island camp sites in the river. The trip will be a 45-mile journey of intermediate difficulty. YESC participants will learn valuable survival skills such as cooking, camping, fire building, and water safety while enjoying the seclusion of wilderness paddling.

YESC Members: $500.00
Participants must have a current YESC summer membership ($25.00).

YESC Boot Camp

1 Week/Full Day (04648)

13 to 18 years Conduct service projects, like invasive removal, animal care, planting trees and building bird houses. Give back to the UMLY community by completing hands-on projects, while developing teamwork skills, learning to use various tools, and planning and executing a team project. Every day counts towards your total YESC service hours!

YESC Members: $150.00
Participants must have a current YESC summer membership ($25.00).

YESC Career Exploration

1 Week/Full Day (07306)

13 to 18 years Join YESC for a week of career exploration in the environmental field. YESC will meet environmental professionals with varied backgrounds to learn about jobs, education and extracurricular activities that qualified them for their position. YESC will also meet with professors at local universities to talk about majors and help pursue their own careers!

YESC Members: $250.00
Participants must have a current YESC summer membership ($25.00).

NIT II (Naturalist in Training)

1 Week/Full Day(07306)

13 to 18 years Participants MUST complete LIT program in order to sign up! After completion, YESC participants will use their skills to plan and execute lessons with UMLY Environmental Education camps. With the guidance of their YESC Coordinator and camp counselors, they will create fun, exciting and informative activities that they will teach themselves.

YESC Members: $195.00
Participants must have a current YESC summer membership ($25.00).