Day Camps

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/licensed by the MD Dept. of Health Camp Association.as well as MD State Department of Child Care. 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 ARE STILL IN PLACE TO ENSURE A SAFE HEALTHY FACILITY:
Covid is still very much part of everyday life.  Eco Adventures still disinfects and clean mid day and after camp, uses HEPA filters and extra ventilation.  We also social distance 3 feet whenever possible.   group.   We ask that you keep your child home and test for COVID if they exhibit any cold like COVID symptoms or wear a mask.  

Campers are split into age-appropriate groups of 15 or less with one instructor and one possible Counselor in training, volunteer or Junior Assistant.  We try to accommodate sibling requests and friend requests when needed. They will rotate from station to station (crafts, games/activity, animals, snack, inside air-conditioning downtime)  Lastly, there is a team of Administrators and Directors to oversee the camp and to assist with the logistics, supervision, and safety of the camp. 

 (GENERAL)

CAMP HOURS

REGULAR CAMPERS: 9am-4pm

Counselors in Training (CITS): 8:15 AM-4:30PM - DROP OFF AT THE DOOR

Before & After Care: We offer beforecare beginning at 8am and aftercare until 5:00 pm. The cost is $13 per day for one or the other, or $25 per day for both. If needed, email us with what day(s) you will need. They will go inside to watch a movie while observing social distancing. Drop off and pick up at the door. Show pick-up pass. Ring the doorbell on the left.

DROP OFF AND PICK UP PROCEDURES

WHERE TO GO: Each morning we are implementing outside CAR drop off & pick up through a drop off line. PROCEED TO THE SECOND ENTRANCE BY AMERICAN CEDAR & MILLWORK THE KITCHEN AND TURN LEFT. LOOP BEHIND OUR BUILDING. Signs and/or staff will be outside directing you. PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK DOCKSIDER’S ENTRANCE!! Line up to the far right so cars can come through.

BE READY: In order to have drop off be as smooth and efficient as possible, please make sure your camper is READY TO GO backpack, water bottle, ALREADY applied sunscreen, etc so you do not hold up the line.

CAMP TIMES

*DROP OFF: 8:55-9:10am

*PICK-UP: Starts at 3:45 pm- 4:00 pm. You will be given a colored piece of paper with your child’s group color and name on the first day. Place in your right-hand side window or dashboard for BOTH MORNING and AFTERNOON ALL WEEK. This will speed up the process. We will have staff members/CIT’s/volunteers outside escorting your child to and from your car. If you have another person picking up, please supply them with a photo of your pick-up pass to show or ask for another copy.

CAMP SAFETY AND COVID PROTOCOLS

*COVID UPDATES: Masks are optional. Please note all of our staff (16 and over) have been vaccinated but will continue to social distance whenever possible. We have extra ventilation, HEPA filters in the rooms, sanitize and open the doors for fresh air throughout the day.

*AIR QUALITY: If there is code Orange for air quality, we will continue outdoor events without strenuous exercise and include more indoor activities. Masks are optional. Let us know if you want your child to wear one. If code RED we will have camps indoors with drop off and pick up outside only.

*GENERAL HEALTH, BEHAVIOR OR PSYCHIATRIC NEEDS/ALLERGIES/MEDS: Please let us know BEFORE camp of any general health concerns, behavioral or psychiatric needs so we can be prepared and better assist your child and remind us during drop off time. Any medications must be administered by a parent or child themselves unless it is a life-saving medication such as an epipen. You must have a medical authorization form filled out and signed by a pediatrician uploaded and a printed copy of it to go with the medication. Let us know if your child has any medications on the day of camp at drop off.

*Each week, depending on the theme, we will have guest speakers and entertainers.

*Tick season: Although we spray for ticks and mosquitos professionally, please spray your child with bug repellant each morning and perform a tick check each evening.

*Groups/Friend requests: Groups will be pre-assigned according to ages before the first day of camp. For the best possible experience, we will split siblings up to their own age groups. If your child wants to be with someone, please email me ecoadventuresmd@gmail.com before MONDAY. Know that special request groups will be mixed ages from 5-11 years old.

The OTHER “411”:

*WHAT TO BRING: Apply sunscreen and bug spray before camp every day. Can wear a sneakers (no flip flops). Bring a small sports backpack with a water bottle, light jacket if cool weather, peanut-free lunch, and one snack. They will be given ice pops as an afternoon snack, if you wish your child to have something different please pack a second snack as well.

* We welcome newspaper, empty toilet paper/papertowel rolls, and any slightly overly ripened produce that you have laying around for our animals (lettuce of any kind except spinach, squash, cukes, peppers, carrots, bananas, any fruit…)

*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.

* JUNGLE SHOP: At the end of the day, we will announce jungle shopping. You may bring $ for small souvenirs items are $1-$20+ Please label $ in a zip lock bag with your child’s name. We will give those kids that do not bring anything something from the treasure box. We have Dr. Brady Barr (co-owner) Nat Geo books that he can also sign and personalize $7-$15. Please…NO PIGGY BANK COINS.

*Who’s who: Camp administrators (polo shirts) to assist with registration, camp administration, boo boos, behavior/special needs/allergies/anything parents need as well as camp rotations, sanitation, and supervision. Blue Turtle shirts are Lead instructors (Station leaders) white shirts are junior assistants/interns/CIT’s/volunteers.

*Behavior Policy: As stated in waiver/registration, just a friendly reminder of this policy that if my child(ren) does not consistently follow the safety rules and rules of conduct, the child may be expelled from the program without a refund.

*If your child is absent/sick, late, or needs to be picked up early, it is your responsibility to please call or email us to let us know.

*If you would like to sponsor an animal, make a donation, or donate produce/items from our wish list, please see our website.

P.S. We always need newspapers!

*We post highlight pictures of the kids on Facebook the week after so feel free to check to see them! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063519105562

CIT’S (Counselor in Training) INFORMATION (ages 12 and up)

*CAMP HOURS FOR CIT’S ARE FROM 8:15am-4:30 pm Please drop off at the door. Siblings are ok to drop off as well with CITs at no charge for before care.

*If your CIT would like to stay until 5pm Wed to work with animals. Please let us know.

*If your CIT missed the training in June, we will catch him/her up when they come in on the first day.

* Please wear the ECO shirt provided by us at training. If you did not attend training, please ask for a shirt. Extra Shirts are $15.

*All other information above also pertains to the CIT’S except the drop off times and procedures.

*Feel free to contact us with any concerns or questions or feedback. We look forward to a great week of camp! THANK YOU!

See you later...Alligator!

Lydia Shreeve

Camp Director

ecoadventuresMD@gmail.com 410-987-1300 www.ecoadventures.org

Please note procedures/activities can change with new Covid protocols at any time.

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!

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.  

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.

Some day camps, 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 trainers, and magicians 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.