Nature playcamp: A blend of fun and science

Ladybug pizzas, feather collections, games and other activities acquaint preschoolers with their environment.

By Maureen Metcalf and Lauren Zeller

Take a group of curious four to six-year-olds, a beautiful 160-acre park with a farm animal zoo, mix them together with adults who encourage children's inquisitiveness about the natural world and you have an exciting new science experience for preschoolers called nature playcamp.

In the summer of 1983, the Dundee Township Park District offered its first camp experience for preschoolers at the Randall Oaks Park facility. The aim of the early childhood staff was to design a program that would combine a camp-type atmosphere for young children with a natural science experience.

Program activities

The camp was planned for a 2 1/2 hour-day, five days a week for two weeks. Activities were scheduled around 30 minute-time blocks and planned to strike a balance between structured and unstructured, indoor and outdoor, and individual and group time.

Children began their day with 20 minutes of free time. An assortment of materials, puzzles, games, art supplies and nature books were available. This period gave the children a chance to relax, socialize and settle into the camp environment.

The daily program started with a circle time, with children sitting on

Illinois Parks and Recreation 15 March/April 1986

a rug and camp instructors introducing the theme of the day, the plan of activities and the new nature concepts. The emphasis was on simple concepts the children could understand; i.e. birds are animals that lay eggs, have feathers and fly. The camp staff utilized books, movies, records, film loops and tapes, live specimens and demonstrations to reinforce the theme.

Exploring nature

Following circle time, staff and children went outdoors. The park's barn, ponies, open areas, playground and equipment, picnic facilities and golf course pond (fishing) were used as part of the learning environment. The children became nature explorers.

Individual activities — putting together a feather collection, making a paper insect, planting a terrarium — took place in camp class. A treat time was also planned into this period. The snacks and drinks provided by parents reflected the day's theme. There were ladybug pizzas on Insect Day and chicken McNuggets on Bird Day.

The final period of the day was spent outdoors as a group, involving the children in various games, songs and activities.

Throughout the day attention focused on the children's senses; that is, what they could discover for themselves about the natural world. The adults at camp fostered an attitude of respect for the environment and all living things so the children would value and care for the natural world.

Program expansion

The camp has been very successful. Last summer the park district opened an afternoon session to accommodate more children. A fall nature playcamp was also set up for two afternoons a week for six weeks. The theme was "Autumn Changes," and children watched the coming of fall into their camp world.

The early childhood staff is now planning a six-week spring nature playcamp.

Conclusion

The concept of a camp planned around the changing natural environment lends itself to all seasons rather than the traditional summer camp. The idea could be adopted for older children utilizing weekends or school holidays.

All you need is access to a park with a building for inside activities, and a staff that is knowledgeable about the natural world and has the desire to encourage children's interest in their surroundings.

An inquiring mind and zest for living are essential for a rich, interesting life. Childhood is the time to nourish and strengthen these qualities.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Maureen Metcalf is the early childhood and preschool supervisor at the Dundee Township Park District. She holds a B.S. degree in biological sciences and a M.S. degree in elementary education and early childhood. Lauren Zeller is a preschool teacher and early childhood instructor at the Dundee Township Park District. She was the instructor at both the summer and fall nature playcamps. She has a B.A. degree in sociology/education.

Directory alert! Plans are underway for the production of the 1986-87 edition of the IAPD/IPRA Combined Membership Directory. Agencies will soon receive the directory information form. Completed forms must be returned by the deadline to have agency information included in the publication.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 16 March/April 1986