Spring Day Camps
Eco Adventures Camps 2021 Pandemic Update
With a very successful COVID 2020 and 2021 summer camp season, we are confident that we can still function safely during the pandemic. The safety and well-being of our employees and customers, families and our animals, has always been our top priority and will continue to do so. That is why we are continuing the same changes to many of our procedures to employ stringent cleaning and safety practices to support the health and wellness of our employees and customers. We have plenty of space to spread out and practice social distancing, all staff is vaccinated and will wear masks, campers will now bring snacks from home, we will temp check, add more outside stations whenever possible and eat lunch outside (weather permitting), and parent pick up and drop off will now be in the car loop if more than 15 kids.
We thank you for your continued support, understanding, and patience during these difficult times for all.
>Sincerely,
Mei Len Sanchez-Barr
Director
Current Cancellation/Rescheduling Policy
If the need arises to cancel a registration, no refunds will be given at this time. However, you can make up a sick day for another one day camp BASED ON AVAILABILITY. Sick days cannot get credit just make up days on a future one day camp. If cancelling one week in advance or more, a credit will be issued for our future programs such as one-day camps or summer in-house camps, birthday parties, Earth Day/any special events, Scout sleepover programs, Open Plays/Jungle Expresses, Behind the scenes "Feeding Frenzies", Using Credit- for 2021- You may use credit at any time. Credit from 2020/pandemic does not expire. Please note we will be taking limited credit spaces for each camp for the summer. first come, first serve.
Please note this policy may change at any time. We welcome concerns and questions via email.
ecoadventuresmd@gmail.com
See summer camps tab
See summer camps tab
Scroll to Bottom of Page for Important Camp Info & Policies. Please email us your questions and concerns and we would be happy to answer them! shreevelydia@gmail.com
Would You Rather?
March 25th
$105
9am - 4pm
Ages 4-11 & CITs 12+
Hypothetically speaking…Would you rather put your head in a box full of scorpions or centipedes? Or Would you rather get puked on by a buzzard or seal? Would you rather jump into a pool or sharks or crocodiles? This camp is not for the squeamish! Animals have amazing adaptations that help them survive in the wild… whether it’s slime, venom, claws or jaws, there’s always something weird going on in the animal kingdom! Learn some cool facts about animals by playing the “would you rather game” with fun team related discussions, some physical challenges, and unique animal interactions!
Animal Caretakers & Training
March 26th & April 4th
$105
9am - 4pm
Ages 4-11 & CITs 12+
If working with animals has been your dream, this is the camp for you! In this popular camp you will learn about caring for Eco’s wide variety of animals! Throughout the week campers will learn from our animal keepers how to feed, train, design an enclosure and make enrichment for our animals. Do you want to be a veterinarian, zookeeper, herpetologist, entomologist or any other -ologist? Hear from professionals in the field about their careers, responsibilities and some of the most fun things they do in their jobs! All week long campers will be assigned an Eco animal to take care of, feeding, cleaning, giving toys to and training! See if you have what it takes to be a responsible pet keeper. There will be plenty of hands-on animal interactions all along the way, even animal care chores such as bathing a tortoise or a hedgehog, making enrichment toys for a kinkajou or a macaw, and feeding gators and crocs. Sign up today and get a head start in these amazing creature careers!
Martial Arts Panda
March 27th
$105
9am -4 pm
Ages 4-11 & CITs 12+
Prepare for awesomeness in this exciting adventure to the Valley of Peace! In this camp, campers will meet the animals that inspire the different styles of kung fu, including snakes, insects, birds and even dragons! Can you master all of the skills needed to become a kung fu legend? Practice your tai chi forms with our legendary martial arts masters. Race through the obstacle course to collect the secret ingredients for your family’s secret recipe. Finally, recharge from a hard day of training by eating a bowl of your very own noodle soup. This is your chance to prove you have what it takes to become the next Dragon Warrior!
A Race Through Time
March 28th
$105
9am - 12pm
Ages 4-11 & CITs 12+
Campers will jump through time and space to explore history through a unique lens after they design their own time machines to start their adventure. From the Jurassic Period and Ancient Egypt, to Medieval times and the Wild West, you never know what might happen in these worlds of the past! It's a race against time in this camp...don’t worry, campers will be back in time for parent pick up!
Feathers, Scales & Tails
March 29th
$105
9am-4pm
Ages 4-11 & CITs 12+
Do you love all things scaly? What about those with tails? And of course we can’t forget our feathered friends! In this unique camp, campers will get the chance to explore the amazing world of animals! Not only will campers get to meet Eco’s many different animals but they will also get to learn about and help with the care of our different animals, create enrichment, train and feed our furry, feathered and scaly friends! This is the perfect camp for animal lovers of all ages!
The "Tooth" About Sharks
April 1st
$105
9am-4pm
Ages 4-11 & CITs 12+
Baby Shark…Mama Shark… Daddy Shark!! … Sharks come in all shapes and sizes! They are not the man-eating machines movies make them out to be! They are amazing, majestic, apex predators that have roamed the seas since dinosaur times and are crucial to their marine habitats. Pull up your sleeves for a fun and interactive shark lab to look for fossil shark teeth, discover shark jaws, and make a shark tooth necklace! Play prey- predator games and meet “Matilda the shark” and learn what they really eat in a fun interactive manner. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without meeting some other ECO LIVE predators. So go ahead and learn the real “tooth” about sharks!! We dare you to!
Island Adventure
$105
April 5th
9am-4pm
Ages 4-11 & CITs 12+
If you have ever wondered just how do you train a dolphin to jump through a hoop, a dog to sit, stay, lay down, a crocodile to get into a crate, or a dragon (ok, a bearded dragon) to come when called, then this is the class for you! Using a real live dragon (bearded), you will learn and see firsthand how trainers use clickers, classical and operant conditioning, positive rewards, shaping and molding behaviors to get desired results. You will discover why animals behave the way they do and why it is important to train them. AND you will learn all about mythical majestic Dragons along the way!! This class is so much fun you will jump on command and beg for more!
Monsters ECO Training Academy
April 10th
$105
9am-4pm
Ages 4-11 & CITs 12+
April 10th Monsters wanted: Monsters INC Academy!
Wanted: Motivated unique scarers to attend Monsters INC Academy! Train and participate in the Academy’s “Scare Games”, where future scarers will be split into teams, make their own team banners and create team chants to compete for the Covenant Scarer Trophy! Scarers must complete a series of challenges from the meanest face, to the loudest roar, make a prototype of the ultimate “Monster”, complete obstacle courses without touching human toys, create their own Monster Headbands and participate in the ultimate scarer challenge! Are you ready… to be scary??
*Note: Not really scary, just fun!
Madagascar Adventure
May 14th
$105
9am-4pm
Ages 4-11 & CITs 12+
Join us as we escape the zoo and go on a safari through the island of Madagascar! Together we will explore the jungle, run from wild crocodiles, watch the African sunset, and create art inspired by the adventures we have. Meet animals, play games and so much more at this WILD camp!
REGISTERING NOW!!! SUMMER CAMPS 2024-ARE YOU READY??...
Each camp is themed and is designed to get kids excited about our natural world. Whether it's providing campers with a once-in-a-lifetime experience with an endangered species, learning new skills from an expert, discovering newfound confidence from one of our knowledgeable instructors, or simply making new friends in a safe and stimulating environment. From nature hikes, outdoor classrooms, animal interactions, crafts, games, field trips, and guest speakers to learning about careers in animal training and animal care. Do your child a favor and let them take a walk on the wild side at Eco Adventures this summer! Go ahead... "Experience the Extraordinary"!!
Why Eco Adventures Camp? We are UNIQUE and like no other. Here is why:
Meet Eco Adventures staff who just so happen to be world renowned explorers from National Geographic, scientists, vet techs, biologists/marine biologists, animal rescuers, animal trainers, and more! Our staff, are not the ordinary “camp counselors”. We are professionally trained educators. The Executive Director has 24+ years of experience with leading, organizing, and developing camps from the Miami Seaquarium, Parrot Jungle and Gardens, National Audubon Society, National Aquarium, and more! Many of our Lead instructors are experts in their field: from Conservation education, herpetology, art, photography, field research, animal training, animal rescues, and more!
We pride ourselves on our training from animal safety to first aid/CPR certifications and are certified by the MD Dept. of Health Camp Association! Lastly, all of our staff has been additionally trained on the new CDC safety guidelines and safety procedures for preventing illness.
The safety of your children, our staff and animals are the upmost priority. We had a successful summer camp with new COVID protocols and procedures. Here are just a few guidelines.
IMPORTANT PROTOCOL AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES WE ARE TAKING TO ENSURE A SAFE HEALTHY FACILITY:
Eco Adventures will only be accepting a very limited number of children for camps (far less than usual), and they will be placed into small groups of 6-10 students with a cap at 14 max . Each group having the same instructor. For Fall and Winter, it is not likely there will be more than one group. If there are more than 2 groups, there will not be any mixing of groups and social distancing will be enforced in a competitive, but fun manner.
Eco Adventures staff will be the same staff the entire camp. All adults will wear masks and children are also required to wear masks indoors . We will go outside whenever possible in which case they can take off their masks when they are able to social distance.
The facility will be thoroughly disinfected several times throughout the day and after each rotation.
Every child will be screened/have their temperature taken at our new outside reception area, before admittance each day. Any child running a fever or showing signs of illness will not be admitted.
Parents will be required to sign a pre-screening health questionnaire.
All persons entering Eco Adventures will be required to use alcohol based hand sanitizer before entry, that we will provide.
Hand washing will take place numerous times a day, in addition to other sanitizing procedures, all under the direction and auspices of our newly appointed "Queen of Clean" staff!
There are many more changes, and safety procedures that we have implemented, to ensure a fun yet safe learning environment for all, in which the details will be forthcoming.
Please join us for an informational ZOOM Summer Camp Meeting with guidelines, safety measures, activities, and Q & A session with Director Mei Len Sanchez-Barr.
Topic: ECO Summer Camp Parent meeting
Time: Jun 6, 2020 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71720024585?pwd=Q3dBMzF6VnRaK2ZuNzVNWTZlLzVRdz09
Meeting ID: 717 2002 4585
Password: ECO
As per the CDC, we will be splitting up campers into age-appropriate groups of 15 or less with one instructor and one possible Counselor in training or Junior Assistant. We try to accommodate sibling requests and friend requests when needed. Each group will be with their own instructor the whole time without mixing groups. They will rotate from station to station (crafts, games/activity, animals, snack, inside air-conditioning downtime) following one way only directions and will travel to each station holding on to a rope with flags, spaced 6 ft apart so kids can social distance. Instructor's aides, and trained staff/Jr. Assistants/volunteers will stand-by as "floaters" to get campers from a station and take them to the restroom inside/help with the next station set up and sanitation in between stations. Lastly, the Director will be there to oversee the camp and her administrative staff to assist with the logistics and safety of the camp.
What to Expect Letter- ECO Camp (GENERAL)
We’re on our way to a FUN week! Here is additional information and reminders you need to know:
- You must have filled out all ONLINE forms at campdoc.com prior to the first day of camp. You would have to accept an invitation we sent you via email if you signed up with us over the phone. If you didn’t receive one, check spam (it’s from campdoc.com) or email us and we can resend it.
- CHECK IN: First day, we will open 8:50 after that regular drop off is 9am unless you have before care (8am) If you need before care (7:45am) or after care (5:30pm) just let us know. After 4:05pm it is aftercare and $10 charge will take effect. $10 for either before care or after care. $17 both per day.
- Check in for Mini campers 9am-1:30pm. Please proceed straight into the Under water Discovery room.
- CHECK OUT: is at the front desk. We will call your children during check out. If you have any other person picking up, please write their names on the notes/ROSTER. When signing out –if your “out” box is highlighted –please ask a staff member.
- WHAT TO BRING: *Apply Sunscreen before camp every day and bring a small backpack with a water bottle and peanut free lunch. Please do not bring any toys, electronics, or valuables. Please LABEL everything with your child’s name on it and remember to pick up crafts daily. Any lost and found items after 2 weeks will be donated.
- We also need any old newspaper please and toilet paper empty rolls.
- Tick season: Although we spray for ticks and mosquitos professionally, we put some off on camper’s shoes and do a tick check after they come in from the field. Please do a tick check every day after camp.
- Who’s who: We usually have at least one camp administrators to assist with registration, camp administration, boo boos, behavior/special needs/allergies,/anything parents need as well as camp rotations and supervision. Tie dyed shirts or polo shirts are instructors, Black shirts are either Aides/volunteers/Jr. Assistants 2yrs+, white shirts are 1st year- JAs/ volunteers or Counselors in Training. If you need to give any information on your child, please go to the front desk. We will have some guest speakers and trainers throughout the week.
- Special Needs/allergies/meds: Please let us know BEFORE camp of any special needs so we can be prepared and better assist your child and remind us during drop off time. Any meds, you must have filled out an additional form signed by pediatrician. Please write in the notes on the roster if any allergies and bring your own snacks or check our daily snack ingredients in the morning.
Water Wednesday & Field trip days: We will have field games, sluice water stop and water play outside on Fridays. Please have them WEAR their bathing suits, cap/hat, and bring a change of clothes/towel and dry shoes. Water shoes are preferred, or shoes they can get wet. NO FLIP FLOPS!! Don’t forget to apply suncreen before camp each day! Mr. Rob's Snow cones will help them cool off with snow cones (no $ needed).
Field trips- Specific info will be emailed to you one week before camp (Tues) before.
****If there are thunderstorms the day of an outdoor field trip, we will be taking the campers to a movie.
**Parent Chaperones are welcomed. Please let us know if you can drive behind the bus. There is an entrance fee you would have to pay. Please inquire. First come first serve.
JUNGLE SHOP: At the end of the day on Friday, we will announce jungle shopping, you may bring $ for small souvenirs items are .50-$18 If you would like. Please label $ in a zip lock bag. We will give those kids that do not bring anything something from the treasure box.
Don’t miss out on National Geographic’s Dr. Brady Barr (owner of ECO) Nat Geo Chapter books “Scrapes with Snakes” or “Crocodile Encounter” ($7) “Chomp” “Everything Reptiles” books ($13) personalized and autographed. Award winning “After A While…Crocodile” ($10) . Fill this portion out and bring with you before Friday.
Campers will experience the ECO Mining Co. a “Wild West Water Stop” feature just out back of the ECO Bunkhouse, where we have our sluices set up and the ore is rich (we hope…). Prospectors will learn all about gold/silver mining, how to prospect, pan for gold and look for fossils, how to use a sluice, introduction to critters we may run into in the wild west, different ways to excavate, and even how to identify precious gems and real fossils!! At the end of their shift, the lucky miners (everyone) will get to weigh their findings at the Gold Dust Gulch Trading Post, where they can swap their nuggets for something they can actually take home!! The sluice boxes are a little leaky and the old Water Stop is unpredictable at best, so on this day, bring your swim suits and prepare to get wet!!
New this year: ECO Oyster Reef!
Participants will putting on their waterman hats and tonging for Oysters at the all new Eco Oyster Reef! Utilizing, age old techniques and tools, campers will test their skill at bringing up oysters, shark teeth, and other fossils with their tonging skills. Many of our oysters contain pearls, so if campers get lucky, you will find an oyster with a pearl! Learn about how it makes this precious jewel and learn about its anatomy!
For ages 11+ . Does your child have a high interest in animals, assisting with children, developing real world skills, (teamwork, leadership, responsibility), and learning about creature careers? We open up 5 spots for each camp and pair them up with an ECO Jr. Assistant that will help mentor them. Each CIT and Jr. Assistant will assist the Lead instructor in a group rotation. CITS will also participate in all the activities such as snack, craft, games, interactions etc while assisting with the group. Do you have what it takes? This is requirement for aspiring Jr. Assistants. Fee is the same as the themed camp. Call to inquire. Must attend a ZOOM meeting training prior to camp in June TBA. MUST be 11 years old or older.
Each of our AWARD WINNING specialty camps are themed and designed to get kids excited about our natural world. Our expertise is a hands on, up close and personal, interactive approach to learning. At Eco Adventures we believe in kids "doing" not watching. Whether its through a hands-on encounter with one of our over one hundred live animal ambassadors, an experience in our simulated rain forest, an activity in our outdoor classroom, wild crafts and games, fossil dig, a demonstration by a visiting scientist, or guided lesson by one of our professional staff members, will all ignite your child's senses and passion for our natural world. Let your kids "go wild" this summer, at a rainforest near you...Eco Adventures...they may never come home!
2020 changes: *Due to Covid-19 and CDC requirements some activities will be changing to meet the safety guidelines. *Subject to change as restrictions lessen.
*This year we are committed to making this summer- EXTRA special, EXTRA FUN for the kids! They deserve and need it! On top of the weekly themes, we will have friendly competitions between groups/teams to encourage spirit, fun, and following the new rules such as social distancing. Teams/groups can gain points for good behaviors, following rules, spirit, and teamwork, but can also get deducted points for not following rules (such as social distancing). Perhaps this will encourage them to try! Winner gets extra special treasure box gift at the end of the camp. (all of them get something at the end) and a picture with their group and trophy to post winners on our FB page.
Most of the camp will be conducted outside. We will have water at each station Tarps/tent coverings for shade and wherever possible may be able to provide fans. There will be one air-conditioning station inside with only one group at a time with down time such as a movie.
*Field trips unfortunately are cancelled for the summer but in lieu of FTs, we will be bringing in some FUN entertainment, whether it is a Magician, guest speaker, a submarine, Rescue Dogs, or Dog Show... kids won't know what they are missing!
*Fridays will be FIELD Days- where kids can play fun, outdoor field games and have Mr. Rob's Famous Snow cones!
We ask that parents pack one morning snack and a lunch. We feel the kids deserve a little cooling off and break from the norm. As a result, we will be providing a daily afternoon "ice pop" for kids to cool off. Should you not want this, please make sure you pack an extra snack. As always, let us know if your child has allergies. Fridays- Mr. Rob will be coming with SNOW CONES!
Whats a camp without games? Our dynamic and fun games encourage cooperative learning, physical activity, and team-building skills. We provide outdoor relay games and obstacles courses, creative games, as well as trivia games for the mind all while social distancing.
At Eco Adventures, kids are encouraged use their imagination and allow their inner Picasso to shine as they create crafts, art projects, and experiments to take home. The Art Camp provides them to get more in-depth with various mediums of art forms.
We provide guest speakers that provide demonstrations from various institutions such as DNR, National Geographic, National Aquarium in Baltimore, falconers, animal trainers, marine biologists, divers, Dog training shows, and this year anything goes- with possible performers, fire truck visit, magicians, submarines, and more!
We have a limited number of scholarships for those in financial need. Please send us an email explaining why your child is in need and deserves a chance at the scholarship. First come first serve. Deadline is April 1st, 2020.
Camp Policies
For summer: please call 410-987-1300 for space availability as we are likely to sell out this year for summer camps.
Eco Adventures Cancellation/Rescheduling Policy- see summer camp page for the full policy
If the need arises to cancel a registration, no refunds will be given at this time. However, you can change to a different camp based on availability OR a credit will be issued for our future programs such as one-day camps or summer in-house camps, birthday parties, Earth Day/any special events, Scout sleepover programs, Open Plays/Jungle Expresses, Behind the scenes "Feeding Frenzies", and even gift cards to give-away. Credit does expire 2 years from purchase. Please note this policy may change at any time.
*Masks are optional. Please note this can change at any time.
*Once again this year, our sick policy is extremely rigid in order to keep your children and our staff safe. We may be prescreening campers. If a child shows up exhibiting cold or flu like symptoms such as runny nose, coughing, fever, or stomach bug we cannot let your child participate unless he or she shows with a resent negative COVID test result.
*If your child has seasonal allergies (and thus a runny nose) or an underlying medical condition, we must have a doctor's note stating this and permission to participate. No exceptions.
*If your child gets sick during camp, the child will be isolated in the triage area where he/she will wait with an adult to be picked up.
*We will allow sick "make-up" days to make up during the school year only. No refunds or credits will be given. This is not credit, it is a one day camp to use at a later time.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we continue to stay safe during the pandemic.
Before Care from 8am Or After Care until 5pm
New Before & After Care Hours For Summer Camps:
Before Care from 7:45 am- After Care until 5:00 pm- this will be indoors. A movie will be provided- campers will be at least 6 feet apart . Please let us know if you need until 5:30pm.
Our TAX EIN # 80-0921094. If you need a customized receipt for tax purposes, please give us at least 2 weeks notice due to the high amount of requests. Otherwise, you can print out sawyer account receipt with our tax ID number.
Please let us know of any allergies in advance on the form. Must have Doctor's form filled out for any epipens or oral medications. We ask that children with peanut/nut allergies and multiple allergies bring snacks from home. Please note that we do have some animals that eat peanuts/nuts but will not be around any human eating areas. Parents must check the ingredients for that day to make sure it is OK for their child to eat.
Medications: We will only help administer life threatening medications such as epi pens. Any other medications such as ADHD/antibiotics/etc will need to be administered by the parent.
Parents MUST notify us upon registration (prior) to the camp if your child has ANY special needs (ADHD, autism, or any physical or behavioral problems), allergies, or any other special requirements so we can be prepared and staffed appropriately. Although we have had experience with, we are not trained professionals for special needs. Please note that this high energy camp may not be for everyone. Some of our rotations may switch thirty minutes at a time. Children with difficulties in making transitions, noise, high stimuli, may not respond well to this camp. We recommend to continue school routines with your child: If your child has ADHD medication, a weighted vest, or is in a program at school we recommend you continue the routine.
Failure to do this or improper/unmanageable behavior during camp can result in cancellation of your child's registration without a refund. Thank you for your understanding.
Please note that you can only use ONE discount per camper. For example: you can use either Early Bird or sibling whichever is greater. As a small family business, we thank you for helping us keep our costs down. Receive 2 free open play/Jungle Express/ if you pay by cash or checks. (value of $26) Payment plans are available.
- Early Bird: $15 off full day week long camps or $10 off mini camps until March 1st
- Sibling: $20 off additional siblings for week long camps-$10 off Mini camps, and $5 off one day camps.