Nature Day Camp Summer 09

After returning from a complete outdoors school, it was time to return to my summer job, running children's summer day camps. My boss had heard about my trip and knew I would be perfect for the new program he had just gotten approved, The City of Dublin's Glen the Guide Nature Day Camp. I met my new co-worker Christine. It would be her and I running an 8 hour day camp with children and partnering with East Bay Regional Parks district coordinating on and off site field trips. Christine and I were given complete freedom to create and design this program from the floor up. We were able to purchase and order any and all supplies we could imagine.
We created a day to day break down with weekly themes and daily crafts and games, all nature based. Christine was the logistics and I was the creativity. Together we made the "power couple". We instantly bonded because of our passion for the outdoors and our love and devotion to children. We complemented each other in every way. Where I was disorganized she was structured, where I was creative and spontaneous she had plans.
We were an amazing team, that created an amazing program which generated a lot of buzz.  The summer was unforgettable. Parents were raving about how wonderful our camp was. Unfortunately it was still new so many a few weeks were cancelled due to low enrollment. However this allowed for Christine and I to go on a few backpacking trips of our own (But that will be another post).
Our main focus of the camp was Leave No Trace, Trail Dangers/ Safety tips for traveling in the wilderness and inter/intra personal relationship growth. The following summer of 2010 was just as epic. Christine was only able to be there for the planning of the summer (thank heavens I at least had her for that) and then it was me, with the staff we had chosen. That next summer was great but it wasn't the same without Christine. I had wonderful help, but no one could replace her.
At first I felt alone in the process, always trying to come up with activities unique to the topic and to the day. Luckily my JLP (Junior Leader) Josh who had been there last year really began to fill Christine's shoes. He was now my other creative half, coming up with activities and crafts that carried intrinsic value. I was so proud of him and so excited to see what else he would come up with. Both summers were very successful. So successful in fact I was asked to speak at a CPRS district 3 fall institute conference. I was not fully prepared to the extent of my speech, but when I was up infront of about 100+ people speaking on behalf of Nature Day Camp, I couldn't help but glow with excitement. We were the first City program to partner with East Bay Regional Parks district, and were very successful two years in a row. People had questions, wanted guidelines for their camps. It was a wonderful experience to answer those questions. I LOVE NATURE DAY CAMP!
I also created a website for the parents to get updates and see pictures of their children throughout the weeks... heres the link where you can find more pictures and information on the camp http://www.naturedaycamp.webs.com/