The North Carolina Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum
Discovery Camps for Youth
Adventure . Exploration . Awareness

2008

The Arboretum offers a new approach to adventure learning where programs
combine the natural sciences, art, outdoor skills, ecology, and heritage in new ways
that encourage kids to actively discover, wonder, test, question and explore!

Spring Break Camp Nature Discovery Days

Wee Naturalist Pre-K Nature Birthday Parties

Scout Programs Summer Camps

Did you know that…

At the household level or higher, Arboretum Society Members receive a discount on all Discovery Camps as well as before and after care. See pages 17 -18 to join, renew or upgrade.

The North Carolina Arboretum offers a wide variety of educational programs throughout the year.

Fall, Winter and Spring Learning

Wee Naturalist Pre – K

Children ages 2 to Pre-K, along with a parent, can join an Arboretum naturalist

to explore a new nature-filled theme every Monday and Tuesday morning in the spring, fall and winter. Learn about trees, plants, birds, bears, raindrops and much more. Each day might include a physical activity, puppets, songs, art-time, stories and short nature walks weather permitting. Two children can attend with each parent or guardian.

Classes will be offered on Monday and Tuesday mornings from

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Program Fee: $5.00 General Public

Summer Camps

Green Sprouts Pre -K

Dig right in as you start your very first garden. Learn all about the special care a
garden needs and the different plants that can thrive in the North Carolina mountains. Discover foods to harvest and play games that teach us the relationship we have with plants. Go on little hikes, hear fun stories, and even make and take a pizza garden!

Two children can attend with each parent or guardian.

#GSPK May 19 – 23, 2008 Ages 2-4

Camp Fee: $45.00/members, $55.00/general public

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Gone Buggy Pre -K

Explore the world of small creatures. Come and see through the eyes of an insect as we learn how they live, what they eat and how special they are. Go on hikes to collect the smallest and largest bugs you can find. Fun stories will help us explore how bugs get along with the rest of the world. Enjoy buggy games, buggy crafts and even healthy ooey-gooey buggy snacks! Two children can attend with each parent or guardian.

#GBPK June 2 – 6, 2008 Ages 2-4

Camp Fee: $45.00/members, $55.00/general public

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Little Mountaineers - This camp is full

Here is a chance to leave everything behind and discover the backcountry of the Arboretum. Explore the green woods as you learn how to stay safe, watch the weather and build shelters. Discover some of the best recipes over a campfire and hear great stories as you enjoy a sweet treat. Forget-me-nots are beautiful flowers that grow at the Arboretum, and the knots you will learn, you will never forget. Uncover the secrets of the Leave No Trace guidelines that encourage excellent and useful ways to be a superior Little Mountaineer.

#LMT June 9 – 13, 2008 Grades K & 1

Camp Fee: $165/members, $190/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

My First Garden

Ever wonder how to get a green thumb? Join in the fun of preparing the
Arboretum’s first children’s garden, a place you can come back to again and again!
See many of the different gardens on property and discover how they were imagined
and created. Learn the secrets of gardening starting from the ground up with the finest
soil nature can produce. From the rocks, water and sunlight to the beautiful plants that
show your workmanship, this is your chance to enjoy the games, hikes, and crafts that
can give you a green thumb.

#MFG June 23 – 27, 2008 Grades K &1

Camp Fee: $165/members, $190/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Summer Camp Classic 1

This camp is your ticket to great summer fun! Join us as we explore all the amazing classic camp adventures that are waiting for you at the Arboretum. Bring your friends and meet new ones as we hike in search of critters, splash in creeks and play games outside. You’ll even bring home a special souvenir to remember all the fun. Get ready for an exciting week of classic summer camp activities! Note- this camp runs Monday through Thursday.

#SSC1 June 30 – July 3, 2008 Grades K & 1

Camp Fee: $130/members, $155/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Teeth, Tails and Talons - This camp is full

Come along as we dive into the wild world of animals! Search for local critters to see
exactly how they eat, sleep, and play. Enjoy days full of games, hikes, crafts and stories
all about teeth, tails, and talons. Visit with our very own creatures and experience the
different lives they live compared to the critters in nature. Lean about native birds and
even construct a birdhouse or feeder to hang in your yard!
This camp will make you wild for animals!

#TTT July 14 – 18, 2008 Grades K & 1

Camp Fee: $170/members, $195/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Eco Detectives - This camp is full

Get out a magnifying glass and search for the smallest life in the woods. Games and hikes will help you understand how important animals are to the forest ecosystem. Learn how to spot the many critters that live here in the mountains and how to identify what they are. We’ll catch salamanders, insects and fish as we explore the Bent Creek watershed, getting plenty wet along the way! We’ll look for tracks and other wildlife signs as we explore the homes of lizards, birds and mammals that inhabit our enormous forest.

#ECO July 21 – 25, 2008 Grades K & 1

Camp Fee: $170/members, $195/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Camp Hidey Hoe

Dig, compost, plant, water and care for your very own garden! Hands-on experiences in the children’s garden will give you the skills you need to take care of everything green. Plant veggies, flowers and herbs in the garden this week and come back in a few months to harvest your own potatoes, peppers and pumpkins and even take home a little potted garden. Experiences in our gardens and greenhouses will guarantee you’ll have a green thumb in no time!

#CHH June 2 – 6, 2008 Grades 2 & 3

Camp Fee: $165/members, $190/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Junior Mountaineers - This camp is full

Enjoy being in the great outdoors? This camp offers all sorts of outdoor skills, games and
activities like making shelters out of found materials and learning how to use a map while
on a hike. Use teamwork to create camp gadgets and play fun games. Gain essential survival skills while learning the basics of using a compass, setting up a tent and making a campfire. Get your boots on, because we’re going outside!

#JMT June 16 – 20, 2008 Grades 2 & 3

Camp Fee: $165/members, $190/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Summer Camp Classic 2

This camp is your ticket to great summer fun! Join us as we explore all the amazing classic camp activities that are waiting for you at the Arboretum. Bring your friends and meet new ones as we hike in search of critters, splash in creeks and play games outside. You’ll even bring home a special souvenir or two to remember all the fun. Get ready for an exciting week of classic summer camp adventures! Note- this camp runs Monday through Thursday.

#SSC2 June 30 – July 3, 2008 Grades 2 & 3

Camp Fee: $130/members, $155/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Advanced Eco Detectives

Animals are everywhere! Learn all about the animals that live in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, how to spot them and where they live. Catch salamanders, insects and fish as you explore Bent Creek, getting wet along the way! Scout for tracks and other wildlife signs as you explore the homes of lizards, birds and the mammals. Special wildlife mysteries will put you to the test as you examine evidence left behind by creatures of the forest.

#AEC July 7 – 11, 2008 Grades 2 & 3

Camp Fee: $165/members, $190/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Aquatic Adventures

Streams and rivers and lakes, oh my! There is an amazing amount of life in our aquatic environments. Investigate aquatic life using microscopes to observe tiny single-celled organisms even hook a trout with a fishing rod. Explorations will include the fascinating world of aquatic plants and the use of insects to investigate water quality. Discover how to catch and identify fish and learn how to protect important aquatic habitats. This will be a wet and wild time!

#AAC July 21 – 25, 2008 Grades 2 & 3

Camp Fee: $165/members, $190/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Heritage Adventure Camp

The rich environment of our forests and valleys provide a natural classroom for examining the heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Games, music and local history are a fascinating and fun part of a guided discovery in this culturally diverse area. Learn to identify wildflowers as well as medicinal and edible plants used by settlers. Practice textile and candle making, and the techniques used by settlers and natives to live off the land. Make toys, get to know animals important to pioneer life and folklore and re-enact 19th century and native village activities!

#HAC July 28 – August 1, 2008 Grades 2 & 3

Camp Fee: $175/members, $200/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Nutty About Nature

Join us for a week full of exploring and enjoying the wild world of plants! You’ll use microscopes and more to take a close look at the trees, shrubs and wildflowers of these wondrous mountains. Discover plants that move when you touch them and get a close look at plants that eat bugs! Create a colorful collage with leaves and flowers, make sun prints and even design a cool t-shirt with vegetable dyes. Hikes in the forest combine with plenty of nature crafts promising a fun week you’re sure to remember!

#NAN August 4 – 8, 2008 Grades 2 & 3

Camp Fee: $165/members, $190/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Woodland Ways

An adventure in history will come alive as we explore the games, tools and skills used by Native Americans in our area. Recreate artifacts, mold pottery, use plants for creating dyes, weave a basket and learn how people lived off the land. Visiting historians

will bring the past alive while we explore Cherokee culture. Learn about Cherokee folklore and be able to use Cherokee syllabary to write your name. You’ll even get down and dirty as we explore and unearth a “archaeological” site.

#WWC June 9 – 13, 2008 Grades 4 & 5

Camp Fee: $175/members, $200/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Wilderness Explorers

Ready for a real wilderness experience? Learn to read maps and use a compass to accomplish a cross-country orienteering course and design a course for your friends to try. You’ll purify water, cook outdoors, make a shelter, provide first aid in

the backcountry, and learn how to limit your impact on the environment while outdoors. At the end of the week your skills will be put to the test in an overnight

camping trip in the beautiful forest of the Arboretum.

#WEX June 23 – 27, 2008 Grades 4 & 5

Camp Fee: $195/members, $220/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

A Natural Artist

Many artists have found inspiration in nature, and through journaling, sketching
and painting, you’ll have a chance to commune with a multitude of animals and plants
in the national forest. Take a hike on a trail to sketch a mountain vista and observe live
animals to inspire the artist within you. Get in touch with your creative side as you create
paper, fashion art with materials you find in the woods, make natural dyes, pattern a
t-shirt, and even work with clay. Make an original masterpiece every day!

#ANA July 7 – 11, 2008 Grades 4 & 5

Camp Fee: $175/members, $200/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Nature Adventure Camp

Become a junior field ecologist as you explore woodland and stream habitats, hunt for local wildlife and take part in small animal and minnow trapping. Take a night hike as we

search for nocturnal animals, observe the night sky and go camping Thursday evening in a pine-scented forest. Discover the amazing habits and behaviors of the many birds, reptiles, mammals and fish you’ll encounter. Outdoor games and hands-on wildlife experiences guarantee a real nature adventure!

#NAC July 14 – 18, 2008 Grades 4 & 5

Camp Fee: $195/members, $220/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Boots, Paddles and Reels - This camp is full.

Adventures abound in this week of fun in the outdoors. You’ll explore parts of our forested campus that few know about. Use a GPS unit to guide you to Lake Powhatan and fish for trout with fishing flies you tie yourself. A quietwater paddling trip with Southern Waterways along the French Broad River is sure to be a highlight! Safety and care for your sporting equipment will be covered during the activities to ensure a great experience. Space is limited, so be sure to get in on this thrilling week!

#BPR July 28 – August 1, 2008 Grades 4 & 5

Price: $210/members, $235/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Eco-Adventurers

Get ready for a wild time! Experience the wonders of the natural world around you as you explore creeks and woodland habitats. Hunt for butterflies, dragonflies and more as you create your own insect collection. Be on the lookout for rocks and minerals as you

learn about how our mountains were made and even collect the rocks they consist of. Learn about the habitats that local wildlife call home and learn to attract beneficial animals to your backyard.

#ECA August 4 – 8, 2008 Grades 4 & 5

Camp Fee: $175/members, $200/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Outdoor Explorations

The wonders of the natural world will amaze you as we explore woodlands, creeks, ponds and rivers in search of the living creatures that call them home. This camp mixes experiences exploring animals and plants with wilderness activities such as fishing, outdoor cooking, camping and hiking. Visiting professional naturalists will be on hand to provide a truly unforgettable experience. A night hike and evening camping trip in the forest Thursday night is sure to be a highlight!

#OEC June 16 – 20, 2008 Grades 6 & 7

Camp Fee: $195/members, $220/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Spring Break Camps

Spring Adventure Camp

Discovery and adventure abound in this week of fun and learning at the Arboretum.
Experience a wild range of activities, from crafts and games to hikes and live animal
demonstrations. This is a great opportunity to get out and experience the mountains in
the spring, from spotting beautiful blooming wildflowers to encountering all the wildlife
waking or returning for the spring. Be sure to be part of the fun this spring break!

#SBC1 March 24 – 28, 2008 Grades K & 1
#SBC2 March 24 – 28, 2008 Grades 2 & 3

Camp Fee: $165.00/members, $190.00/general public 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Nature Discovery Days

(When you don’t have school!)

Come join a few Arboretum naturalists for a fun day away when school is out.
Participants will have a crazy time full of games, crafts, live-critters, and learning
activities all to increase awareness of environmental education in a newly-renovated,
brightly-colored and richly-stocked hands-on classroom and laboratory space.
Programming will feature educational adventure activities that integrate science,
art, ecology, and heritage for youth who will participate in a variety of activities.
Discover the habitats of the reptiles, insects, birds, plants and mammals that
inhabit the forested watershed of Bent Creek. Every hour will feature a new
theme of discovery, a different activity or crazy educational game rain or shine.

Held on Teacher in-service days for Asheville/Buncombe Schools
Subject to change depending upon inclement weather closings.

February 15 and April 25, 2008
Program hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Camp Fee: $25.00 General Public
Space is limited, pre-registration is suggested

Birthday Parties

Make your child’s birthday memorable!

Our nature-themed programs are designed for up to 15 children
ages 3 - 10. Party reservations may be made for weekday afternoons
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and
on Sundays at 2:30 p.m. (depending upon classroom availability).

Each Party Includes:

~A 45 minute program of interactive activities, crafts, and live animal presentations
led by an Arboretum naturalist

~Additional 45 minutes for your cake celebration

~Food and beverage items, including cake may be purchased through our catering
department or you can supply your own. No kitchen is available.

~Set-up, clean up, and all cups, napkins, and table cloths.

~A private party room

~Special gift for the birthday child

Package Price with catering
$185.00 Member
$210.00 General Public
$125.00 Without catering package

Scout Programs

The Arboretum is popular place for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to earn badges. Our instructors can offer a private program for your group of six or more scouts on a wide variety of nature-themed topics. Call for reservations.

Go to www.ncarboretum.org for Additional information on these and other environmental programs

Frequently Asked Questions

~Is there still room? Applications are taken on a first-come first-serve basis, please chose an alternate camp in case your first choice is full. Full camps are listed on our web site.

~What rising age/grade? The grade your child will be entering into in the fall.

~Can I register by phone? Registration by mail or drop off only. TNCA requires signed original forms.

~Can I fax in a placeholder? Registration by mail or drop off only. TNCA requires signed original forms.

~Can I register a friend’s kid or my grandchild? No, only parents or guardians may complete registration forms.

~Do I have to come in to register? You may mail in your registration with payment or drop it off.

~Security/Safety: The Arboretum has state public safety officers on campus, camp staff are trained in CPR and first aid.

~Adult/Child ratio: One adult for every ten youth. Overnight programs have a ratio of one adult for every five youth.

~What do they need for overnight camping? We will send out a supply list in advance for registered campers.

Camps will be held rain or shine- however, if severe weather threatens, please call the general Arboretum number for cancellation information at 828.665.2492

In the event the Arboretum must cancel a camp, you will be notified ahead of time
by phone and receive a full refund.