KIDS LEARN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AT HANDS-ON, OUTDOOR SUMMER NATURE CAMP
Youngsters will leave their screen behind and explore the outdoors this Summer.
Newport Beach, Calif., April 9, 2019 – The Environmental Nature Center’s 42nd annual Summer Nature Camp will take place from June 24 to August 15, 2019. The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) offers three camps each summer: “Little Naturalist Camp” for children 3 – 5 years old, "Nature Adventure Camp" for campers entering Kindergarten through 3rd grade, and "Science Explorer Camp" for campers entering 4th - 8th grade . Camp sessions are from Monday through Thursday. For more information please visit encenter.org
“Summer is my favorite time of year,” said ENC Executive Director Bo Glover. “Watching our campers learn while having a great time is priceless. Young children’s minds are stimulated by nearly everything around them, so the more diverse and engaging their surroundings, the more their minds learn and grow. I get to see a lot of growth in a lot of kids each summer!”
Little Naturalist camp and Nature Adventure Camp will be held at the ENC’s home campus at 1601 E. 16th Street, in Newport Beach. Science Explorers Camp for 4th to 8th graders will be held at the Back Bay Science Center on Shellmaker Island, and registration is through the City of Newport Beach.
Summer Nature Camp is demonstrative of the ENC’s commitment to sharing environmental education and experiential learning with the community. Camp will largely take place outdoors, allowing children to explore nature up close using scientific tools like binoculars, magnifying glasses and microscopes. Science concepts will be introduced in a fun, interactive environment; campers will have access to crafts, games and other hands-on activities to discover and apply new skills.
The ENC's Camp Teachers are exceptionally qualified in elementary science education and represent a wide range of expertise in the Orange County educational community. Most are ENC Naturalists who teach environmental education programs throughout the year. Each teacher will oversee a small group of campers of similar age.
According to a 2015 article by Oxford Learning, children lose the equivalent of one month of overall learning during summer vacation. Summer Nature Camp can keep kids active and engaged, teaching them skills that they can take back home or to the classroom.
“Outdoor environments are important to children's development of independence and autonomy,” said ENC Camp Director Corina Silva. “Children’s stress levels fall within minutes of seeing green spaces. Play protects children’s emotional development whereas loss of free time and a hurried lifestyle can contribute to anxiety.”