Camps 2020
Open House -January 24th, 2020 4:30-7:30pm
Summer Camp Registration Begins January 22nd!
Winter Camps 2020
Star Galaxy Wars...creatures from Far, Far Away
January 20th
9am-1:30pm Mini Campers (Ages 3-6) $60
9am-4pm (Ages 5-11 and Counselors in Training - 12+) $90
Do you have the Force?? Time to find out as you test your skills against Eco Adventures' most alien animals... some of them may even pass as your favorite characters!! Young Jedi knights will hone their abilities by making their very own light sabers and even a Death Star!! Whether it's Yoda's big eyes, Jabba the Hutt's slimy skin, or an Ewok's cuddly fur, you can find hints of aliens in any animal you meet. Come join us on the galactic adventure of a lifetime!!
Chinese New Year/Mulan
January 30th
9am-1:30pm Mini Campers (Ages 3-6) $60
9am-4pm (Ages 5-11 and Counselors in Training - 12+) $90
Get ready to celebrate... it's the year of the RAT!! Come meet Eco Adventures' very own (and VERY adorable) rat and learn what makes these creatures so amazing!! Get hands-on with traditional Chinese foods, fortunes, calligraphy, and more! Even create a DRAGON and watch some mini "fireworks" to celebrate the New Year. But that's not all... it's the perfect time to celebrate the iconic MULAN and explore her world too!! So put on your best party gear and get ready to have a blast with Eco Adventures!
Down Under Australia Camp
February 17th
9am-1:30pm Mini Campers (Ages 3-6) $60
9am-4pm (Ages 5-11 and Counselors in Training - 12+) $90
Summer Camps 2020
Trailblazers (Ages 5-8) ECO Explorers ( Ages 9-11) & (CITs Ages 11+) 9am - 4pm unless otherwise noted, Prices Listed Below
Mini Camps: 9am-1:30pm (Ages 3-6) $60 per day/$210 per week
Eco Sampler Week
June 22nd - 26th $90 per day/$340 per week
*Plus Mini Camp Monday - Thursday only
Camp Out
Monday, June 22nd
Take a breath of fresh air and get ready for a week of good, old fashioned, camp-out fun! Kids will pitch tents, set up camp, prepare smores, and play good old outdoor games. In addition, campers will look for fossils in our “Bone Yard” dig site, where they’re sure to find something amazing . Jump on board for this one and reinforce your kid’s love of nature where it’s ok to get dirty, catch bugs, and go wild, all outdoors!
Animal Trainers
Tuesday, June 23rd
Have you ever wondered what it's like to train an alligator, give an armadillo a pedicure, or bathe a nearly 100 pound tortoise? If so, you have come to the right place! Here at Eco Adventures our animal care experts spend all day giving personalized care to each and every one of our animals. From slithery snakes like Grilled Cheese, to our cute and cuddly Kinkajou, all the animals require special care and training! This camp is designed for anyone who wants to find out more about jobs that involve working with animals and training them! Campers may come home and try and train their siblings!!!
Treasure Quest
Wednesday, June 24th
Adventurers take notice!! Recently mysterious pieces of a map were found between the pages of a dusty old book in the EcoAdventures’ library. The pieces of the map hint of a famous lost treasure...and where to find it! There’s sure to be lots of surprises and mishaps along the way, because legend says that there are slithering, creepy, animal guardians, and even booby traps that guard the lost treasure. Campers must prove their bravery, use teamwork, and trust their instincts in this ultimate scavenger hunt! Riches await those brave enough to attempt this challenge.
Creature Careers
Thursday, June 25th
If working with animals has been your dream, then this is the camp for you! On this day, we will take a look at all the different jobs that relate to working directly with our animal ambassadors. Learn what it takes to be a vet taking care of sick or injured animals, or a park ranger, making sure animals are well protected and safe, or a zoo keeper that needs to ensure that animals are well taken care of on a daily schedule, or even a scientist that tries to learn as much about the animal as possible. This day camp will cover them all! Campers will culminate their career training with hands on animal interactions and activities. This one fills up fast, so sign up today, and get your childs’ creature career jump started!
Brand New: Marvelous Marine Biology
Friday, June 26th
This isn’t your Fathers’ tired old Marine Biology, that’s for sure, so prepare to “dive” deep into the ocean to explore the world of Oceanography! Campers will explore the many different realms of marine biology and oceanography. They’re going to run into ancient creatures of the deep, marine mammals, and the always popular, top predators, our friends the sharks!! Your young biologist will be immersed in the world of water on this day camp, with interactive activities, live animal encounters, crafts, and more! Campers will even get to cool off with an afternoon Arctic Ocean snow cone, and enjoy some water play at the ECO sluice water stop, and fossil dig!
Camp Out
June 29th - July 3rd $355
*Plus Mini Camp
Do you hear the call of the WILD…we sure do, for this far out camp. Some good old fashioned camp-out fun is the order of the day as kids get the chance to reconnect with nature and the great outdoors in Eco adventures CAMP OUT! Kids will get to make their very own lanterns, pitch tents, set up camp, scout the land, and play good old fashioned outdoor games. Once camp has been set up, participants will go on nature hikes, investigate wildlife tracks, read the weather, practice survival skills, and search for fossils in our “Bone Yard” dig site. On the last day, kids will enjoy a daytime camp-out at our outside “Pixie Hollow”- Eco Adventures’ style, complete with campfire, songs, and smores (all the fun of camping-without the mosquitoes!) Our local hiking field trip, will reinforce your kid’s love for nature where it’s always ok to get dirty, catch bugs, run, jump, and GO WILD. Our field trip will take our campers to Severn Run Area trails, where the nature is second to none. **Mini Campers will only do hikes surrounding Eco Adventures.
Real Camp Out Sleepover
June 27th - June 28th
Saturday 6pm - Sunday 9am
Parent Child Team $70, Extra Children $50 Each
So...you want to go camping, but don’t want to drive to western Maryland, fight the bugs, the weather, and what about the toilet situation???? Well, problem solved, here at Eco Adventures, so bring your own tents to pitch outside and set up camp for the evening, and leave all your worries behind. This is the ultimate camp-out experience, where you leave all your problems at home, and we take care of everything else. The experience includes hot dogs, chips, drink, smores, night eye shining and nocturnal live animal interactions, and even a movie before bedtime. For those that survive the night, rise and shine to morning animal yoga and a delicious continental breakfast, and as if that wasn’t enough, you get a take home a souvenir green screen photo with the animal of your choice. MOST IMPORTANTLY...a clean modern bathroom is at your disposal at all times!!! *most activities will still take place at Eco Adventures and the surrounding property.
Treasure Quest
July 6th - 10th $360
*Plus Mini Camp
URGENT: All adventurers take notice!! Recently, mysterious pieces of a map were found between the pages of a dusty old book in the Eco Adventures’ library. The pieces hint of a lost treasure...and we’re always interested in treasure, so we’re saddling up for adventure and going on a quest to find it! There’s sure to be lots of surprises and mishaps along the way, because legend states that there are slithering, creepy, animal guardians of this lost treasure. Campers must prove their bravery, work as a team, solve problems, overcome obstacles, and trust their instincts, in this outrageous scavenger hunt! In their quest for treasure, campers will embark on an epic journey as they follow the clues, decipher codes, solve riddles, and all the while avoiding pitfalls, and animal encounters, as they search for real buried treasure. Important clues will await campers all along the way, as important sidekicks, like Harley the Blue and Gold Macaw, and Max the ancient old tortoise, will provide invaluable direction at every turn. Participants will get to construct their own pirate sword, make a treasure chest, and even sail aboard a galleon on the Severn River, through “Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake” . Riches await those brave enough to attempt this challenge! (Eco adventures is entitled to a percentage of all treasure found).
All New Magnificent Marine Biology
July 13th - 17th $365
So you want to be a Marine Biologist...well you are in luck and have come to the right place. Eco adventures has upgraded this, our most popular camp of the past, with all NEW informative and interactive activities! This isn’t your father’s tired old marine biology...this summer we will be taking a BITE of fun, as campers investigate SHARKS, WHALES, and other marine animals as never before. NEW this year, young marine biologists will learn all about oysters and the Chesapeake Bay. 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 campers will learn how to open them up, and then they get to actually keep the pearl inside! In addition, young marine biologists will get to enjoy sea turtle-tacular activities, will race their favorite crabs in the Hermit Crab races, experience marine animal rescues, and real stories from scientists, sea creature misconceptions, experiments, and marine based activities.– Campers will leave the building on an expedition to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, where older kids will participate in a shark lab and sea creature seining, while the trailblazers do oysters activities, dip netting, and a scavenger hunt hike. Salt is in the air this week, so get ready to dive into the deep blue sea, and sign up quick, because this is our most popular camp every summer...space goes fast!! WOW! Sign me up!
Untamed Art: Art on the Wildside
July 20th - 24th $370
*Plus Mini Camp
Get ready to unleash your expressive side and go wild! We will explore regions around the world of art this week. Paint with our pythons, craft with our chameleons, and sculpt with our snakes! Each day will feature different art mediums, which may include, watercolors, pastels, sketching, pottery, photography, and more. Campers will have the perfect inspiration with our animals, and get up close and personal with hands on animal encounters! Throughout the week, we will display all of our masterpieces in our very own Eco Art Show. Color your summer with the wildest art camp in town!
Art projects include: *Mexican Day of the Dead decorative skulls and paper marigolds *Japanese Cherry Blossoms on rice paper through a blow technique or Japanese Fish Printing Gyotaku. * Go down under with Aboriginal rock art *African animal silhouettes or African paper beads
Nature is Picture Perfect
July 20th - 24th $370
Ages 11 and up
Look through the eye of the camera lens and what do you see…..ANIMALS! This camp has been tailor- made for young wildlife photographers.. Campers will explore photography and art focusing on amazing animal subjects, how to get just the right shot, composition, creative techniques, tricks of the trade, and much more. Daily local field trips and fun art projects are on the agenda each and every day where the young photographers will learn techniques for shooting in the wild, while visiting local parks and attractions. They will then learn how to set up an animal portrait studio and use what they have learned, to snap photos of their favorite ECO animals. Participants will construct crafts to display and protect their award winning photos. Art, photography, nature and animals, this camp has it all. Don’t be surprised if National Geographic calls your kid after this camp!
Animal Rescue 911
July 27th - 31st $365
*Plus Mini Camp
You are part of an elite Eco Adventures team that rescues animals in need, and there are a lot of them! Campers will learn all about what animals need to be rescued, the many reasons they need to be rescued, and how exactly do you go about safely capturing them. Whether it's manatees, sea turtles, crocodiles, or koalas, they all have very different approaches, and they all desperately need your help. At Eco Adventures the majority of our animals are rescued, so campers will learn their back stories first hand, do mock rescues, and get to interact with each one in a hands-on capacity. Getting the endangered animal into a safe place is only half the mission of this camp, the other hurdle is creating a safe place for them to live, so campers will be asked to CREATE A Rescue Center/Zoo! Designing a rescue Center/zoo, involves a lot of thought so campers will learn all about enrichment, space requirements, safety, and security! In addition, this camp is full of hands-on activities, from each camper building their own terrarium habitat, to animal training with live animals, building enrichment toys, and loads of fun crafts and games. The Mission is: Rescue 911!!!! Sign up now, it's a race against time, and the animals need your help!!
Animal Training & Enrichment
August 3rd - 7th $360
Have you ever wondered what it's like to train an alligator, give an armadillo a pedicure, or bathe a nearly 100 pound tortoise? If so, you have come to the right place! Here at Eco Adventures our animal care experts spend all day giving personalized care to each and every one of our animals. All of our animals require special care and training! We have NEW animals to train such as Blue and Gold Macaw, Argentine Tegus, Kinkajou, gators, turtles and more! This camp is designed for anyone who wants to find out what it takes to train animals. Each group, gets an animal to train throughout the week. At the end of the week, they show off their new found animal training behaviors to the rest of the campers! In addition to our animal care and training staff, we will bring in training experts from different fields such as a marine mammal trainer, dog trainer/search and rescue, to show campers what their jobs are all about! Daily activities include hands-on encounters, demonstrations, making enrichment toys/props, crafts, and more. This is like no other, one of a kind camp so sign up now!
Aquanauts Sea Camp
August 10th - 14th $360
IN THIS ALL NEW CAMP WE ARE DIVING INTO the oceanographic world of science fiction, into a realm, we call SEApunk! Eco Adventures will transport campers back in time to early underwater exploration and fantasy, where they will become early seafarers, encountering deep sea creatures, the lost worlds of Atlantica, sunken treasures, sailing ships, mermaids, gigantic krakens and all things adventure! Imagination and creativity are the name of the game in this camp, as our aquanauts, or seapunkers, as we like to call them, will journey into the deep unknown. As they sink ever deeper, and deeper, they will encounter fantastical beasts, and will learn all about the real life inspirations for many of these deep sea freaks, like the unreal camouflage of leafy seadragons, to the deadly venom of the lionfish, bioluminesce of anglerfish and even seeing sea monkeys! The seapunkers will have to work together to successfully complete their deep sea adventure, by building their own seapunk submarine, experiment with pressure and determine what they will need to survive in this underwater world. AND back by popular demand- a REAL yellow submarine will be making an appearance along with Dr. Brian Hughes! All along the way, the Seapunkers will be involved with hands-on crafts while exploring the abyss, like examining the awesome bioluminescence of animals, and then incorporating what they have learned into glow in the dark squid games. AND what better way to gain a better appreciation for how animals can survive in the deep down sea than to dissect a squid, hold a sea star, tong for real oysters with pearls, and lots more! Finally, coming back to the surface, as the camp will culminate with a visit to the USS Stork submarine and the sailing vessel Constellation, in the Inner Harbor Baltimore. A trip not nearly as harrowing as our fantastical seapunk journey, but one sure to inspire more and different imaginary fun!
Brand New: World of Wizarding Triwizard Tournament
August 10th - 14th $375
Calling all returning first year witches, wizards, and muggles!! Eco’s school of magic is SUPER excited to announce that it’s time for the biggest test of strength and skill in our magical world, it’s the TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT!! First years are welcome to get caught up in the excitement of these crazy times--and even try out the challenges themselves!! Can you defeat a dragon, brave the mysterious Great Lake, and find your way through the maze in time?? Eat, drink, and be merry during this all-week wizarding celebration. Wizards in training will also get to meet magical creatures like a real unicorn (yes you read that right), Scabbers the rat, Trevor the Toad, and even the giant snake Nagini!! By the end of camp all the sorcerers will know just what it takes to cast the perfect spell, how to conjure up a charm, or block an unwanted hex! And of course, in the Great Hall there will be plenty of magical snacks, like chocolate frogs, butterbeer, bertie botts every flavor beans (including ear wax and snot), and licorice wands--YUM! A journey to Medieval Times for some jousting fun rounds out the week. The train fills up fast, so sign up now! (Muggles encouraged to attend!)
* If you sign up by May, your camper will receive a magical acceptance letter in the mail
Creature Careers
August 24th - 28th $370
If working with animals has been your dream, then this will be the camp for you! In this camp, we will take a look at all the different jobs that relate to working directly with our animal friends. Learn what it takes to be a vet, taking care of sick or injured animals, or a park ranger, making sure their habitat is safe and people respect the outdoors they call home. How about learning about being a biologist? Entomologist? Marine biologist? A herpetologist? What about any other -ologist that calls to you? And of course we couldn’t skip talking about being a zookeeper. With all these exciting options out there, your kids will get guidance from our professional team, and even some experts from these incredible jobs. Complete your career training with hands on animal interactions and you have a recipe for success. So sign up today to get a head start in these amazing creature careers!
Great Outdoors Wild & Wonderful
August 31st - September 4th $360
Kids today have lost touch with nature, but that’s about to change. Eco Adventures to the rescue!! Wild animals, wild places, and wild times, are all on the agenda in this fun filled Eco camp! So put on your hiking boots, grab a backpack, and get your binoculars, because we are leaving the indoors behind!! Nature is the name of the game, as campers will hit the trails for adventure, to find where animals live, sleep, eat, and play. Campers will have to get down and dirty to answer these questions in a nature scavenger hunt! In addition, they will explore the woods with nets to catch some critters, search for animal tracks in the mud, build temporary shelters, learn compass and star navigation, safety and survival skills and much, much, more! Kids will construct their very own outdoor survival manuals all along the way, to document their new found skills. Get off the couch, get WILD, and sign up now!!!! *Most activities will still take place at Eco Adventures and the surrounding property with field trip to local trails.
Summer Fun Kindergarten Camp
Tuesday, September 8th- Friday, September 11th
Ages 4 - 6
$85 per day/$280 per week
School is almost upon us, so let’s make the last week the ultimate experience of Fun in the Sun! This camp is chock full of fun outdoor activities, in addition to our amazing live animal interactions, crafts, creative snacks, and games! Swimsuits are even a good idea, because our Field Games Days, is always wet, wild, and wacky. It’s all about fun, with a variety of different water games, sprinklers, soakers, and the old Eco Mining Company water stop is even up and running, where campers will use the sluice to mine for gold and look for fossils. What better way to spend your last days of summer than to fill your pockets with riches!!! Sign up now before the gold is gone. Designed for kindergarten staggered entrance days. Can sign up per day or for the week.
* No field trip included
Keeper Apprentice Program
Every Wednesday this Summer
Ages 9 and Up
10am - 2pm $80
10am - 4pm $95
Wonder what it is like to be a zookeeper? Who hasn’t, right? This highly sought after camp is led by one of our credentialed animal keepers, to pull back the curtain on all involved in animal husbandry. This in-depth experience is for the older students who are serious about learning animal husbandry and medical care of animals. Students will tour the facility and learn specific information and needs of our special animal collection. Students will get to not only encounter animals in our behind the scenes animal room, but assist with animal care, food prep, training, & cleaning. This is a very hands-on experience like no other, with interactions with numerous endangered species! Who ever gets to interact with an endangered species in this day and age? YOU DO, in this extremely elite camp, the ultimate insider experience..
**Space is very limited, with only three select participants per day!! Perfect for aspiring Jr. Assistants
Outdoor Camps
Hooray for the Bay
August 19th
Ages 6 - 14
$99
Join us for a day of exploring our own “backyard” in the Chesapeake Bay! This outdoor camp will take your students out to a local beach on the Severn to seine, Make your own fishing poles and fish and even crab! After a picnic lunch and some fun games, campers will return to ECO to learn and interact with some cool creatures such as terrapins, box turtles, snakes, toads, and more! Space is limited to 13.
Fossil Beach
June 24th
8:30am - 4pm
Ages 7 and Up
$99
Join our team of fossil hunting rock hounds as we climb aboard the world famous Eco Adventures Snake Van!!! Our paleo-campers will head out to the renowned fossil hotspot in St. Leonards Md, where there are more relics than you can shake a stick at! Campers will put their skills to the test, and excavate, uncover, and unearth, fossils from the ancient world of the Chesapeake Bay! Following the fossil dig, campers will get to examine living marine life, by taking part in seining activities. Cooling off in the water at this point, is an added bonus! Fossil hunting is hard work and is sure to build up an appetite, so we will be having a delicious BBQ lunch overlooking the Chesapeake! Space is limited to 15.
Don’t be an old fossil and miss out on this dynamic camp, sign up right now!!
BBQ Lunch is optional: Hot dogs, chips, watermelon, juice box $5 extra
Nature Unleashed Outdoor Field Trip Camp
July 13th - 16th
Ages 9 and Up
$380
It’s back to nature in this camp and we mean literally! If it has to do with nature and the great outdoors we are all over it! These days kids seem to be losing touch with nature, so in this camp we are going to bring them back to the “wild side”. Kids will leave civilization behind as we head out into the great unknown to learn all about nature and surviving the outdoors. Each day, they will spend the day at parks and destinations (Anacostia River Canoeing, St Leonards/fossil hunting/Local beach/seining/fishing/ etc). Campers will get the ins and outs of navigating trails and directions from the location of the sun, compass use, identify animal tracks, interact daily with animals, hunt for fossils near Calvert Cliffs, learn survival skills, seining the bay and looking for critters, make fishing poles and catch fish, learn how to crab, and so much more crazy WILD fun. By the end of camp you might not get your kid to come back into the house! Rain or shine… it’s OUTDOOR time at this ADVENTURE camp!
Turtle-Tacular
July 15th
Campers Meet and Pick Up at Kinder Farm Park
Ages 6 and Up
$99
This camp is for the serious turtle lovers! Help naturalists find Painted turtles, Snapping turtles, Mud turtles, and maybe even Box turtles while collecting data such as tagging, weighing, and measuring animals. See the difference first hand between aquatic and terrestrial turtles. Learn about threats to all turtles including our very own Diamondback terrapins and sea turtles. Create turtle art. Then get ready, set, …Go! Who will win in a box turtle race… It’s everything you need to know…so to speak…about those critters with a shell and a beak!
Optional BBQ lunch- $5 includes hot dog, chips, watermelon, drink
Pontoon Boat Adventure on the Anacostia River
July 29th
Ages 6 and Up
$99
Participants will take an adventure ride from Bladensburg Waterfront Park for a tour of the Anacostia River, guided by expert naturalists that will point out all the wildlife in and out of the water, all along the way. Our captain will lead your crew past the Bladensburg Wetlands, Dueling Creek, the National Arboretum and Kingman Island and discuss local history and ecology. Campers will also go on a nature hike, participate in wetland activities, dip net for aquatic critters, and finish the perfect morning with a peaceful picnic lunch by the river. Ahhhh, sign me up!
Canoeing Adventure on the Anacostia River
August 5th
Ages 10 and Up
$99
Whether you are showing off your canoeing skills, or if this is your first time, it doesn’t matter, because expert paddlers will be on hand to supervise and instruct. Campers will start out at Bladensburg Waterfront Park and go on a tour of the Anacostia River. Participants will receive paddling instruction and a safety briefing before launch across the Anacostia River in search of adventure with Park experts that always seem to know where the wildlife hangs out! After canoeing kids will get to stretch their legs with a nature hike in search of critters. All this nature exploration builds up an appetite, so campers will be treated to a picnic lunch by the water!
- No experience necessary but ability to swim is required. All participants will wear flotation devices.
Ship’s Ahoy! Inner Harbor Submarine and Ships Excursion
August 12th
$99
Eco Adventures will transport campers back in time to early marine exploration, where they will become early seafarers, and get to experience ships of the past, used for above and below water exploration. Campers will visit the Inner Harbour in Baltimore, and climb aboard the: USS Torsk submarine, that’s right...a submarine!!! And…, is if that wasn’t enough, our young sailors will tour the sailing ships, Sloop-of-War USS Constellation, USCG Cutter Taney , and Seven Foot Knoll . It’s all Nautical sailing ships and all things adventure! You have permission to come aboard...so drop anchor and sign up now!
Gold Rush
TBA
9am - 1:30pm
Ages 5 and Up
$60
Calling all prospectors!! The ECO Mining Co. just filed a claim on Gold Dust Gulch and we need your help! The water is flowing, nuggets are tumbling, and gold fever is in the air, so grab your gear!! All interested miners report for work at the Wild West Water Stop, just out back of the ECO Bunkhouse, where we have our sluices set up and the ore is rich (we hope...). Be prepared for a half day of excitement as we wash the diggings in our sluice. Prospectors will learn all about gold/silver mining, how to prospect, pan for gold, 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!! 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 prepare to get wet!!
NO tenderfoots need apply!!
** Outdoors from 9:30-noon. Wear bathing suits if your prospector wants to get wet.
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, learn new skills from from an expert, discover new found confidence from one of our knowledgeable instructors, or simply make new friends in a safe and stimulating environment. From nature hikes, outdoor classrooms, animal interactions, crafts, games, field trips, guest speakers to learning about careers 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, 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 and animal rescues, and more!
We pride ourselves with our training from animal safety to first aide/CPR certifications and are certified with NO violations in 2017 from the MD Dept. of Health Camp Association
We split up campers into age appropriate groups of 10-12 campers. Our ratio is 2:12. We try to accommodate sibling requests and friend requests when needed. Included, is at least one instructor aide, volunteer and/or Junior Assistant to assist the Lead instructor. Since our instructors all have all different expertise, we try to expose them to as many instructors as possible that lead and teach rotations in the morning and rotations in the afternoon. The Instructor's aides, Jr. Assistants, and volunteers, take the campers to their rotations within the building. Our Executive Director and Camp Director are always present on site to assist where needed so there is plenty of supervision. We have extra staff on Friday Fieldtrips. If parents are interested in chaperoning, please contact us.
What to Expect- 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. $15 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 1 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 Wed. 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 will help them cool off with snow cones on Wed- only for full day campers. (no $ needed).
Friday- 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 EA 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!!
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 One day training prior to camp in June TBA.
What sets us apart from other camps are our themed hands-on activities. Whether it is with animals, on a scavenger hunt, art, or a game…we equate learning and fun as one. The best part, is that your kids do not even know they are learning!
This year, we will only provide campers with an afternoon- make your own creative snack related to the week's theme. We make cheese sail boats, bug and mud cups, “Fossil Tar Pit” pudding, Watermelon butterflies, and more! If your child has allergies, we ask that you bring your own snacks or check our ingredients daily and let us know of severe peanut/nut allergies ahead of time.
Whats a camp without games? Our dynamic and fun games encourage cooperative learning and team-building skills. We provide outdoor games and obstacles courses as well as trivia games for the mind.
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.
Want to make a difference? We do! Campers can assist with current Eco Adventure conservation projects, research, and education initiatives. Help set up camera traps for research, help with a woods clean-up, build habitats, analyze animal scat, make new hiking trails, plant in our garden, assist with composting, make bird houses and a bird bath area. Some camps even participate in day field trips to State Parks or conservation/nature/rescue centers nearby.
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, and more!
We welcome parent volunteers on field trip days on a first come first serve basis. Please see us for more details.
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.
SPACE IS LIMITED
Camp Policies
SPACE IS LIMITED! We like to be organized and prepared! If possible, we ask that you please register at least two weeks in advance so we can make the appropriate staff/materials/supplies preparations. We do take last minute registrations, but know that it is based on space availability. If you cancel at least 3 weeks prior to your camp date, you can receive a refund minus $25 registration/cancellation fee for each cancelled camp. After that, credit will be issued for any future programs. For one day camps there is a $10 cancellation fee per day. Multiple changes may incur an additional $5 re-registration fee.
We follow Anne Arundel County school sickness policy. Your child cannot come back to camp if your child has a fever or vomits the day before. Must have at least 24 hours fever/vomit free. We encourage parents NOT to bring a sick child to camp, so we give you credit for ONE missed day for another day camp. Many camps do NOT do this. Repeated sick days may result in change of camp fee of $5.
Before & After Care Hours for School Year Camps:
Before Care from 8am Or After Care until 5pm
New Before & After Care Hours For Summer Camps:
Before Care from 7:45am Or After Care until 5:30pm
Price is $10/day or Both for $17/day
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 your campdocs 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.
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 sibling or multi week, military discount, or early bird whichever is greater, except if you pay by check or cash for totals of $300+ receive an additional $5 off. As a small family business, we thank you for helping us keep our costs down. Payment plans and scholarships are available, please call to inquire.
- Early Bird: $15 off full day camps or $10 off mini camps until March 1st
- Military: 5% off. Email us proof of ID to get the code
- Sibling: $20 off additional siblings for week long camps-Mini camps and one day camps are $5 off
- Multi-Week: $15 off each camp after the first week when you sign up for 2-3 weeks. 15% off when you sign up for more than 4 weeks
- All 11 Weeks: When you sign up for all 11 weeks of camp, receive $50 off of each regularly priced camp
Open House Discounts:
$30 off full day camps or $20 off mini camps at January Open House (no other discount can be applied)
$20 off full day camps or $10 off mini camps at March Open House (no other discount can be applied)
$15 off full day camps or $10 off mini camps Early Bird Discount until March on website
$20 off at the Annapolis Area Christian Chesapeake Family Camp Fair, March 2nd 10am-2pm