Learn how scientists and engineers study nature to find solutions to fix the problems we face in this biomimicry focused STEM camp. We will put your problem-solving skills and creativity to the test to find a solution to a variety of challenges like designing & building wind turbines, earthquake proofing buildings, designing prosthetic limbs, and more! Inventors will benefit from learning how nature connects to STEM and solving real world problems as well as further developing teamwork and problem-solving skills. Make sure to dress for the weather and wear closed-toed shoes and long pants as parts of this class will be outdoors!

Kids will take their fire skills to the next level by not only learning how to make fire and different fire structures but the science of using fire to cook things too! This class will teach all the basics like s’mores and tinfoil packets up to more advanced skills like dutch oven baking and spit roasting over the fire. Your campfire chefs will know how to make full course meals by the end of this class in addition to how to make a fire and manage it safely. Additionally, if your site allows it and there are things in season we may also do some foraging for some of the recipes too! We are working hard to have recipes for all dietary needs that are things kids will enjoy cooking and will be using a lot of raw and unprocessed ingredients and also have vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free options for most of the recipes we make. Please let us know if your child has dietary needs beyond this and we will work with you to make alterations when possible! (ages 9+) Recipe 1 - S’mores Recipe 2 - Skewers Recipe 3 - Tinfoil Packet Hash Recipe 4 - campfire beverages Recipe 5 - pie irons grilled cheese Recipe 6 - Grill basket French fries Recipe 7 - Dutch Oven Monkey Bread

Our natural world has played a role in the clothes humans were since the beginning. Join a naturalist from EcoElsa to connect nature to current fashion through the making and ideas phase with things like grass weaving and making dyes from plants and creating designs based on nature. As well as making fashion more sustainable with upcycling and recycling activities. Great class for creative kids who enjoy creating and problem solving that also incorporates themes of sustainability, body-positivity, and science! This class is a mixture of indoor and outdoor activities so make sure kids dress for the weather in clothes they don’t mind getting dirty and wear closed-toed shoes! Kids will take home most of their creations on the last day.

Join us for this one of a kind, hands-on class to learn about how ethnobotany, nature and chemistry combine to create beauty and spa products! This class will cover a variety of topics and skills, including how to make essential oils from plants, and how to use those oils to make candles, bath bombs, lotions and other spa products. We also will dive into a variety of other ways to use plants and natural materials for beauty items, including drying herbs, lip gloss, mud masks, and more! We look forward to your kids joining us for this nature class that teaches beauty products through chemistry, and how the materials are sourced from the natural world!

Kids will learn about art mediums through nature and how it connects to different science principles through our activities. Depending on the weather some of the activities we may do are making charcoal sticks, paint & dye color science, fiber weaving, animal footprints, and more! Kids will benefit from being able to creatively express themselves while also learning about art, science, and history. This class is a mixture of indoor and outdoor activities so make sure kids dress for the weather and wear closed-toed shoes! Kids will be able to take home most of their creations.

Kids will learn survival skills through fun games and activities. They will leave knowing a wide variety of outdoor survival skills like the rule of three, how to signal for help, shelter engineering, fire science and safety, treating water, orienteering, and more! Plus, at the end of the camp they will get the chance to test out all their skills in a survival scenario and graduate from Survival Camp! The skills are not only great for a lost/survival situation but also for camping and outdoor excursions as well as teaching kids’ confidence, self-reliance, teamwork, and problem solving. Make sure to dress for the weather and wear closed-toed shoes and long pants as most of the class will be spent outdoors!