Inside the Outdoors is a awesome hands-on environmental education program that's mission is to empower kids and adults in the community to explore natural areas and expand their knowledge. the curriculum created for the Inside the Outdoors programs is aligned with California Science and Social Science standards and allows participants to experience real-life nature experiences. last year, the kids and i were invited to visit one of the Inside the Outdoors Summer Day Camps and had a blast! so i wanted to tell you a little bit about it. (Make sure to read to the end for a free camp giveaway!)
Inside the Outdoors offers lots of different nature programs to the community – from field trips to day camp to community events. they make nature fun and exciting to learn and experience. the summer day camps are especially fun. my kids didn't want to leave! and if we lived a bit closer, we would be going to every session. the summer camps take place weekly at either Rancho Soñado, Shipley's Nature Center, or Irvine Park. each week has a different theme, so your kids could go to every session and still have a great time.
my little campers attended the Inside the Outdoors Summer Camp at Shipley's Nature Center. it took place in both the park and inside the nature center...it was a day full of fun!
we started out our day crafting...making name tags on slices of tree logs. we got to pick our camp name which was a lot of fun. each of the camp counselors had a fun nickname, which the kids loved to call them by. and i especially loved to see how much the kids admired and loved their camp counselors.
then we got to tie dye shirts. we learned the different methods to get the different patterns, and also colors. the counselors were very patient with Vann. he was really shy and also nervous to do the tie dying. by the end, he was having a blast.
next up we did crafts and then had lunch.
at lunch, they have a contest each day to see which group brought the lunches with the least garbage. the kids recycled all their trash and weighed the non-recyclable items to find out who had the least garbage. it was a great learning lesson.
then it was game time. the counselors played all sorts of fun games in the park with the kids. it was great to see the kids having so much fun out in nature, and they got all sorts of exercise and fresh air.
finally, to end the day, we went on a nature walk through Shipley's Nature Center. it's really beautiful and you can see all sorts of wildlife. there is also a creek, and different trails to explore. and there is a nature center with interpretive activities and information on the creatures you will spot in the nature center.
it was pretty amazing to look up and see so many egret nests in the trees. these are the kind of experiences i want my kids to enjoy!
the Inside the Outdoors summer day camps are great for kids who want to enjoy the outdoors and be with other kids their own ages. the counselors are great and plan fun activities for the kids. there is no time for the kids to get bored or to play electronics! also, if a high schooler wants to get service hours for school, they can volunteer to be a Jr. Naturalist, and help out at one of the camps.
it was such a fun day for the kids. we met so many nice people and learn lots about nature...one of the things i love most about living in Orange County. hopefully, i can enroll the boys in one of the weekly camps this summer. they are priced competitively too. and if you need extended care, they also offer that.
Inside the Outdoors Summer Camp Giveaway!
two people have the chance to win a 1 week campership to Inside the Outdoors summer camp!!! just enter via Rafflecopter below or on Facebook. contest ends June 6, 2018 at midnight. winner will be chosen randomly and must be 18 years or older and a resident of the United States. Good luck!!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
{Disclosure: We were invited guests of Inside the Outdoors. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.}
Erika
We love their field trips! I would love for one of my boys to attend summer camp!❤️
April J
This sounds like a lot of fun!
Tim G
The arts and crafts would be fun!
Amber
My girls would love this! Outdoor fun!
Tracy
We've never done a summer camp, but love Inside The Outdoors activities. This sounds amazing!
Jill
This looks like so much fun!
Chrissy McClintock
So fun!!!
Victoria F.
It surely looks like my son would love this. Exploring and learning while having fun is what it's all about!
Victoria F.
This looks like my son would love this. Exploring and learning while having fun is what it's all about!
Lisa
I always loved the songs and games!
Mihaela
Looks fun.
carey
We love keeping busy during summer camps and having fun! This looks super fun and it's so close to my house. Thanks for the opportunity!
Irene
Love that this camp is a good mix of learning and fun games!