(by Claire Adams)

While school may have been out of session for April vacation, there was still plenty of fun, learning, and exploring happening during the Signs of Spring Camp at both the McLane and Massabesic Centers. We were blessed with warm, sunny weather almost every day that week and therefore spent as much time outdoors as possible. The NH Audubon Education team and the campers spent their days learning about the changes spring brings to nature through games, ambassador animal encounters, hikes, crafts, and more.

Here are some of daily highlights that happened during Signs of Spring Camp this April: Monday started off with an introduction to phenology, or the study of seasonal changes in nature. We also spent that afternoon learning about plants and trees, specifically about why they are important for our planet as photosynthesizers and providers of food and habitat. On Tuesday, we delved into the world of insects and invertebrates, doing such activities as ponding, pollinator games, and exploring for decomposers. Wednesday had us exploring our vernal pools and forests for reptiles, amphibians, and birds, focusing on their springtime adaptations. We also put out a trail camera in the woods to try and capture some additional wildlife sightings. Thursday brought the day the campers were really looking forward to: a long hike (almost 4 hours at Massabesic!) on the wildlife sanctuary trails! After getting our backpacks prepped and water bottles filled, we hit the trail to be immersed in nature while learning about the importance of leaving no trace. The McLane campers made their way down to Turkey Pond while the Massabesic Campers hiked all the way to Battery Point, about a 4-mile trip total. And to wrap things up on Friday, we played some games that utilized our senses while retrieving the trail cameras to see what may have come across their view over two days. As we scoured the trail camera images for signs of wildlife, we shared our “wow” moments from the week during final closing circle.

Overall, April Vacation Camp was filled with hours of outdoor play and exploration, soaking in the sun and warm weather (and always keeping an eye out for ticks!). This week had me looking towards summer when even more campers will get to experience the wonders of Nature Day Camp.

Speaking of summer, many groups and sessions are filling up quickly. Almost all the Discovery Sessions (6-9 year-olds) are full at the McLane Center with the waitlist getting quite long. There are few spots left during our early sessions at the Massabesic Center for Discovery Campers, but the last two sessions already have waitlists. As for our Wonders (4 years, 8 months and 5 year-olds) and Conservation Quest (10-14 year-olds) campers, there are plenty of spots left! If you want to give your young one their first half-day camp experience or have older campers looking for an exciting, project-based camp, please register soon. Please check out the Nature Day Camp webpage for an updated list of sold-out and wait-listed sessions. If you have questions regarding the registration process or would like to apply for financial assistance, please contact Claire Adams, Camp Administrator, at cadams@nhaudubon.org or (603) 224-9909 ext. 404. We hope to see you this summer!