Camp is filling up FAST. To see which weeks are full, visit the registration page!

The only week with openings is August 23-27: Michigan Critters. All other weeks of camp are full. If you are looking to be added to any openings you must be on the waitlist

To be added to the waitlist for a session please fill out THIS FORM

Camp Discovery (Grades PreK-7th)

Camp Discovery at Woldumar Nature Center is a safe place for campers to make friends, learn about nature, and participate in structured and unstructured play. Woldumar's forest, wetland, and prairie habitats serve as our playground and science lab. Campers experience the excitement of science through pond dipping, bug catching, shelter building, bird watching, and fishing. We foster a positive learning and community-building experiences which allow children to flourish in an inclusive atmosphere that values curiosity and diversity.

Summer camp is a place where science comes alive and lasting friendships are built as children explore and discover the natural world. Safety is and always will be our first priority. All staff is certified in CPR, AED, First Aid and trained in child development.

Camp Discovery is a place where kids get inspired and stay active as we play classic games like capture the flag, sing silly songs, and create crafty art projects. In addition to daily STEM lessons, each day your camper will have a memorable camp experience they will not forget. Whether you're a returning camper or new, we welcome you to share your summer at Woldumar.

Camp Discovery Jr. is available every week for PreK and Kindergarten campers.  The session themes are the same, but all activities are modified for a younger audience by our Early Childhood Education Specialist.

Weekly Themes:

(Full descriptions can be found by downloading the brochure.)

June 21-25:  Nature Detectives

June 28-July 2:  Creepy Critters                

July 5-9:  Primitive Wilderness Survival 

July 12-16:  Wild Water Wonders

July 19-23:  Modern Wilderness Survival 

July 26-30:  Radical Rockin’ Rivers

August 2-6:  Eco-Warriors

August 9-13:  Wild Engineering

August 16-20:  Blast Off

August 23-27:  Michigan Critters

June 28-July 2: Camp Discovery Teen (Grades 7th-10th)

Teen programming is a longstanding tradition at Woldumar. This summer, we are reimagining our program to meet the needs of the youth in our area. Our goal is to assist teens in becoming great leaders and have fun while learning about the natural environment. Teens will spend time bonding and making friends while learning valuable skills that they can use for a lifetime.

We will fine-tune our naturalist skills with hands-on science opportunities focusing on data collection as citizen scientists. Other activities will include: leadership development, honing mentoring skills, and a day-long kayaking trip on the Grand River.

Teens leave our program prepared to do great things with youth and other young adults, whether that’s tutor, coach, babysit, or even become a counselor right here at Woldumar.

Keep an eye out for more information on Teen Volunteer opportunities at Camp Discovery coming out soon.

What to Expect:

Silly songs, fun games, and STEM lessons bring nature alive each day. Campers are grouped by grade level for the week, with 10 campers per counselor. Each counselor designs age-appropriate activities for their group based on the week’s theme. Campers spend all of their day outside. Daily activities may include hikes, nature exploration, hands-on-science, crafts, games, and team building!

All staff are certified in CPR, AED, First Aid, and trained in child development throughout a compressive week-long staff training. 

Snack:

Each day Woldumar provides a prepackaged snack for every camper and water available all day.

Camp Store:

Campers will get an opportunity to purchase from the Woldumar Gift Shop. We will send an order form home with campers. Our items’ prices range between $0.10 and $10.00. Our goal is independent decision-making and some math too! 

Pick up and Drop off:

• Drop off at 8:45-9:00 am            

• Pick up is at 4:00 pm

Check-in and out will take longer than normal and will occur in the circle drive by the parking lot.  Staff will initial for the caregiver at drop-off and pick-up to limit physical contact. For your convenience, we will be offering numbered car tags to expedite check-out at the end of the day. To receive a car tag, you must show your ID and be on the approved pick-up list.

Extended Care:

Because of the limitation of staffing and space, we are unable to offer extended care this summer. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. We know that before and after care options are important to our families. We hope that as restrictions are eased that we can begin offering these services to families again.

What to Bring:

Each day, campers should have a clean cloth mask, dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes, and bring a water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, a sack lunch, and a smile! Michigan summers can be HOT! Please pack a swimsuit and towel for water play and bring a backpack to carry it all.

Some items to leave at home include trading cards, personal electronics, stuffed animals, and anything else that may distract from camp activities.

Payment:

Woldumar members (even new members) receive 15% off these prices!

• Full-Day $195/wk

A non-refundable $50/camper/session deposit is due at the time of registration. Full payment is due by June 1. After June 1, full payment for registration is due.  PLEASE check your schedule before registering and be careful when choosing options. We are very low tech, and changes are made by a human, a very time-consuming (and costly) endeavor. Please review our refund policy below.

Scholarships Are Available!

Our scholarship program aims to help families with financial needs. We want all children to experience the benefits of spending a week outdoors at Woldumar.  

Please follow this link to fill out a scholarship request.

Refund/Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations before June 1 will forfeit their deposit. Woldumar cannot offer any refunds after June 1st. If spaces are available, registration can be changed to a different week during the 2021 summer camp season at no additional cost.  

If camp sessions are cancelled for health and safety reasons as directed by local, state, or national health officials, full refunds will be issued, including deposits.  If you are in need of financial assistance due to the COVID-19 outbreak, please complete a scholarship request.

Waitlist:

Once a session has been filled, a waitlist will be created. Once the waitlist is created, please email programs@woldumar.orgfor more information. Sessions will be filled on a first-come, first-served.

To be added to the waitlist for a session please fill out THIS FORM

COVID-19 Update:

Health Policy:  Camp Discovery is following Guidelines for Camp Operations During COVID-19 For Use in Licensed Children’s Camps in accordance with Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). These practices were created by MI LARA and could possibly change if the state, local government, or health officials decide to change them. 

Campers and staff will wear a mask at all times. The only exceptions are at lunch, snack time, participating in water activities, and when everyone is seated six feet apart from others. Throughout the day, staff will check-in and see when campers need mask breaks. During drop-off, adults and campers will be subject to a daily health screening, including temperature checks.  

Here is a quick breakdown of how our camp program has adapted to continue to operate a safe and fun experience. 

>     We are planning activities that maintain safe physical distance, eliminate interaction between groups, and limit the sharing of supplies among group members.

>     We will enforce strict hygiene and sanitation protocol among staff and campers.

>     Campers will be required to wear masks.

>     Campers will be subject to a daily health screening, including temperature checks.

>     We will not be able to offer before or after camp extended care, and camp overnights.

For more information, see our Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.

If camp sessions are cancelled for health and safety reasons as directed by local, state, or national health officials, full refunds will be issued, including deposits.  If you are in need of financial assistance due to the COVID-19 outbreak, please complete a scholarship request.