What could be better than spending all day exploring the coolest parts of KNC? Summer is just around the corner, and there is a Camp for you! Learn about the different themes and sessions each week from Wild Child Day Camp, Wild Child Campout, and Wild Child Farm Camp for Grades 4-5, a Neurodiversity Naturalists Camp for Ages 7-9 and a Neurodiversity Adventure Camp for ages 10-12.
Have the best summer ever at KNC Camp!
What could be better than spending all day exploring the coolest parts of KNC? Check out trails and the awesome places they lead us to. Meet new friends and superb counselors while living out your favorite adventures. Explore the Delano Homestead side of KNC’s property, practice important outdoor skills, create art and have a blast with water fun! The themes below describe additional activities we will add during that session of camp. Come prepared to play!
“WILD CHILD DAY CAMP” RUNS 9 AM–3 PM, MONDAY–FRIDAY
$265 MEMBER, $305 NON-MEMBER PER SESSION
Session Themes:
Session 1: June 12-16| Survivor
What does it take to survive in the wild? We’ll explore the great outdoors old school style. Learn to use a compass and GPS on the trails of KNC. Be the first to make it to the prize by navigating your way forward. Create your map, hike your way to Source Pond. Complete daily challenges to see who will be the Ultimate Survivor!
Session 3: June 26-30| Tree Foragers
Let’s search high and low for resources we can use from trees in everyday life. Build habitats for animals using gifts that trees have given us on the ground, use yarn to dress the trees in fancy clothes, and relax in a hammock. Test your fire building skills and thank the trees for their generosity.
Session 5: July 17-21 | Dino World
Travel back to the times of ancient dinosaurs and discover which one like most. Go on a fossil hunt in the Gravel Pit, create your own dinosaur track, and examine with Western Michigan University’s Geological and Enironmental Sciences. Get your hands dirty and dig up the secrets of the past.
Session 7: July 31- August 4 | Flock Together
Come discover all the birds that KNC grounds house. Use binoculars to search high in the trees for nest and friends that are flying. Learn about the hard work it takes for birds to build nests and try your hand at building your own.
Can’t get enough of camp? Stay with us overnight! Use your Wild Child skills during the day, and work up to a campout on Thursday! We’ll set up tents, cook over fires, and take a night hike – a KNC specialty! It’s a great time with counselors and KNC friends. Pack your bags, it’s time to camp! The themes below describe additional activities we will add during that session of camp. Come prepared to play!
“WILD CHILD CAMPOUT” RUNS 9 AM–3 PM*, MONDAY–FRIDAY. *OVERNIGHT CAMPOUT IS 9 AM THURSDAY – NOON FRIDAY. TENTS AND 3 MEALS ARE PROVIDED. TENTS ARE NOT SHARED. Please bring your own if you prefer. $315 MEMBER, $355 NON-MEMBER
Session Themes:
Session 2: June 19-23 | Art is Life
Let inspiration flow from the world around you. Become a photographer and take pictures of your favorite places at camp, or make them come to life with your paintbrush. Let’s see how colorful you can make the world around you. Get inspired by art in Glen Vista Gallery and let your creativity fly at in the Butterfly Garden as you draw what you see.
Session 4: July 10-14 | Solar Power
Days are hot and bright so let’s put it to good use. Learn about Solar Power energy. Use the sun to make images on paper. Become a scientist and do experiments using the sun’s light and heat. Get closer to the sun with a hike to Raptor Ridge, cool off by getting wet on the big Slip N Slide, and rest under the trees at night.
Session 6: July 24-28 | Insect Impossible
I spy with my little eye, insects! Play games that mimic bugs’ super skills and go on a mission to find their “hideouts.” Get up close with live bugs and learn why insects would make the best secret agents on Earth. Create a bug hotel and test your skills by completing insect challenges. Are you bug enough?
Session 8: August 7-11 | H20 Overflow
Make waves! It’s time to stir up some fun during water week. Check out our streams, rivers and ponds then play water games and make water art. Go fishing at Source Pond and count how many snapping turtles you can find!
A farm is a great place to experience nature while exploring and playing outdoors. Do you know what it takes to be a farmer? We’ll dig in to all the facets involved in soil making, seeding, planting, tending, harvesting, and giving back to the land that provides our food. Each session will highlight the changes the farm goes through during the growing season. Plus, there will be plenty of time for all the activities you’ve grown to love at camp, like a hike to Source Pond, hammocking with friends, and team-building activities. The themes below describe additional activities we will add during that session of camp. We hope you come have fun with us!
“WILD CHILD FARM CAMP” RUNS 9 AM–3 PM, MONDAY–FRIDAY $315 MEMBER, $355 NON-MEMBER
Session 4: July 10-14 | Fungus Among Us and Plants That Talk
Send your fun-sters to the farm to learn all about fungus among us and plants that talk. Dig in to soil making, seeding, planting, tending, harvesting, and giving back to the land. Grow your own harvest to make a meal.
New! Each day will be filled with wonder, each day an exploration. This camp is aimed at supporting the needs of our campers with unique learning needs. Hunt for water creatures. Find, draw, and identify insects and the plants they depend on to survive, dig into the underground for the grubs, slugs, and other soil loving critters. Campers will have fun with sensory friendly play, nature art, hands on activities, and learning different aspects of our environment and how it works together. Counselors will work with registered participants to choose themes for this week, starting with these initial ideas. Note: This camp will be led by a staff with experience, supported by a teacher with a special education certification. Ratios will be 1 adult for every 3 children. All youth are welcome to register for every camp program we offer. We welcome questions if you are wondering if this is a fit for you. *If your child needs a small crowd, please join the alternative Open House time Saturday, June 10th 9-10am.
“NEURODIVERSE NATURALISTS CAMP” RUNS 10 AM–1 PM, MONDAY–FRIDAY | SNACK INCLUDED Please bring lunch if a snack will not be enough for your child.
$225 MEMBER, $265 NON-MEMBER
Session 4: July 10-14 | Uniquely You Each day will be a follow the same schedule but have different activities based on the camper’s interest that register for the week.
New! Explore nature through your own lens. This camp is aimed at supporting the needs of our campers with unique learning needs. Learn to navigate through the wilderness with compass and mapping skills, read history in the rocks, explore the solar system and learn why we have seasons. Counselors will work with the registered participants to choose themes for this week, starting with these initial ideas. Note: This camp will be led by experienced, trained staff, supported by a teacher with a special education certification. Ratios will be 1 adult for every 3 children. All youth are welcome to register for every camp program we offer. We welcome questions if you are wondering if this is a fit for you. *If your child needs a small crowd, please join the alternative Open House time, Saturday, June 10, 9-10am.
“NEURODIVERSITY ADVENTURE CAMP” RUNS 10 AM–1 PM, MONDAY–FRIDAY | SNACK INCLUDED Please bring lunch if a snack will not be enough for your child.
$225 MEMBER, $265 NON-MEMBER
Session 7: July 31- August 4| Uniquely You Each day will follow the same schedule but have different activities based on the camper’s interest that register for the week.
