Ecology Day Camp's full-day program runs wild around the forests, brooks, and ponds of the Green Mountain Audubon Center.  Each week of camp focuses on a different theme, but all campers will get a chance to search for wildlife, make crafts, go on hikes, and hone their nature awareness skills while exploring the most magical places at Audubon.  

Summer camp 2024 registration will open Mid-February and will be different this year.

• We are moving to a lottery. Families will apply to the camps in which they are interested.  

• You will have between February 15 and March 3 to apply for camps. You can apply any time during this window. You will apply for each camp in which you are interested, for each camper.  

• Families will be notified of their acceptance into camp on March 8 and will have until March 21st at 11:59pm to secure their camp spot by paying either the deposit (30% tuition) or paying in full. Unclaimed spaces go to families on the waitlist starting March 22nd.  

• Camp balances must be paid down by April 21st or families forfeit their spot and deposit. If you need more time to pay, please call our office to set up a payment plan. Unpaid camps go to campers on the waitlist.

• Campers will be selected for no more than 2 camps.

Register or join "application" waitlists: http://app.campdoc.com/register/audubon

Looking for camps for someone younger? View Preschool Nature Camp.

 

Read our Summer Camp Blogs!

On this page for Ecology Day Camp:

• Camp Structure
• 2024 Camp Calendar + Program Descriptions
• Camp Details (including cancellation)

Looking for more information? View our Summer Camp information guide. 

Camp Structure:

Age Range: 6-12 years (each session open to specific ages). For those camps of mixed ages, we spend parts of our day together and parts in smaller age-specific trail groups.
Time: These are full day camps from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.  Precare: 8:15am-9am
 

2024 Ecology Camp Calendar & Fees 

Members, save 5% on registration by entering TERN24 at checkout!

2024 Dates	Camp Theme & Description	Ages	Fee
June 24-28	Bring Out The Birds. This week we will get out with our binoculars to explore Audubon's forests, fields, and ponds in search of our avian neighbors. The bird revelry will also include games, a daily bird walk, and bird songs to celebrate what makes a bird a bird and what makes them fascinating to us. Get ready to party it up!	6-10	$300
July 1-3, 5	Backwoods Ventures. Build and practice your backcountry survival skills, then put them to the test. From a hike up Camel's Hump to an overnight in the Audubon woods, this is a great introductory trip for campers ready for a little more adventure. Includes overnight July 2nd-3rd. No Camp July 4th.	10-12	$300
July 8-12	Nature’s Kitchen. Ever wonder what it would be like to cook over a fire or make your own tea? Grab your chef’s hat and your apron because this week we will be stirring up something delicious! Come along to taste something new or even create your own new favorite recipe.	8-12	$325
July 15-19	Secrets of the Sanctuary. Audubon is a magical place to discover nature’s most mysterious plants and animals. From poison ivy to plantain, we’ll learn to tell hazard from helper. We’ll have lots of time for foraging, making magical concoctions, and building fairy houses too!	6-8	$300
July 22-26	Aquatic Adventures. Dive into all things wet and wonderful! Cool off on a summer's day engineering dams and boats at the pond, river, and brook. Discover the creatures that live below the surface and find your place in the watershed during this week of watery worlds.	6-10	$300
July 29- August 2	Go for the GOLD(finch). Celebrate the Olympics at Audubon as we discover what it takes to be a gold medalist in the animal kingdom. Sprint like a cheetah, fly like a peregrine, and leap like a gazelle while we play games, explore, and compete like an Olympian in this fun-filled week.	6-10	$300
August 5-9	All Out Audubon. It’s August, so get ready to go all out before summer ends! This week of camp will cover all the classic Audubon activities and more! We will build forts, fires, explore the Huntington River, play games, perform science experiments, and connect with our natural world!	6-12	$300
August 12-16	Hootin' and Howlin'. Coyotes and owls are the tricksters of the animal world, hiding in the shadows, sniffing out secrets, and gliding through the forest. Join our pack, master your camouflage, sharpen your eyes, and build a secret camp in a week of stealthy adventure!	6-10	$300

Many camp sessions fill up quickly.  Sign Up for email updates to learn about other Audubon education opportunities and to receive Summer Camp updates.

We have scholarships available. You will be able to apply for scholarships when you apply for the camp lottery. It is now 1 application! Please contact us if you have questions.

Ecology Camp Details

• A gear list will be emailed to the email address we have on file. 
• A note on age. If your child is on the cusp of an age range, feel free to give us a call to let us know if you want them in an older camp or a younger camp. We are usually okay with whatever parents think is best. Speak to either our Summer Camp Director or Assistant Director for more information and to make these changes in registration.
• As of Summer Camp 2022:
  • Audubon requires all campers and camp staff to have completed the age-appropriate vaccine schedule recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and to submit proof in the form of a current immunization record prior to participating in any camp activity https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vaccines-age.html
  • Anyone with a medical exemption to immunization must submit documentation sufficiently in advance of the camp start date from a Physician (MD or DO) or a Pediatric/Family Practice Advanced Practice Nurse (ARNP or PNP) that describes the reason for the exemption. Vermont also recognizes religious exemptions. Exemption forms can be uploaded to CampDoc under "immunizations".

What does a typical day at camp look like?

Our camp week will be filled with games, hikes, crafts, stories, sit spots, and lots of exploration and play.  Here is an example of a day at camp:

8:15-9:00- Optional Pre-Care. Note: You must register in advance.
9:00 – Sign-in at the Clubhouse and welcome activity
9:20 – Opening circle and game
10:00 – Snack
10:15 – Morning activity block: We will split into groups to study the land, play games, or see if we can build a shelter that keeps us dry in the rain
Noon – Lunch and quiet activity option (ex: nature journaling)
12:45 – Time to blow off some steam! Choice of active game or something quieter
1:00 – Afternoon activity block: Something different each day, based on camper interests and what nature has to offer us. We might build rafts or learn how to tie knots.
2:00 —  Snack
3:30 – Back to Clubhouse for closing circle and to share stories from the afternoon
4:00 – Pick-up time

Cancellation Policy

• If Audubon cancels a camp we will provide full refunds of payment or you will have the opportunity to donate your funds to Audubon Vermont.
• If you need to cancel, please submit a cancellation request through CampDoc. We will refund you as follows:

  • Cancellations made by 4/21/2024 will be refunded payments above the non-refundable deposit.

  • Cancellations made at least 4 weeks before program start date will be refunded 50% of the tuition fee.
  • Cancellations made at least 2 weeks before a program start date will be refunded 30% of the tuition fee.
  • Cancellations made less than 2 weeks before a program start date will be refunded 10% of the tuition fee.
  • Because waitlist spots often come available at the last minute, we ask that families who take these spots commit to coming. After 24 hours of accepting the space, payment is expected, after which point you will be held to the cancellation policy above, regardless of when you accepted the camp space.
• Please call Debbie Archer (802-434-3068x13) to discuss refunds and cancellations in the case of severe illness, injury, or family emergency.

Meet the Nature Camp Staff