Campers at Pickering Creek Audubon Center EcoCamp explore nature in a fun and safe environment. EcoCamp fosters curiosity through outdoor exploration that helps campers develop new perspectives about being outdoors. The unique experiences and adventures at EcoCamp lead to a greater understanding of the natural world and can grow into a lifelong appreciation for our environment.

EcoCamp days are filled with a variety of activities that use every inch of Pickering Creek's 400 acres like swimming, ponding, marsh mucking, hiking, crafts, nature-themed games, canoeing, fishing, live animals, and birding.

Staff: Our dedicated staff is experienced in teaching and is safety-certified and science educated. They transform our successful school programming into fun, hands-on summer activities that keep your camper learning throughout the summer. Our staff gets many helping hands each week from our volunteer Junior Naturalists; these teens have graduated from EcoCamp into our yearlong nature-enthusiast club and bring a variety of experience and fun ideas.

Group Sizes and Ages: Each group of 12 campers is led by one Camp Counselor with help from 2 to 3 Junior Naturalists. Camp groups are arranged by grade. Fledglings are campers entering K-1st grade in Fall 2019, Larks are entering 2nd-4th grade, and Shrikes and entering 5th-7th grade.

Camp Hours and Length: Each camp last one week, Monday – Friday. Fledgling camps go from 9 am to 4 pm, with an option to pick them up at 2pm. Lark and Shrike camps go from 9 am to 4 pm.

Camp Registration: Registration begins in early March. Camp spots will be reserved only after a completed registration packet with a non-refundable deposit is received. Reservations cannot be made over the phone. Review the Registration packet for more information on how to register.

Camp Scholarships: Thanks to charitable donations from community members, Wild Birds Unlimited and the National Fish and Wildlife Federation, scholarships are available for students in need to attend this year's EcoCamp. Scholarships do not include a non-refundable deposit. Review the Scholarship application for more information.

EcoCamp Perks: At the end of each camp, parents and guardians will receive a link to pictures taken of their camper's group throughout the week. Your camper can use the pictures to talk more about all the fun things they did at EcoCamp. Then, come out with the entire family for one or both of our Family Camp Friday Evenings so your camper may tour you around Pickering, introduce you to our program animals, fish from our dock, and canoe along the creek.