Registration Underway For Summer Nature Programs In Mercer County

Registration for the Mercer County Park Commission’s Nature Programs summer camps are underway. The summer camps are for children ranging in age from pre-K to eighth grade. The Park Commission’s team of Naturalists developed and instruct the camps.

The anticipated Archaeology Camp makes its debut at the Tulpehaking Nature Center in Hamilton the week of July 24-28, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Dig into summer fun and follow in the footsteps of professional archaeologists.

Here, attendants can conduct excavations at one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Eastern United States, the Abbott Farm National Historic Landmark. “Junior archaeologists-in-training” will practice the skills and methods that archaeologists use to unearth information about past cultures, including Native Americans, Revolutionary War patriots and exiled kings. Throwing with an atlatl, tool and pottery making, and other challenges are on the schedule. Appropriate for children entering grades 4 through 6.

The Aquatic Adventure Camp will be held at Mercer County Marina, July 31 through Aug. 4, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. This camp is for children who love being on the water observing nature.

Designed to balance the fun of summer with science, Aquatic Adventure Camp will have children diving into fresh water ecology, testing Mercer Lake’s water, kayaking creeks and coves and observing wildlife. Aquatic Adventure Camp also includes activities such as fishing, taking a ride on the pontoon boat, hiking and a cookout. Campers will memorialize their week by making a gyotaku T-shirt to bring home.

Baldpate Mountain Nature Camp is a weeklong camp packed with nature explorations, science experiments, hikes through the forest, and unstructured nature play. The 1,200 acres at Baldpate Mountain provide a rich and diverse ecological setting for children to explore and let their natural curiosity aid them in learning about the environment around them.

Camp days are devoted to a nature specific-topic and may include bugs, forest ecology, birds and tracking. Two different age groups accommodate children entering grades 1 through 3 and those entering grades 4 through 6. Two, one-week sessions are available from July 10-14 and July 17-21, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.

The Park Commission’s Summer Nature Camps are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and spots are limited. At this time, the Park Commission is unable to provide before or after care for children attending camp. For more information and to download registration forms, visit https://mercercountyparks.org/#!/activities/summer-nature-camps.

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