It’s almost time for Summer Nature Camp at the Humber Arboretum! Open to kids aged 5-13, these week-long camps run throughout July and August, weekdays from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. If you’re going to be working at the North Campus this summer, why not bring the kids with you?
Every week at Nature Camp includes natural mindfulness and yoga, eco-games, swimming, and - for the older campers – pond canoeing. Campers will visit an organic veggie garden, help create a nature mural, make seed balls, construct a lean-to, and take part in many other hands-on activities and crafts.
Other activities are inspired by the weekly themes. Our second and third weeks of camp - which will explore The Humber River and Soils in the Environment - have already been fully booked! But there are still a few spots left in:
Week One: Urban Greenspaces (July 4-8)
Why are greenspaces so important in the city? During Urban Greenspaces week, campers will explore the urban ecosystems of the Humber Arboretum as they learn about the importance of biodiversity, the problems caused by invasive species, and other challenges of urban ecology. Special activities will include bat box building for senior campers, plus tree and wildflower planting, exploring biodiversity through leaf sorting, and taking part in the amazing waste race.
Week Four: Wetlands (July 25-29)
Wetlands are a vital and vibrant part of Ontario’s ecosystem. This week campers will learn how wetlands work and why they are especially important for migrating birds. Themed activities will include exploring the Humber Arboretum’s new constructed wetlands, pond dipping, planting aquatic flowers to help restore a wetland, and learning how natural materials can remove sediment from the water with a wetland in a bottle. Senior students will also compare water quality tests from a wetland and the river.
Week Five: Wilderness Survival (August 2-5)*
Food, shelter, warmth, and way-finding – this week is all about the basics of wilderness survival. Campers will go orienteering, using clues in nature to help determine direction, and be introduced to basic edible and medicinal plants. We’ll look at the importance of water for survival and learn tips such as how to build a below-ground water capture still. Campers will also build natural shelters and learn fire building techniques, along with fire safety.
(*Camp does not run on Monday August 1st for the Civic Holiday.)
Week Six: Powerful Pollinators (August 8-12)
Pollinators are key to our food supply, and affect our lives in many important ways. Campers will learn about different types of pollinators, their relationships with trees and plants, and why we need to protect native species of plants to help pollinators thrive. Activities will include a visit from the Humber Arboretum’s beekeepers, an up-close investigation of flowers using a viewing microscope, a visit to the greenhouse to compare tropical plants with native species, preparing a pollinator garden for fall plantings, planting a wildflower to take home, and building a solitary bee hotel.
Plus:
Eco Olympics (Aug 15-19)
Early Settlers Wilderness Skills (Aug 22-26)
Ecosystem Exploration (Aug 29-Sept 2)
Get your kids outside this summer at the Humber Arboretum, “Where Learning is Natural.”
humberarboretum.on.ca/sites/pages/camps.html
Contact: 416.675.5009, arboretum@humber.ca
Cost: Varies; before and after care is available for an additional fee. See website for details.
Location: North Campus, Humber Arboretum