Adventure Camp 2023
Adventure Camp 2023
In a world dominated by screens, more than 50 enthusiastic grade 3-5 GATE students of the Escondido Union School District embarked on a transformative journey during the Conservancy’s third Adventure Camp. These summer campers had an incredible time exploring the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, getting up close to amazing animals, creating nature crafts, playing games and so much more. With one week of programming provided by the Conservancy and another week of fun provided by the Nature Collective, this summer experience was one our campers will never forget!
“I don’t want to go home because I want to be here all week,” said one Adventure Camp summer camper. “Too bad it is only five days long. I wish it lasted 1,000 days,” said another.
Through hands-on activities and engaging lessons, campers developed critical life skills, such as problem-solving, effective communication, and collaboration. Campers hiked, crafted, and became scientists in nature and explored several themes like Discovery and Exploration, Plants and Pollinators, Animal Adaptations, Watershed Wonders, and Pollution and the Solution at the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve.
“We got to explore the Elfin Forest, and I don’t get to go out in nature very often,” said campers when asked what they loved about Adventure Camp.
(Left) Campers learn about local nature during a hike in the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve.(Right) Campers observe aquatic insect larvae collected from Escondido Creek to learn what these larvae can tell us about the creek’s water quality.
Every day, special guest speakers visited camp and introduced new topics to our campers. We welcomed incredible speakers like William Burkhardt (Bill the Bug Guy), Sheryl of Sky Hunters Raptor Rehabilitation, and even the San Diego Herpetological Society!
All along the way, we nurtured our camper’s curiosity through interactive experiments. Campers tested the water quality of the Escondido Creek, mixed natural ingredients to make seed balls, and utilized a watershed model to observe the impacts of trash in local watersheds to demonstrate the large-scale effects of pollution on the environment.
(Left) Campers get up-close to local wildlife at in the Interpretive Center at the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. (Right) Campers create seed balls by mixing natural ingredients together.
As Adventure Camp 2023 drew to a close, the impact on these young minds was undeniable. They returned home with new friendships, cherished memories, and a newfound passion for the outdoors. Be on the lookout during Spring 2024 to register your child for a week of fun at the Elfin Forest with us next summer!
