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Welcome to a
summer of fun, learning and investigation! At Earthplace we use our 62-acre
wildlife sanctuary as an outdoor classroom. There are a variety of habitats
to explore including a swamp, stream, pond, deciduous forest and open
fields. We often spot wildlife, such as deer, turtles, hawks, wild turkeys
and groundhogs, in their natural surroundings while hiking our trails. Every
week animals from our indoor Animal Hall come to visit the 3s, 4s, K , 1st &
2nd, and 3rd & 4rth grade groups. Campers learn about many creatures and
their habitats, such as turtles, snakes, frogs, salamanders, birds, mammals,
insects and other wildlife.
The
themes for each group change for every week. There are many opportunities to
explore new aspects of nature through hands-on activities, group games,
field trips, hikes and crafts. Once a session, children in grades 1 through
4 go on area field trips. Some weeks our 3rd & 4th, and 5th through 7th graders go
canoeing. On other weeks the 5th through 7th graders also camp overnight at
Earthplace.
Each group has at least one group leader
and two assistant counselors. Our staff are all experienced in working with
children either here at Earthplace as a teacher or naturalist, or as a
professional in a local school system. The camper to staff ratio ranges from
5:1 for the 3s to 7:1 for most of the other groups. The staff is selected
for their enjoyment of and experience with the age group they are working
with, and their love and knowledge of nature.
The camp has a nurse on the premises who is
in charge of first aid and collecting camper medicals. All group leaders
have First Aid, CPR, Medication and Epi-Pen training. We are also happy to
have air-conditioned indoor classrooms to use on hot summer days.
We hope to give your child a summer
experience that encourages him or her to appreciate all that nature at
Earthplace has to offer. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Don't miss our special Camper Campfires on
Friday July 10 and Friday July 31 at 7 PM. These fun events are open for
all Earthplace campers and their families as a way to enjoy the summer
evenings with music and s'mores!
We hope to give your child a summer experience that
encourages him or her to appreciate all that nature at Earthplace has to
offer. Please contact us if you have any questions.
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3 Year Olds
- Hummingbirds |
Children must be 3 by their 1st day of camp and be
eligible to enter a 3’s class. There are 15 children per class per
one-week session. The program provides children with activities in a
fun environment with their peers, without parents or siblings. The
children are nurtured through outdoor explorations, crafts, animals
and songs. Snacks are provided, and children should bring a lunch.
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9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
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3A June 15-19
3B June 22-26
3C June 29-July 3
3D July 6-10
3E July 13-17
3F July 20-24
3G July 27-31
3H August 3-7
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$270 per session
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4
Year Olds - Woodpeckers |
Child must be 4 by December 31, 2009, toilet trained and
eligible to enter a 4’s program. There are 20 children per class per
one-week session. At registration you may choose either the Preschool
or Malloy rooms, depending on available spots. The two groups will
follow the same curriculum. The program features outdoor explorations,
live animals, songs, books, crafts and activities. Snacks are
provided, and children should bring a lunch.
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9:30 AM – 2:00
PM |
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4A June 15-19
4B June 22-26
4C June 29-July 3
4D July 6-10
4E July 13-17
4F July 20-24
4G July 27-31
4H August 3-7 |
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$300 per session |
June 15-19—Volcanoes
Find out what makes a volcano erupt. Make your own volcano and
create your own lava. Where are there active volcanoes? Volcanoes
can be found on land and in the sea.
June 22-26—Oceans
What animals and plants live in the ocean? What do sea life eat and
how do they survive in the water? Make you own ocean in a bottle.
Dress up as an animal creature or plant. Act out some favorite ocean
stories, such as Swimmy.
June 29-July 3—Jungle
What is your favorite jungle animal? Make a jungle animal mask and a
diorama of the jungle. Read stories and sing songs about the animals
that live in the jungle. Learn about some of the jungle animals that
are becoming extinct.
July 6- 10—Zoo Animals
Many animals live in the zoo. Let’s make our own zoo animal out of
recycled materials. Which animals will come to visit us in the
classroom that might live in a zoo? We will act out many of the
animals in the zoo and have our own zoo Show and Tell.
July 13-17—Dinosaurs
What did dinosaurs eat? When did they live? Where did they go? Find
out the answers to these and more of your questions. Learn the names
of some well known and some not so well known dinosaurs. Dig for
dinosaur bones, make a dinosaur and learn some songs about these
creatures that used to inhabit the earth.
July 20-24—Fossils
What is a fossil? Make your own fossil. It could be a plant or an
animal fossil. Read books about finding fossils and go on your own
fossil hunt. Use your own foot to make a fossil.
July 27-31—Wildlife Among Us
What animals live right here at Earthplace and possibly in your
backyard? Visit the owls, vultures, bald eagles, turtles and see our
own turkeys and deer on the trails Which animals will come to visit
the classroom? It could be a bunny, turtle, snake, or a bird.
August 3-7—Nature
Have fun creating with nature, painting with leaves, making collages
of items that we have found on our walks. Help out in the garden and
bring your own plant home to grow. Look for patterns in nature and
take photos to make your own nature book.
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Kindergarten - Falcons |
Children who are about to enter Kindergarten will enjoy many
activities in a fun environment with their peers. The children are
nurtured through outdoor explorations, crafts, animals and songs.
Snacks are provided, and children should bring a lunch. There are 20
children per class per one-week session. At registration you may
choose either the Eco Lab or Auditorium, depending on available spots.
The two groups will follow the same curriculum.
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9:30 AM – 2:00 PM |
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5A June
15-19
5B June 22-26
5C June 29-July 3
5D July 6-10
5E July 13-17
5F July 20-24
5G July 27-31
5H August 3-7 |
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$300 per session |
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June 15-19—Insects/Bugs
Let’s go bug collecting and look at models of bugs from our
natural collection. We will study ants and make our own ant and ant
hill. Make butterfly headbands and check out the Butterfly Garden at
Earthplace. We’ll watch a chrysalis and hope that the butterfly
hatches during our week here at camp.
June 22-26—Habitats
We will study forests, ponds, jungles and deserts. Who lives in
these habitats? We will make a diorama of our favorite habitat. We
can look at examples from our collection of the animals who live in
these different environments.
June 29-July 3—What’s the Weather?
Make a weather wheel to keep track of the weather at home. We’ll
make a mobile of weather symbols and find out about thunder and
lightning. Try your hand at rain and wind painting!
July 6-10—Seasons
What happens to the trees, animals and ponds during each season?
What is hibernation, migration and why do leaves change color in the
fall? Investigate the flowers and animals that live outside at
Earthplace in the summer.
July 13-17—Up in the Sky
Let’s investigate the stars, moon and the sun. How could we go
to visit outer space? What does the surface of the moon look like?
Make a telescope and glow in the dark constellations. We’ll sing
songs and read books about outer space.
July 20-24—Birds
We will go bird watching with our handmade binoculars. Let’s
pretend that we are birds with the wings that we will make. We will
make art with feathers.
July 27-31—Nature’s Art
We will be painting with leaves, flowers and branches. What else can
we do to create art with nature? We will do sun prints, dyeing with
natural dyes, look for patterns in nature and make leaf rubbings. We
will also be helping out in the nursery school garden.
Aug 3-7—Summer Fun
Let’s finish the summer with a celebration of fun activities. We
will play with bubbles, make our own pretend popsicles and design a
sun visor. We will make sure that we hike, play outdoor games, draw
with chalk on the blacktop and pretend we are the beach.
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Grades 1
and 2 - Owls |
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Children entering grades 1 and 2 will learn about nature through
classroom study, exploring our sanctuary, crafts, songs and field
trips. One field trip in the surrounding community is included. School
buses equipped with seat belts provide transportation. Children should
bring a lunch. There are 20 children per group.
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9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
9:30 AM — 4:00 PM on Field Trip Days |
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Owls-1
June 22-26
Owls-2 June 29-July 3
Owls-3
July 6-10
Owls-4
July 13-17
Owls-5 July 20-24
Owls-6 July 27-31
Owls-7
August 3-7
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$335 per session |
June 22-26—Nature Art
We’ll explore nature’s masterpieces and create our own works of
art from leaf rubbings, collages and painting with dirt. We may even
get a chance to rain paint, depending on the weather. We will head
off to the Imagination Children’s Museum in Bristol.
June 29-July 3—Weather
Weather is constantly changing with the seasons, days and
sometimes even hours. The clouds in the sky represent different
weather. Do you know what they mean? Come explore the clouds and the
local weather. We will head to the Bruce Museum in Greenwich for a
program all about weather and will explore their museum as well.
July 6-10—Reptiles
Reptiles are amazing animals. This week we will explore what
makes a reptile a reptile. Discover how they maintain their body
temperature and what they do during the cold months to stay warm.
What are their body coverings and what makes them unique. We will
head to the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport to explore their reptiles.
July 13-17—5 Senses
We explore many things using our different senses. We will use
all 5 of our senses to explore Earthplace this week. Do all the
animals smell the same? Do different parts of the trail smell
different? Have you ever smelled a tree or tasted a branch? We will
explore Connecticut Children’s Museum in New Haven with all of our senses.
July 20-24—Down and Dirty
How is dirt made? Why is it important? Is all dirt the same?
We’ll explore the soil around Earthplace and the animals that live
in it and those that create it. We will head down to the Children’s
Museum in West Hartford to mine for minerals or dig for fossils.
July 27-31—Movement
Everything moves differently. We walk, run, roll, skip and jump.
Animals move in many different ways as well. Did you know flowers
and trees even move? Come explore the ways that plants and animals
move at Earthplace. We will move to the Stamford Museum and Nature
Center to explore how their animals move.
August 3-7—Going Green
Going Green seems to be the catch phrase these days but what
does it mean? What can we do as campers at Earthplace to make a
difference? We will experience what are actions can do to make a
difference. Please leave that insect alone, it is composting our
waste into soil. The bird in the nest is just fine his mom will come
back. Please do not throw that away let’s re use it. We will head to
Stratford to the Garbage Museum to see what they are doing.
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Grades 3
and 4 - Hawks |
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Explore the natural community of Earthplace and other important
habitats. Activities will be hands-on and cover a great range of
environmental topics. Students will participate in one field trip per
session to surrounding areas of ecological interest. School buses
equipped with seat belts provide transportation. Every other session
includes canoeing with our certified canoe instructor. Children should
bring lunch. There are 20 children per session.
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9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
9:30 AM — 4:00 PM on Field Trip Days |
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Hawk-1
June 22-26
Hawk-2 June 29-July 3
Hawk-3 July 6-10
Hawk-4 July 13-17
Hawk-5 July 20-24
Hawk-6 July 27-31
Hawk-7 August 3-7
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$335 per session
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June 22-26: Nature Art - Canoeing
Nature is full of many beautiful and creative things. We will
explore nature’s master pieces and create some of our own works of
art from leaf rubbings, collages and painting with dirt. We may even
get a chance to rain paint, but that all depends on the weather. We
will head off to the river for canoeing and drawing.
June 29-July 3: Weather
Weather is constantly changing. It changes with the seasons and
it changes in days and sometimes even hours. One minute it could be
sunny and the next it could be raining. The clouds in the sky
represent different weather. Do you know what they mean? Come
explore the clouds and the local weather. We will head to the Bruce
Museum for a program all about weather .
July 6-10: Reptiles
Reptiles are amazing animals. This week we will explore what
makes a reptile a reptile. Discover how they maintain their body
temperature and what they do during the cold months to stay warm.
What are their body coverings and what makes them unique. We will
head to the Beardsley Zoo to explore their reptiles.
July 13-17: 5 Senses - Canoeing
We explore many things using our different senses to explore
Earthplace this week. Do all the animals smell the same? Do
different parts of the trail smell different? Have you ever smelled
a tree or tasted a branch? Enjoy the feel of water as we canoe.
July 20-24: Down and Dirty
How is dirt made? Why is it important? Is all dirt the same? We will
explore the soil around Earthplace and the animals that live in it
and those that create it. We will head down to the Children’s Museum
to mine for minerals or dig for fossils.
July 27-31: Movement -
Canoeing
Everything moves differently. We walk, run, roll, skip and jump.
Animals move in many different ways as well. Even flowers and trees
move. Come explore the ways that plants and animals at Earthplace.
We will move through the water in our canoe.
August 3-7: Going Green
Going Green seems to be the catch phrase these days but what
does it mean. What can we do as campers to make a difference. We
will experience what are actions can do to make a difference. Please
leave that insect alone is composting our waste into soil. The bird
in the nest is just fine his mom will come back. Please do not throw
that away lets re use it. We will head to Stratford to the Garbage
Museum to see what they are doing.
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Grades 5
to 7 - Eagles |
Senior naturalists will lead campers in the hands-on exploration of
varied ecological topics. Each session will include 3-4 field trips to
areas of environmental interest. Students will be transported via
minivans. Some sessions conclude with a Thursday OVERNIGHT program
(C). For those sessions, students arrive at Earthplace at 9:30 AM
Thursday morning and are dismissed at 9:30 AM Friday. Children
should bring lunch with an ice pack.
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9:30 AM –
4:00 PM Monday through Friday |
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Eagle-1
June 22-26
Trekkers June 29-July 3
Eagle-3
July 6-10
Eagle-4 July
13-17
Eagle-5 July
20-24
Eagle-6 July
27-31
Eagle-7
August 3-7 |
Canoeing
Week Away
Camping at Earthplace
Canoeing
Camping at Earthplace
Canoeing
Camping at Earthplace |
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$490 per session |
June 22-26: Technology
through the Times - Canoe
We will explore how technology has changed as we spend a day at
Mystic Seaport. We will head to the Eli Whitney museum to try our
hand at some creativity. We will head to the Timex Museum to explore
many journeys through time.
June
29-July 3: BERKSHIRES WEEK AWAY - Grades 5-9
See below for special 4 night camping trip.
July 6-10: Science, Science,
Science
This week is all about science! Monday we will stay at
Earthplace and experiment with Mentos in soda, make different types
of slime, and tie-dye with acid and bases. We’ll also head to the
Queens Science Center, Hartford Children’s Museum and Liberty
Science Center. It will be a jam-packed week of science exploration.
We will end with a camp out at Earthplace.
July 13-17: Plants, Plants,
Plants - Canoe
There are edible plants, poisonous plants, and plants that are a
little of both. Cruise the trails at Earthplace to identify
different plants. Travel to a farm, the Bronx Botanical Gardens, and
the Bartlett Arboretum. We will set off to the water for a day of
canoeing to explore water plants
July 20-24: Rock This World
Try your hand at rock climbing at an indoor gym. Go spelunking
(caving) in Tories Cave in New Milford. We’ll head to Mother Earth’s
Gallery & Mining Co. to mine for treasures. Stomp up to Dinosaur
State Park to view evidence of the dinosaurs. Spend the night at
Earthplace and enjoy cooking over open flames.
July 27-31: Transportation -
Canoe
Everything moves; some by water, some by air and others by land.
Seeds, animals and people all travel in these ways. We will explore
how seeds and animals travel as we try some of the methods our self.
We will go canoeing, on a ferry, trolley, horseback riding and
hiking.
August 3-7: Easy Being Green
What does “being green” mean? We will make our own solar oven to try
to cook up a snack. Enjoy a visit to the Trash Museum to explore the
Trashasaurus. We’ll head to the beach for a beach clean up and set
foot on a trail leaving no trace. We will spend a night at
Earthplace enjoying an evening with the stars.
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Grades 5 through 9 - Trekkers |
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Berkshires Week Away
We are venturing to the Berkshires to camp in a Massachusetts state
forest. Learn where to set up camp, how to pitch a tent and how to
build a camp fire. We’ll cook our meals over the campfire and make
campfire treats. Enjoy a hike along the Appalachian trail. We’ll visit
the Ecotarium Museum and Nature Center in Worcester for a canopy walk
and the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum in Lenox to enjoy a tour by
train. There will be fishing and swimming at the campground.
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9:30 AM
Monday to 4:30 PM Friday |
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June 29 - July 3 |
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$770 |
Counselor In Training
Age 14 and 15 CITS
Participants must commit to
two consecutive-week sessions. There is an application and interview
process to be accepted into this program. Please call 203-227-7253 x
107 for an application and to set up an interview before registering.
The CIT’s day will begin at
8:30 on Mondays and 9 AM Tuesday through Friday. CITs will remain in
their assigned class during cleanup until 2:15 PM. On Tuesdays and
Thursdays the CITs will meet with their leader to discuss events of
the day, behaviors, and ways to handle situations until 3:15 PM.
During this time they will be able to ask questions and participate in
role playing situations.
Download the CIT Application Form.
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8:30 AM to
2:15 PM Monday
9 AM to
3:15 PM
Tuesday and Thursday
9 AM to 2:15 PM Wednesday and Friday |
CIT 1 June 22-26
CIT 2 June 29-July 3
CIT 3 July 6-10
CIT 4 July 13-17
CIT 5 July 20-24
CIT 6 July 27-31
CIT 7 Aug 3-7
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$100 per session |
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REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration Dates
January 19, 2009
– Earthplace members register their children currently
enrolled in the Earthplace Nursery School; siblings register beginning
February 2, 2009.
February 2, 2009 – Registration begins for children of Earthplace
Members as of Dec. 31, 2008.
February 16, 2009
– Registration begins for children of new Earthplace
Members.
How to Register
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On or after registration
date, mail or bring completed forms and all payments to Earthplace.
Registration is processed on a first come, first served basis.
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Earthplace will notify you of your registration status within 14 days of
receipt of registration form. If accepted, included with your
notification will be necessary medical forms, the final invoice and
other important information.
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If the classes you requested are filled, your name will be added to the
Wait List and all registration payments will be returned. You will be
notified if a vacancy occurs and have the option to enroll at that time.
General Program Policies and Information
| 1. |
The non-refundable Earthplace Family Membership is
required ($75). If your membership expires during your child’s
attendance at the summer program you will be asked to renew your
membership when registering. |
| 2. |
Payment in full
is due at the time of registration. |
| 3. |
Cancellation/Refund
Policy: 75% of tuition will be refunded if you cancel before May 1,
2009. There will be no refunds after May 1, 2009. |
| 4. |
A $25 administration fee will be charged for
all session changes made after registration forms have been
processed. Payment due prior to changes. |
| 5. |
The medical form must be returned to Earthplace by
May 1. Note that the date of your child’s physical
must be within 1 year of the session date. If your child’s medical
form expires in the summer, it must be updated at that time. |
Camper Information and Session Registration Forms
(2 pages)
Both forms must be sent in with your payment.
View
photos from Summer Camp 2008
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