|
How do I register for Nature Day
Camp?
Registration can be done by mail (400 S. Badour Road,
Midland, MI 48640), in person (at the Visitor Center
Trailer), by fax (989-631-7070) or over the phone
(989-631-0830). Registration for 2010 begins Tuesday, April
6, 2010 at 8 am. Please be sure you have all of your
information available when you call. Payment is expected at
the time of registration. Registration forms are available
in the printed brochure or online at
www.chippewanaturecenter.org/kidventures.
My child has special needs; can
s/he attend Nature Day Camp?
We are able to accommodate some children with some
special needs. Our ability to accommodate children depends
on their needs, our staff availability, and the program the
child is interested in attending. We strive to give each
child an excellent outdoor experience, so please contact
Jenn Kirts, Day Camp Director, prior to registering to
discuss the needs of your child. She will be happy to work
with you to determine if the Nature Day Camp staff can
provide a quality experience for your child.
 Our
grandchildren would like to attend camp and we are members.
Can we pay the member rate for their registrations?
In order for children to receive the member rate for
Nature Day Camp registration either the child must have an
individual membership in their own name, or a family
membership must be held by the household in which they
reside. So, if your grandchildren live with you and you have
a family membership, then you may register them at the
member rate. If your grandchildren do not live with you,
then your Senior Family membership does not cover their day
camp registration, but you may purchase an individual or
family membership for them.
My child would like to attend with a
friend, is there a way to ensure they will be together?
If your child would like to attend with a friend, they
must register for the same session. At registration or on
their health form, they should request being in the same
group as their friend. Requests must be mutual in order to
be honored.
What training do the counselors have?
All Nature Day Camp counselors participate in a
week-long training at Chippewa Nature Center prior to the
start of camp. Over the course of the summer, counselors are
mentored, advised, and trained by the Program Coordinator
and Camp Director on a regular basis. All counselors have
graduated high school and some have completed their
undergraduate degrees. All staff are certified in First Aid
and CPR through the American Red Cross. Many of our staff
have grown up attending Nature Day Camp and others come to
us from area colleges and universities and where they are
majoring in education, outdoor recreation, biology or
wildlife.
Who attends overnights with the
campers?
Either the Day Camp Director, Jenn Kirts, or Program
Coordinator, Steve Frisbee attend Day Camp overnights along
with the campers’ counselor and often a junior counselor.
Adventure trips are supervised by two Adventure Trip Leaders
who are certified in First Aid and CPR and one of them is a
certified Wilderness First Responder. We do not permit
parents to attend overnight camps. If you have specific
concerns about a campout, please feel free to talk to Jenn
or Steve.
How do I contact the Camp Director?
Jenn Kirts, Day Camp Director, can be reached the
following ways:
By
phone –
Mid-August
through May call the Visitor Center at 989-631-0830
June through mid-August call the Nature Study Building at
989-835-9661
By
e-mail –
jkirts@chippewanaturecenter.org
During day
camp, e-mail is only checked once a day; during the rest of
the year, e-mail is checked regularly.
By
mail –
Chippewa Nature
Center
Attn: Jenn Kirts
400 S. Badour Road
Midland, MI 48640
In
person –
Jenn is present
at drop off and pick up from Nature Day Camp daily. Any
staff member will be happy to point her out. During the off
season, you can stop by the Visitor Center and they will see
if she is available or you can call to make an appointment.
Are scholarships available for
Nature Day Camp?
Our scholarships are administered through the schools in
Midland County. Each school is offered a scholarship for a
specific session of camp and school staff select a student
based on need and other criteria. We offer over 60
scholarships each year, allowing many children who would not
otherwise be able to attend camp to enjoy the experience.
Scholarships are funded through donations to the Dorothy Dow
Arbury Educational Fund here at the Chippewa Nature Center.
At this time we are not able to offer scholarships outside
of those offered through the schools.
back to top |
