Camp Survivor (entering grades 1-5)

Could you survive if you were lost in the wilderness? We’ll have a blast building shelters, fires and tools, and learning how to purify water. We will also learn how to find food in the wild, use a map and compass, and tie knots. Through challenges that will test your mind, body, and teamwork skills, you will truly know by the end of the week if you have what it takes to be a SURVIVOR!

$197 non-members, 10% off for members

Session 1: Yankauer Nature Preserve
June 5 – 9 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Session 2: Cool Spring Preserve
June 19 – 23 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Session 3: Yankauer Nature Preserve
July 10 – 14 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Wild about Water (entering grades 1-5)

Water is life! Let’s discover what animals depend on the aquatic habitats at Cool Spring Preserve! Explore the ponds and dams created by our resident beavers, catch critters in the creek and muck through the wetland. We’ll discover animals’ unique adaptations as we wade in the stream like herons, slide like otters on a slip and slide, and build mini duck-like boats to float in the stream. It’s time to get wild about water! 

Price: $197 non-members, 10% off for members

Session 1: Cool Spring Preserve
June 5 – 9 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Session 2: Cool Spring Preserve
July 24 – 28 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Amazing Animals (entering grades 1-6)

Each day we’ll explore a different type of animal that calls West Virginia home. Learn how to track mammals and explore their skulls and bones, catch bugs in the meadow and butterfly garden, watch birds with binoculars, and search under rocks and logs for reptiles and amphibians. Games, crafts, forts and hikes will round out the week.

$197 non-members, 10% off for members

Session 1: Yankauer Nature Preserve
June 19 – 23 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Session 2: Cool Spring Preserve
July 10 – 14 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Dirt Don’t Hurt (entering grades 1-6)

Get ready to get messy as we explore the mysterious world that lies beneath your feet. Sculpt with clay, march barefoot in the muck, and bake your best mudpies. Dig down in the dirt for worms and uncover what life lurks under a rotting log. To finish off the week, you’ll have the chance to compete in our ‘Muck Monster’ challenge to see who is the muddiest camper! 

$197 non-members, 10% off for members

Session 1: Cool Spring Preserve
June 26 – 30 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Session 2: Yankauer Nature Preserve
June 26 – 30 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Earth Art (entering grades 1-6)

Let your creativity run wild as you construct natural clay sculptures, mix your own berry paint, watercolor paint a natural landscape scene, and more! Families are invited to an exhibition of campers’ masterpieces on Friday. 

$197 non-members, 10% off for members

Session 1: Yankauer Nature Preserve
June 12 – 16 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Session 2: Cool Spring Preserve
July 17 – 21 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Nature Sleuths (entering grades 1-6)

Do you have what it takes to uncover the mysteries of the ultimate nature crime scene? In this camp, you’ll be issued a “Nature Sleuth,” badge, and be put on your first case to investigate the suspicious activities that have been happening at the preserve. Who left those tracks and is up to no good?  It’s up to you and your fellow teammates to find out!

$197 non-members, 10% off for members

Session 1: Cool Spring Preserve
June 12 – 16 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Session 2: Yankauer Nature Preserve
July 17 – 21 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Session 3: Yankauer Nature Preserve
July 24 – 28 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Ultimate Survivor Camp (entering grades 6-9)

Are you ready to level up your wilderness survival skills? This week is all about using resources that you find in nature to survive. We’ll construct survival shelters and build fires without lighters or matches. Weave your own pine needle basket to use for foraging for wild food that you’ll cook over a fire and eat with the spoon and bamboo cup that you whittled!  By the end of the week, you’ll have all the skills and tools you need to survive in the wild. 

$197 non-members, 10% off for members

Session 1: Cool Spring Preserve
June 5 – 9 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Session 2: Yankauer Nature Preserve
June 19 – 23 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Tools of the Trade (entering grades 7-12)

This hands-on week will awaken your inner-scientist as you discover how different environmental professionals use their ‘Tools of the Trade’ to make the world a better place. See if an outdoor or conservation career may be for you! You will explore forestry with a local forester, hone your birding skills with an Ornithologist, do salamander and box turtle surveys with the WV State Herpetologist, and learn how to draw something directly from nature from a Nature Artist. On Friday, camp will be held at the National Conservation Training Center (15 minutes from Yankauer) so you can meet the National Historian for the Fish and Wildlife Service and learn about historical interpretation and conservation careers with the federal government.

$197 non-members, 10% off for members

Session 1: Yankauer Nature Preserve
June 26 – 30 (5 days)
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Counselor in Training (CIT) (entering grades 7-12)

Do you enjoy working with children and wonder what it’s like to be a camp counselor? Become a CIT and serve as a leader at camp, helping counselors foster a fun, nurturing camp experience for all children.  Attend our CIT training to practice leadership skills and learn techniques for engaging children in the great outdoors. Then, volunteer for a maximum of three weeks of camp as a CIT where you’ll assist counselors in games and activities. This is a great way to develop core leadership skills, build character, practice responsibility, become a better communicator and start to build your resume.

New this year: All prospective CITs must apply for this volunteer position prior to registering. Once we have received and reviewed your application, we will notify you if you have been selected to be a CIT and you will receive a link to register. Please note that individuals who do not show a commitment to our camp mission in their responses on the application and/or who had behavior problems (as a camper) or lack of growth in leadership skills in previous summers (as a CIT) may not be selected to participate in the CIT program.

You will be notified via e-mail if you have been selected as a CIT within 1 week of submitting this form. If you are selected to volunteer as a CIT, you will be given a link to register through our website.

Do you have what it takes to be a CIT? If you can answer yes to the following questions, we encourage you to apply for a CIT position. 

• Do I love being outside and can I handle being outside in the heat all day long? 
• Can I be friendly to all campers no matter how different they are from me?
• Can I smile even on my worst days?
• Am I willing to lead games and/or activities that I have been trained to lead?
• Am I able to act as a positive role model for younger campers? 
• Do I feel comfortable speaking in front of kids? 
• Am I willing to learn new things and accept different perspectives?  
• Am I self-motivated and willing to take initiative to keep campers engaged and happy? 
• Do I want to make a positive impact on children’ lives? 
• Can I take positive and negative feedback?  
• Am I concerned about the general safety and well-being of others? 
• Will I be able to work as a team player with a group of other counselors? 
• Can I take instructions from a counselor and carry out the task?
• Am I flexible and able to adapt to changes easily and appropriately?

CIT’s for Grades K to 1 Camps: $15 non-members, 10% off for members, per week

CIT’s for Grades 1 to 6 Camps: $50 non-members, 10% off for members, per week

CIT’s for Middle School Camps: $50 non-members, 10% off for members, per week

Training (ALL CITs): Yankauer Nature Preserve 
June 2 (mandatory) 
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
This training is free when you sign-up for one or more weeks as a CIT

CIT Retreat: Yankauer Nature Preserve 
July 5 – 6 (optional, but encouraged)
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
Additional $40 non-members, 10% off for members

Counselors in Training are also invited to attend a CIT retreat on July 5 and 6 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Yankauer Nature Preserve. Here they will participate in fun team-building games as well as traditional camp activities. This is also a great opportunity to make friends with other CITs. This experience is highly recommended, but not required.

Scholarships

We want all children to have a chance to come to camp regardless of their financial circumstances.  Scholarships to attend camp are available for families with financial need.  We hold special spaces in each camp for scholarship campers.  Applications are due by May 8 and notification of awarded scholarships will be made by May 22.