Summer Camp at the Bent of the River Audubon Center
Campers at Bent of the River’s Audubon Summer Day Camp explore nature in a fun, safe environment within the 700 acres of our nature sanctuary. Audubon Camp fosters curiosity through outdoor exploration that helps campers develop an understanding of the natural world. These unique experiences and adventures can become a lifelong appreciation for our environment.
Our camp days are filled with various activities—including hiking, brook walks, river exploration, crafts, nature-themed games, live animal interactions, and birding. For the safety of our campers, families, and staff, we strictly follow the latest COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Our staff is selected for their experience and skills working with youth in environmental education and their interest in local ecology and natural history. All staff must pass background checks and are required to hold current CPR and First Aid certifications, making camp a safe place to learn about and experience nature. Our staff has helping hands each week from our Leaders in Training, experienced campers gaining skills in environmental education leadership.
Registration is now open! Register online.
Camp Information
Camp Hours and Length: Most camp sessions last one week, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*The Twilight Explorers week offered for EcoDiscoverers runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Camp Registration: Camp spots will be reserved only after registration is complete and tuition is received. Register here.
Pricing: Tuition is $350 per camper per week.
Camp Age Groups: Camp groups are arranged by grade. Naturalists are campers entering grades 1 - 4 in Fall 2025 and EcoDiscoverers are campers entering grades 5 - 8.
Naturalist Sessions
Campers entering grades 1 - 4, join us for up to 7 weeks of summer day camp fun! Learn about and enjoy different nature themes each week.
Nature’s band is always playing here at the Bent. This week you will become part of the music by making your own instruments out of natural materials. Explore and discover all the songs of nature.
All the animals at the Bent stay busy year-round. You will be as busy as they are building dams, nests, and other shelters this week. Explore all the unique habitats we have to offer.
Ready to get wet and cool off from the summer heat? You will get to meet live animals with special water adaptations while you explore the river, dip into our vernal pool, and play in Crayfish Alley.
This week the Bent will magically transform into Hogwarts. Be a part of the wizarding world, make potions, play Quidditch, and find magical creatures around every corner!
The Bent is full of Bugs! This week you will catch insects in the meadows, vernal pool, under logs, and in the river. Investigate what makes these critters special and learn about their cool adaptations.
You’re a detective on the case this week. Look for clues hiding in plain sight like colorful leaves, fluffy feathers, and shiny rocks. Can you solve this case?
Tap into your creative side and become a nature artist. Make sculptures with mud, paint with leaves and twigs, and create jewelry with materials we find throughout our meadow, river, and forest.
Eco-Discoverers
Campers entering grades 5 - 8, join us for up to 6 weeks of summer camp fun! Learn about and enjoy different nature themes each week, including a week with "twilight hikes."
Learn how to survive in the wilderness. Create a village with other campers where you build forts, forge rivers, and seek adventure as you solve challenges and learn to survive by relying on each other. The session includes an overnight on Tuesday.
Something mysterious is going on at the Bent. Decode secret messages, solve riddles, and uncover the truth. Do you have detective skills to solve this mystery?
Do you love to get wet and wild? This week is all about keeping cool while exploring our aquatic habitats and finding the animals that live in them. Create and play water games with your fellow campers.
Even muggles get to go to Hogwarts this week at the Bent. Become nature wizards and explore the magical creatures lurking in various habitats. Make your own wand and cast spells.
We love our feathered friends here at the Bent. Learn all about the wonder of birds. Go birding, check out our feather collection, and learn about how scientists track birds.
Unleash your inner artist this week. Get creative by making paper, painting with natural materials, and making sculptures with what you can find.
Just because the sun goes down doesn’t mean every animal goes to bed. Many animals like bats, owls, and beavers are most active at night. Venture into the night to see all these critters.
This evening camp session runs from 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Cancellation and Refund Policy: Payment (minus 20%) will be refunded for cancellations received at least two weeks before the first day of camp to be attended. If Audubon must cancel a session, you will receive a full refund for that session only. No refunds will be given for cancellations made within two weeks of camp.
Audubon Summer Day Camp Perks: Parents will receive a link to pictures taken throughout the camp week. Your camper can use the pictures to talk more about all the fun things they did at nature camp.
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