Taltree Arboretum & Gardens Offers Summer Camps
This summer Taltree will offer a series of summer camps specifically geared toward rising third through sixth-graders. The goal in creating these camps is for participants to enjoy a holistic and fun environment where they will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and focus upon specific interests they may have. Taltree’s programs allow for campers to experience a wide variety of activities in a fun and safe environment.
June 17-21 – CSI Taltree Camp:
Make way for the next generation of CSI experts! During our CSI camp, campers will have the opportunity to investigate maggots, flies, worms, and larvae! Campers will go on a “dead things” hike where they will explore decaying plant matter, identify various fungi species, and will reproduce the skeleton from an owl pellet. Campers will be introduced to the Scientific Method where they will investigate and test their hypotheses. They will visit a local laboratory to meet real scientists who investigate things daily, will meet the local police department to learn about what they do at their jobs, and will investigate and present their findings about Taltree’s Detritivores!
June 24-28 – Wacky Water Week:
This week is dedicated to all things water! Campers will visit the Grand Kankakee Marsh at the beginning of camp, hike around Taltree’s wetlands, as well as learn about the water ecosystems around NW Indiana. They will investigate lakes, bogs, ponds, and streams! While at Taltree, campers will have the opportunity to go fishing, make their own terrarium, and go on two hikes to our wetlands. They will observe swans, participate in wetland themed crafts, and play water games. Campers will document their experiences in their Taltree journal, and will have the chance to photograph their experiences. Waterproof cameras, please!
July 8-12 – Science Quest:
Have you ever wanted to count how many times you fart in a day? Do your children think poop is cool? Then look no further! During Science Quest, campers will get the opportunity to be scientists! They will confirm or deny several science myths, such as how many times a person burps in a day. They will visit a local cow farm and learn how much cows poop, and get to see methane in action! They will get to participate in several science experiments such as our “Bug Bucket” where they will learn about how larvae can break down food waste. They will also get the opportunity to visit a local Wastewater treatment plant, and go on a “Poop Hike” where they will investigate who pooped and what is in it! Towards the end of the week they will create their own mini veggie garden using compost, participate in a competition on who’s marshmallow catapult was the most successful (and creative!), and log all of their findings in their very own Taltree journal.
July 15-19 – Wilderness Safari Camp:
Campers will become informed conservationists through our woodland safari camp. They will learn how Taltree became an arboretum, why we conserve our local natural resources, and will get to plant trees themselves! They will attend two woodland hikes, go blueberry picking using baskets that they created, and build their own bird house. They will see rehabilitated raptors from a visit by a local animal rehabber, play predator/prey games, dissect owl pellets, and learn about why bluebirds are so important. Campers will be provided with a journal to document their adventures such as our butterfly monitoring hike. They will also come home with special mementos from our hikes!
• Dates
June 14 Final On-Site Summer Camp Registration Day 4 – 7 pm
Pre-Register by April 1st, 2013 and receive $25 off.
• Class Hours Camp is open 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday with activities scheduled from 8 am to 4 pm. Campers arriving early or staying later will have activities to participate in such as puzzles, games, and crafts. Parents must pre-register their campers for aftercare from 4-5:30pm.
• Class Location: Parents will drop off and pick up their campers at the Railway Garden Depot, and must bring an ID to drop off and pick up their camper. Camp activities will take place on Taltree’s grounds, during field trips offsite.
• Who: Camp activities are geared toward Rising 3rd-6th Graders
• Cost:
Activities Fee: $50 for each week/child
Non-refundable Registration Fee: $40
Weekly Tuition: $145 for each week
Note: Any campers staying past camp closing time, parents must pay 1 dollar per minute late fee.
Taltree Arboretum & Gardens, a 501(c)3 public charity, offers over 360 acres of formal gardens, preserved woodlands, savanna, wetlands, and prairie, with nearly four miles of hiking trails. Themed displays include the Hitz Family Rose Garden, Native Plant Garden, Oak Islands, and the Taltree Railway Garden. Taltree is located just south of U.S. 30 between Merrillville and Valparaiso, IN. For more information, visit http://www.taltree.org/, e-mail info@taltree.org or call (219) 462-0025.
Jean Starr
Communications Specialist
Taltree Arboretum & Gardens
www.taltree.org
(219) 742-2571