Summer Camp

Eco-Discovery Camp

• Registration for family-level and above members opens on February 10, 2026 at 10:00 am. Registration for all others opens on March 10, 2026 at 10:00 am.

Great Hollow’s weekly day camp offers children ages 6-12 unique and fun opportunities to forge lasting connections with the natural world on our 825-acre nature preserve in New Fairfield, CT. Our days are spent outdoors, exploring Great Hollow’s creeks, forests, meadows, and trails, learning about the critters that make this special place their home. Each weekly session includes science-based environmental education, arts and crafts, games, hikes, and daily time for self-directed play.

Pricing & Details

Ages:

• Eco-Discovery Camp is open to all children who are at least 6 years old and have completed Kindergarten, up to the age of 12.
• Camp weeks are divided into three age groups:
  • Curious Kids for ages 6-8
  • Knee-High Naturalists for ages 8-10
  • Eco-Explorers for ages 9-12

Hours:

• Camp hours are from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Parents and caregivers can begin dropping campers off at 8:45 am
• The latest campers can be picked up is 3:15 pm

Pricing:

• Early Bird Registration (Register before April 1, 2026)
  • Non-members: $340 per child 
  • Family-level and above members: $306.00 per child 
  • June 29 – July 1 is a short week due to the holiday. The reduced price for this week is $220 per child for non-members and $198 per child for family-level and above members.

• Registration on April 1, 2026 or later
  • Non-members: $355 per child 
  • Family-level and above members: $319.50 per child 
  • June 29 – July 1 is a short week due to the holiday and is $235 per child for non-members and $211.50 per child for Family-level and above members.

Cancellations and Refunds: 

• Please click here to review our cancellation and refund policy

Health and Safety:

• All campers will need to submit a current Health Assessment performed by a licensed physician or APRN along with proof of current vaccinations (same list as required by the state of Connecticut for schools). Health assessments must be from within the previous 24 months and vaccinations must be current.
• If your child has a health condition (allergy, asthma, etc.) then you will also need to submit a signed Individual Plan of Care form (last page of packet or you may submit your own)
• If your child needs to take medication during the camp day you will also need to provide an Authorization for the Administration of Medication form and have it signed by your child’s physician
• Shared materials, equipment, and surfaces will be sanitized daily
• For the health and well-being of others we ask that you do not send your child to camp if they are exhibiting signs of illness including, but not limited to, a fever, runny nose, or persistent cough

Eco-Discovery Camp CITs

Our counselor-in-training program offers teenagers valuable work experience that will also count towards volunteer hours. Many of our CITs return year after year. Due to the overwhelming demand, members and children of members will be given priority for 2026 CIT positions. CIT applications will be made available in February of 2026.

2026 Forms

All forms are due by June 1, 2026. A $25 late fee will be assessed per camper for forms received after June 1, 2026.

Great Hollow’s Eco-Discovery Camp is licensed by the state of Connecticut. These forms are required by law to be made available to a state inspector during unannounced inspections that can occur at any time during our summer camp season. Failure on our part to provide inspectors with these forms can result in a warning or penalty towards our license.  For this reason, we cannot allow campers with missing or incomplete paperwork to attend camp. A registration packet will be emailed to you following your initial camp purchase. Please review all of the information, sign where necessary, and return at your earliest convenience. Blank copies of most forms are available below.

• Forms should be emailed to Tara or mailed directly to the preserve:
  • Great Hollow Nature Preserve
    ATTN: Tara Ewers
    225 State Route37
    New Fairfield, CT 06812

1. Great Hollow Waiver Packet
2. CT Health Assessment  – (Dental is not needed for camp; your physician’s office may already have this form)
3. Camper Behavior Contract
4. Sunscreen Authorization
5. Medication Authorization– (Only required if medication will be or potentially be taken during camp)

2026 Eco-Discovery Camp Schedule

2026 Eco-Discovery Camp Sessions

Into The Woods | June 15 – 19
Curious Kids, Ages 6-8 | Knee-High Naturalists, Ages 8-10
This week will give campers an introduction to Connecticut’s native forests. Campers will spend the week exploring Great Hollow’s forests, fields, and streams and learning the basics of tree botany.

Sample Activities: tree anatomy chart, counting tree rings, tree cookie art, leaf prints, leaf identification booklet

Fins, Feathers, and Fur | June 22 – 26
Curious Kids, Ages 6-8 | Knee-High Naturalists, Ages 8-10
Spend the week learning all about the native animal species that call Great Hollow home through guided hikes, stream exploration, and special visits from some of our animal ambassadors.

Sample Activities: faux mounted insects, painted bird ornaments, owl pellet dissections, turtle craft

Nature Rocks | June 29 – July 1
Curious Kids, Ages 6-8 | Knee-High Naturalists, Ages 8-10
Campers will be transformed into mini-geologists as they spend the week learning about different rocks and minerals, how they are formed, and where to find them. This week of camp is shortened due to the holiday.

Sample Activities: rock and mineral exploration,  “mining” for minerals, opening geodes, faux fossil art

Women in Science | July 6 – 10
Eco-Explorers, Ages 9-12
Explore the contributions of women to the natural sciences throughout history. We’ll set aside additional time each day for hiking, stream exploration, and crafting.

Sample Activities: nature journaling, edible DNA art, strawberry DNA extraction, butterfly art, faux fossil art

Survival Week | July 13 – 17
Eco-Explorers, Ages 9-12
What would you do if you were lost in the woods? This week, we’ll cover topics to help you find your way through the wilderness and survive in the forest. Learn how to signal for help, how to build an emergency shelter, give basic first aid, find fresh water in the woods, and forage for food. 

Sample Activities: topography and map-reading, first-aid kits, shelter-building, fire-building, paracord keychains

Magical Minds | July 20 – 24
Eco-Explorers, Ages 9-12
Back by popular demand! Our summer camp transforms into a literary-inspired magical academy for one week where campers will get to explore a variety of topics through hands-on activities. We’ll explore chemistry in our “potions class”, make leaf prints in “herbology”, and end the week with outdoor games.

Sample Activities: chemical reactions, owl pellet dissection, homemade ice-cream floats, plant identification basics

Water Exploration Week | July 27 – 31
Knee-High Naturalists, Ages 8-10 | Eco-Explorers, Ages 9-12
Spend your week exploring Great Hollow’s Quaker Brook! We’ll catch crayfish and other critters, go on stream walks, and learn where water comes from and where it will eventually go. We’ll be busy having so much fun that you won’t even realize we’re learning all about the water cycle, watersheds, and the importance of healthy streams.

Sample Activities: water cycle exploration, model watersheds, build-a-beaver-dam challenge, watercolor painting, mixed media art

STEAM Team | August 3 – 7
Knee-High Naturalists, Ages 8-10
A perennial favorite. Spend the week learning how science, technology, engineering, art, and math are used to solve real-world problems.

Sample Activities: GIS data collection, bridge-building challenge, food science, glass slumping, sun prints

Nature Arts & Crafts | August 10 – 14
Curious Kids, Ages 6-8, Knee-High Naturalists, Ages 8-10
Spend the week learning all about how the natural world has inspired art and artists for thousands of years. Campers will also learn about the role artists played in furthering our understanding of the natural world. This week will include light hiking, exploring Quaker Brook, arts and crafts, and games.

Sample Activities: watercolor painting, mixed media art, still life flowers, weaving basics, glass pendants