Ferry Beach Ecology School (FBES) was recently awarded a $7,500 grant from the Horizon Foundation to offer summer camps in June and July for area children. The funding means the camps are now more affordable for local families looking for fun, outdoor learning for their children.
“We’re thrilled to get the Horizon Foundation grant and be able to offer Nature Camps at a reduced rate,” said FBES Executive Director Drew Dumsch. “Hopefully it will mean families who hadn’t considered a week of nature camp will now be better able to afford it,” he added.
FBES operates Ecology Education programs during the non-summer months for schools around New England for in-depth study of local ecosystems. The summer day camps are the first opportunity FBES has had to offer programs to the public.
“For years, we’ve had parents inquiring about our programs,” said Dumsch. “It’s very exciting for us to finally be moving in that direction and reach out to individuals who want to engage in ecology education and outdoor activities with their kids.”
FBES will offer three weeks of Garden Nature Day Camps for a variety of ages: The session for 1st and 2nd graders will be held June 30 – July 3rd; a session for 3rd and 4th graders will be held July 7-11; and a session for 5th and 6th graders will be held July 14-18th. Each session goes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the cost is only $88 per camper. The Garden Day Campers will discover the secrets of the garden ecosystem and learn about compost, vermicomposting worms, work in a greenhouse, harvest fruits and vegetables and prepare and eat delicious snacks from the garden. Campers will also create garden arts and crafts projects and take afternoon walks to explore the local forest, beach, salt marsh, and freshwater ecosystems around the Ferry Beach campus.
Parents interested in learning alongside their children can join up for a Parent & Child Ecology Day Camp planned for four sessions for children in kindergarten through grade 6. The session will be held from 10 a.m. from 2 p.m. in the Saco Bay area Jun 30 – July 3rd; July 7-11th; July 14-18; and July 21-25 at a cost of $125 for each parent & child team. Each day of the camp week the parent and child teams will take on a new adventure. Adventures include becoming Nature Detectives, Junior Ecologists, exploring the nearby Tupelo Swamp, visiting the Tide Pools and also the Organic Garden.
Complete details of the Garden Nature Camp and Parent & Child Day Camp can be found on the FBES web site at www.fbes.org or by calling 207-283-9951.
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