Summer Camp

Summer camps at the WNC Nature Center are fun, educational experiences designed to involve campers in the wonders of the natural world! All sessions include animal encounters, outdoor recreation, crafts, and group activities on and around the Nature Center grounds.

Lottery Registration for Summer Camp 2025 has now closed. Those selected to register for summer camp will be notified in the coming weeks.

2025
Camp
Sessions

Reptiles and Amphibians

Age: Intended for 8-10 year olds. Campers must be 8-10 years old by August 31
Camp Weeks: June 23-27, July 7-11, July 21-25, August 4-8

Are snakes slimy? Why do frogs call? How do salamanders breathe through their skin? Do all turtles hide in their shells? Explore the science and lore behind these cold-blooded animals.

Fur, Feathers, and Fun!

Age: Intended for 6-7 year olds. Campers must be 6 or 7 years old by August 31
Camp Weeks: June 16-20, June 30-July 4, July 14-18, July 28-August 1

BOOM! POW! ZAM! Animals are the true superheroes of the world! Adaptations give animals the power to move at incredible speeds, use camouflage as their invisibility cloak, leap great lengths, and even have built in night vision.

Lottery Information

A lottery system for registration will open February 5 at 9am and close February 12 at 5pm. Registration for the 2025 summer camp lottery is now closed.

If your registration request is selected, you will receive an email in mid-February with instructions and a deadline for completing registration. Priority will be given to siblings applying for the same camp session but cannot be guaranteed. Individuals who do not get selected will be alerted by early-March.

A camper can enter the lottery for multiple weeks, but a different form for each week must be submitted. This will increase a camper’s odds of being chosen for a week of summer camp, but each camper can only attend one week per summer.

Only sign up for the session(s) your child(ren) are able to attend. By signing up for the lottery, you are agreeing to enroll if selected. Selections will be generated randomly.

Registration by lottery will be employed to ensure equity of access for all interested participants, with the aim of reducing stress and the impact of technical issues, while increasing flexibility for families hoping to register. We strongly recommend that prospective participants enter the registration lottery at the beginning of the time window to enable time for any needed troubleshooting.

QUESTIONS?
Contact Eli Strull
[email protected]
(828) 259-8082

Camp Details

Grade Level & Class Size
Registration is based on the child’s birthdate. Our Fur, Feathers and Fun camp is intended for 6 and 7 years olds, and campers must be 6 or 7 by August 31. Our Reptiles and Amphibians camp is intended for children 8 to 10 years old, and campers must be 8 to 10 by August 31. Every week of camp is capped at 21 campers.

Fees
Registration is $250 for each child per week. Friends of the WNC Nature Center Members receive a $25 discount. After Care is $75 per week for Members and Non-members. Fees include program instruction, activities, snacks, all materials, and a camp t-shirt.

Scholarships
The Friends of the WNC Nature Center is offering full scholarships for qualified families to attend 1 week long session of summer camp in 2025. Families that qualify for the Federal TRIO programs will be eligible to enroll in a lottery system for a chance to enroll in camp. Selected candidates will be able to register for camp and can add optional aftercare with no fees charged to the family. Qualifying participants will be chosen at random. The enrollment lottery for scholarships will open the week of February 5 to 12. This will be a separate lottery than the general summer camp enrollment lottery.

After Care
Families can extend the camp experience with a pick-up time of 5:00 pm instead of 3:00 pm. Children in after care will stay on Nature Center grounds and engage in crafts, games, water activities, and more.

Please PRE-REGISTER for this service when initially registering for camp. It cannot be prorated daily, so pre-register for the entire week and feel free to pick up your camper as it works for your schedule. After-care registration will be available on a first-come, first serve basis with capacity limits each week.

Programs
All program activities will be based on participants’ interests and engagement levels. Enrolled families will receive detailed information for each camp session via email 2 to 3 weeks prior to the start date, including an outline for the week. All activities are subject to change during the course of the week due to weather conditions, timing, or other factors.

Special Considerations
Our primary goal is to provide a safe and positive camp experience for all. Camp staff is unable to provide one-on-one supervision for participants with disabilities, but we would be happy to assist the family in making those arrangements with a care facilitator of your choice. Parents/Guardians are asked to discuss their needs with Education Curator Eli Strull prior to registration.

Cancellations
A fee of $50 will apply to cancellations. 50% of the registration fee will be withheld for cancellations made less than three weeks prior to the session. Allow four to six weeks for refunds to be issued from the time of cancellation.