Nature Science Camp (ages 7-12)

Glide across Abbotts Lagoon in a canoe to search for pond creatures! Get down and dirty looking for the residents of the salt marsh of Limantour Estero! Frolic on the giant sand dunes of Abbotts Lagoon and observe wading birds! Embark on an overnight backpack trip to Coast Camp and sleep under the stars!

Point Reyes Science Camp offers a unique camp experience – a place where children ages 7-12 (separate sessions for ages 7-9 and 9-12) gather each summer to explore and discover the magic of Point Reyes National Seashore. A wide range of exciting adventures combines the best of environmental education, the natural sciences, and traditional summer camp activities. Each week, campers participate in six 3-hour adventures. At night, they gather around a campfire to hear tales of old, sing songs, perform skits, or go on a dusk hike in search of owls. Excursions are guided by Naturalists who share their love and knowledge of the natural word. Point Reyes Summer Camp prides itself on the quality of its staff and programs, exemplified by a 54% return rate of campers.

The number one concern for our staff and program is providing a safe and caring environment. Our 3 to 1 camper to staff ratio helps ensure that the emotional and physical safety of our campers is kept a top priority. Camp also has a close partnership with the National Park Service staff who are located close by and are available in case of an emergency.

Click here to see a typical day at Nature Science Camp.

Registration begins on January 17, 2013, at 7:30 am.

	If you have ever previously registered online, you can login to your account here. We recommend logging in before registration opens to update any contact information ahead of time and to make sure you can access your account.
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Activities - Nature Science Camp (ages 7-12)

On Mondays, Nature Science Campers get to rank which activities they want to do for the week. We do our best to give campers their top choices. This is just a sample of some activities offered in past summers. Note: Not every activity is offered each week.

Backpacking – One of the most popular activities at camp, backpacking is the ultimate adventure for the budding naturalist. After dinner you will hike 2 miles to Coast Camp, enjoy a campfire on the beach and sleep under the stars, all in time to return for lunch the next day!

Abbotts Adventure – Make plaster-cast animal tracks and play games while you explore Abbotts Lagoon on foot and by canoe. Participate in the Sand Dune Olympics and see a beautiful area of the park.

Campfire – Gather in the campfire area to sing songs, tell stories, and perform skits with your cabin. Have fun singing and laughing with your camp friends.

Marvelous Marsh – Experience the feeling (literally) of the Limantour Estero as you learn about a salt marsh community. Get down and dirty looking for critters as well as looking at (and maybe even tasting) pickleweed!

Dusk Walk – Observe how nocturnal animals become more active just as we start to settle in for the night. Listen for their sounds, observe them in their habitats, and learn about their adaptations. Play tracking games and listen to a story.

Chillin’ & Drillin’ – Learn how to make beads out of soapstone. You will use a hand drill made from natural material to make your own bead to take home.

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Earth Art – Create works of art using natural materials found in your explorations and discover nature’s own artwork all around you!

Tall Tales and Theater Trails – Do you like to act or tell stories? Are you able to laugh at yourself? This is your chance to learn improvisational theater and other games that get everyone laughing and learning more about each other.

Mountain Madness – Do you love to hike and explore? Have you ever hiked up a mountain before? Muster up all of your willpower and positive attitude to see the incredible view from Mount Wittenberg. Practice your tracking skills. This journey will make one of the best stories from camp!

Creek Walk – Make sure you bring your water shoes! Trek along the creek in search of life forms that live there. Try and scoop up some small critters and learn about this ever-changing habitat! You must have a keen sense of adventure to fully enjoy this activity.

Press Club – Do you love to create things, whether it's stories, art or games? Are you willing to get to the bottom of a mystery? Then this is the activity for you! Come and join the Press Club where you will learn the basics of investigative reporting for our very own camp newspaper!

Downhill Hike – This is a great hike to take if you enjoy going downhill! You will be dropped off at the ridge top and enjoy fantastic views as you hike down along the Bayview trail. Observe the effects of the 1995 Mount Vision fire and how the land has changed. You’ll look for animal tracks and see an amazing diversity of plants and animals that live there!

Challenge Hike – This hike is one for those who like to solve problems. You will be able to work together as a group to solve a mystery and play some fun games along the way!

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First People – Ever wonder who lived in this area in the past? Did you know that stinging nettle can also be made into a delicious tea? This activity takes place at the Kule Loklo cultural exhibit. There you will learn about what a Coast Miwok village might have looked like. Learn crafts and games that you can take home with you!

Gone Spittin' – Take a walk on the Limantour Spit to explore the estuary and open ocean. Make plaster casts of animal tracks, create sand sculptures, and play games on the beach!

Tomales Bay Explorers – Come one, come all to the wonders of Tomales Bay State Park! We will have the day to explore the tide pools at Hearts Desire/Indian Beach and to learn about plate tectonics as we spend the day near the San Andreas Fault. This is a beautiful patch of wilderness and when the tide is right, there is much to see. If you like to touch and feel different animals and don't mind getting wet, you'll enjoy this!

Trekkin' to the Point – A wonderful opportunity to see wildlife and a gorgeous part of the park. Tomales Point, home to several herds of Tule Elk, is a breathtaking wonderland. Hike along a trail that leads you to the very tip of Point Reyes National Seashore. Along the way you will see large herds of elk, lots of birds and great ocean views. Bring your camera!

Southern Explorers – This is an activity designed to explore the Southern section of this vast National Park. Hike the Palomarin trail and enjoy a tour of the Point Reyes Bird Observatory and check out the mist nets. You might also have a chance to explore Agates Beach for some tidepooling or beach combing.

Meet the Giants – Have you ever met a real-life giant before? This is your chance! Discover the mysteries of these coastal giants as we explore Samuel P. Taylor State Park where redwoods abound. Learn all about this wondrous forest while playing games and enjoying a picnic lunch!

Registration begins on January 17, 2013, at 7:30 am.

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Typical Day at Nature Science Camp (ages 7-12)

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7:15 - Wake Up In the morning a Naturalist will come into your cabin and wake up campers and counselors. You'll have a chance to wash your face and to get ready for the day before breakfast. Don't forget to clean your cabin for the gnome cabin inspection! (Yes, gnomes!)

8:00 - Breakfast Get ready for another action and fun-filled day of exploring with a solid breakfast. Feast on pancakes, breakfast burritos or other delicious items.

9:00 - Morning Activity On Monday you vote for the activities that you want to do. Since this is your week we want you to do what you will enjoy the most. After breakfast you will get your day pack ready, packed with a water bottle, sunscreen, hat, etc. and then meet for your morning adventure! One day you might go canoeing in a pond, the next day you might be checking out sea stars in the tidepools. You might decide you want to be a reporter and become a member of the Press Club where you will help create a camp newspaper. You could explore the lives of the Coast Miwok people who live in this area and learn some of their native ways. Or you might hike out to Tomales Point to observe the Tule Elk and some amazing views!

12:00 - Lunch After a morning of exploring, you will need to be refueled with some yummy food! Enjoy eating a picnic lunch (depending on the weather) of grilled cheese, soup, sandwiches and a delicious homemade dessert.

12:45 - Mellow Time After filling your belly with some great food, it's important to have a little rest time. Relax and hang out, play board games, hang out on your bunk, or do some arts and crafts. Whatever you decide to do, you should be mellow…

2:00 - Afternoon Activity Time to go on another adventure! This afternoon you might go check out what lives in the "Marvelous Marsh," do some Earth Art on the trails, or get your feet wet as you look in the waters during a "Creek Crawl!"

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5:00 - Free Time Of course, everyone loves Free Time! This is your time to play a game of soccer, football, or frisbee. You can hang out in your cabin, do some arts and crafts, read a book, or visit with our pet gopher snake named Rex!

6:00 - Dinner Another great meal ends the day. Enjoy talking with friends and counselors about your day while you enjoy eating spaghetti, chicken or pizza! Campers don't call this "Food Camp" for nothing!

6:45 - Cabin Time After a long day of hiking and exploring, this is a great time to come together with your cabin mates and counselors and talk about your day. You might also play a game as a cabin or work on a skit for campfire!

7:30 - Evening Program Time to get bundled up for a dusk walk or a campfire or another fun activity! The evening activities are always a highlight of the day and a great way to learn about what animals live in this area and come out during the quiet night!

8:45 - Go to Bed This is time for you to return to your cabin, use the restroom, and get ready to get a good night's sleep. Often your counselors will read a story, or you can read on your own or talk quietly in bed.

9:30 - Lights Out As much as you would like to stay up, it has been a long day and everyone needs their sleep to be ready to have another action packed day tomorrow!

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Contact Summer Camp Office


Phone: 415.663-1200 ext. 306
Email: summercamp [at] ptreyes.org