2015 Nature Day Camp for Children -- June 7-12

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The annual Nature Day Camp for Children, sponsored by PMLF and made possible by the Linda P. Cicero Children's Fund, was held for eight consecutive years (2008-2015) during early June.

The mission of Nature Camp was to connect children with the out-of-doors through nature-based, eco-friendly experiences that build self-confidence and encourage the children to respect the natural environment.

The camp has been discontinued but the great memories of the Turtle, Four Winds, Badger, and Eagle Tribes remain.

Registration

Registration will be Wednesday, April 22, 2015 (Earth Day!) at PML.
  • Former campers will register from 4:00-5:00.
  • New Campers will register from 4:30-5:00.

  • Registration Forms and the informational brochure will be sent home with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at MES in early April or can be picked up at Parnell Memorial Library.
  • The first 24 children to qualify and complete registration will be able to attend. We keep a waiting-list in case a child drops out or cannot attend.

To qualify to register and attend camp, a child must:
  1. Finish the 3rd, 4th or 5th grades
  2. Attend the June 7, Sunday meeting with parent/guardian
  3. Register in person with parent or guardian
  4. Be willing and able to participate in all activities including outdoors in hot summer conditions
  5. Bring backpack with all required supplies
  6. Attend all week, be on time, stay all day and participate in the closing ceremony Friday afternoon.

Core Themes

Our program is based upon:
  • Native American culture, care of the land, communication, symbolism
  • Outdoor ethics:  LNT (Leave No Trace and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
  • Nature awareness
  • Everything is connected
  • Emphasis on outdoor safety
  • Sharing nature and outdoor places with others including wildlife

Learn More!

Learn more about our core themes here. Great information for everyone.

Activities

The program for 2015 will include:
  • Exploring Orr Park and Shoal Creek
  • Native American games, designs, and symbols
  • Gardening
  • Arts
  • Crafts
  • Music
  • Games
  • Storytelling
  • Drawing pictographs
  • Habitat study and exploration
  • Birding
  • Camping skills
  • Weather signs
  • Kite flying
  • Outdoor skills and safety
  • In an effort to contribute to more bird nesting sites throughout the community, campers will build their own bluebird box for their family backyard.  
  • Each tribe will place a box around the library garden.
  • We also will be focusing on the recommendations of the National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat certification program.  
  • The PML Learning Enrichment Garden will be utilized as an example and we will celebrate achieving this certification following our parent-camper orientation meeting on Sunday, June 7.  
  • There will be a brief introduction to the garden and families will be invited for a tour.
  • In addition, our proposed special program for the parent-camper meeting will be guests who will share information on gardening opportunities in Montevallo, outdoor camps and other nearby outdoor places to explore.
Children completing the whole week will receive such items as a year subscription to the National Wildlife Federation RANGER RICK magazine, bandana, hiking stick, crafts, paddle, tote bag, hiking emergency kit, books and kite.
For more information contact Linda Cicero, Coordinator @ 665-1862 or Sheila Jett, Director @682-6419.