Completed K-1st Grade

For campers who have completed K-1st grade prior to the start of camp.

We'll explore the world's splendors—from seeds to dinosaurs and everything in between! Each week is a different adventure as we discover what lives in the forest, pond, field, and prairie of the Leslie Science & Nature Center.

*To ensure you get your favorite camps, sign up early.  There is a 3 session summer camp maximum for each camper.*

***All campers must complete the Emergency Release Form. Please send it 2 weeks ahead of time.***

Themed Weeks

June 18-22  Bird is the Word     *Half days- 8:30-11A.M. and 1-3:30P.M. sessions
Do you have a young ornithologist?  Your camper will get up close and personal with the wild birds and the raptors we have living at LSNC.  We’ll learn what birds need to survive and practice birding by S’s!

June 25-29  Seeds & Sprouts 
We’ll spend a lot of time in our garden this week as we discover plants and seeds, and how plants grow.  We’ll study everything from giant plants to tiny sprouts and our snacks will be things that grow!

 July 2,3,5,6*  Water Wonders  *4 day camp- no camp on Wednesday*
Water is one of the most important resources on our planet. This week, your camper will explore properties of water, what on earth needs water, where water exists, and more! 

July 9-13 Dinosaurs
Make your best dinosaur roar – and join us for a summer time favorite – Dino week! Your young paleontologist will step back in time as we read stories, go on hikes, and make crafts centered around our favorite reptilian friends.  *Note: if your camper would like to be in the same group as a friend, please call the main office and let us know.

July 16-20  Nature Stories 
Some of the most beautiful children’s books have nature and conservation themes.  This week, we’ll have literary-based nature explorations and games, and we’ll practice writing our own story, too!

July 23-27   “I want to be …”  
Together we’ll explore some natural and scientific jobs kids can have when they grow up.  Your camper will practice identifying animals, building structures, and performing experiments!

July 30-Aug 3  Animals from the Inside Out 
Take a close look at some of the amazing animals that share our planet!  Your budding zoologist will have an opportunity to look at animal specimens like skulls, pelts, and owl pellets, and will get to see tiny adaptations up close with our video microscope.

Aug 6-10   Keepers of the Earth 
Many different cultures call Michigan home – this week campers will learn about the Anishinabe culture and what their life was like long ago. We’ll play traditional games, read legends, and make crafts like medicine wheels and dream catchers. 

Aug 6-10  Wind in the Willows
Hop on to Mr. Toad’s adventure!  This week is all about friends and adventures as we play games and go on hikes based on chapters from Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows.

Aug 13-17  Nature Superheroes 
We’ve got a planet to save! Together we’ll make all the necessary superhero gear to help us be planet savers, and learn what even kids can do to help and appreciate the earth.

Aug 20-24  Hug the Unhuggables! 
Nature is full of things that make people think “Ick!”  Scat, vultures, snakes, slugs and more – galore! We’ll get our hands dirty this week, and learn and play with the science of yucky things!

Aug 27-30*  Big Questions  *4 day camp- no camp on Friday*
Why do bees sting? Why are there hills in the woods? We’ll answer our biggest nature questions this week, and dispel some myths if we find them!