Link to Registration Form
Summer Camp dates Announced! Registration Open!
Hints for a successful registration:
1) Look for your camps by date
2) When you come to the payment page - Paypal is the default. Its not our first choice and is just fine to use. If you want to use Zelle, Venmo, or another electronic choice then write down your total, click the Pay Later button, check out instructions for Zelle or Venmo - pay us using that or other, and e-mail us about your plan! Your spot will be held once we receive 50% of camp tuition.
Hints for a successful registration:
1) Look for your camps by date
2) When you come to the payment page - Paypal is the default. Its not our first choice and is just fine to use. If you want to use Zelle, Venmo, or another electronic choice then write down your total, click the Pay Later button, check out instructions for Zelle or Venmo - pay us using that or other, and e-mail us about your plan! Your spot will be held once we receive 50% of camp tuition.
2024 Summer Camps At a Glance
Wild Explorers 1 June 17-21 Hoyt Park
Wild Saplings 1 June 17-21 Hoyt Park
Nature Adventures & Storytelling 1 June 24-28 Hoyt Park
Creative Naturalist July 8-12 Lake Farm County Park
Wild Saplings 2, July 15-19, Token Creek County Park
Wild Explorers 2, July 15-19, Token Creek County Park
Rooted To The Earth, July 15-19, Token Creek County Park
Rangers Apprentice 1, Aug 12-16, likely Lake Farm County Park
Rangers Apprentice 2, Aug 26-30, Token Creek County Park
Nature + Art Series, Session 1: Papermaking with Plants, July 22-23, West Madison
Nature + Art Series, Session 2: Making Drawing and Painting Tools, August 22-23, West Madison
Nature + Art Series, Session 3: Color from Nature: Ink and Paint Making, September 19-20, West Madison
Wild Saplings 1 June 17-21 Hoyt Park
Nature Adventures & Storytelling 1 June 24-28 Hoyt Park
Creative Naturalist July 8-12 Lake Farm County Park
Wild Saplings 2, July 15-19, Token Creek County Park
Wild Explorers 2, July 15-19, Token Creek County Park
Rooted To The Earth, July 15-19, Token Creek County Park
Rangers Apprentice 1, Aug 12-16, likely Lake Farm County Park
Rangers Apprentice 2, Aug 26-30, Token Creek County Park
Nature + Art Series, Session 1: Papermaking with Plants, July 22-23, West Madison
Nature + Art Series, Session 2: Making Drawing and Painting Tools, August 22-23, West Madison
Nature + Art Series, Session 3: Color from Nature: Ink and Paint Making, September 19-20, West Madison
Helpful Information
Locations & Dates & Ages
If you are interested in one or more of these camps but the location, ages or dates don't line up, please let us know. Ages of listed camps tend to be flexible, please inquire if your child is close to the age listed but not quite within the range. Feedback from the interested folks informs us and if its early enough, we can make some changes if possible. If we can't accommodate this year we will work on it for future years. Don't see something you were hoping us to offer? Let us know what you would like to see offered. email [email protected]
Car Pooling
A note about Locations: We are happy to connect you with other parents from the same camp for car pooling. Please let us know you are interested in this when you register.
Tuition
We are offering our summer camps at a sliding scale rate. We value the camp in the mid range of the scale.We do not ask to see proof of income, you choose what is best for your situation. You can use the sliding scale to take into consideration your income, your financial ability, if you will miss any of the scheduled days, if you are signing up multiple kids, etc. We want our programs to be available to those who want to participate and value what we are offering. We ask those who can pay more do so and this supports those who need to pay less to do so and we still get our financial needs met. If our sliding scale is not affordable for your family, contact us and we can see what we can work out either through barter, work trade, or offering further reduced rates. We sometimes have scholarship available through our Community Supported Tuition Fund. Please inquire about this before registering. We like to make our programs available to the extent that we can and we have most of the time been able to find creative solutions that work for families and Wild Harvest NC. If you are someone who would like to contribute to this fund that is used for scholarships, there is an option to do so on the registration form or you can contact us.
We now have a BIPOC reparations fund. Please inquire at [email protected]. If you would like to donate to this fund, there is an opportunity on the registration form.
Camp Spots & Wait list
If a camp is full, please email us to get on the wait list. In many circumstances, we might be able to add a mentor to accommodate more kids or in some cases we can add another class or camp. In some cases this is not an option because we either do not have the mentors available or its a specialty camp and only certain mentors have those particular skills to support that camp's theme.
Mentors & Youth Mentors
Mentors names are listed under each camp. You can find their bio's under our "Who Are We" tab. We will try to have youth mentors in most camps. Youth mentors are older kids (12+) who have been with us for awhile and are positive role models for the younger groups. We may also, at times, have "grandparents" at camps. Grandparents are elders who have been involved with Wild Harvest (not necessarily biologicial grandparents of the kids in group). Wild Harvest Grandparent bios can be found under the "Who Are We" tab.
Covid
- In this constantly changing situation we will review the situation as summer gets closer.
-You can read our homeschool program COVID protocols here to get a sense of how we handle this to protect ourselves and each other : Parent Orientation Doc
Locations & Dates & Ages
If you are interested in one or more of these camps but the location, ages or dates don't line up, please let us know. Ages of listed camps tend to be flexible, please inquire if your child is close to the age listed but not quite within the range. Feedback from the interested folks informs us and if its early enough, we can make some changes if possible. If we can't accommodate this year we will work on it for future years. Don't see something you were hoping us to offer? Let us know what you would like to see offered. email [email protected]
Car Pooling
A note about Locations: We are happy to connect you with other parents from the same camp for car pooling. Please let us know you are interested in this when you register.
Tuition
We are offering our summer camps at a sliding scale rate. We value the camp in the mid range of the scale.We do not ask to see proof of income, you choose what is best for your situation. You can use the sliding scale to take into consideration your income, your financial ability, if you will miss any of the scheduled days, if you are signing up multiple kids, etc. We want our programs to be available to those who want to participate and value what we are offering. We ask those who can pay more do so and this supports those who need to pay less to do so and we still get our financial needs met. If our sliding scale is not affordable for your family, contact us and we can see what we can work out either through barter, work trade, or offering further reduced rates. We sometimes have scholarship available through our Community Supported Tuition Fund. Please inquire about this before registering. We like to make our programs available to the extent that we can and we have most of the time been able to find creative solutions that work for families and Wild Harvest NC. If you are someone who would like to contribute to this fund that is used for scholarships, there is an option to do so on the registration form or you can contact us.
We now have a BIPOC reparations fund. Please inquire at [email protected]. If you would like to donate to this fund, there is an opportunity on the registration form.
Camp Spots & Wait list
If a camp is full, please email us to get on the wait list. In many circumstances, we might be able to add a mentor to accommodate more kids or in some cases we can add another class or camp. In some cases this is not an option because we either do not have the mentors available or its a specialty camp and only certain mentors have those particular skills to support that camp's theme.
Mentors & Youth Mentors
Mentors names are listed under each camp. You can find their bio's under our "Who Are We" tab. We will try to have youth mentors in most camps. Youth mentors are older kids (12+) who have been with us for awhile and are positive role models for the younger groups. We may also, at times, have "grandparents" at camps. Grandparents are elders who have been involved with Wild Harvest (not necessarily biologicial grandparents of the kids in group). Wild Harvest Grandparent bios can be found under the "Who Are We" tab.
Covid
- In this constantly changing situation we will review the situation as summer gets closer.
-You can read our homeschool program COVID protocols here to get a sense of how we handle this to protect ourselves and each other : Parent Orientation Doc
2024 Summer Camp Descriptions
Wild Saplings Camps (Ages 4-7)
Dates & Time:
I) June 17-21, 9am-1:30pm, Laura & Erica at Hoyt Park
II) July 15-19, 9am - 130 pm, Michaiah and Katy at Token Creek County Park
Description:
We are so excited to offer Wild Saplings Camp again this summer! This is the age of awe, wonder, and magic! We draw on these qualities during the Wild Saplings Camp. Expect lots of exploration based on curiosity and using all of our senses, turning into animals, getting muddy, being mesmerized at the incredible beauty of nature, building mandalas and fairy houses, and playing nature based games. Through immersing our senses in nature, we learn about our plant and animal friends.
Tuition: $275 - 400 sliding scale
*please read note about tuition under "quick view of schedule" above. If our costs are not affordable for your family please inquire with us.
For questions email [email protected]
Wild Explorers Camps (Ages 7 - 11)
Dates & Time:
I June 17-21, 9am - 3pm, at Hoyt Park, Mentors: Donelle and Adam
II July 15-19, 9am - 3pm, at Token Creek County Park, Mentors: Erica and Freddie
Description:
This is our version of a classic summer camp cooked up with nature connection flavor. We will practice gratitude, sing songs, play games, climb trees, and explore. We'll almost certainly get into the ponds (if there are some) to catch frogs and turtles and we might track mink or raccoon in the mud along the edges then get into exploring bird nests & bird call Id. We might even build a fort or spend a day collecting berries or nuts. This camp will start each day with a plan in mind based on weather, season, nature observations from the day before, as well as participant interest. We will facilitate and open up into a deep connection with the wild(ish) spaces based on what happens each moment. We'll do activities to get to know each other better, spend time sitting quietly in a sit spot, and nibble on some in season wild edibles. An epic summer kid adventure with our Wild Harvest Nature Connection twist!
Tuition: $350-500 sliding scale
*please read note about tuition under "quick view of schedule" above. If our costs are not affordable for your family please inquire with us.
Nature Adventures & Storytelling (ages 7-11)
Dates & Time:
I June 24-28, 9am-3pm, Hoyt Park, Mentors: Coral & Freddie
Description:
We are excited to be collaborating with Coral Conant Gilles the Storytelling Naturalist for this camp for the 4th summer in a row! For those who are familiar with Wild Explorers, this camp will be similar with storytelling twists. Our days will ebb and flow between exploring, playing games, and storytelling, whether that's listening to a story, creating our own, and/or creating a story with the group. Our adventures will inform our stories and stories will inform our adventures. There will be plenty of time to play games, fireside time, roasting our food over a fire, following curiosities, a good balance of structured and unstructured time, and connecting to and learning about the natural world through immersing ourselves and becoming part of the larger story of the world around us.
Tuition: $350-500 sliding scale
*please read note about tuition under "quick view of schedule" above. If our costs are not affordable for your family please inquire with us.
For questions email [email protected]
Creative Naturalist Camp
(geared toward ages 9-12 yrs old but flexible)
Dates & Time: July 8-12, 9am-3pm
Location: Lake Farm County Park
Mentors: Donelle, Colleen, and Alyson
Description:
We are excited to be offering this camp a second year. We intend to enliven and deepen the stories we carry about our time in nature. Mentors and kids will go on an adventure with intention to be aware, to notice, and return with questions and noticing. With mentor support, a pile of field guides, paper and pencils, and imagination we'll create nature journals including drawings, maps, research natural history information, and write poems/songs/skits and other creations as we integrate and learn more about whatever nature offers to our senses. This breath in, breath out over a course of days builds a powerful rhythm as we open our senses and curiosity then flex our researching and creativity to express our learning. Even as we learn we'll keep in mind the fun and joy of being outside and alive during summer by keeping open time to play games, pick berries, catch frogs, and drink in summer's glory.
Tuition: $350-500 sliding scale
*please read note about tuition under "quick view of schedule" above. If our costs are not affordable for your family please inquire with us.
Rooted to the Earth: All Girls (w/ optional 1 night overnight)
(ages 10-14 - with some flexibility)
Dates & Time: July 15-19, 9am - 3pm
Location: Token Creek County Park
Mentors: Laura and Coral +Leslie
Description:
Come join us at Token Creek County Park. This land offers woods, prairie, cold refreshing springs, and lots of new areas to explore. For those who choose to stay overnight, they will get dropped off Thur at 9am and picked up Fri at 3pm at the group camp site. During this week we spend our time exploring and wandering through the landscape of summer and catering to the curiosities and interests of each of the girls. We might harvest some plants to eat, make tea with, or make medicine with. We will most likely get into playing some hiding and sneaking games, perhaps with the Rangers Apprentice Camp. We might cool our feet at the creek edge or even go swimming, we might gather some materials for our hands to create with. Our projects might include basket making, cordage making, carving, fire by friction, and more. We will base these projects on the group's interest. Along with exploring and projects we will have fun playing games and group challenges each day. This camp builds on and enhances skills and experiences like intuition, sensory awareness, mindfulness practices, community building, kinship with other girls, and Earth skills (crafting, fire by friction, tracking, bird language, plant id, etc) all designed to increase our connection to the Earth, ourselves, and each other. For the overnight, each camper will bring their own food to cook over the fire and there will be support in suggesting good food items to bring with them if that's wanted. Female caregivers are welcome to stay overnight to support any girl who needs that. We will arrange the tents nearby each other.
Tuition: $350-500 sliding scale without overnight.
*its okay to wait to register for the overnight later, if your daughter / family isn't decided at this point
if ready to register for overnight too:
+$75-150 with optional overnight (Please look carefully as this registers like an additional camp in our system)
*If our costs are not affordable for your family please inquire with us.
For questions email [email protected]
Rangers' Apprentice
Ages: 10-14+ (youth older than 14 can join)
Dates & Times:
RA I - Aug 12-16, 9am - 3pm, Justin & Michaiah
RA II - Aug 26-30, 9am-4:00pm, Alex & Tor
Location:
Rangers Apprentice 1 - Lake Farm County Park
Rangers Apprentice 2 - Token Creek County Park
Description:
Join a group of ranger apprentice recruits for some longer days and deeper dive into stealth, skills, and knowing the secrets of the land. Once again, inspired by the Ranger's Apprentice books this camp will continue our adventures into the realm of the ranger. No need to have read the books! We'll learn & practice skills in camouflage, tracking, camp skills, awareness skills, and more. Expect stealth and awareness challenges, simple to complex tool making, games that put our stealth, awareness and tool making into action and service as well as finding moments of stillness and quiet.
***RA I & II are not sequential. Each week will be a unique design flavored by the mentors offering that week of this serious adventuring!
Tuition:
RA 1 $350-500
RA 2 $400-500 sliding scale,
*please read note about tuition under "quick view of schedule" above. If our costs are not affordable for your family please inquire with us.
For questions email [email protected]
Nature + Art
A three part series, each session is 2 days. Join for 1 session or all 3.
Wild Harvest Nature Connection and Coyote Fire Arts team up to offer a three workshop summer series: Nature + Art. Join us to make art supplies from nature! We will look deeply at what nature offers us. We will give thanks for the bounty and use our creativity to transform the gifts into art supplies!
Due to low enrollment this time around we cancelling the dates of sessions 1 & 3 combining a number of topics into one epic session Aug 22-23. Let us know if you're interested!
Session 1:
Papermaking with Plants Plant to paper, learn the basics of papermaking.
Learn how to select, harvest and process plants (some possibilities include cattail, prairie grasses, and banana peels!) for papermaking. Form sheets of paper. Experiment with adding designs, pulp paint, and plant matter to your formed paper. Use paper pulp to create sculptural art or masks.
Session 2: August 22-23
Making Drawing and Painting Tools
Go on a hunt for the perfect stick! Create pens and writing utensils from the wild.
Carve markmaking tools, make paintbrushes (with found nature objects), make a quill pen, turn grape vines into charcoal and crayons. Bind a sketchbook with plant paper to draw in with your new tools!
Session 3:
Color from Nature: Ink and Paint Making
Learn about and identify plants that offer pigments, like sumac, black walnut, alder cones, sweet woodruff, avocados, iris, and many more. Harvest and process plants to make color. Learn different techniques for extracting color from plants. Experiment with ink and paint recipes.
Bring back your sculptural art from session one to add color to your project!
Sessions can be taken individually or together. Taking the sessions together will offer a cumulative experience. Each session is designed to be independent of the others while adding on to the previous session (i.e. paper made in session 1 can be bound into a sketchbook in session 2.) Those who attend the sessions independently of the previous session will still be able to participate in all activities.
Our time together will begin with an opening circle, song, and gratitude at 9 am. We will enjoy a game (drawing or physical, sometimes both). We will wander and gather. We will spend focused time learning skills and completing projects. We will take breaks, play, share stories, and spend time with the land and each other. Each day will blend the focus and attention required to complete projects with the unhurried, rhythmic pace of nature and our own natural cycles. We will close our time together with gratitude at 3pm. Participants should have a strong interest in making art supplies from scratch and the willingness to be involved in each step of the process. No experience or skill is required. (Ages 8 and up).
Maximum # of participants: 12 per session
Location: Private residence Spring Harbor Neighborhood off University Ave near The Original Pancake House
Price for all sessions : $445-655 for all 6 days
To get this special price please register for all individual sessions and reach out to us at [email protected]
Individual sessions: $155-255
* Prices include materials fee
Registration open!
Mentors:
Kati Fernandez Lambert (she/her/hers) is the founder and owner of Coyote Fire Arts (Nature+Art Outdoor Studio). She is a children’s illustrator and artist with a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has a background in Nature Connection mentoring, outdoor and after-school enrichment programming for young people, as well as a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Kati will interrupt a conversation to acknowledge a bird and can recognize beloved plants from a car driving at 55 miles an hour, sometimes 60. If she’s not painting or drinking coffee, she’s tracking animals at the pond behind her home. Find out more about her work at www.coyotefirearts.com.
Colleen Larsen (she/her/hers), feels most alive in spaces where learning, creativity, and nature collide. She has worked at schools and camps around the world and is especially grateful to be a part of the Wild Harvest community. Colleen has a PhD in Education and has experimented with making art from nature since she was a child. Colleen can't wait to nurture authentic connections to self, others, and the natural world through singing songs, exploring questions, playing games, and creating nature art.
