Thank you for considering Summer Camps at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center. We offer a wide range of camps each summer for kids ages 4–15. At Shaver’s Creek, we’ve been inspiring discovery since 1976!
You may now sign up for or renew your membership for 2019 using our new system! Please be sure to add all people — including spouses and children — who will be reflected in 2019 before you complete the checkout process. To sign up for 2019, visit our Become a Member page.
To allow as many families in our community to enroll in Shaver’s Creek summer camps as possible, please limit your camp purchases to one week per child. Registration will close two weeks prior to that week of camp. If you are trying to register for camp after registration has closed, please contact Marie Taylor for assistance.
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2019 Summer Day Camps
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Wee Wonderers Camp
Monday–Wednesday: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Ages: 4–5 (preschool/kindergarten)
Cost: $165 for nonmembers (save 15% with membership)
Date: July 1–3, 2019
In this all day camp, preschoolers and kindergartners will explore three very special habitats around the Shaver’s Creek area! Campers will discover these habitats not only as they appear in summer, but also how these habitats appear in other seasons with a journey into the land of imagination. On Wednesday, camp concludes with a showcase of the camp experience for parents from 3:00–3:30 pm!
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Discovery Camp
Discovery Camp Ages: 6–8, entering first through third grades
Campers will delve into the wild, wonderful world of insects through hands-on activities, games, and exploration. Through the lens of insects, topics explored through the week include an awareness of each other and the natural world, adaptations, natural cycles, and how all living things are connected. Cycles day highlights a stream exploration (please bring old shoes). The last day of camp includes a trip to Whipple Dam. Friday evening is an opportunity for families to experience the magic of camp together through ice cream, campfire performances, night time activities and a chance to camp out at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center! (Families need to bring all of their own equipment if camping out.) Pancakes are served on Saturday morning.
Discovery Four-Day Camp Sessions
Tuesday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Families: Friday 5:00 p.m.–Saturday 8:00 a.m.: optional program (see above); includes breakfast Saturday
Cost: $180 for nonmembers (save 15% with membership)
Dates(Choose one):
June 25–29, 2019
July 16–20, 2019
July 30–August 3, 2019
August 6–10, 2019
Discovery Five-Day Camp Sessions
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Families: Friday 5:00 p.m.–Saturday 8:00 a.m.: optional program (see above); includes breakfast Saturday
Cost: $215 for nonmembers (save 15% with membership)
Dates (Choose one):
June 17–22, 2019
July 22–27, 2019
Optional for 5-day sessions: bus transportation will be provided for an additional fee from the Spikes Stadium at Medlar Field, 701 Porter Road. Drop-off (Monday–Friday) will be from 8:00–8:30 a.m., and pick-up (Monday–Thursday) will be from 4:30–5:00 p.m. You must register for bus transportation separately during the registration process in order to secure space. Space is limited.
Explorer Camp
Explorer Camp Ages: 9–11, entering fourth through sixth grades
Explorers will venture along the trails around Shaver’s woods, traveling further than their Discovery Camper counterparts, in their quest to discover all they can about Amphibians. Topics to explore regarding amphibians include adaptations, habitats, biodiversity, and the understanding of indicator species through a stream exploration (please bring old shoes). Additional parts of the week include fun games, teambuilding challenges, a trip to Whipple Dam, and reflection through journaling. Friday evening is an opportunity for families to experience the magic of camp together through ice cream, campfire performances, night time activities and a chance to camp out at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center! (Families need to bring all of their own equipment if camping out.) Pancakes are served on Saturday morning.
Explorer Four-Day Camp Sessions
Tuesday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Families: Friday 5:00 p.m.–Saturday 8:00 a.m.: optional program (see above); includes breakfast Saturday
Cost: $180 for nonmembers (save 15% with membership)
Dates (Choose one):
June 25–29, 2019
July 16–20, 2019
July 30–August 3, 2019
August 6–10, 2019
Explorer Five-Day Camp Sessions
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Families: Friday 5:00 p.m.–Saturday 8:00 a.m.: optional program (see above); includes breakfast Saturday
Cost: $215 for nonmembers (save 15% with membership)
Dates (Choose one):
June 17–22, 2019
July 22–27, 2019
Optional for 5-day sessions: bus transportation will be provided for an additional fee from the Spikes Stadium at Medlar Field, 701 Porter Road. Drop-off (Monday–Friday) will be from 8:00–8:30 a.m., and pick-up (Monday–Thursday) will be from 4:30–5:00 p.m. You must register for bus transportation separately during the registration process in order to secure space. Space is limited.
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Investigators
Monday–Friday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Families: Friday 5:00 p.m.–Saturday 8:00 a.m.: optional program (see below); includes breakfast Saturday
Ages: 12–14
Cost: $425 for nonmembers (save 15% with membership)
Dates (Choose one):
July 29–August 3, 2019
August 5–10, 2019
New this year to the summer camp offerings is “Investigators!” This mirrors the model of Discovery and Explorer Camps in that it will follow a similar schedule each year, but deviates in that each year will focus on a different, very specific topic. In 2019 we will debut our Herbal Remedies program! Starting with the identification of plants, we will learn how to safely and consistently identify a number of local species. Off-site field trips will help to cement that knowledge and aid in increasing our understanding of the plant kingdom. The week’s program culminates in the making of different herbal products that Investigators will take home. Friday evening features a presentation by Investigators; families are encouraged to stay afterwards through ice cream, the campfire, and overnight camping. (Families need to bring all of their own equipment if camping out.) Breakfast on Saturday morning of pancakes and coffee is served from 7:00–8:00 a.m.!
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Boats and Boots (formerly Rock’n River)
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m.–5:45 p.m.
Families: Friday 5:45 p.m.–Saturday 8:00 a.m.: optional program (see below); includes breakfast Saturday
Ages: 12-14
Cost: $440 for nonmembers (save 15% with membership)
Dates (Choose one):
June 24–29, 2019 – Drop-off and pick up at Shaver’s Creek
July 15–20, 2019 – Drop-off and pick up at Shaver’s Creek
July 22–27, 2019 – Bus Transportation available this week only
Two years ago we offered the “Rock’n River” high adventure program. “Boats and Boots” is the revamped version! Experience caving, high ropes, boats, hiking, and swimming at Whipple Dam. On Friday evening, put your newly acquired wilderness survival skills to use on an overnight campout! Families are invited and encouraged to attend the camp-wide campfire at 7:15 p.m. on Friday and stay overnight around the main building. Campers will have a seperate sleepout along a trail nearby, then will return for the pancake breakfast at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. (Families need to bring all of their own equipment if camping out.)
Please note that locations of various programs are different than those used in Rock’n River; some are onsite and others are not. Transportation to all locations will be provided during the camp day. Only on the week of July 22 is bus transportation available to and from State College to Shaver’s Creek. You must select this option during the registration process in order to secure space on the bus. For all other weeks, campers must be dropped off and picked up at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center.
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Leaders-in-Training (LIT)
Online registration opens February 4, 2019 and closes March 1, 2019!
Ages: 14–17 (at time of camp)
Cost: No cost for accepted applicants
Assist with camps for ages 4–14
Dates (Choose all that apply to your interest and availability):
June 17–22, 2019 (Discovery/Explorer)
June 25–29, 2019 (Discovery/Explorer)
July 1–3, 2019 (Wee Wonderers)
July 16–20, 2019 (Discovery/Explorer)
July 22–27, 2019 (Discovery/Explorer)
July 29-August 3, 2019 (Investigators)
July 30–August 3, 2019 (Discovery/Explorer)
August 5–10, 2019 (Investigators)
August 6-10, 2019 (Discovery/Explorer)
The Shaver’s Creek Summer Camp Leaders-In-Training (LIT) program provides high school students with an opportunity to develop and exercise their leadership skills while providing young campers with positive outdoor experiences. LITs spend their time at camp in a group of about 10 children ages 4–5 (Wee Wonderers), 6–11 (Discovery/Explorer), or 12–14 (Investigators) that is led by an adult Naturalist. The role of an LIT is to support their Naturalist by helping to manage the group and lead activities while developing leadership skills and serving as a positive role model for campers. We are seeking responsible, enthusiastic, and energetic volunteers who value the impact and importance of connecting with the natural world. If you enjoy being outdoors and working with kids, are interested in challenging yourself and working toward personal goals, and want to support healthy relationships between people and the environment, the LIT program might be a great fit for you!
Registration will be online for the LIT program; it will open on February 4, 2019 and is due by March 1, 2019. If you do not receive an automatic, instant email confirming your registration then the registration did not go through. Please try again before reaching out to Marie Taylor for assistance. Following registration, candidates will schedule a phone conversation to take place in March and offers will be made by the middle of April. Please note that this is NOT a full summer commitment—LITs participate in one or more selected weeks of camp per summer based on availability and preference.
This year LITs will register using Doubleknot, our new registration system. More information will be posted soon!
For more information, contact LIT Coordinator Kayla “Acorn” Czekaj (keczekaj@gmail.com or 814-863-8521).
