 This year, the Wildlife Center of Missouri invites all adventure-seekers ages
6 -14 to come explore in the sun with us as we investigate our native ecosystem. We will be hosting a series of four, week-long day camps on our
20 acre property which includes an indoor classroom, outdoor classrooms, a nature trail, and a 2 acre pond. The goal of this summer camp is
to introduce children to the aspects of wildlife that might otherwise go unnoticed or misunderstood in their busy lives.
They will learn the close connections between different aspects of the environment and how ecosystem shifts occurring in Missouri might be
indicative of changes abroad. Campers will also learn nature's value and the important roles it plays that affect our personal lives and
society as a whole.
By the end of each week, campers will have an enhanced understanding of the balance that occurs when our native ecosystem is healthy and how
damages to that balance adversely affects wildlife and humans. They will have deeper insight into the pressing need for wildlife rehabilitation,
what role the Wildlife Center of Missouri has in that rehabilitation, and the many ways that they are empowered to make a difference.
Summer Camp Registration Form
When?
 Mailings will be sent to notify schools and scouts.
Presently, the schedule is:
- July 12 - 16
- July 19 - 23
-
- Monday - Friday
- 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The estimated cost per child for one week of camp is $130. This fee will include their very own camp T-shirt as well as any supplies used on-
site during lectures, activities, crafts, and their personal nature journal. Lunches will not be provided by the Wildlife Center, so parents are
urged to send lunch with their children each day. The Center will provide a daily snack and drink, and campers will have amble supply of drinking
water to ensure they stay hydrated in our St. Louis heat!
An additional fee of $25 will be charged for any early (8-9am) or late (3-5pm) care that is requested.
What to Expect?
Summer camp at the Wildlife Center of Missouri is a week long outdoor adventure! Each day, campers come together at our 17 acre property
to partake in games, crafts, eco-art, science experiments, and wildlife fun. The curriculum is different each and every day, so
signing up for both weeks is even better. Come check out the WILDEST summer day camp in the St. Louis area!
Anticipate a variety of activities and hands-on learning during WCM's summer camp 2010. Campers will be shown examples of native plants,
land animals, and aquatic animals. They will study the diversity of animal and plant life you find just by stepping onto your lawn and
will learn how animals fulfill different roles in the ecosystem. The lesson plan will be posted in spring.
Week 1: July 12-16, 2010
Monday "Wild Waters"
After an introduction to the Wildlife Center of Missouri, campers will jump into the fun studying the lesser known “wilds” of aquatic biome systems.
Campers get splashy testing water quality in the pond, creating models of watersheds, and diving into the world of aquatic plants and animals.
Tuesday "Natural Defenses"
Campers spend the day investigating the ways in which animals and plants protect themselves in the wild. Games include: adaptation relay tag,
“spikes, spears and spines” presentation, and a visit from a local bee keeper to share her knowledge of honey bee behaviors.
Campers will even get to design their own “natural defense” in a creative, artistic project.
Wednesday "Native Names"
The day will begin with an adventurous scavenger hunt where campers will find clues to native Missouri creatures. Following will be games of
“Whose Yer Grandma?”, as campers learn about the milestones of evolution and speciation. By the end of the day we’ll be “Packing Our Suitcase”
and discovering where and when species move around the globe.
Thursday "Apt to Adapt"
Through exploring the seasons, songs, and snatches, campers will make a sound map of the Wildlife Center. Campers use their knowledge to create
their own adaptations, while learning about the ways seeds, sprouts and barks aid certain plants in their adaptive process. We will end the day
with a rowdy game of “Smarts Behind the Parts”, a laughing leap into the world of tails, toes, and foes.
Friday "Animal Arts"
We will round out our week with an “Eco-Art” adventure! Activities today include a composition lesson from a real nature artist where children will
learn to see the subject of symmetry in the natural world. Campers will also make solar energy prints, sand sculptures, and leaf printing. A
“natural” alternative to the usual paints and crayons!
Week 2: July 19-23, 2010
Monday "Wild at Heart"
After an introduction to the Wildlife Center and some “meet n’ greet” games, campers will explore the history of the human and animal connection.
We will compare the role of the Wildlife Center to that of other animal welfare organizations, and make squirrel boxes for the center. Through
games and fun, campers learn valuable lessons about wildlife and companion animals.
Tuesday "Munching Mayhem"
A good look into the way we eat. Campers have a chance to cook, forage, and dissect their way through the munching habits of many native
Missouri creatures. Through food chain models, mushroom spore prints, and other hands-on fun, campers will see what the true nature of dinner time
is all about.
Wednesday "Bio-Diversity"
By exploring the “ecological potpourri” of our natural world, campers discover the complexity of our natural world. In the activity “a simple
square foot”, each camper will have the chance to identify the simple parts of an ecosystem in their backyard. Campers will hit the trail at
Castlewood park to further investigate the diversity of ecosystems right here in our own neck-of-the-woods
Thursday "From the Ground Up"
Campers get their noses to the ground, poking into the world of crawleys and critters of the miniscule proportions. Through the “build a tree”
activity, we find out what it really takes to help trees survive. Campers also will try out their scientific skills through soil testing,
“weed casting” sculptures, and worm bin fabrication.
Friday "Taking a Stand"
The last day of camp will bring out the inner activist from our kids. Campers write and direct their own “Eco-Commercial”, participate in team
building games, learn about the state parks of Missouri and famous conservationists of the world. We will end the day with a pizza party, made
with fresh vegetables grown in our Wildlife Center garden.
| 
