Eco-Friends Summer Camp at the River institute

Eco-Friends Summer Campers are Wild for Wildlife and Stoked for Science at Cooper Marsh this Summer (credit: River Institute)

The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences in Cornwall, Ontario is kicking off yet another season of its eagerly awaited summer youth camp series with Eco-Friends Summer Camp at Cooper Marsh Conservation Area in South Lancaster and the Jr. Scientist Camp in Cornwall at the River Institute.

Eco-Friends Day Camp provides children ages 6 to 11 with an opportunity to learn about science and the natural environment in the active setting of Cooper Marsh.  The week-long sessions begin June 29th and run through until
August 14th. Eco-Friends is often a stepping stone to the Jr. Scientist Camp that has been designed for 12 to 14 year olds who want to delve deeper into science by working with River Institute scientists on actual St. Lawrence River research projects. Junior Scientists participate in turtle surveys, fish sampling and analysis, insect and plant identification, and more. Over the years, many of these young researchers have gone on to pursue a career in the sciences.

Eco-Friends Summer Camp programmer Annie St. Marseille and the enthusiastic team of camp leaders design the week long sessions to engage young campers in a world of nature and science discovery.  "Each week we have a theme. Depending on the day, nature hikes, frog catching, turtle tracking, games, creating nature crafts, or executing scientific experiments are on the agenda", says Cristina Charette, newly appointed River Institute Education Coordinator." She adds, "It is exciting because our camps and education programs are growing a healthy curiosity for the world around us."

There is currently a waiting list for Jr. Scientist sessions but Eco-Friends is open for registration. Participants in the Eco-Friends Day Camp can register for one or more of the following seven exciting week-long themed
sessions at Cooper Marsh:

Week 1          June 29 - July 3: Man vs. Wild

No food? No shelter? No Water? No Tools? No problem! Campers learn all about how they can navigate using the land and sky, find water, and the basics of how one can survive in the wilderness.

Week 2          July 6 - 10: Arts in the Marsh

Campers are encourages to grab a paintbrush, snap some pictures, put on their dancing shoes and get creative while listening to the music of the Marsh. The natural world of animals and plants is explored through art, song, music, and dance.

Week 3          July 13 - 17: Mad Scientist

Future chemists, biologists, and ecologists will have an opportunity to be a scientist for a wild week of experiments and scientific discovery. Microscopes included.

Week 4          July 20 - 24: Animal Mania

There are millions of species of animals (and plants) on the planet and many thousands right in our own back yard. From organisms lurking in the mud to birds in the trees, campers will learn to spot, identify, come to know all about the animals that live in and around the Marsh.

Week 5          July 27 - 31:  Nature Nut

Campers will get up close and personal by exploring some of the most fascinating nature on the planet. From spider webs to beaver dams, campers witness spectacular wildlife and natural wonders hands on at the Marsh.

Week 6          August 4 - 7:  Reptiles & Amphibians

Campers investigate cold blooded critters this week some with four legs and some without. Turtles, frogs and salamanders are special guests at Cooper Marsh this week as campers  have fun learning all about reptiles and amphibians.

Week 7          August 10 - 14:  Fishing Frenzy

Campers are invited to get their feet wet and fall hook, line and sinker for scaly friends of the St. Lawrence River.

More details on both the Eco-Friends and Jr. Scientist Camp, including registration, is available online at  www.riverinstitute.ca, or by calling the River Institute at 613-936-6620. You can also follow the River Institute on Facebook.