Cayuga Nature Center: 2001 Summer Camp

General Information ^

Program Hours:

Usual program hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Supervision is provided 1/2 hour before and after program hours.

Transportation:

Busing from Ithaca will be available for a nominal extra charge. Please let us know if you need busing. Busing information will be included with your registration confirmation packet.

Meals:

CNC provides healthy and fun snacks and beverages twice a day. Each child must bring a bag lunch with drink each day.

Additional Information:

Detailed information about each program and medical history forms will be sent to you upon registration and payment of deposit.
Specific information and equipment lists for special programs will also be provided.
Every youth receives on free T-shirt for registering.

Ruth Yarrow Scholarships:

Cayuga Nature Center encourages diversity in our summer programs by providing scholarships for youth who would otherwise not be able to attend our sessions. This is made possible through the generous donations of community members, businesses and organizations. Call the business office (607-273-6260) for more information. All scholarship requests and awards are confidential.

Registration Policies:

All registrations must be accompanied by a $50 deposit for each session requested to hold space(s).
We accept cash, check, Ithaca Hours, VISA and MASTERCARD as forms of payment.
If payment in full arrives before May 1, 2001, please deduct 5% of the total summer program fee ONLY.
All medical history forms are due to be completed and returned 2 weeks prior to the start of the scheduled program. Your child will NOT be allowed to participate without a completed medical history form.
REFUNDS: If you cancel up to 2 weeks before the session start date, we will refund your fee minus a $25 administration fee. A cancellation between 0-14 days before the start date of your session will result in the forfeit of the deposit.

Nature Day Camp ^

Contact: Penny James, Nature Day Camp Director.

(Youth entering 1st- 8thgrades) Your child can join us for our most popular camp, where they will experience the natural world through hands-on activities. These one week sessions will take place at the Nature Center where our five miles of trails, the lodge and other natural resources will provide the backdrop for this memorable summer of adventures. Our naturalists/counselors will lead special, age appropriate activities including nature walks, learning about different animals, cooperative games, and even a daily swim at Cayuga Lake. Grab your towel and hiking shoes and let's get muddy during this fun and educational summer of Nature Day Camp!
A variety of activities and projects will be offered during Nature Day Camp for groups to choose from. Examples of these activities may include:

"Things That Fly"

Explore the variety of creatures on earth that can fly from bugs to bats and even birds!

"Creepy Critters"

Get to know and learn about the variety of reptiles that live at CNC. Explore the native species that can be found in the wild and discover their habitats and way of life.

"Caretakers of the Earth"

Learn what really happens in a compost bin, how recycling helps the planet and why these conservation activities help save our forests, fields and animals.

"Life on the Farm:"

Get close to our farm animals on visits to the Nature Center's farm. Learn about where farms animals came from, why they look the way they do, and how they are used.

"Water Worlds"

There are more than just fish living in the water! Discover the diversity of cool animals and plants inhabiting the water from the lake, ponds and streams surrounding CNC.

"Up to the Treetops"

Discover the treasures of our forest and field from a birds-eye perspective! You can also check out the wildlife from the roots to the canopy while climbing to the top of the treetops observation tower!

"Rock Hounds"

Did you know that we are living above an old sea? Come look at the world around us through the eyes of a geologist. Exploring adventures departing daily as we travel to gorges go on fossil hunts and much more!

"Outdoor Living"

Come learn how to build a shelter out of sticks. Cook outdoors. Build fires. Explore CNC woods while learning camp craft and wilderness safety. Learn how to find your way using a compass. Be an explorer today!

"Crafty Kids"

Participate in fun nature theme crafts, such as adding flowers to home-made soap, recycled paper, candles made of bees wax and other fun arts and crafts projects for everyone!

Enrollment in Nature Day Camp is limited so Register Today!

Nature Day Camp Sessions	Dates	Member	Non-Member
Week 1	July 9-13	$160.00	$210.00
Week 2	July 16-20	$160.00	$210.00
Week 3	July 23-27	$160.00	$210.00
Week 4	July 30-August 3	$160.00	$210.00
Week 5	August 6 -10	$160.00	$210.00
Week 6	August 13-17	$160.00	$210.00
Week 7	August 20-24	$160.00	$210.00
Week 8	August 27-31	$160.00	$210.00

Critter Camp ^

Contact: Sarah Long, Critter Camp Director.

(Youth entering 5th - 8thgrades)
Register early for this popular program!
Ever want to feed a python? Or a Red-Tailed Hawk? Shear a sheep?

Discover all about CNC's critters up close and personal under the direct care and supervision of our Animal Curator. From our farm animals to our native amphibians and reptiles tot he colorful exotics - this behind-the-scenes program is just for you! Get a hands-on experience with care, maintenance and handling of CNC's living collections. Each animal has "a special place" in the natural world and this program will let you explore the unique connections between the animal, plants, and habitats (farm, field or forest). Sorry, no croc wrestling here, mate - just a legless lizard and a blue-tongued skink! Daily swimming at Taughannock Falls. Enrollment is limited to 14 youth per session.

Enrollment in Critter Camp is limited to 13 per session so Register Today!

Critter Camp Sessions:	Dates	Member	Non-Member
Session 1	July 9-13	$160	$210
Session 2	July 16-27	$300	$350
Session 3	July 30-August 10	$300	$350
Session 4	August 13-24	$300	$350
Session 5	August 27-31	$160	$210

Explorer Programs ^

Basic Explorers Program
Youth entering 4ththrough 9thgrades
Take the challenge with these intensive outdoor experiences and hands-on wilderness survival skills training. These programs are based at Cayuga Nature Center and the Nature Center's Hammond Hill site in Dryden. Transportation is offered to both sites during most programs for an additional fee. Transportation is not available for "Family Camp" on July 5th- July 7th. Basic Explorer Program is a pre-requisite for any Advanced Explorer Program. We require that a camper retake Basic Explorer as a skills refresher if more than one summer has passed before going into an Advanced Explorer Program. Other pre-requisites are described in detail in the program description.

Basic Explorers for Young Men at Hammond Hill NEW!

July 9th- July 13th
This summer we are offering young men an opportunity to work with some of our experienced male staff in order to observe and learn about the way men can impact the environment and the world they live in through positive methods of communication and interaction with others and the earth. We believe this program will offer challenges to young men's which will result in a greater self-confidence while helping them become more sensitive to the environment and world around them. There will be an optional overnight on Thursday evening with Dinner, Friday's Breakfast and lunch provided. Enrollment limited to 21.

Explorers for Young Women at Hammond Hill NEW!

July 9th- July 13th
Young Women will also have an opportunity to participate in their own Basic Explorer's Program, which consists of hands-on learning experiences in outdoor living and survival skills. This summer we areoffering young women an opportunity to work with some of our experienced female staff in order to observe and learn about the way women can impact the environment and the world they live in through positive methods of communication and interaction with others and the earth. We believe this program will offer challenges to young women which will result in a greater self-confidence while helping them become more sensitive to the environment and world around them. There will be an optional overnight on Thursday evening with Dinner, Friday's Breakfast and lunch provided. Enrollment limited to 21.

Basic Explorers

July 16th - July 27th
(2 weeks - 1stweek at CNC, 2ndweek at Hammond Hill)
These hands on learning experiences in outdoor living and survival skills lead to Certificates of Accomplishment throughout the session. Every summer, more skills are offered - returning students will refine old skills and learn new ones. Projects may include (but are not limited to): animal awareness, primitive fire building, water acquisition, bowl burning, stalking and tracking; shelter building, arrow making, archery, basket-weaving, leather crafts, rope-making, wild edibles, primitive hunting techniques and traps, etc. There will be an optional overnight on the second Thursday evening at Hammond Hill with Dinner, Friday's Breakfast and lunch provided. Enrollment limited to 28.

Basic Explorers at Hammond Hill

August 6th- 10th
These hands on learning experiences in outdoor living and survival skills lead to Certificates of Accomplishment throughout the session. Every summer, more skills are offered - returning students will refine old skills and learn new ones. Projects may include (but are not limited to): animal awareness, primitive fire building, water acquisition, bowl burning, stalking and tracking; shelter building, arrow making, archery, basket-weaving, leather crafts, rope-making, wild edibles, primitive hunting techniques and traps, etc. This one-week program at Hammond Hill had an optional overnight on Thursday evening (at Hammond Hill) with Dinner, Friday's Breakfast and lunch provided. Enrollment limited to 21.

Enrollment in Basic Explorers programs is limited to 36 per session so Register Today!

Explorer Session	Date	Member	Non-Member
Young Men/Hammond Hill	July 9-13	$160	$210
Young Women/Hammond Hill	July 9-13	$160	$210
Basic Explorers	July 16-27	$300	$350
Basic Explorers/Hammond Hill	August 6th-10th	$160	$210

Advanced Explorer Programs ^

Youth entering 5ththrough 10thgrades
Basic Explorers is a pre-requisite for all four Advanced Explorer Programs. In addition, see program description for more specific pre-requisites. Equipment lists and information sheets will be sent following registration. Some basic equipment may be available to lend out on a first come first serve basis.

Primitive Explorers at Hammond Hill

July 30th- Aug. 3rd
Basic Explorer Graduates, grab your packs and put your basic skills to use! Select and prepare a primitive campsite in the Finger Lakes National Forestfor a three day stay. Monday and Tuesday (9:am to 4:30pm camp days.)you will review and practice your skills while exploring the Finger Lakes Forest near our Hammond Hill site. Transportation from Ithaca will be provided to and from Hammond Hill on Monday and Tuesday. Transportation will also be provided to and from Hammond Hill on Wednesday morning and from Hammond Hill on Friday afternoon. On Wednesday, we will pack our gear into our site and sped three days and two nights living in the woods using our basic primitive skills. Explore and learn about the forest ecology while developing your animal tracking and awareness skills. You must have attended a Basic Explorer and attended an Explorer overnight to attend. Enrollment limited to 20Fee: $200 member/ $240 non-member

Enrollment in Advanced Explorers programs is limited to 36 per session so Register Today!

Advanced Primitive Explorers at Hammond Hill

Aug. 6th- Aug. 10th
Prerequisite:All campers who participate in this must have taken both a Basic Explorer program and an Advanced or Primitive Explorer program, either this year or last year. In addition, campers must receive approval from the Camp Director to participate in this program.
Advanced Primitive is a chance for experienced Explorer graduates to put their skills to use. Like in Primitive Explorers we will be practicing skills on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday we will move out to our primitive site. This is a great opportunity for those who have accomplished an advanced skill level in Explorers to find out how wonderful it is to be able to live in nature using what nature provides for us. We will bring some common food staples, water bottles and purifiers, first aid supplies and the clothes on our backs. Only those who students who have demonstrated the following skills shall be qualified to attend: 1) demonstrated their ability to build and sleep in a debris shelter; 2) can properly identify common wild edibles as well as poisonous plants; 3) can proficiently start fires (with or without matches) in any weather; 4) is skilled at using a knife; and 5) is comfortable spending time in the woods.This is meant to be a fun and an exciting adventure. It is not a "real" survival situation, as we will never be more then a couple of miles from a phone, running water, food, etc. Our goal is not to have to use these amenities except for an emergency situation. Enrollment limited to 14. Fee: $200 member/$240 non-member

Beginner Fly Fishing Program

August 13th- August 16th(Session 1)
August 27th- August 30th(Session 2)
Get started with this hand's on four-day program. Learn fly-tying and casting, water ecology and conservation, and environmental ethics. Travel each day in the Tompkins County Region and experience a variety of aquatic environments including ponds, streams, and lakes. Join us for this fun recreational program. Enroll now as class size is limited to 13 participants. Fees include travel, material for fly-tying as well as other projects. Enrollment limited to 13. Per Session Fee: $175 member/$210 non-member

Family and Adult Programs NEW! ^

Join us at Hammond Hill for two new programs that provide an exciting opportunity for families to come together and re-connect to the earth and each other.

Family Camp at Hammond Hill. NEW!

July 5th- 7th
A camp experience for the entire family. Join us at Hammond Hill for lots of neat activities and adventures. Learn and experience primitive survival skills; engage in crafts such as basket-making, leather-craft, beading looms, fly-tying and more; enjoy hikes in the Hammond Hill state forest as you learn about wild edibles, animal tracking and more. Have fun while re-connecting to the earth and your family. We expect this to be a family vacation that will long be remembered and cherished. Registration is open to people ages
5 and older. Parents are not required to attend. Snacks are included. Dinner on Friday night, and breakfast and on Saturday morning is also included for those who decide to spend the night. You must provide your own transportation to Hammond Hill. We would be happy to help in car pool arrangements. Tent camping is allowed both nights, but parents must supervise their own children on Thursday night if they decide to camp out. Parents are not required to accompany their children Friday night.
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday9am - 5pm Optional Overnight Campfire Program (Dinner andBreakfast provided)
Saturday 8am - Noon
Enrollment is limited to 40.
Fee: $85 /per person over 5 years of age (includes snacks, materials, and overnight meals.)

Enrollment in Family and Adult programs is limited so Register Today!

Explorers: For Parents (and Adults) Only! NEW!

July 26th& 27th
Come learn about the Explorer Philosophy as you engage in hands on activities, including primitive survival skills, awareness hikes and earth-crafts. Since the inception of the Explorer Program at Hammond Hill, parents have commented on how much fun their children appear to be having, and how they would enjoy doing many of the same activities. Thisprogram will give adults who live or work with youth a chance to have some fun as well as learn some practical and philosophical information on how to support the young people in their lives. Adultswill learn about ways they can engage children in positive activities that will connect their children with the earth as well as strengthen their family connection. Parents and adults will explore techniques they can use to encourage children's curiosity and excitement to learn about the worldaround them. Lunches and snacks provided. Held atHammond Hill, this program will have transportation from Ithaca available at an additional cost.
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Enrollment limited to 18 adults
Cost: $60/person (includes lunches & snacks)