is a nature interpretation day camp for small groups of children aged 6 through 10 in Andrew Haydon Park, Nepean. The focus is on awareness and appreciation of the park as a natural area with its variety of habitats and assorted minerals and fosssils. Here grow plants whose history and properties are of interest - including nettles and poison ivy, and thriving populations of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates to be observed. Bushproofing exercises are designed to prevent a child from getting lost and advise what to wear and have with you "just in case", as well as how and where to build a shelter for the night.


Martha Webber, Director, is the principle instructor. Formerly with Ottawa Valley Field trips and a naturalist.

2010 summer day camps for nature interpretation. Awareness
games and crafts with "found" items will be used throughout each week.

JULY 5 to 9   CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL 
Mon. The wet ones, aquatic biology, (frogs, etc)
        wear crocs or old shoes. cattail crafts
Tues. Wildlife in the park, Tracks, trails, dens
         Role playing, stalking, listening.
         Awareness games, "feeding frenzy"
Wed. Insects and spiders. Camouflage,
         appetites, predators, life cycles,
        Select a site, map it with sightings
        of invertebrates or clues to activities.
Thurs. The plant connections. As menu,
        (chewed leaf, etc), shelter, homes.
Fri. "Be kind to our friends in the swamp"
        Importance of wetlands, endangered
        species, how to make a difference.
        Tea party with parents, 3:30PM 
	
JULY 19 to 23 EXPLORER, SURVIVAL STRATEGIES
Mon.    Bushproofing:  clothing matters, 
        "Needs versus wants", Research the area, 
	(Topo-maps, toxic plants, wasps,	
	predators, weather , etc)
	Practice observational skills,
	stalking, reading the trail,
	Survival kit,three essential items.
Tues.   Wildlife in the park; Find and identify
        tracks, look for dens, nests, burrows,
	browse marks,sightings,calls, Find water,
	set up solar still,collect dew, plant sources.
Wed.    Orientation: Learn to locate Polaris
        and circumpolar constellations: Observations
	along trail: Select the best site for
	a debris shelter, build a mattress,
	insulation against ground chill.
Thurs.  Plant resources: food, teas, fibers,
        medicines, shelter, water.Make a grass rope, 
	the "leaf game", identify "your" tree,
	leaf rubbings, Build a tree.
Fri.    Make a debris shelter.Wilderness first aid,
        role playing,Tea Party with parents at 3:30 PM 

	
AUGUST  3 TO 6  EARTH SCIENCE 
        (Short week, Fee 115)
Tues. Show and tell,favourite rocks.
      Identification of common minerals,
      "Rock Leggo", rocks in the park
Weds. Crystals, fossils in the park. 
      Sand,composition, origin, 
      patterns along the shore line.
Thurs.Soil layers, composition, origin.
      Role of roots,benefits to animal 
      and plant survival, Build  tree;
      Mud (clay) crafts.
Fri.  Planet Earth, topo maps, erosion. Make a 
      map in your notebook,Importance of rock to
      all life on earth, including ours.economic
      importance in park. build an inukshuk.  Find examples. 
      Party at 3:30PM with parents.)
      
AUGUST 16 TO 20  EXPLORER, SURVIVAL STRATEGIES
      Repeat of July 19 to 23 above     

AUGUST 30 TO SEPT 2   CAMP HIGHLIGHTS
(Note: there must be at least 8 campers registered
by  Aug 20 for this camp to be offered.)

Mon. Explore stream, marsh and shore,
     Wear crocs or old shoes.
Tues. Wildlife in the Park,dens,tracks,sightings
Wed. The rock connection, identify common
     minerals, rocks, fossils in the park.
Thurs.Bushproofing,what to wear, 
     stalking, orientation, W
     topographical maps, survival kit, etc.
Fri, Build a debris shelter, first aid.
     Tea party at 3:30 PM with parents..
     

All camps are designed to make the child safe and comfortable off the trails  with some guidance in orientation...how not to get lost.  We are interested in  park animals and its plant life, toxic, edible and medicinal.  We check streams and standing water for aquatic life, read animal tracks in the mud, keep an ear and eye on birds, etc. The interests of the group will determine the emphasis and it is possible for any camp to build a debris shelter, using that last hour of the day when the choice is between waterplay , crafts, games, etc.