Ventana Wildlife Society - Discovery Camp Report

Top: Campers from the
Police Activities League in Salinas prepare for a bird scavenger hunt at Ribera Beach. Lower Top: Julian works on his journal at Creamery Meadow in Andrew Molera State Park at Natural Science Discovery Camp. Click images to enlarge.

Top: Mike instructs campers in monitoring sand crabs during Oceans week at Natural Science Discovery Camp. Lower Top: Campers kayak through Elkhorn Slough, drifting close to sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, jellyfish, pelicans, cormorants, terns and more. Click images to enlarge.

Lumi explores Pt. Lobos during Mountains week at Natural Science Discovery Camp. Click images to enlarge.

The Ventana Wildlife Society Natural Science Discovery Camp consists of week long day camps, with one over night camp out. The camp is for 8-12 year olds, with five weeks open to the public each summer (some scholarships are available). Four additional weeks are reserved for our community partners to attend free of charge. These four weeks provide opportunity for youth who would typically not have the chance to go to a summer camp. Our seasonal instructors and full-time education coordinator work hard to make each week safe, educational and memorable. All staff is certified in CPR and First Aid, and those driving youth in our two passenger vans must first obtain a California class B commercial driver’s license – which entails passing DMV written exams and driving / skill tests. Below are descriptions of the three weeks we currently offer.

"Hooray for Habitats"
Through this adventure, campers are introduced to the wide range of habitats along the central California coast, the organisms that depend on them and how we as humans influence and impact them. Campers identify a variety of habitats and the organisms that can be found in each. A river invertebrate survey reveals water scorpions, water boatmen, diving beetles, snails, small fish, giant water bugs, crayfish, caddis fly larvae and more. While kayaking and tide pooling, campers observe starfish, sea anemones, harbor seals, sea otters, fat innkeeper worms, crabs and a variety of birds. Other areas that we explore include redwood, meadow, riparian, and chaparral habitats.

"Outrageous Ocean Odyssey"
This exciting week gives youth the opportunity to explore different environments within the ocean including tide pools, slough, sandy beach, rocky coastline, and the open ocean. Campers meet trained sea lions while visiting the S.L.E.W.T.H.S. program (Science, Learning and Exploration With The Help of Sea lions) in Moss Landing. We look at the sandy shoreline and rocky tide pools, discovering starfish, limpets, crabs, barnacles, sponges, and more. During a whale watch on the bay, youth get up close and personal with a variety of marine mammals, as well as numerous pelicans, cormorants, and gulls.

"Mountains Rock!"
With a focus on the landscape and geology, this week takes campers from the breezy, rocky shore to warm canyon and beyond. Campers follow the watershed from river to peak, and back down to ocean. Youth compare aquatic invertebrates and the adaptations they have made to their underwater landscape. Steelhead fry, fresh-water snails, and crayfish may be found beneath the rocks of a river, while blenny eels, periwinkles, crabs can be seen along the rocky shore. Other activities may include compass and map use, the rock cycle, ‘quick sand’ and earthquakes. Who knew rocks could be so exciting!

Nature awareness is at the core of our programming. With all of the technology available today it can be easy for youth to become completely absorbed in surfing the web, email, instant and text messaging, cell phones, video games, and music downloads. Most kids may be well aware of the plight of the Amazon rainforests and of the polar bear in the Arctic because they watch Animal Planet – but how much do they know about their own back yards? While educational television can be an important resource, we believe it is imperative that youth get outside and experience nature right outside their door. Our programs aim to do just that. Campers practice awareness skills such as "owl eyes", "deer ears" and "fox walk" – they become aware of and test their peripheral vision, learn how to cup their ears to pick up faint noises, and how to walk silently and mindfully in order to increase their chance of sighting wildlife. By enhancing these skills over the course of the week, participants build a relationship with and an appreciation for the natural world.

A number of activities help youth hone these basic wilderness awareness skills, including a popular game called 'Camouflage'. This game focuses on predator/prey relationships and adaptations. Campers attempt to blend into the environment while staying within sight, as a predator would in order to successfully hunt prey. Throughout the week, skills are practiced in a variety of locations and habitats. Many a noisy Monday group of children hush and drop into stealth-mode as each week progresses, and are rewarded with wildlife encounters. Groups observe deer, lizards, insects, squirrels, quail and a variety of other birds at close range simply by being aware of their surroundings.

Campers apply their awareness skills throughout the rest of the week's numerous hands-on activities as well. Instructors guide campers in animal tracking and observation, hiking, games, swimming and more, depending on the theme of the week. Journaling is a daily part of the camp. Each camper receives a journal and is given the opportunity to wander off to a quiet spot to observe, draw and write. Journal time offers special opportunities for everyone to slow down and appreciate the subtle details in nature.

Depending on the week, a variety of locations may be visited including Point Lobos State Reserve, Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Garrapata State Park / Sobranes Canyon, Asilomar State Beach, Jacks Peak County Park, Elkhorn Slough, Del Monte Beach, Carmel River/Ribera Beach, the Salinas River, Fort Ord and Marks Ranch (a property of the Big Sur Land Trust).

Each camp culminates in a Thursday night camp experience at Andrew Molera State Park. Many of our campers have never spent a night outside, and there is always much excitement and anticipation. Campers prepare their sleeping areas before devouring a pasta dinner with salad and bread. After dinner clean-up, campers gather for s'mores before heading out on a night hike. Talking in hushed whispers or often walking in silence, campers listen to night sounds and gaze at the sky. Following a lesson on nocturnal animals and their adaptations, campers are encouraged to embark on a solo hike for a short distance back to camp. Most youth enjoy the challenge on their own, some in pairs. At the end, everyone quietly and excitedly talks about his or her experience with staff and peers while preparing for bed. Some campers choose to sleep in tents while others fall asleep under the open sky.

After a fruit and pancake breakfast, the morning usually flies by with packing-up, a short hike and activity, and closing circle for the week. Campers receive tee shirts and share their most and least favorite parts of the week. Very often, campers report no low moments except that they did not want to leave because they had had so much fun! Many report "firsts" -- first camp out, first s'mores, first time visiting the ocean, first time swimming in a river.

Natural Science Discovery Camp brings an awareness of the environment to participants, their connection to it, and what they can do to help protect it -- through hands-on experiential activities. Children returning from previous years give us faith that camp can provide a life-changing and meaningful experience. Our vision is that that the children we host over the summer become stewards for the environment, develop a sense of self and remember their time with us always.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
The tremendous support we receive each year allows us to keep our costs low, and to provide free camps for 100 underserved youth from the Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County, Community Partnerships for Youth and the Police Activities League of Salinas. A very special thank you to all those who donated time, services and resources to our Summer Programs.

Community Partners

Last but not least - a special thank you to our members, who make our programs possible, and to those who donated specifically to our education program and our scholarship fund.

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	Summer Camp After School Condor Wilderness Camp Consultation Services Newsletter Membership Employment Pressroom In the News Contact Us	Natural Science Discovery Camp Top: Campers from the Police Activities League in Salinas prepare for a bird scavenger hunt at Ribera Beach. Lower Top: Julian works on his journal at Creamery Meadow in Andrew Molera State Park at Natural Science Discovery Camp. Click images to enlarge. Top: Mike instructs campers in monitoring sand crabs during Oceans week at Natural Science Discovery Camp. Lower Top: Campers kayak through Elkhorn Slough, drifting close to sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, jellyfish, pelicans, cormorants, terns and more. Click images to enlarge. Lumi explores Pt. Lobos during Mountains week at Natural Science Discovery Camp. Click images to enlarge. The Ventana Wildlife Society Natural Science Discovery Camp consists of week long day camps, with one over night camp out. The camp is for 8-12 year olds, with five weeks open to the public each summer (some scholarships are available). Four additional weeks are reserved for our community partners to attend free of charge. These four weeks provide opportunity for youth who would typically not have the chance to go to a summer camp. Our seasonal instructors and full-time education coordinator work hard to make each week safe, educational and memorable. All staff is certified in CPR and First Aid, and those driving youth in our two passenger vans must first obtain a California class B commercial driver’s license – which entails passing DMV written exams and driving / skill tests. Below are descriptions of the three weeks we currently offer. "Hooray for Habitats" Through this adventure, campers are introduced to the wide range of habitats along the central California coast, the organisms that depend on them and how we as humans influence and impact them. Campers identify a variety of habitats and the organisms that can be found in each. A river invertebrate survey reveals water scorpions, water boatmen, diving beetles, snails, small fish, giant water bugs, crayfish, caddis fly larvae and more. While kayaking and tide pooling, campers observe starfish, sea anemones, harbor seals, sea otters, fat innkeeper worms, crabs and a variety of birds. Other areas that we explore include redwood, meadow, riparian, and chaparral habitats. "Outrageous Ocean Odyssey" This exciting week gives youth the opportunity to explore different environments within the ocean including tide pools, slough, sandy beach, rocky coastline, and the open ocean. Campers meet trained sea lions while visiting the S.L.E.W.T.H.S. program (Science, Learning and Exploration With The Help of Sea lions) in Moss Landing. We look at the sandy shoreline and rocky tide pools, discovering starfish, limpets, crabs, barnacles, sponges, and more. During a whale watch on the bay, youth get up close and personal with a variety of marine mammals, as well as numerous pelicans, cormorants, and gulls. "Mountains Rock!" With a focus on the landscape and geology, this week takes campers from the breezy, rocky shore to warm canyon and beyond. Campers follow the watershed from river to peak, and back down to ocean. Youth compare aquatic invertebrates and the adaptations they have made to their underwater landscape. Steelhead fry, fresh-water snails, and crayfish may be found beneath the rocks of a river, while blenny eels, periwinkles, crabs can be seen along the rocky shore. Other activities may include compass and map use, the rock cycle, ‘quick sand’ and earthquakes. Who knew rocks could be so exciting! Nature awareness is at the core of our programming. With all of the technology available today it can be easy for youth to become completely absorbed in surfing the web, email, instant and text messaging, cell phones, video games, and music downloads. Most kids may be well aware of the plight of the Amazon rainforests and of the polar bear in the Arctic because they watch Animal Planet – but how much do they know about their own back yards? While educational television can be an important resource, we believe it is imperative that youth get outside and experience nature right outside their door. Our programs aim to do just that. Campers practice awareness skills such as "owl eyes", "deer ears" and "fox walk" – they become aware of and test their peripheral vision, learn how to cup their ears to pick up faint noises, and how to walk silently and mindfully in order to increase their chance of sighting wildlife. By enhancing these skills over the course of the week, participants build a relationship with and an appreciation for the natural world. A number of activities help youth hone these basic wilderness awareness skills, including a popular game called 'Camouflage'. This game focuses on predator/prey relationships and adaptations. Campers attempt to blend into the environment while staying within sight, as a predator would in order to successfully hunt prey. Throughout the week, skills are practiced in a variety of locations and habitats. Many a noisy Monday group of children hush and drop into stealth-mode as each week progresses, and are rewarded with wildlife encounters. Groups observe deer, lizards, insects, squirrels, quail and a variety of other birds at close range simply by being aware of their surroundings. Campers apply their awareness skills throughout the rest of the week's numerous hands-on activities as well. Instructors guide campers in animal tracking and observation, hiking, games, swimming and more, depending on the theme of the week. Journaling is a daily part of the camp. Each camper receives a journal and is given the opportunity to wander off to a quiet spot to observe, draw and write. Journal time offers special opportunities for everyone to slow down and appreciate the subtle details in nature. Depending on the week, a variety of locations may be visited including Point Lobos State Reserve, Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Garrapata State Park / Sobranes Canyon, Asilomar State Beach, Jacks Peak County Park, Elkhorn Slough, Del Monte Beach, Carmel River/Ribera Beach, the Salinas River, Fort Ord and Marks Ranch (a property of the Big Sur Land Trust). Each camp culminates in a Thursday night camp experience at Andrew Molera State Park. Many of our campers have never spent a night outside, and there is always much excitement and anticipation. Campers prepare their sleeping areas before devouring a pasta dinner with salad and bread. After dinner clean-up, campers gather for s'mores before heading out on a night hike. Talking in hushed whispers or often walking in silence, campers listen to night sounds and gaze at the sky. Following a lesson on nocturnal animals and their adaptations, campers are encouraged to embark on a solo hike for a short distance back to camp. Most youth enjoy the challenge on their own, some in pairs. At the end, everyone quietly and excitedly talks about his or her experience with staff and peers while preparing for bed. Some campers choose to sleep in tents while others fall asleep under the open sky. After a fruit and pancake breakfast, the morning usually flies by with packing-up, a short hike and activity, and closing circle for the week. Campers receive tee shirts and share their most and least favorite parts of the week. Very often, campers report no low moments except that they did not want to leave because they had had so much fun! Many report "firsts" -- first camp out, first s'mores, first time visiting the ocean, first time swimming in a river. Natural Science Discovery Camp brings an awareness of the environment to participants, their connection to it, and what they can do to help protect it -- through hands-on experiential activities. Children returning from previous years give us faith that camp can provide a life-changing and meaningful experience. Our vision is that that the children we host over the summer become stewards for the environment, develop a sense of self and remember their time with us always. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! The tremendous support we receive each year allows us to keep our costs low, and to provide free camps for 100 underserved youth from the Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County, Community Partnerships for Youth and the Police Activities League of Salinas. A very special thank you to all those who donated time, services and resources to our Summer Programs. Community Partners Big Sur Land Trust California State Parks Elkhorn Slough Reserve Monterey County Parks Carmel Mission Basilica Business Partners Fashion Streaks Monterey Bay Whale Watch Whole Foods Market of Monterey Newman's Own Organics Earthbound Farms Falcon Trading Company, Inc. Foundation Support Community Foundation for Monterey County Harden Foundation Monterey Peninsula Foundation David and Lucile Packard Foundation Barnet Segal Charitable Trust Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation Strong Foundation Last but not least - a special thank you to our members, who make our programs possible, and to those who donated specifically to our education program and our scholarship fund.

Copyright © 2009 Ventana Wildlife Society, 19045 Portola Dr. Ste. F-1, Salinas, CA 93908, Phone: 831-455-9514, Fax: 831-455-2846