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Winter Camps

The ENC’s Winter Nature Camps are now enrolling! This year we are offering camps at BOTH of our locations, the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach and at the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary in Modjeska Canyon.

The ENC has offered Nature Camps since 1977! Nature Camp provides nature play and quality science education in an outdoor, hands-on setting.  ENC Nature Camp emphasizes experiential learning. Campers spend their time outside, having a great time observing nature up close using tools like binoculars, magnifying lenses and microscopes. Science concepts are introduced in a fun environment, with crafts, games and hands-on activities.

Winter Nature Camp will provide a learning experience while also giving campers the opportunity to get outside for fresh air, physical activity, and a chance to hang out socially with their peers. Campers will spend time at the ENC with friends and mentors for hands-on learning, creative enrichment and expression, a chance to explore and connect with Nature.

Little Naturalist Camp

Offered at the Environmental Nature Center for kids age 4. Children must be potty-trained (know when they have to go, handle their own clothing, wipe with some accuracy, rarely if ever have accidents, and no longer wear a diaper).

Week 1 is December 26-29

Week 2 is January 2-5

Little Naturalist fee: $292

Registration will open on OCTOBER 27th at 1pm

Nature Adventure Camp

Offered at the Environmental Nature Center AND ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary for kids age 5 – 8.

 

Week 1 is December 26-29

Week 2 is January 2-5

Nature Adventure Fee: $252

Registration will open on OCTOBER 27th at 1pm

ENC members can use their discount code to receive a 10% discount. Contact us if you do not know the code.

What time is Camp?

Camp is 4 hours long.  Winter camp begins at 9am and ends at 1pm.  There are a limited number of After Camp spots.  After Camp goes til 3pm.


What about COVID?

The ENC will adhere to health and safety standards based on the most up-to-date and scientific information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the OC Health Care Agency. Read our modified Camp COVID-19 Policies HERE prior to registering.


Read the Nature Camp Newsletter prior to your first day of camp!

If you like, you can read the Camp Orientation with lots of great info that Campers hear on their first day of Nature Camp.

Questions?  Call 949-645-8489 ext. 102


Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

How many campers are in each group?  Enrollment in Little Naturalist Camp is limited to small classes of up to 8 campers per teacher with a high school assistant. Enrollment in Nature Adventure Camp is limited to small classes of up to 10 campers per teacher with a high school assistant.

My children are a few years apart, can they be in the same group? No. Our Campers are divided into groups by grade level. Curricula and activities are designed for these different age groups, which are developmentally distinct from each other.

What is the registration deadline? Registration closes at noon on the Friday before each camp, but frequently camps fill long before that. An additional fee ($60 per camper) applies for late registration (less than 96 hours before the first day of a camp session). Please realize that Camp Staff does not work between 5PM on Friday and 8AM on Monday, so contacting us about late registration over the weekend may not guarantee a spot in camp for your child.

Who are the Camp Teachers?  Our Nature Camp Teachers are Naturalists who teach here throughout the school year. All of our educators are exceptionally qualified in elementary science education and represent a wide range of expertise in the Orange County educational community. See our staff bios HERE.

What will the kids be doing? Campers explore the Center, interact with our Animal Ambassadors, play educational nature themed games, create nature themed arts and crafts, do science experiments and so, so much more. Each week has different activities, so feel free to sign up for more than one session!

If you do not see your questions answered on this page, feel free to call us at 949-645-8489 or email the Camp Director!

What is your refund policy?
  • Refund requests made 2 weeks or more prior to the start date of camp are subject to $50.00 fee per session of camp.
  • Less than 2 weeks notice, no refund requests will be processed.
  • Absent Campers: There are no refunds, make up days or credits for days missed for any reason (including sickness/illness). The ENC depends on income from camps for the continued operations of the Center.
  • All session changes will incur a $25.00 fee.
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