From Curiosity to Connection: Summer Camps at Rowe Sanctuary

Summer time camps at Rowe Sanctuary have lengthy been foundational to its identification, serving to place the sanctuary on the map as a neighborhood chief in environmental schooling. It isn’t uncommon for Rowe Sanctuary employees to satisfy somebody who spent their summers exploring the sanctuary throughout camp.  For many years, these packages have welcomed younger individuals to the banks of the Platte River, providing them the possibility to expertise nature in an immersive and fascinating method. Generations of campers have explored Rowe’s trails and wetlands, every leaving with a stronger sense of curiosity and connection to the pure world. This long-standing custom has formed not solely the camp expertise itself, but in addition the broader status of Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary as a spot the place studying comes alive in nature.

On the coronary heart of those camps is a philosophy grounded in exploration, discovery, and inquiry-based studying. Campers are inspired to step immediately into the surroundings—whether or not by wading into wetlands with dip nets in tow, observing birds in flight with binoculars, or investigating the intricate relationships that outline prairie and river ecosystems. These experiences enable younger learners to ask questions, make observations, and draw their very own conclusions concerning the world round them.  It’s not unusual to see insect guides piled up by sweep nets and muddy footwear subsequent to seine nets on the Training patio exterior the Anne Hubbard Training Middle throughout camp. On this setting, curiosity turns into the driving pressure, and every day provides new alternatives for discovery.

Every day of summer season camp builds on the final, with campers diving deeper—generally actually—into every week’s theme. This yr, every camp week includes a totally different focus, permitting members to discover quite a lot of subjects. Prairie Safari camps (for present grades 2–5) supply three weeks centered on birds, habitats, and artwork, giving younger individuals the possibility to comply with their pursuits whereas opening the door to new areas of exploration. The Flying Greater camp will deal with scientific research and the work of conservationists, participating college students in surveys and guiding them as they design and perform their very own experiments all through the week.

Platte River Safari Camps (present 2nd–fifth grade)

• June 15–19: Birds Week!
Campers will be taught concerning the distinct traits of birds and what they want from their habitats. Because the week progresses, they’ll discover meals sources and uncover the diversifications that assist birds thrive on this area.

• June 22–26: Habitats Week!
The Platte River ecosystem is important to birds and different wildlife. Campers will dive into the wetlands, study nutrient biking within the prairies, and discover methods to assist shield the Platte River sooner or later.

• June 29–July 3: Artwork & Nature Week!
Nature journaling provides a significant strategy to join with native ecosystems. Campers will reply to artistic prompts, full artwork tasks, and create works utilizing pure supplies.

Flying Greater Camp (present fifth–eighth grade)

• July 7–10: Scientific Research Week!
Campers will find out how conservationists use science to grasp and handle prairie and river ecosystems at Rowe, whereas additionally collaborating in their very own analysis tasks.

Registration is due by Could 26, 2026. You’ll be able to be taught extra about camp here.

By their lengthy historical past and continued dedication to hands-on studying, summer season camps at Rowe Sanctuary stay a necessary a part of its mission. They not solely introduce younger individuals to the sweetness and complexity of the Platte River ecosystem but in addition assist make sure that future generations carry ahead an understanding of why locations like Rowe Sanctuary matter.

Registration