Explore your world at Audubon Discovery Camp!
Audubon Discovery Camps are drop-off day camps that offer hands-on, experiential learning in a variety of natural habitats that serve as our outdoor classroom. Each camp week runs Monday through Friday, except for the week of July 4th. We offer camps at both Cool Spring Preserve (10 minutes south of Charles Town) and Yankauer Nature Preserve (13 minutes from Shepherdstown, 17 minutes from Martinsburg). There are different themes each week to choose from!
Campers spend most of their time outside, learning about and exploring nature in nature (as weather permits). Small groups of 10–12 children (grouped by age) are led in active investigations by experienced staff. Our goal is for campers to gain a better understanding of their role in the natural world using all five senses and exploring with their minds and bodies. At camp, we create a community that celebrates the thoughts, identities, experiences, and perspectives of all our campers!
Each group is led by a Lead Counselor and, for campers in 6th grade and younger, a youth Counselor-in-Training. An onsite Camp Director is also present to oversee operations and ensure a safe and joyful camp environment. Camper safety is our top priority. All staff are trained in First Aid and CPR prior to the start of camp.
Prices for standard 5-day (Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm) camps range from $225-$235/camper, depending on the theme. Click on the links for each camp below for more details. Financial aid based on need is available for all of our camps.
PVAS members enjoy the benefit of being able to register a week early! Click here to become a member. If you are a PVAS member but do not have the member password for early access, please contact us at Info@PotomacAudubon.org or call 681-252-1387 between 9:00 and 4:00 Monday-Friday.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Sunday, January 18: Due date for the middle and high school camp survey.
- Monday, January 26, 2026, 5:30 PM: Early registration opens for PVAS members (password required). There is a limit of 4 camp sessions per camper (this is to give everyone a fair chance of registering for camp).
- Monday, February 2, 2026, 5:30 PM: Registration opens for the general public. Limit of 4 camp sessions per camper
- Monday, February 16, 2026 5:30 PM: The initial limit of 4 sessions per camper is lifted. You are welcome to register for as many camp sessions as you would like!
- Monday, June 1, 2026: First day of summer camp
- Friday, August 14, 2026: Last day of summer camp
Reading this information is required before registration.
Camp Options
View Camps by Grades & Themes
Note that for summer camps, the grades listed are the grade they are entering. For example, a current 6th grader may be registered for a “7th – 12th Grade” camp because by the time of summer camp, they will be entering 7th grade.
We want to be thoughtful about our offerings for middle and high school students, given everyone’s busy summer schedule. So, we are trying something new this year! Instead of setting all the dates in advance, we’ll build our schedule based on camper interest and availability.
The goal of our middle and high school camps will be to learn all about our natural environment and foster leadership skills.
Click here to complete survey for Middle and High School Camps
- Once we hear from enough interested campers- at least eight total who could attend the same week- we’ll open registration for that week.
- The form will remain open after registration launches and while space is still available to add additional sessions for middle and high schoolers.
- We reserve the right to cancel sessions that don’t meet a minimum requirement of campers prior to the start of the summer camp season. Once a camp session opens for registration, please register your campers as early as possible for dates that you selected as “available” on the survey.
View Camps by Location
Frequently Asked Questions
To attend camp, your child must:
- Be okay with being outdoors all day in summer heat (with appropriate cool-down opportunities and drink breaks).
- Be potty trained and be able to use the bathroom on their own.
- Be capable of staying with their assigned group with minimal reinforcement.
- Be capable of maintaining appropriate self-control in social situations.
- Be capable of regularly following staff instructions.
Please note: If your child cannot follow directions and/or control themselves, they may be asked to leave camp.
We’re happy to make reasonable accommodations for children with special needs, depending on their requirements. Parents and guardians with questions regarding the ability of camp staff to meet a child’s needs should contact the camp director before registering for camp.
Unless otherwise indicated, all of our camps are from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
We pride ourselves on our small-group camp experience and cap our camps at no more than 30 campers per week. Your child will be placed in an age-appropriate group of no more than 12 children supervised by a lead camp counselor and one or two counselors in training (CITs). Additionally, each camp location will be administered by a full-time onsite director.
No matter what camp theme you sign up for, the camp days will always be filled with fun outdoor exploration, games, and activities. Although your child will spend most of the day with their assigned camp group, they will have a chance to interact with other groups during both lunch and after-lunch free time and/or group games.
Yankauer Nature Preserve:
The camp is held in an open air pavilion nestled in the forest. The bathroom facilities consist of eco-friendly composting toilets.
Location Highlights:
- View of the Potomac River
- 2.4 miles of hiking trails
- Beautiful diverse forest ecosystem to explore
Address:
438 Whiting’s Neck Road
Martinsburg WV 25404
Cool Spring Preserve:
Camp is held mostly outdoors on a patio behind the nature center. The indoor facility is only for designated camp activities, shelter during inclement weather, and short cool-down periods.
Location Highlights:
- Diversity of habitats to explore: creek, ponds, meadow, wetland and forest
- Over 2 miles of hiking trails
- A chance to meet PVAS’s education animal ambassadors
Address:
1469 Lloyd Road
Charles Town WV, 25414
The grade level that you enter for your child is the grade that they are entering in the fall following summer camp.
Our camp groupings are based on the grade level that you provide at registration, so please try to be accurate in the registration process. Campers will be grouped with other campers in the same general age range. None of our camp groups exceed 12 campers and will be supervised by a camp counselor and at least one counselor-in-training.
During the registration process, there will be a question that asks about any requested camper groupings. You may fill out this question either at the time of registration or up until a few days before camp begins.
We will do our best to honor these requests when we make our groupings for the week! As per our camp policies, however, in the case of mixed-age groupings, the older camper of the pair will always be moved to the younger group. We don’t move campers up in age groups. Groupings requested at check-in on the first day of camp can often not be accommodated.
If your child is entering 1st grade in the upcoming school year (a current kindergartener) they are eligible for camp. If they are entering kindergarten, they are not automatically eligible for camp. However, we do sometimes make case-by-case exceptions for children who have been fully successful in a full-day preschool/ outdoor school environment for an extended period of time. Please also evaluate the “is my child ready for camp” FAQ before you send a request for special permission by email to daycamp@potomacaudubon.org.
Yes!
A limited amount of financial aid is available to children of families with demonstrated financial need. Families that qualify for the Federal Free/Reduced School Lunch Program are eligible for financial aid, though we will consider other extenuating circumstances.
We recommend that you apply as soon as possible, as applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis in the order they are received and that there are a limited number of spaces available. Please complete a separate application for each child in your family.
What to expect after you apply: We will begin reviewing applications after we open camp registration. We will respond to applicants with decisions and next steps as soon as we are able and in the order that applications are received. We will do our best to accommodate camp preferences; if both the first and the second-choice camps are no longer available, we will reach out to ask about other preferences. Families of youth receiving financial aid will be given a coupon code to register and they will have 2 weeks to register before the coupon code expires. If that happens, the spot at their preferred camp may go to another camper. Our financial aid covers most of the cost of our camps, but camp families will be expected to pay $10 per camper registration.
Applications are now open for summer camps! To apply, please complete the Financial Aid Application Form.
We previously referred to our Financial Aid program as “Scholarships.” We changed this language intentionally, as the term “scholarship” can imply that awards are based on merit. Our goal is to ensure that any interested camper can attend camp, regardless of their family’s financial situation. This program exists to reduce financial barriers and make our camp accessible to all.
Counselors-in-Training (CITs) are youth counselors Grades 7-12. CITs learn basic leadership skills and how to become a great camp counselor. They will assist senior staff members for a week in providing a safe and quality experience in nature to all campers at the Audubon Discovery Camp.
A week at camp will help you, as a CIT, to:
- Learn how to be enthusiastic, motivated, and responsible as a camp leader.
- Create meaningful relationships with campers, staff, and other CITs.
- Become a team with the other CITs.
- Look at the world with a sense of wonder, awe, and appreciation.
- Learn how your actions affect others and the world around you.
CIT responsibilities:
- Be a leader to all younger Audubon Discovery Camp campers
- Help unit staff with games, lessons, and activities
- Help make camp a safe and healthy environment for all campers
- Lead group games after lunch
- Complete all assignments given by camp staff
- Help clean up and take down tables/ supplies at the beginning and end of the camp day
We are now accepting applications for Summer 2026! To apply, complete this CIT Application Form. CITs for school-year camps during the 2025-2026 school year must have been a summer 2025 CIT.
We require that returning CITs complete a new application each year and that CITs for 2026 summer camps attend a mandatory training. CITs will have the option to attend training either at Yankauer Nature Preserve or at Cool Spring Preserve, both on Friday May 29, 3 pm – 6 pm.
Click here to read the Camp Information Handbook for policies including cancellation, registration limits, and late pick-up fees.
What to wear to camp
- Comfortable clothing that can get dirty
- Sunscreen (please apply before camp)
- Bug spray (please apply before camp)
- Hats and sunglasses are recommended
- Hiking shoes or sneakers, or hiking sandals that are strapped to the foot (i.e. Chacos, Tevas, Keens, etc.)
What to bring to camp: (Please label with your child’s name)
- A packed lunch
- Sunscreen and bug spray (for reapplying later in the day)
- A backpack or bag to hold all of the camper’s belongings
- An additional empty bag or backpack to carry water, snack and camp supplies while on the trail
- A refillable/reusable water bottle/s already filled to start the day (We have water for refills)
- Rain jacket or poncho if rain is in the forecast
“On the first day, my camper came home saying it was the best day ever in 2023! And as a parent, I found the communication from staff fluid and very responsive.”
“My daughter had the time of her life at camp. Even though it rained most of the time, she was so excited to come back every day. She loves being outside and learning about animals.”
“The counselors and staff were amazing, helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable.”
“My daughter had so much fun overall! She was nervous because she didn’t know anyone and she really didn’t know what to expect. But she had so much fun foraging and playing games and making new friends.”
“My child loved learning how to build a fire and build a fort. He thought heating his lunch over the fire was the coolest things ever. He also really enjoyed foraging and learning about the edible plants.”
The Audubon Discovery Camp counselors are a team made up of current PVAS youth program staff and seasonal counselors. They are selected based on their enthusiasm and experience working with children, and their knowledge and interest in the natural world. We’re committed to hiring caring staff members who are passionate about the mission of enriching lives by inspiring passion for nature. Camp staff have participated in extensive staff training, have current certifications in first aid and CPR, and have passed background checks. You can read more about our team here.
Have questions about camp?
Call 681-252-1387 or e-mail DayCamp@PotomacAudubon.org