2014 Summer Adventure Camp

2014
Summer Exploration Camp
Table of Contents
Dear Summer Camp Families,
Exploration Camp
For over 30 years, Riverbend has been synonymous with summer fun! Each
year hundreds of families make Riverbend a part of their summer plans and
we hope that you will join us for camp in 2014.
Top 10 Reasons to Choose Riverbend this Summer
10. Easy online registration process through Active Network
9. Wonderful staff with low camper to educator ratios
8. Ten degrees cooler at Riverbend
7. 30 Acres of ponds, forest, meadows, and stream
6. Tons of tadpoles in the ponds
5. Exciting Adventure Programs for 10 to 14 year-olds
4. Low key environment where “Kids can be Kids”
3. Magic Rocks and crayfish in the stream
2. Lots of dirt (The Dirty We Get the Happier We Are!)
1. Fresh air and exercise (No video games allowed!)
Camp Open House
Saturday, March 8th 10:00am-1:00pm
We also try and make camp easy for parents with weekly sessions, extended
day options, and an extended summer.
Camper Orientation
Saturday, June 7th 10:00am-12:00pm
Hope to see you at Riverbend this summer!
Stacy Carr-Poole
Director of Education
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Kelly Myers
Camp Coordinator
SAVE THE DATE
Adventure Camp
3 yr. olds: Tadpoles
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4 yr. olds: Rangers
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5 & 6 yr. olds: Adventurers
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7 & 8 yr. olds: Explorers
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9-11 yr. olds: Discoverers
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Exploration Camp Descriptions
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10-14 yr. olds10-12
Camp Junior
Volunteer Program (14-18 yr. olds)
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Meet the Staff & Camp Registration
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New for 2014!
Full Day Option for 4 year olds: Due to popular demand we are now offering a full day option for our 4 year old program!
Parents will have the option of choosing a full day (9:00-3:30 pm) or half day (9:00-1:00 pm) program for their 4 year old camper
during registration. Due to the high level of activity during our summer camp days, the full day option is only recommended for
children who are already participating in full day programs and are accustomed to the longer day.
Tadpole Program for 3 year olds: We are so excited to announce a brand new camp program for 3 year olds! This new program
is a great introduction to camp for young explorers where they can discover the wonders of nature in a safe and friendly
atmosphere. The program will be offered Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30-11:30 am during two weeks in July.
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Tadpoles: 3 year olds
Riverbend’s youngest campers are curious little bundles of energy
ready to explore the world through this exciting introductory
camp experience. Through nature walks, live animals, sensory
exploration, games and hands-on nature discovery Tadpoles
will be introduced to the outdoors in a safe and friendly camp
environment. Our Tadpole sessions are offered Tuesdays through
Thursdays from 9:30-11:30am.
July 15th-17th: Gone Buggy
From the meadows to the forest to the ponds, insects can be found all
over Riverbend. Campers will learn about these fascinating six-legged
creatures while they explore all that Riverbend has to offer!
July 29th-July 31st: Peek in the Creek
Crayfish, salamanders, and of course “magic rocks” make the stream an
inviting place for all of our campers. This week will explore the many
creatures that live in the stream and will be full of lots of wet fun!
Price: $75/ week
Rangers: 4 year olds
Rangers are full of energy and imagination! To introduce
these young learners to the wonders of the natural world,
we offer nature walks, sensory exploration, crafts, games,
and nature discovery. Our Ranger sessions cover a new
theme each week and are offered either as a half-day option
from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm or as a full-day option from 9:003:30 pm.
June 9th-13th: Buggin’ Out
June 16th-20th: Where the Wild Things Roam
June 23rd-27th: Legends of the Forest
July 7th-11th: Up, Up and Away!
July 14th-18th: Ooey Gooey Science
July 21st-25th: Splash-tacular!
July 28th-Aug. 1st: NSI: Nature Scene Investigator
August 4th-8th: What’s for Dinner?
August 11th-15th: Wild Inspiration
August 18th-22nd: Green Giants
August 25th-29th: Wild Child!
Price: $220/week – ½ day program (9:00-1:00)
$350/week- full day program (9:00-3:30)*
*The full-day option is only recommended for children who are already
participating in full-day programs.
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Adventurers: 5 & 6 year olds
Adventurers arrive at Riverbend ready to embark on a
full-day nature voyage! From 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each
day, skilled educators lead campers in hikes, games,
hands-on exploration, crafts and nature discovery.
Inspired by weekly themes, children will return home
brimming over with stories about all of their adventures.
June 9th-13th: Buggin’ Out
June 16th-20th: Where the Wild Things Roam
June 23rd-27th: Legends of the Forest
July 7th-11th: Up, Up and Away!
July 14th-18th: Ooey Gooey Science
July 21st-25th: Splash-tacular!
July 28th-Aug. 1st: NSI: Nature Scene Investigator
August 4th-8th: What’s for Dinner?
August 11th-15th: Wild Inspiration
August 18th-22nd: Green Giants
August 25th-29th: Wild Child!
Price: $350/week
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Explorers: 7 & 8 year olds
Explorers are ready to discover natural wonders within and
beyond Riverbend. Each day is chock-full of classic Riverbend
fun including hikes, science experiments, art projects, and
games, but Thursday offers something special: a field trip to
a local nature area or museum. Daily schedules run from 9:00
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with an optional Thursday night cookout
complete with campfire and s’mores (cookout runs until 7:30).
June 9th-13th: Buggin’ Out
June 16th-20th: Where the Wild Things Roam
June 23rd-27th: Legends of the Forest
July 7th-11th: Wilderness Survival ($400)
July 14th-18th: Ooey Gooey Science
July 21st-25th: Splash-tacular!
July 28th-Aug. 1st: NSI: Nature Scene Investigator
August 4th-8th: What’s for Dinner?
August 11th-15th: Wild Inspiration
August 11th-15th: *Special Option: Advanced Science Exploration
August 18th-22nd: Green Giants
August 25th-29th: Wild Child!
Price: $375/week + $20/cookout (cookout is optional)
* Special Option: $425
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Discoverers: 9-11 year olds
Discoverers explore nature from morning ‘til night! Armed with
knowledge already, these campers expand their understanding of
the natural world through exhilarating hikes, art projects, science
experiments as well as a weekly field trip to a complimentary nature
area or museum. Discoverers also explore nature at nighttime through
our Thursday night camp-out complete with campfire, s’mores, and
tents in the field. Daily schedules (except Thursday and Friday) run
from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and weeks vary in theme.
June 23rd-27th: Legends of the Forest
July 7th-11th: Wilderness Survival
July 14th-18th: Ooey Gooey Science
July 21st-July 25th: Splash-tacular!
July 21st-July 25th: *Special Option: Advanced Wilderness Survival ($425)
July 28th-Aug. 1st: NSI: Nature Scene Investigator
August 4th-8th: What’s for Dinner?
August 11th-15th: Wild Inspiration
August 11th-15th: *Special Option: Advanced Science Exploration ($425)
August 18th-22nd: Green Giants (offsite at Historic Harriton House)
August 25th-29th: Wild Child!
Price: $400/week
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Exploration Camp Descriptions
June 9th-13th: Buggin’ Out
Join us as we kick off the summer exploring Riverbend’s nooks and crannies for all sorts of creepy crawlies! As we romp through the stream, use
nets in the meadow and dig under logs, we will uncover millipedes, worms, butterflies, praying mantises, and so much more!
June 16th-20th: Where the Wild Things Roam
Let’s discover where the wild things roam here at Riverbend! Campers will spend the week exploring what is lurking in the stream, ponds, forest,
and meadow while learning all about habitats and what animals need to survive.
June 23rd-27th: Legends of the Forest
From fairies to Big Foot to Native Americans, the woods are full of mysteries of its past and present inhabitants! Join us as we explore the forest
and unravel the truth behind the legends and myths!
July 7th-11th: Wilderness Survival (ages 7-11) + Up, up and away! (ages 4-6)
Wilderness Survival: Are you interested in learning how to survive and thrive in the wilderness? Join us as we spend the week in the woods learning the basics of how to start a fire, build a shelter, navigate with a compass and map, make an underground still, and so much more. Campers will
even get an opportunity to test their survival knowledge on a Thursday night camp out!
Up, Up and Away: This week is all about our feathered friends from majestic eagles and hawks to tiny warblers and chickadees! Campers will
spend the week bird watching and learning how every bird is perfectly adapted for their ecosystem from their talons and beaks to feathers and
feet!
July 14th-18th: Ooey Gooey Science
From ooey-gooey slime and volcanic explosions to Aye-ayes and naked mole rats, this week is all about weird science! We will explore chemical
reactions, conduct all sorts of exciting experiments that ooze and bubble and reveal the mysteries behind some of nature’s weirdest creatures!
July 21st-25th: Splash-tacular!
Water is very important to life on earth! This week we will learn all about why water is so important, explore aquatic ecosystems like our ponds
and stream and uncover creatures from crayfish to frogs!
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Descriptions continued...
July 21st-25th: Advanced Wilderness Survival (special option ages 9-11)
Let’s take our survival skills to the next level! If campers participated in our Wilderness Survival camp this summer, or last, they can take part in our
Advanced Wilderness Survival camp. This week will include a one night camping trip to French Creek State Park and have the opportunity to go
fishing!
July 28th-Aug 1st: NSI: Nature Scene Investigators
Where did the tadpoles go? Who ate Ms. Jeanne’s Oak Trees? Learn to follow the clues that have been left behind and use some good old-fashion
science to solve these and other natural mysteries!
ADVENTURE CAMPS 10-14 year olds
As campers get older, we understand that they want more options in their summer experiences. So for 2014,
we have taken the Riverbend fun and excitement we all know and love and kicked it up a notch! The activities
throughout the week take adventure to the next level while fostering teamwork, confidence and lifelong
summer memories. Some sessions include overnight camping trips while others are strictly day programs.
Aug 4th-8th: What’s for dinner?
From predators, like red tail hawks and foxes, stalking their prey to vital producers like Oak trees, supplying much more than just acorns, campers
will investigate who is eating who at Riverbend! We will play games like “predator and prey”, investigate skulls and talons, and visit with our
resident live animals to learn all about what animals eat.
Aug 11th-15th: Wild Inspirations + Advanced Science Exploration (special option ages 7-11)
Wild Inspirations: Have you ever noticed the vibrant colors of a sunset or looked closely at a butterfly’s wing or really studied the bright colors of
meadow flowers? Mother Nature has inspired many artists from Van Gogh to Picasso to Audubon with its awe-inspiring beauty. Campers will also
find their inspiration this week through dancing, singing, drawing, and painting as they learn and explore nature.
Advanced Science Explorations: (special option ages 7-11) Did you love ooey gooey science week? Then this is the week for you! We will kick our
science experiments up a notch, meet some guest speakers, go on an exciting field trip and take on some new and thrilling scientific challenges
like making s’mores on a home-made solar oven!
Aug 18th-22nd: Green Giants
Trees are TREE-mendous! From ancient Redwoods 1,000’s of years old to whimsical Sassafras trees, campers will learn all about how we and our
fellow animals depend on trees for oxygen, food, shelter, and so much more!
Aug 25th-29th: Wild Child!
Let’s end the summer with a big summer camp hurrah! This week is all about having fun and enjoying our last week of summer adventures as we
roll down the hills, build forts, splash in the stream, and enjoy being a wild child!
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*Please check our website for more detailed information on the trip details and venues we will be using*
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ADVENTURE CAMPS 10-14 year olds
ADVENTURE CAMPS 10-14 year olds
June 23rd to 27th: Adventure Excursions (Session #1)
July 14th to 18th: Adventure Excursions (Session #2)
August 4th to 8th: Ocean and Beach Exploration!
The ocean is a fascinating place to explore! Join us as we venture
to Rehoboth Beach Delaware for a dose of some salt water thrills
as we explore the ocean ecosystem by paddle board, kayak,
and ship! We will go whale and dolphin watching off the coast,
sightseeing via paddle board, and kayaking in the bay as we learn
about the creatures that call the ocean home. Campers will spend
the day at Riverbend on Monday (9-3:30) preparing for the trip
and then the rest of the week is spent camping near the beach.
Are you up for some adventure this summer!? Let’s kick this summer
up a notch as we mountain bike, outdoor rock climb, and practice the
ancient skill of archery! We will spend Monday at Riverbend getting to
know everyone and then embark on a new adventures Tuesday through
Friday with our normal 9-3:30 day.
Price: $650
Price: $750
July 7th-11th: Trail Blazers
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August 11th to 15th: Earth Heroes!
There is so much more to hiking then just having the right boots! Spend
the week with us and leave as a confident trail blazer! Each day we will
venture out to new hiking destinations where local experts will teach
us about the essentials of hiking, like how to prepare for a long hike,
how to use compasses to navigate the forest, and be introduced to
geocaching for some modern day treasure hunting! We will even test
our skills on a Thursday-Friday guided backpacking trip!
The time is now to start thinking about how we can protect
the Earth for future generations. As budding environmental
stewards we are going to investigate the idea of sustainability this week and learn how it can be incorporated into our
lives. The week will be full of field trips and guest speakers
that will introduce us to topics such as Aquaponics, organic
farming, waste water management, solar energy, and so
much more!
Price : $550
Price: $475
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Camp Junior Volunteer Program
Community service, work experience, and leadership
skill building- all while having fun outdoors this
summer!
Riverbend prides itself on being a great place for children to explore and discover new things about themselves and the
natural world. So that our campers have strong role models as they explore the natural world, we strive to provide the
best educators for our education programs.
Riverbend is looking for teens, 14-18 years of age, to assist
our summer camp program and have a positive impact on the
lives and education of younger children. Camp Jr. Volunteers
will assist professional educators with group management,
modeling of appropriate behavior, and providing nurturing
and support of campers. In addition, volunteers will get to
participate in activities with the campers, including games,
nature exploration, field trips and more. Volunteers work
primarily with our youngest campers and are a vital part to the
success of our program.
Education programs are under the direction of Stacy Carr-Poole, Director of Education. Stacy
has been with Riverbend for over ten years, including four years directly supervising our
summer camp program. With a love of children and the natural world, Stacy works closely
with staff to make sure that all children that visit Riverbend have a positive experience in
nature.
If you or your teen is interested in applying, visit our website
to download an application form (www.riverbendeec.org/
volunteer). All Camp Jr. Volunteers must participate in a
four hour training session and commit to three full weeks of
volunteering this summer. Space is limited so sign up early.
Contact Kelly Myers, Camp Coordinator, at 610-527-5234 x 106
or kvoorhees@riverbendeec.org for more information.
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Meet the Staff
Leading our summer camp team is Kelly Myers, Camp Coordinator. Kelly joined the
Riverbend team in 2011 as an Environmental Educator for summer camp and came back
in 2012 as the Camp Coordinator. In addition to her education experience, Kelly also has
extensive management experience which helps her manage 60+ campers, 10+ staff and 6+
volunteers each week.
Environmental Educators serve as the main teachers for each summer camp group,
creating the curriculum and adapting the themes to their individual group. These
educators each have a college degree, or equivalent experience, and a passion
for working with children in the outdoors. Camp Interns are a vital part of our
summer camp team. These college students work in partnership with our educators
to develop the activities and are especially important to our youngest groups of
campers, providing a low adult to child ratio.
To make the summer experience safe and fun for everyone, Riverbend does a background check on all
educators and interns, and the summer staff completes a week-long training that includes First Aid and
CPR certification, group management skills, and extensive information about teaching children in the
outdoors.
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How to Register
• Register online at www.riverbendeec.org (Powered by Active Network)
• Select the proper age group for your child and the weeks you would like them to attend.
• Determine your extended day needs (Extended Day is from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and costs $100/week). Remember that
the regular camp day is from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (For half-day 4-year-olds, the regular camp day is from 9:00a.m.
to 1:00 p.m. with no after noon extended day option).
• To register, a $100 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit is required to complete registration.
• Tuition balances must be paid by June 1, 2014. Any unpaid balances will be charged a $25 late fee.
• Schedule changes will be accommodated to the best of Riverbend’s ability. However, many weeks are full by summer
and changes may not be possible.
• Cancellations/Refunds: Deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE. If cancellation are made after June 1, 2014 NO refund will be
given.
Riverbend Staff
Executive Director
Laurie Bachman
Volunteer Coordinator
Jeanne Angell
Director of Education
Stacy Carr-Poole
Development and Communications Associate
Lisa Matthews
Camp Coordinator
Kelly Myers