Registration for Tucker SUMMER Nature Camp is still open!
Click HERE to register.
Wilderness Adventure Camp at the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary features immersive outdoor exploration, discovery, and wonder. Led by our expert educators, kids are invited to explore nature through hands-on discoveries and play.
The ENC has offered Nature Camps since 1977! Nature Camp provides nature play and quality science education in an outdoor, hands-on setting. We are excited to offer Wilderness Adventure Camp for a third summer at the ENC’s Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary! Our Nature Camps emphasize experiential learning. Campers spend their time in the wilderness, having a great time observing nature up close using tools like binoculars, nature journals and microscopes. Science concepts are introduced in a fun environment, with crafts, games and hands-on activities.
Nature Camp provides a fun learning experience while also giving campers the opportunity to get outside for fresh air, physical activity, and a chance to hang out socially with their peers. Campers will spend time at ENC’s Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary with friends and mentors for hands-on education, creative enrichment and expression, a chance to explore.
Tucker Wilderness Adventure Camp is offered for kids age 5-8.
Remaining Summer Nature Camp dates:
Session 2: June 24 – 28 – Nature Detectives
Session 3: July 1 – 5 (no camp on 7-4) – California Adventures
Session 4: July 8 – 12 – Amazing Animals – FULL
Session 5: July 15 – 19 – Planet Protectors
Session 6: July 22 – 26 – Nature Creativity
Session 7: July 29 – August 2 – Science Superstars – FULL
Session 8: August 5 – 9 – Plant Power
Summer Nature Camp Fee: $345
Reach out to our Education Director (mindy@encenter.org) if you have any questions.
ENC members can use their discount code to receive a 10% discount. If you are a current member, please contact us for your discount code well before trying to register, as some programs fill quickly. If you are not, you can become a member, now!
Register HERE.
What time is Camp?
Camp is 4 hours long (9am-1pm). There is no option for extended care.
What about COVID?
The ENC will adhere to health and safety standards based on the most up-to-date and scientific information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the OC Health Care Agency. Read about our camp logistics HERE prior to registering.
If you like, you can read the Camp Orientation with lots of great info that Campers hear on their first day of Nature Camp.
Questions? Call 949-645-8489 ext. 102
Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
How many campers are in each group? Camp is limited to small classes of up to 10 campers per teacher with an assistant.
What is the registration deadline? Registration closes at noon on the Friday before each camp, but frequently camps fill long before that. An additional fee ($60 per camper) applies for late registration (less than 96 hours before the first day of a camp session). Please realize that Camp Staff does not work between 5PM on Friday and 8AM on Monday, so contacting us about late registration over the weekend may not guarantee a spot in camp for your child.
Who are the Camp Teachers? Our Nature Camp Teachers are Naturalists who teach here throughout the school year. All of our educators are exceptionally qualified in elementary science education and represent a wide range of expertise in the Orange County educational community. See our staff bios HERE.
What will the kids be doing? Campers explore the Sanctuary, interact with our Animal Ambassadors, play educational nature themed games, create nature themed arts and crafts, do science experiments and so much more. Each week has different activities, so feel free to sign up for more than one session!
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!
ENC Nature Camp Scholarships
The ENC provides a limited number of partial (1/2 the camp fee) scholarships each SUMMER. Limit one per family. Sessions will be determined based on availability. ENC Nature Camp Scholarship Instructions:
1. Complete scholarship application, HERE, on or after March 1.
2. Complete the online Nature Camp application at https://encenter.campbrainregistration.com/ up through the point of paying. Do not pay. Once you get to that point, email Mindy (mindy@encenter.org) and let her know you’ve completed this step.
3. Email or mail a letter of recommendation from your child’s current teacher. Be sure that the letter is signed with the teacher’s name, title and phone number. Mailing address: Environmental Nature Center, Attn: Camp Director, 1601 E. 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663
4. A thank you letter from your child written to the scholarship provider, within one week of the completion of the session.
Deadline: Scholarship applications must be submitted by May 31, 2023 by 8AM. Scholarship recipients will be notified in early June.
- Refund requests made 2 weeks or more prior to the start date of camp are subject to $50.00 fee per session of camp.
- Less than 2 weeks notice, no refund requests will be processed.
- Absent Campers: There are no refunds, make up days or credits for days missed for any reason (including sickness/illness). The ENC depends on income from camps for the continued operations of the Center.
- All session changes will incur a $25.00 fee.