Be a Jr. Naturalist at Summer Camp!
"Children are born naturalists. They explore the world with all of their senses, experiment in the environment, and communicate their discoveries to those around them." - The Audubon Nature Preschool
ShareThis! Volunteering at Placer Nature Center can help you as much as your time and effort helps Placer Nature Center and the children you help. Besides helping young children develop their spirts, their imagination and curiosity, being a Jr. Naturialist and Camp Counselor...or as a Volunteer working on any of the other projects at Placer Nature Center...you can earn a letter of recommendation from Placer Nature Center to include in your college application or for a job reference. Here are the other projects you can help with.
As a Jr. Naturalist you will guide campers through nature investigations,nature walks, games, crafts, lead songs and puppet shows for the children. You'll have fun sharing and learning about our natural environment. Each Footsteps to Summer Fun nature day camp runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m, Monday through Friday.
As a Jr. Naturalist you can choose to help at one week of camp or come back for several! Jr. Naturalists must be 13 years or older to participate.
Prior to being a Jr. Naturalist, a 2-day training workshop is required, scheduled from 9:00 to 12 noon on June 8th and June 9th*. At this workshop, you will become familiar with the camp activities, the nature trail, and your role as a Jr. Naturalist and camp counselor.
“Children have a natural affinity towards nature. Dirt, water, plants, and small animals attract and hold children’s attention for hours, days, even a lifetime.”
- Robin C. Moore and Herb H Wong
Jr. Naturalist volunteers who complete our training help lead children 6-12 years old through thematic environmental education programs.
As a Jr. Naturalist and camp counselor, your guidance provides young children with important role models, people to whom they can look up to and relate. Your will also be strengthening your leadership skills.
Placer Nature Center Jr. Naturalists link local children to their environment and cultivate in them a delight of discovery and curiosity, and a growing imagination!
* If you can not attend the training due to school or family vacation conflicts, please contact us for a potential alterative training. Fill out the registration form and mark the box indicating you will not be able to attend.
2010 Summer Camp Schedule
| June 8 & 9 | 9am - 12pm | ORIENTATION/TRAINING at Placer Nature Center |
| June 14 -18 | 9am - 1pm | Curriculum: FLUTTERBYS; Ages 6 - 12 |
| June 21-25 | 9am - 1pm | Curriculum: GEOLOGY ROCKS; Ages 6 - 12 |
| June 28-July 2 | 9am - 1pm | Curriculum: HOWLERS; Ages 6 - 12 |
| July 12-16* | 9am - 1pm | Curriculum:SUNLIGHT, STARLIGHT & ORBS; Ages 8-12 |
| July 19-23 | 9am - 1pm | Curriculum: WATER WIZARDS; AGES 6 - 12 |
| July 23 | 9:30am -12pm | SPECIAL ROCK CLIMBING DAY; All campers & Jr. Naturalists welcome! |
| August 2-6 | 9am - 1pm | Curriculum: GROWING PEACE; Ages K - 6th Grade* I*If you are interested in helping at Peace Camp, please contact Lesyle at SFUU: sfuudreleslye@gmail.com |
Registration
Please download the Jr. Naturalist Volunteer Registration and Medical Release Form here..
- All information on the form is required.
- Please also make sure and check off whether you can attend the special rock wall climbing day on Friday, July 23rd from 9:30AM-12 Noon. All camp participants and Jr. Naturalists are invited!
- Return the form by mail or fax.
- Fax to: 1-888-433-3428
- Or mail to:
Placer Nature Center-Summer Camp
3700 Christian Valley Road
Auburn, CA 95602
- When registering for Peace Camp, use the registration form found at SFUU.org
For each day of camp, make sure you:
* are dressed appropriately for being outside - clothes that can get dirty and comfortable, closed-toe shoes for light hiking and chasing the kids!
* have a reusable, durable water bottle.
* have a sack lunch. If you are interested read about how to make a Zero-waste lunch on our kid's page! Making a Zero-Waste lunch is a fun way to start making healthy food choices and learn about smarter ways to use resources!
* Please make sure to speak with Linda Desai, the Education Director, about any medications you might need for allergies, etc. or any other special needs.
Download a PDF the Information Flyer here.
Last year’s teens contributed over 2000 volunteer hours in our most successful summer camp ever!
For descriptions on each of the summer camp sessions, please visit the Summer Camp page here...
“Looking at life through the eyes of a Daddy long legs: Imagine walking on legs so long you could cover a mile in fifty strides! Imagine looking to either side through eyes set not in your head but in a... hump in your back! Imagine your knees, when you walked, working a dozen feet or more above your head.”
- Edwin Way TealeThe education we provide at Placer Nature Center focuses on using the environment to engage students in learning science through: awareness and sensitivity to the total environment and its problems; experience in and understanding of the environment; establishing a sense of connection between and to the immediate environment and the student so that they understand that the nature of our lives and our environment are inseparable.