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Curious, adventurous, nature-loving kids wanted

The Grand River Conservation Authority’s summer camps aimed at getting kids from 6 to 16 outside and in nature
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NEWS RELEASE

GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

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The Grand River Conservation Authority’s summer camps are already filling up fast, so now is the time to sign kids up for outdoor adventures.

About 80 percent of the camps are already sold out, but there are still many different summer camp experiences at five locations for kids six to 16 years old.

The five locations are Apps’ Mill near Brantford, Laurel Creek in Waterloo, Guelph Lake, Rockwood and Belwood Lake near Fergus. Registration is easy and available online at www.grandriver.eventbrite.com.

Parents and kids can look through the description of each camp before making their camp selections.

Kids can be dropped off after 8 a.m. and picked up at 5 p.m. with a few overnight options for older kids.

A few highlights are below.

Kids 6 to 10: All camps are designed to get children outside connecting with nature. With a mix of programs, kids can enjoy blending nature and art or learn survival techniques or hunt for bugs. In Stones and Bones, they look for fossils and in Damsels and Dragons they hunt for dragonflies. Tried-and-true activities like hikes, pond studies and making new friends are built into these outdoor experiences. 

Older kids 10 to 13: At this age, an advanced day camp gets kids away from electronics and off the couch. Fun and hands-on learning about nature is blended with adventures from geo-caching to biking to learning wilderness survival. There are camps at all locations for this age group.

Teens 14 to 16 at Guelph Lake, Laurel Creek and Apps’ Mill: The ultimate camp is for older students or “naturalists-in-training” age 14 to 16 who learn to teach younger children about the environment, using skills that GRCA interpreters pass on to them. They soak up fascinating facts and stories about nature, they learn how to manage a group of children outside and engage in essential safety lessons such as first aid. Later in the summer, these kids return to the nature centre to spend a week as a real “Naturalist-in-Training,” helping regular staff instruct junior campers and other duties such as caring for the animals. NITs gain great experience to add to their resumes, a diploma and enough hours to fulfill their high school volunteer requirements. 

Fishing Camps at Belwood: Belwood Lake is one of Ontario’s premier fishing spots and an ideal place for 8- to 12-year-olds to develop their fishing skills.  Aspiring anglers will learn to cast, tie knot and identify fish species. They can develop fly fishing skills that will keep them outside and enjoying nature for a lifetime.  In Guardians of the Grand, campers will enjoy tried-and-true activities like exploring, fishing and investigating nature, as well as new skills like how to identify and control harmful invasive species like round goby.

Kids and parents may also want to check the photo album for the nature centre they are considering attending. These are available online at Flickr 

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