Frequently Asked Questions:

 

What is Summer Nature Day Camp at Baltimore Woods?
Groups of no more than 11 children per counselor spend their day hiking and exploring outdoors in a 182-acre nature preserve composed of woods, fields, ponds, and streams. Informal nature lessons are presented throughout the week on various plants and animals found at Baltimore Woods. Campers learn about nature through observations, hands-on activities, playing games, participating in nature-related programs, and simply exploring their immediate environment.

 

Who Manages Summer Nature Day Camp?
Summer Nature Day Camp at Baltimore Woods is run and managed by Baltimore Woods for more than two decades. The camp director is Red Cross certified in First-Aid Responding to Emergencies and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. Counselors have similar medical training. As part of the permit process with Onondaga County Health Department, the local hospital, the local emergency response team, Sheriff's Department and a local doctor are all notified about camp and, where necessary, have maps of the complete camp grounds.

 

The Camp Director remains in or near the main office throughout the day and is able to contact each counselor via walkie-talkie.

 

During Summer Camp, the main office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Is the camp inspected or certified by a county agency?
Onondaga County Health Department inspects the camp each year and issues a camp permit upon satisfactory inspection of the facilities and acceptance of application. They will conduct two to three unannounced camp inspections throughout the camp session.

 

How old do you have to be to go to camp?
Summer Nature Adventure Day Camp is for children in grades K-8. Nature's Little Explorers ½ day camp is for 4 or 5 year olds. Voyager Camp is for children entering 5^th through 8^th grades. Teen camp is for teenagers in grades 8-11. Nature and Art Camp is for children entering 4^th-6^th grades.

 

What are the camp hours?
Camp hours run from 10 am to 3 pm. There are extended Before Care and After Care hours available from 8-10 am and 3-5 pm.

 

What if it rains?
Camp is "on" even if it rains. There are all kinds of creatures and plants that become visible in the rain so the campers should be prepared to go hiking in the rain. During a dangerous thunder and lightning storm, campers will seek shelter (in the deep woods, Interpretive Center, or Log Cabin).

 

How long is camp?
Each camp session is one week long. There are eight weeks of camp beginning mid-July.

 

What is the cost?

Camp costs $140 per child per week.

You must have a BWNC Family Membership ($40) to attend camp which can be obtained at the time of registration. There is a $5 sibling discount. In addition, if you sign up for more than one week of camp there is a $5 discount for each additional week. See the Camp Registration Packet for full details and policies.

 

Are scholarships available?

Yes! Please call (315) 673-1350 if you need financial assistance.

 

What does a camper need to bring?
Each camper should bring:

• Their own food (including snack) and drink for the day
• At least one or two bottles (no glass) of water each day
• A sturdy backpack. They cannot use hand-held packs or lunch boxes. Campers' hands and arms will get too tired and they need their arms for balance when walking through woods and along streams.
• A hat
• Long pants for walking though heavy brush
• Sneakers or hiking boots (no open-toed sandals)
• A book to read or journal to write in during quiet rest times.

 

Who are the camp counselors?
The camp counselors are highly qualified adults. They enjoy working with children, being outdoors and staying active. Most are certified teachers (BS/MS degrees) with years of experience working with children. Others have years of experience as camp counselors or environmental educators. Each must go through an interview process including verification of their references and an orientation program. In addition, all names and addresses are submitted to the County Health Department.

Each counselor is equipped with a walkie-talkie so they can stay in touch with all the other counselors and the main office at all times. Each counselor is supplied with a small first-aid kit.

Each counselor works with a group of no more than 11 children similar in age and physical abilities. When possible, one or more Teen Volunteers are assigned to a group. TVs are former campers running in age from 14-17 who volunteer to help counselors.

 

What's a Typical Day Like?
A typical day may consist of nature games/lessons, hiking and exploring (looking for snakes, catching frogs, finding salamanders, etc). In the last hour of camp each day, various groups come together to participate in games and activities.

 

Are there different activities for the different ages?
Yes, the activities are geared to the age groups. When hiking, children ages 5 & 6 will hike approximately a total of 1 mile each day as they go about exploring the fields, woods, pond and streams. Older children may put in 3-4 miles a day.

 

How many campers are returning campers?
Approximately 75-80 percent of the campers return.

 

What is your grouping policy?

Campers are grouped primarily by grade level. This ensures that campers with similar maturity, physical abilities, and educational levels are grouped together. Groupings typically are: Kindergarten and First graders, Second and Third graders, Fourth and Fifth graders, and Sixth through Eighth graders.

 

Can my child be grouped with his/her friend?

Campers wishing to be grouped together must be in the same grade (or within the grade groupings listed in the previous question). Due to the difficulty of arranging the most balanced camp groups, campers can only request one friend with which to be placed, and both campers must request one another. Friend requests are subject to available space within a group, and cannot be guaranteed. See the registration packets for more details.