Eco-Discovery Camp
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 activities, arts and crafts, games, hikes, and daily time for self-directed play.
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. If you’re 14-17 years old, love the outdoors, and interested in being a CIT, please click here to download an application or here to apply online.
2023 Eco-Discovery Camp Schedule
| Camp Dates | Session | Age Range | Register |
| June 19 – 23 | Speak For The Trees | Knee-High Naturalists (6-8) | SOLD OUT |
| June 26 – 30 | Survival Week | Knee-High Naturalists (6-8) | SOLD OUT |
| July 5 – 7 | Pollinator Pals | Mixed Ages (7-11) | SOLD OUT |
| July 10 – 14 | Survival Week | Eco-Explorers (9-12) | SOLD OUT |
| July 17 – 21 | STEAM Team | Eco-Explorers (9-12) | Email to register |
| July 24 – 28 | Speak For The Trees | Eco-Explorers (9-12) | Email to register |
| July 31 – August 4 | Water Exploration Week | Eco-Explorers (9-12) | SOLD OUT |
| August 7 – 11 | Water Exploration Week | Knee-High Naturalists (6-8) | SOLD OUT |
| August 14 – 18 | Budding Artists | Knee-High Naturalists (6-8) | SOLD OUT |
2023 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 two age groups: Knee-High Naturalists for ages 6-8 and Eco-Explorers for ages 9-12. Please note that if your child is 8 or 9 you may elect to age-up or age-down depending on your child’s situation. This is a common request when siblings wish to attend the same week of camp.
Price: The price for one week of camp is $325 per child for non-members and $292.50 per child for family-level and above members. July 5-7 is a short week due to the holiday and will be prorated as such.
Hours: Camp hours are from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Parents and caregivers can begin dropping off campers at 8:45 am. The latest campers can be picked up is 3:15 pm.
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. Health assessments must be from within the previous 24 months, vaccinations must be current. If your child has a health condition (allergy, asthma, etc.) then you will also need to submit an 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.
Please note our Covid-19 safety measures: Masks will be optional when indoors, but this policy may change at any time. All campers should attend each day with a mask packed in their bags. Shared materials, equipment, and surfaces will be sanitized daily. Our camp staff have been fully vaccinated. 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 COVID or any other illness.
Forms:
New for this year Prior to purchase you will be directed to fill out a pre-registration form for your child when registration opens. Once this form is completed you will be redirected to a page where you can then select your desired camp week and add it to the shopping cart. If you have more than one child attending camp you can submit the additional pre-registration forms after you have completed your purchase. A final registration form will be emailed to you. This form will need to be signed and returned prior to June 1, 2023.
Please fill out and submit the following forms once you have paid. Forms can be emailed to our camp director, Tara at . All forms are due by June 1, 2023.
CT Health Assessment – (Dental is not needed for camp; your physician’s office may already have this form)
2023 Eco-Discovery Camp Sessions
Speak For The Trees
Knee-High Naturalists | June 19-23
Spend your week exploring Great Hollow’s forest! We’ll learn about tree anatomy and the role trees play in a forest’s ecology. Campers will also learn basic tree ID, the different products made from trees, and the threats our forests face. We’ll also set aside time for hiking, exploring Quaker Brook, and arts and crafts.
Topics Covered: tree anatomy; dendrology; dendrochronology; forest ecology; forest management; native vs. non-native trees; invasive species
Arts & Crafts: leaf rubbings; tree cookie art; recycled paper
Survival Week
Knee-High Naturalists | June 26-30
Do you have what it takes to survive in the woods? This week, we’ll learn how to use a map-and-compass, how to build a shelter, give basic first aid, find drinkable water, and forage for food. We’ll also set aside time for hiking, exploring Quaker Brook, and arts and crafts.
Topics covered: staying found; what to do if lost; navigation; topography; map-reading; survival; engineering; orienteering; edible plants; botany; team-building and interpersonal communication; first-aid; health and fitness
Arts & Crafts: first aid kit; safety necklace; animal tracks art; campfire art; shelter building
Pollinator Pals
Mixed Ages (7-10) | July 5-7
Are bats pollinators? What about moths? Why are pollinators so important to our agricultural industries? Find out during our special mixed-ages session covering all things pollinators! This week of camp is shortened due to the holiday and open to campers ages 7-10.
Topics covered: plant reproduction; types of pollination; planting for pollinators
Arts & Crafts: beeswax candles; butterfly art; native plant art
Survival Week
Eco-Explorers | July 10-14
Do you have what it takes to make your way through 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 use a map-and-compass, how to build a shelter, give basic first aid, find fresh water in the woods, and forage for food. We’ll also set aside time for hiking, exploring Quaker Brook, and arts and crafts.
Topics covered: staying found; what to do if lost; navigation; topography; map-reading; survival; engineering; orienteering; edible plants; team-building and interpersonal communication; first-aid; health and fitness
Arts & Crafts: first aid kit; animal tracks art; shelter-building; paracord weaving
STEAM Team
Eco-Explorers | July 17-21
Do you have what it takes to build a stick boat? Can you make a dam that is sturdier than a beaver’s? This week we are putting our creativity and engineering skills to the test. Spend the week completing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) challenges related to the natural world.
Topics covered: biomimicry; geometry; renewable energy; chemistry; art; engineering
Arts & Crafts: stick boat; origami; pinwheel; glow art
Speak For The Trees
Eco-Explorers | July 24-28
Spend your week exploring Great Hollow’s forest! We’ll learn about the different parts of a tree and the role they play in a forest’s ecology. Campers will also learn basic tree ID, the different products made from trees, and the threats our forests face. We’ll also set aside time for hiking, exploring Quaker Brook, and arts and crafts.
Topics covered: parts of a tree; dendrology; dendrochronology; native vs. non-native trees; invasive species
Arts & Crafts: leaf rubbing; bark rubbing; model tree; tree paint-along; recycled paper
Water Exploration Week
Eco-Explorers | July 31-August 4
Spend your week exploring Great Hollow’s Quaker Brook! We’ll catch crayfish and other critters, go on stream walks, visit our waterfall, and learn where all of the 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.
Topics covered: states of water; water cycle; aquatic ecosystems; aquatic plant and animal adaptations; water pollution; aquatic macroinvertebrates as biological indicators; watersheds; best management practices
Arts & Crafts: water pollution multimedia; watercolor crayfish; stone stacking; ice cream in a bag
Water Exploration Week
Knee-High Naturalists | August 7-11
Spend your week exploring Great Hollow’s Quaker Brook! We’ll catch crayfish and other critters, go on stream walks, visit our waterfall, and learn where all of the 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.
Topics covered: states of water; water cycle; aquatic plant and animal adaptations; water pollution; watersheds
Arts & Crafts: water pollution multimedia; watercolor painting; stone stacking; tie-dye
Budding Artists
Knee-High Naturalists | August 14-18
Nature has inspired artists for thousands of years. During this week of camp, we’ll turn to nature to get our creative juices flowing! We will learn about landscapes, natural materials and pigments, as well as recycled materials. We’ll also be sure to leave plenty of time for hiking and exploration.
Topics covered: nature as inspiration; basic color theory; natural materials
Arts & Crafts: landscapes; colors of the rainbow; watercolors; natural dyes; gel printing; land art; mosaics; paper mache
If you have any questions please reach out to our camp director, Tara, at