DAILY
SCHEDULE
Each
day at Nature Camp begins with Reveille at 7:30 AM, followed
by a flag raising ceremony on the playfield at 8:00. After breakfast
campers tidy up their belongings and personal space in the bunkhouse
and prepare for morning class, which meets from 9:00 to 10:30.
This class period is followed by a free (or recreation) period
until noon, when lunch is served. From 12:30 to 1:30 everyone
enjoys rest period. During this time campers are expected to
remain quietly in their bunks; this is an excellent time for
them to work on reports for classes, write letters home, or
simply take a nap. The canteen is open for 45 minutes after
rest period. Afternoon class is held from 2:15 to 3:45, followed
by the afternoon rec period. Supper is preceded by flag lowering
at 6:00. The evening rec period lasts until 8:00 or 8:30, depending
on the age of the campers. After a half-hour of singing, there
is an evening program every night for the entire assembly of
campers and staff. Each night ends with Taps and lights out
around 10:00 or 10:30.
Evening
programs vary from educational to purely entertaining. We
often invite outside speakers, including scientists, naturalists,
conservationists, environmental educators, and Nature Camp
alumni, to present a slide
show
on a topic of expertise or interest. Campers and counselors
each have a night to showcase their abilities in a talent
show. Other programs include live, traditional music, which
we try to provide at least once a session and which may be
accompanied by square dancing, and a campfire during which
the campers eat s'mores and hear stories about colorful characters
in the Nature Camp lore.
Throughout
each day campers take turns doing chores assigned on a rotating
basis. These duties include setting the tables before each
meal, cleaning the bunkhouses or T-houses after breakfast,
sweeping the L.S. building after meals, and collecting garbage
and recyclable materials after supper. A counselor always
supervises the campers as they perform these duties. Nature
Camp places great emphasis on cleanliness and order. The bunkhouses
and T-houses are inspected each morning, and inspection scores
are announced at lunch. The bunkhouse which compiles the highest
cumulative score during the session is awarded a picnic on
the last Friday.
Nature
Camp is intended for young people who have a genuine interest
in nature and conservation. Those looking only for a recreational
experience will not be happy here. But those with a passion
for learning and a love of the outdoors will find peers with
similar interests and a nurturing and supportive environment
which may kindle a spark into a flame of enthusiastic commitment
to environmental stewardship. Many former campers have gone
on to become professional scientists, naturalists, and ardent
conservationists, but for many more whose vocations may not
take root at Nature Camp, a lifelong love and appreciation
of nature does.
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