Camp Elings: Outdoor Adventure

Weekly Camp Themes

Week 1:  Gardening & Growing

From seed to sprout!
Children dig into the world of plants and gardens as they explore how food and flowers grow. Campers will plant seeds, examine soil and compost, learn about pollinators, and create garden-inspired art.

Week 2: Farm & Garden Animals

Meet the animals that help our food grow.
Children learn about farm and garden animals such as chickens, bees, worms, goats, and sheep, and how these animals contribute to our food systems. Through sensory play, storytelling, movement, and dramatic play, campers explore animal care, empathy, and the connections between animals, gardens, and people.

Week 3: Reptiles & Amphibians

Slither, hop, crawl, and explore!
This week introduces children to fascinating cold-blooded creatures like frogs, turtles, lizards, and snakes. Campers will learn about life cycles, habitats, and movement through nature walks, creative art, and playful gross-motor activities. A great week for curious kids who love animals and discovery.

Week 4: Wild California

Discover the animals that live right here.
Children explore California’s native wildlife, from hawks and deer to insects and coyotes, while learning about habitats, food chains, and animal signs. Through trail walks, nature mapping, and creative projects, campers build awareness and appreciation for the wildlife that shares our local environment.

Week 5: Nature Builders

Create, build, and imagine using natural materials.
Campers become designers and engineers as they build with sticks, stones, leaves, mud, and other natural materials. This week emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and open-ended play, allowing children to design structures, sculptures, and land art inspired by the park.

Week 6: Community Helpers

Who helps keep our community safe and strong?
Children explore the roles of community helpers like firefighters, police officers, park rangers, veterinarians, and gardeners through imaginative play, outdoor exploration, and hands-on art projects.

Week 7: Earth Caretakers

Learning how to care for our planet.
Children explore ways to help protect the Earth through recycling, reusing materials, conserving water, and caring for shared outdoor spaces. Campers will participate in stewardship activities, collaborative art projects, and age-appropriate conversations about caring for the environment and our community.

Week 8: Water, Wind & Weather

Exploring nature’s forces through play and discovery.
This week invites children to investigate wind, sun, clouds, and water through hands-on experiments, sensory play, movement, and art. Campers observe how weather shapes our world and enjoy open-ended outdoor activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and physical exploration.