A large group of children and counselors wading in a river with home made boats

Summer Camp at the Bent of the River Audubon Center

Creating outdoor experiences and memories that last a lifetime.
Campers enjoy exploring the river under the supervision of counselors. Photo: Garrett Carnrick/Audubon

Registration for our 2026 camp will open on February 15, 2026!



Campers at Bent of the River’s Audubon Summer Day Camp explore nature in a fun, safe environment within the 700 acres of our nature sanctuary. Audubon Camp fosters curiosity through outdoor exploration that helps campers develop an understanding of the natural world. These unique experiences and adventures can become a lifelong appreciation for our environment.

Our camp days are filled with various activities—including hiking, brook walks, river exploration, crafts, nature-themed games, live animal interactions, and birding. 

Our staff is selected for their experience and skills working with youth in environmental education and their interest in local ecology and natural history. All staff must pass background checks and are required to hold current CPR and First Aid certifications, making camp a safe place to learn about and experience nature. Our staff has helping hands each week from our Leaders in Training, experienced campers gaining skills in environmental education leadership.

Camp Information

Camp Hours and Length: Most camp sessions last one week, Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM.  Eco-Warriors will run Monday - Thursday from 9 AM to 4 PM and Friday from 4 PM to 9 PM.
Camp Registration: Camp spots will be reserved only after registration is complete and tuition is received. Register here.

Pricing: Tuition is $350 per camper per week, except for Eco-Warriors, which is $375 per week.

Camp Age Groups: Camp groups are arranged by grade. Naturalists are campers entering grades 1 - 4 in Fall 2026, and Eco-Discoverers are campers entering grades 5 - 8. 

New this Year!

The Eco-Warriors Camp is for campers entering 8th through 12th grade.

 

Naturalist Sessions

Campers entering grades 1 - 4, join us for up to 7 weeks of summer day camp fun! Learn about and enjoy different nature themes each week.

Create your heroic persona and transform into a Conservation Hero! Use your nature powers for good to help the critters at the Bent while having fun along the way.

Join your fellow detectives this week to investigate curious happenings at the Bent each day. Can you use friendship and teamwork to solve the clues?

Be prepared to get wet this week and join our Splash Lab! Cool off from the summer heat by dipping your toes in the river, looking for critters in our vernal pool, and exploring Crayfish Alley.

This week the Bent will magically transform into Hogwarts. Be a part of the wizarding world, make potions, play Quidditch, and find magical creatures around every corner!

Under logs, swimming in the vernal pool, or flying through the meadow, insects are everywhere. Spend this week learning about their cool adaptations and get up close with these creepy crawlies. 

Let's get messy and creative! If you love to make sculptures with mud, paint with leaves and twigs, and create jewelry with materials you find throughout the Bent, then this is the perfect wild craft week for you.

Eco-Discoverers

Campers entering grades 5 - 8, join us for up to 6 weeks of summer camp fun! Learn about and enjoy different nature themes each week.

Learn how to survive in the wilderness with your fellow campers. Create forts, forge partnerships, and seek adventure as you solve challenges and learn to survive by relying on each other.

Something mysterious is going on at the Bent. Decode secret messages, solve riddles, and uncover the truth. Do you have detective skills to solve this avian mystery?

Looking for a wet and wild adventure? This week is all about keeping cool while exploring our aquatic habitats. Find all sorts of water-loving creatures and play water games with your fellow campers.

Even Muggles get to go to Hogwarts this week. Get sorted into your houses, make your own wand, craft potions, and cast spells to find the magical creatures lurking around the Bent.

Curious about the flying feather friends that call the Bent home? This week, we get birdy and learn all about the wonder of birds. Go birding, check out our feather collection, and learn about how scientists track birds.

 

Go on an adventure to unleash your inner artist this week. Get creative by making paper, painting with natural materials, and making sculptures with what you can find.

Eco-Warriors

August 10 through August 14

Are you a teen who loves to be active outdoors? Do you have an interest in nature and conservation? This year, we are offering our first Eco-Warriors camp for all nature-loving teens. This week is filled with adventures and activities. Go on long hikes, explore habitats, learn from real wildlife conservationists, and most importantly, have fun.

This camp is Monday through Friday. Monday through Thursday camp hours are 9 am to 4 pm. Friday camp hours are 4 pm to 9 pm. Friday will have a celebratory bonfire, with parents welcomed to wrap up the summer.


Activities Include: 

Orienteering                                                                 Knot Tying

Extreme Hiking                                                           Tracking

Bushwhacking                                                              Shelter Building

River Exploration with Kick Nets                       Tie Dye

Fire Starting                                                                   Water Chemistry

Birding                                                                               Tool Making

      

 

Cancellation and Refund Policy: Payment (minus 20%) will be refunded for cancellations received at least two weeks before the first day of camp to be attended. If Audubon must cancel a session, you will receive a full refund for that session only. No refunds will be given for cancellations made within two weeks of camp.

Audubon Summer Day Camp Perks: Parents will receive a link to pictures taken throughout the camp week. Your camper can use the pictures to talk more about all the fun things they did at nature camp.

2025 Summer Camp Brochure
Learn more about our 2025 sessions!
Register here!
Create outdoor experiences and memories that last a lifetime.