ENC Nature Camps

The ENC has offered Nature Camps since 1977! Nature Camp provides quality science education in an outdoor, hands-on setting.  Our campers learn while having a great time! ENC Nature Camp emphasizes experiential learning. Campers spend most of their time outside observing nature up close using tools like binoculars, magnifying lenses and microscopes. Science concepts are introduced in a fun environment, with crafts, games and hands-on activities.

Camp Logistics

The health and safety of our campers, staff, and volunteers is and always has been of utmost importance to the ENC. In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, we are constantly assessing the status of Orange County’s public health and making decisions related to our camp programs based on the most up-to-date and scientific information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Orange County Healthcare Agency.  The policies below are up-to-date, but are always subject to change.

Drop Off & Pick Up

The camp day begins at 9am.  Please do not drop your child off any earlier than that, as we will not be ready to supervise your child prior to 9am.  The camp day ends at 1pm, or 3pm if you sign up for After Camp.

Health Checks

Please do not send your child to camp if they are sick. Please screen your child for symptoms before leaving home. Children who show symptoms will be sent home.

Camp Group Size

Camp groups are typically 10 campers per one Naturalist, with 1-2 teen assistants (LITs).  Little Naturalist campers are in smaller groups (up to 8 children).

Read the Nature Camp Newsletter prior to your first day of camp!

FAQ’s

If you do not see your questions answered on this page, feel free to call us at 949-645-8489 or email the Camp Director!

My children are a few years apart, can they be in the same group? Our Campers are divided into groups by grade level. Curricula and activities are designed for these different age groups, which are developmentally distinct from each other.

What is the registration deadline? All camp registrations are open until 12PM on the weekday preceding the start of the camp OR until full.

Who are the Camp Teachers?  Most of the Camp Teachers are our Naturalists who teach here throughout the school year.  A few exceptional individuals join us to complement our amazing team (they also work year round in the outdoor environmental education field).  All of our teachers are exceptionally qualified in elementary science education and represent a wide range of expertise in the Orange County educational community.