Cylburn Nature Science Camp 2013

2013 Camp applications are availalble. Click here for an application.

How long has the Cylburn camp been in existence?   What are the dates/times of camps?

The Cylburn Nature Science Camp debuted in 2011.    The camp session will run from June 24-July 26, with 4 one week sessions—June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, and July 22-26, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. 

How old do you have to be to attend the camp?

Cylburn campers range from the age of 5-11. Ages for specific camps are listed as follows:

June 24-28
                Nature Camp- 6-11 year olds
                Understory Adventures- 5-7 year olds
July 8-12
                Nature Camp- 6-11 year olds
                Stinky, Sticky, Slimy- 8-9 year olds
July 15-19
                Nature Camp- 6-11 year olds
                Science Nature Quest Camp- 10 -11 year olds
July 22-26
                Nature Camp- 6-11 year olds

Where will the camp be held?

Cylburn Arboretum is a public oasis in the city, providing 207 acres of green space, gardens, and woodland trails to the community.  The Arboretum is located at 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD  21209.  The camp will be held on the lower floor of the Cylburn Mansion, and throughout the grounds of the Arboretum.  

Tell me about the camp curriculum. 

Cylburn Nature Camp, Ages 6-11:  The camp program has been developed to capitalize on the Cylburn environment and natural resources.   Local outdoor educators from the Jemicy School, St.Paul's School for Boys, and Baltimore City helped in the development of the site specific curriculum.   Through the camp curriculum, children ages 6-11 will learn about small mammals, birds, salamanders, flowers, bugs, and trees.  As part of the camp experience, the children will engage in activities that promote learning through play and discovery.   At the end of the one week camp session, each child will create a Field Guide/Journal to Cylburn showcasing through pictures and scientific facts the topics studied.  All of these subject areas pique the curiosity of campers and begin engaging youngsters in topics important to the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and habitat areas. 

Understory Adventures; Ages 5-7: This camp will introduce our youngest campers to the Cylburn environment by focusing on some of our smallest residents. We will take a closer look into the hidden, delicate and secret worlds of Cylburn. Search the rocks, leaves, and logs for structures, trails and evidence of butterflies, spiders and other small creatures. The campers will engage their imaginations, read and create stories, art projects, and more! Have fun while learning about the Cylburn ecosystem and initiate a lifelong love and appreciation of the outdoors.

Stinky, Sticky, Slimy, Ages 8-9: We all know that there are some things in the wild that seem less than desirable to humans. It could be a sticky snail trail, a flower that smells terrible, or a slimy slug; the real question is- why are those organisms like that? What purpose do those features serve? At camp we will explore all of those things that seem gross and come away with an understanding of what we think those sticky signals mean to other plants and animals! Use your observation skills, and make hypotheses about things you discover. Research and learn from experts.

Science Nature Quest Camp, Ages 10-11:  The second camp curriculum, Science Nature Quest: Biodiversity Comparison of 3 Habitats in the Jones Falls Watershed, will focus on the scientific method as a way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments focused on Cylburn and nature.   The week will begin with the campers conducting a scientific experiment that they will observe all week.   The program will also include green mapping the Arboretum utilizing different aspects of the environment within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.    Campers will also be introduced to geocaching.    At the end of the week, all campers will have a working knowledge of the five components of the science method:  Research; Construct a Hypothesis; Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment; Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion;  Communicate Your Results. 

How much does the camp cost? 

The cost for a one week session is $225 for members and $250 for non-member.   At the time of registration, a non-refundable $75 deposit is required and the camp balance will be due June 1, 2013. 

Do you offer weekly before or after care? 

No

What about lunch?  Snacks? 

Campers should bring a bagged lunch and a refillable water bottle each day.   The camp will provide morning and afternoon snacks. 

Do you offer discounts for families sending more than one child to camp? 

Yes. The first child’s camp tuition will be the full amount, and each additional child from the same family will receive a $25 discount.  

  
Do you offer scholarships? 

Yes, we offer scholarships to children from Baltimore City who qualify for the Federal Lunch program, or who have been recommended by their school or community organization. 

What is the ratio of campers to counselors? 

 The counselor/camper ratio is 1:6.   Counselors in Training and volunteers will lower the camper/staff ratio.

How many children are in each session?   

The camp is designed for 30 campers per session for a total of 120 campers over the 4-week time period. 

Can my child attend more than one camp session during the summer? 

This year we will be offering four camp curricula choices! It is not recommended to attend two sessions of the traditional nature camp, but we encourage our campers to attend their age specific program as well as the traditional nature camp.

When does registration begin? 
January 28, 2013  Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis.   Cylburn Arboretum Association members have priority registration until March 8, 2013.

How can I register? 

Registrations may be mailed, faxed or hand-delivered. Phone registrations are NOT accepted. Later in the camp registration season we hope to have an online registration up and running. Check your Cylburn enews for that announcement. You will need a completed 5-page registration form and payment either by check or credit card. We accept Visa and MasterCard.  If you have more than one child, a registration form is needed for each child attending the camp.  

Do members receive priority registration? 
 Yes, members with a household membership (or higher) receive priority until March 8, 2013, and will receive priority on the wait list.  A member is anyone who is a current a Cylburn Arboretum Association member, or anyone who chooses to join at the time of registration. The cost for a household membership is $75 and may be purchased at the time of camp registration. 

When will I know whether my child got into the camp session we selected? How will I be notified? 
You will be notified by e-mail of your child's camp status. You should receive word within two weeks of submitting your application.   An acceptance packet will be mailed in early June. 

Will my child be assigned the camp session that was requested on the application? 
As space permits, we will work to accommodate your request.  When you apply, you should indicate your first and second choice of sessions.   We will try to honor your choices.  

If the camp sessions are filled, can I place my child on a wait list? 
Yes. To place a child on a wait list, you still need to submit a completed registration form along with a $75 deposit.  If a space does become available, you will be notified by e-mail.  Your deposit will NOT be processed until your child is accepted into the camp.  

If the wait list is long, is there any chance a space will open up? Does anyone ever get moved off the wait list? 
Yes, children do get moved off the wait list.   Plans change.   Spaces can open up months in advance or even the week before a session begins.  If your schedule is flexible, the wait list is an option for you.   Spaces open up and getting into camp is a strong possibility.

I placed my child on a wait list, but now I've made other plans. What do I do? 
Even though your child is on a wait list, you are under no obligation to register.  You can call anytime to have your child removed from the list. If we contact you because a space has opened up, and you are no longer able and/or interested in attending, you have right of first refusal.

What is your cancellation policy? 
The Cylburn Arboretum Association reserves the right to cancel a camp session due to insufficient enrollment.  If a session is canceled, all fees will be refunded.  If you withdraw a camper before a session begins, you must submit your request in writing to the camp office no less than one month prior to the expected arrival date to receive a full refund, minus the $75 registration deposit. For the June 24th session, the refund deadline is May 24th; for the July 8th session, June 10th; for the July 15th session, June 17th; and for the July 22nd  session,  June 24th. No exceptions will be made to this refund policy.  Once enrolled, the Camp Director and/or Camp Administrator have the right to dismiss any child for behavioral problems.  In all cases of dismissal, homesickness, or voluntary withdrawal, there will be no refund of any fees.

Are your staff members trained to handle medical emergencies? 
Counselors are trained in CPR and First Aid.  If your child requires any medical treatment that exceeds the basic First Aid that can be administered by our counselors, we will call an ambulance to ensure your child’s safety and well-being.   Our health supervisor is on staff at Sinai Hospital.  ALL MEDICATION and INSTRUCTIONS THAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO TAKE DURING CAMP HOURS MUST BE GIVEN TO THE CAMP DIRECTOR AT THE START OF EACH WEEK OR CAMP DAY.  Your child may not carry or administrator his or her own medication, for his or her safety and for that of the other campers and staff. 

I'd like further information, to request a brochure and/or be added to the mailing list for next year. Who do I contact?