Taking a fallen log for a ride!

Learning how to build a campfire.

Taking a closer look at a frog. All animals are safely returned to their habitats.

The swamp mud is deep and thick.

Some campers truly embrace the mud!

Catching frogs, salamanders and crayfish..

Exploring Baltimore Brook.

Campers and CITs (volunteer counselors in training) get ready for a day of Summer Nature Day Camp.

Campers cook their own hotdogs over an open fire.

Smores: After you toast the marshmallow you put it on a piece of chocolate between two graham crackers…

squeeze the crackers together…

then close your eyes and take a bite…enjoy!

• Download the registration form
  (Prints on legal sized paper)
• Download the Medical Form

SESSION 1 July 7 - 11
SESSION 2 July 14 - 18
SESSION 3 July 21 - 25
SESSION 4 July 28 - Aug. 1
SESSION 5 August 4 - 8
SESSION 6 August 11 - 15
SESSION 7 August 18 - 22
SESSION 8 August 25 - 29

*The number of campers allowed during a week will be dependent upon the number of counselors available to work. Since almost all our counselors are certified teachers, many of them need time to prepare for the upcoming school year. We will have a definite number of counselors/campers by May 31st.

What is Summer Nature Day Camp at Baltimore Woods?
Groups of 12 children on average per counselor spend their day hiking and exploring outdoors in a 182 acre nature preserve composed of woods, fields, pond and streams. Informal nature lessons are presented throughout the week on various plants and animals found at Baltimore Woods. Campers learn about nature through observations, hands-on activities, playing games, participating in nature-related programs and simply exploring their immediate environment.

Who Manages Summer Nature Day Camp?
Summer Nature Day Camp at Baltimore Woods is run and managed by Centers for Nature Education for more than two decades. The camp director is Red Cross certified in First-Aid Responding to Emergencies and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. Several other counselors have similar medical training. As part of the permit process with Onondaga County Health Department, the local hospital, the local emergency response team, Sheriffs Department and a local doctor are all notified about camp and, where necessary, have maps of the complete camp grounds.

The Camp Director remains in or near the main office throughout the day and is able to contact each counselor via walkie-talkie.

During Summer Camp, CNE's main office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Is the camp inspected or certified by a county agency?
Onondaga County Health Department inspects the camp each year and issues a camp permit upon satisfactory inspection of the facilities and acceptance of application. They will conduct two to three unannounced camp inspections throughout the camp session.

How old do you have to be to go to camp?
Camp is for children 5-12 years-old.

What are the camp hours?
Camp hours run from 10 am to 3 pm. There are extended Before Care and After Care hours available (see registration form).

What if it rains?
Camp is "on" even if it rains. There are all kinds of creatures and plants that become visible in the rain so the campers should be prepared to go hiking in the rain. During a dangerous thunder and lightening storm, campers will seek shelter (in the deep woods, Interpretive Center, Log Cabin, or Pavilion).

How long does camp go for?
Each camp session is one week long. There are seven weeks of camp beginning mid-July through the first four weeks of August.

What is the cost? For 2008 the cost is $95 per child ($105 after June 1st). You must have a CNE Family Membership ($40) to attend camp which can be obtained at the time of registration. There is a $5 sibling discount. In addition, if you sign up for more than one week of camp there is a $5 discount for each additional week. A non-refundable deposit of $30 is required to hold a spot in camp. Refunds (excluding deposit) are only given for documented medical or family emergencies.

What does a camper need to bring?
Each camper should bring:

• Their own food (including snack) and drink for the day
• At least one or two bottles (no glass) of water each day
• A sturdy backpack. They cannot use hand-held packs or lunch boxes. Campers hands and arms will get too tired and they need their arms for balance when walking through woods and along streams.
• A hat
• Long pants for walking though heavy brush
• Sneakers or hiking boots (no open-toed sandals)
• A book to read or journal to write in during quiet rest times.

Getting muddy and loving it!

It is not as easy as it looks to walk through the swamp.

The Swamp Romp is fun!

Taking a mud bath. Some people pay a lot of money at spas for this kind of relaxation.

Take the Sand Pit Challenge! How fast can you make it to the top of the cliff?

The Sand Pit Challenge is harder than it looks!

During quiet times campers either read, write in their journals or draw.

Who are the camp counselors?
The camp counselors are highly qualified adults. They enjoy working with children, being outdoors and staying active. Most are certified teachers (BS/MS degrees) with years of experience working with children. Others have years of experience as camp counselors or environmental educators. Each must go through an interview process including verification of their references and an orientation program. In addition, all names and addresses are submitted to the County Health Department.

Each counselor is equipped with a walkie-talkie so they can stay in touch with all the other counselors and the main office at all times. Each counselor is supplied with a small first-aid kit.

Each counselor works with an average group of approximately 12 children similar in age and physical abilities. When possible, one or more Counselors-in-Training are assigned to a group. CITs are former campers running in age from 13-17 who volunteer to help counselors.

Some Baltimore Woods Camp Traditions
The Swamp: A highlight of camp for more than a decade has been the Swamp Romp, when the campers voluntarily immerse themselves in mud, getting as muddy as they possibly can. Prior to hitting the swamp, the campers make handmade-candles, hike deep into the woods, have a hotdog cookout over an open camp fire along Lost Creek followed by making smores for dessert.

Parents are notified in advance what day their camper will be going to the swamp so they can get clothing they can dispose of and prepare their vehicles to take the muddy campers home.

Tug-of-War: Another tradition at camp has been the campers v.s. counselors Tug-of-War. This takes place as the last official camp activity on Friday starting at 2:45pm. Parents are encouraged to come and cheer their camper on. This year, the counselors are determined to win (they have never one and it hasn't been from a lack of trying!). They have been working out all winter long.

Kick-the-Can: The Kick-the-Can game tradition started on the first day of camp going back more than 20 years. It is a game of hide-and-seek. It is the most requested game by campers. Each group will get several opportunities to play the game throughout the week.

What's a Typical Day Like?
A typical day may consist of nature games/lessons, hiking and exploring (looking for snakes, catching frogs, finding salamanders, etc). In the last hour of camp each day, various groups come together to participate in games and activities.

Are there different activities for the different ages?
Yes, the activities are geared to the age groups. When hiking, children ages 5 & 6 will hike approximately a total of 1 mile each day as they go about exploring the fields, woods, pond and streams. Older children may put in 3-4 miles a day.

How many campers are returning campers?
Approximately 75-80 percent of the campers return.

SUMMER CAMP PHOTOS by Willson Cummer
Summer camp counselor Willson Cummer is a certified teacher as well as a professional photographer. While working as a counselor this summer he took pictures of his campers (with permission from the parents) and has put them on his website for others to see. Visit http://www.cnypix.com/gallery/748375 to see some summer camp photos!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SUMMER NATURE DAY CAMP, CALL 673-1350