Winter Camps 2022/23

Meet Eco Adventures staff who just so happen to be world renowned explorers from National Geographic, scientists, vet techs, biologists/marine biologists, certified teachers, animal rescuers, animal trainers, and more! Our staff, are not the ordinary “camp counselors”. We are professional 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 with our training from animal safety to first aide/CPR certifications and are certified from 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.