Earth Adventures

Children Ages 6-12

Due to COVID-19, all summer camp programs are regrettably suspended for 2020. However, we look forward to offering camp next year. Check back in spring 2021 for summer camp information.

Campers will explore science, nature, and history through outdoor exploration and play in this full-day, week long camp.

The theme for 2020 is Off the Grid. Learn what it takes to be an outdoor survivalist! Campers will learn basic skills to endure challenging outdoor environments. We will learn to make our own tools, tie basic and advanced knots, build shelters, use a compass, and more.

Monday through Wednesday, we’ll explore Rock Springs Conservation Area. On Thursdays, campers go for a swim. On Fridays, we take a field trip. Earth Adventure campers should bring a sack lunch. Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided. Remember to always dress for the weather and for getting dirty, since we have many adventures in store!

Camp meets at the Information Shelter at Rock Springs Conservation Area. Pick and choose which weeks to come, or attend all nine from June 1 through August 7. (Note camp will not be held the week of June 29 – July 3.) Space is limited to 40 campers each week.

Camp Dates & Times

Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm
$125/camper each week
Discount: $15 off each week for every additional sibling

Morning & After Care

Children can play games, create crafts, read books, and more.
Morning Care: Monday – Friday, 7am – 9am
$25/camper each week
After Care: Monday – Friday, 4pm – 6pm
$25/camper each week
Those who opt for Morning or After Care may drop off or pick up their campers at any time during those hours.

Rule of Three | June 1-5

Learn the basics of what it means to survive in the wilderness using the rule of three: warmth, water, and food. We will perform experiments with algae, make fire, and explore the deep woods, learning about our environment on the way. On Friday, we will go to Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield, IL and visit the Lincoln Memorial Garden.

Plotting a Course | June 8 - 12

It’s important to be able to tell directions, even when the sun is hiding behind the clouds. Nature leaves many clues that can help us find our way. Learn how to read a compass, the time of day based on the sun, and how to find our way north if we’re lost at night. On Friday, we will visit the William M. Staerkel Planetarium in Champaign, IL.

Making Shelter | June 15 - 19

Explore the basics of building shelters. Find out what we can use to keep us safe from elements like wind and rain. Then, we’ll build a shelter out of the materials we find! On Friday, we will go to Aikman Wildlife Adventure Park, and take a tram ride to meet and feed exotic animals!

Water & Food | June 22 - 26

After we have a shelter to protect us, we need to find water and food. Learn how to make drinking water, what plants you could eat, and the extremes one must take to find protein. On Friday, we will go to the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, IL.

Note: Camp will not be held the week of June 29 – July 3

Survival Necessities | July 6 - 10

This week we will learn how to signal for help, and think about items we might need to craft. We’ll also explore items we should pack before taking a hike. On Friday, we will visit Scovill Zoo, and have a cookout using the skills we learned to start a fire!

Basic First Aid | July 13 - 17

Nature is home to countless plants. Many of these plants have excellent medicinal properties. Learn which plants people such as the Native Americans and European settlers used to sooth aches and pains, and how to care for minor injuries. On Friday, we will go to Allerton Park in Monticello, IL.

Knots & Traps | July 20 - 24

Making a snare to catch food is no simple task, but can be key to survival. We will learn how to make rope out of bark, and how to set a few basic animal traps. On Friday, we will visit a butterfly house in Shelbyville, and put our knowledge to the test while we fish on the lake.

Extreme Conditions | July 27 - 31

Illinois weather isn’t very extreme compared to other parts of our world, but we will learn how to make extreme heat more bearable, and what we can do to stay warm when it’s cold. On Friday, we will go to the Children’s Discovery Museum in Bloomington, IL.

Putting it All Together | August 3 - 7

Time to put our survival knowledge to the test! We will compete by age groups in a survivor-style competition, to see how well you know the safety, fire, first aid, and trapping skills you gained this summer. We will celebrate Friday by going to the new Nelson Park Family Aquatic Center in Decatur, IL.

Need more information? Call (217) 423-7708 or visit the Camps page.