Summer Camp at the Sharon Audubon Center

Summer is buzzing with activity at Sharon Audubon Center, not only with summer campers, but also with lots of important insects and other pollinators. We’ll take some time to learn about them and explore the fields and meadows in search of these tiny creatures.

Introducing the concept of “adaptations,” we’ll spend this week unlocking the puzzles of what animals and ecosystems can’t live without. Learn about what those important pieces are that determine survival, such as feathers, camouflage, and more.

*There is no camp on Friday, July 4th, but there will be an optional evening camp session on Thursday, July 3rd.

Where do all the turtles go in the wintertime? What makes leaves change color in the fall? Why are there so many birds singing in the summer? Depending on the age group, we’ll discuss topics such as hibernation, pond turnover, migration, new plant growth, and other natural occurrences that take place with the changing of the seasons.

Mud (noun) definition= a soft, messy mix of earth and water. Muck (verb) definition= to dirty, as if with mud or dirt. To putter or tinker around with. Mud Muckers (noun) definition= Young summer campers actively seeking out dirt and mud to observe, touch, smell, explore, create, experiment, and just get dirty and have fun with, while learning about its importance to all living things.

Inspired by our popular summer camp session “The Best Nest,” that was held the past two years, each day’s theme and activities during this week will be based on a different nature or wildlife storybook or two that we will read together.

That big blue thing above our heads each day with the white, fluffy clouds? That’s the sky, and there are so many amazing things that take place in and from it! We’ll explore a little about clouds and weather, the sun and moon, how birds fly through it, the affect daylight and moonlight has on animals, and so much more!

Most of us don’t think too much about the ground we walk on every day. But underneath our feet lies a world that is chock full of amazing discoveries! We’ll learn about topics such as what soil is made of and why it’s important for all living organisms, which animals call the soil home and how they dig through it, rocks, fossils, plants, and much more.

Rain, snow, ice, ponds, streams, rivers, oceans, puddles, plants. There’s water all around us in some form, even though we may have to take the time to look for it in some places! We’ll have fun learning about and playing with water this week, so come prepared to maybe get a little wet from time to time!

One of our most popular sessions, this camp opens our campers’ eyes to a world of opportunities for a career in environmental sciences. Through presentations from Audubon Staff and possible guest speakers, campers will have a better understanding of the work that Audubon does across our state and the country, such as environmental education, wildlife rehabilitation, bird banding and migration tracking, coastal research, and more.

To many people, the forest can seem a bit intimidating, but when you take the time to look, there are so many natural wonders throughout! Let’s take a look at what’s happening up in the canopy, on the ground, and everywhere in between in order to discover what types of plants and animals are most comfortable living in the woods!

*There is no camp on Friday, July 4th, but there will be an optional evening camp session on Thursday, July 3rd.

Where do all the turtles go in the wintertime? What makes leaves change color in the fall? Why are there so many birds singing in the summer? Depending on the age group, we’ll discuss topics such as hibernation, pond turnover, migration, new plant growth, and other natural occurrences that take place with the changing of the seasons.

Lots of flowers means lots of insects. And lots of insects means lots of birds! We’ll talk about how native plants attract important pollinators as we seek out a variety of flowering (and non-flowering) vegetation and the birds that rely on them.

Do you think you have what it takes to keep up with the fastest, strongest, and farthest jumping animals on Earth? We’ll dive into how animals move and what their movements may mean in their everyday lives, and may even test out some of our own Animal Olympic abilities.

Discover some of the mysterious sounds and animal signs of the marsh and other aquatic habitats and learn about some of the animals that inhabit them such as peepers, herons, muskrats, and beavers. If able, we will set up some trail cameras to try to catch a sneak peek of beaver activity, and, we’ll be sure to make time for some fun water play, too!

Whether it be through snapping photos, drawing pictures, writing poems, or just jotting down notes and descriptions, be prepared to “take note” of our observations and discoveries during this week of camp. We’ll keep track of our findings in our own private journals and also learn how to use identification tools such as field guides and online apps so that everyone can continue to participate in community science projects at home.

Raptors, aka birds of prey, are powerful hunters with incredible adaptations for finding and catching their prey. Learn about hunting techniques of these birds and other natural predators in our area. We’ll dissect pellets, learn about beak shapes in birds and teeth in mammals, and discover some methods that prey use to, well, not become prey.

• July 21 - 25 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m
• $250 per child/adult pair

This camp program brings parents, grandparents, and caregivers and their young children together to experience the outdoors. Activities and crafts will focus on helping caregivers introduce their children to the wonders of the natural world through the use of their five senses. Explore the garden in search of insects and the pond in search of water critters, meet the center’s birds and reptiles, read stories, and just have fun playing games and activities on the front lawn. Adult(s) must participate with children during this program.

• August 4 - 8 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• $385 per child

Our popular TRIP session is for students with a strong interest in wildlife rehabilitation, animal care, and bird conservation. Learn the “do’s and don’ts” of dealing with injured wildlife in a rehab setting, as well as conservation initiatives connected to our wildlife rehab work. This course has presentations and instruction, along with hands-on practice on both deceased and live specimens. Participants will undergo some work in the wildlife rehab clinic. Enrollment is limited to 8 students. Participants must be responsible, willing to communicate with others in the group and work together on activities, work quietly in a rehab clinic setting and abide by clinic rules.

Some labs will involve working with deceased specimens.

• Each week of our Sprouts camps, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• $200 per child per week

This program is for any SAC Nature Camp alum who has aged out of our regular camp sessions but is still too young to be a CIT. Junior Buddies will help our first-time younger campers adjust to each camp day and feel more comfortable by having an older, experienced “buddy” to help with crafts, play games, assist with activities, and be an overall great role model while still having fun!

Because this age group is still considered a camper by the State, space is limited to two per K-2 camp session.

• Each week, 8:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

In between our Junior Buddies and our paid Seasonal Camp Staff, CITs are teen volunteers between the ages of 16-18 who are interested in assisting with camp. CITs help with various aspects of camp throughout the day, from assisting campers with activities to helping counselors with lessons, camper safety, activity prep, and more. This is a wonderful opportunity for older teens interested in gaining skills and experience needed to become a paid Camp Counselor or continuing in the Education field.

There is no fee to register, but there is a minimum two week requirement if you sign up, and interested students must complete an application questionnaire before assignment confirmation. Arrangements can be made for community service hours, if needed.

Please note that CITs MUST be at least 16 years old by the start of the first camp week with which they wish to assist. NO EXCEPTIONS.