Green Heron Nature Camp 2022

This exciting nature awareness program connects children to the Petaluma River Watershed through hands-on learning and exploration. Activities for camp include naturalist games, primitive skills, canoeing, crafts, bird watching, identifying wild edibles and fresh farm food crafting. We will explore the River by boat experiencing the hidden treasures of the River.

We keep our camp sizes small so we can focus on each individual camper and ensure the best possible experience and connection with the Petaluma River. We currently have a 4:1 ratio of campers to staff.

During COVID-19 we are following all CDC and County health and safety guidelines. Camp will take place in 3 cohorts in order to keep groups small. The Coyote and Steelhead Cohorts, for youth 6-12 years old, will follow a similar weekly flow except the Steelhead Cohort will spend an additional day on the water.

The River Otters Cohort is for youth 9-13 years old and will often include a general theme for the week. This group will spend more time on the water, build more advanced nature skills and take a deeper look at the plants and animals found in the Petaluma Watershed.

NEW IN 2022

We are excited to introduce a few new “themed” weeks of camp this Summer!  Each week provides an opportunity for youth to dive deep and connect to place through an immersive experiential-based approach.  Our themed weeks include: Nature’s Chefs, Herbal Medicine Making, Wilderness Skills, Earth Stewards, and Maker’s by Nature. We are also happy to announce a return of our Golden Eagles week – a Nature Connection program for Teens, ages 13-16. Please see below for a further description of each theme. 

Each week will include a variety of our deep nature connection routines, including nature games, sit spots, nature journaling and more.

For more information please contact Stephanie Bastianon at stephanie@FriendsofthePetalumaRiver.org, or call (707) 763-7756.

GHNC CAMP DETAILS:

Cost:  Coyote & Steelhead Cohorts $325/wk  |  River Otters Cohort $350/wk

Camp takes place at Steamer Landing Park, Open Field Farms and the Petaluma Marina.

Monday through Friday 9:00AM – 3:00PM

*  This symbol means the cohort is a themed week

SUMMER 2022 DATES

WEEK 1 – June 13 – 17 – Click a link below to register for a cohort (Theme for River Otters: Wilderness Skills)

(All Week 1 cohorts are currently full. Please CLICK HERE to sign up on our waitlist and you will be notified when a space becomes available.)

Coyote Cohort |  Steelhead Cohort   |   River Otters Cohort

 

WEEK 2 – June 20-24 – Click a link below to register for a cohort (Theme for River Otters: Herbal Medicine-Making)

(The River Otter and Steelhead cohorts are currently full. Please CLICK HERE to sign up on our waitlist and you will be notified when a space becomes available.)

Coyote Cohort |  Steelhead Cohort   |  River Otters Cohort*

 

WEEK 3 – June 27-July 1 – Click a link below to register for a cohort (Theme for Coyote & River Otters: Makers By Nature)

(The Coyote and Steelhead cohorts are currently full. Please CLICK HERE to sign up on our waitlist and you will be notified when a space becomes available.)

Coyote Cohort* |  Steelhead Cohort   |  River Otters Cohort*

 

WEEK 4 – July 4-8 – Click a link below to register for a cohort

Coyote CohortSteelhead Cohort   |  River Otters Cohort

 

WEEK 5 – July 11-15 – Click a link below to register for a cohort

(All cohorts are currently full. Please CLICK HERE to sign up on our waitlist and you will be notified when a space becomes available.)

Coyote Cohort |  Steelhead Cohort |  River Otters Cohort

 

WEEK 6 – July 18-22 – Click a link below to register for a cohort (Theme for Coyotes: Nature’s Chefs)

(The Coyote and Steelhead cohorts are currently full. Please CLICK HERE to sign up on our waitlist and you will be notified when a space becomes available.)

Coyote Cohort* |  Steelhead Cohort

 

WEEK 7 – July 25-29 – Click a link below to register for a cohort (Theme for Steelhead: Nature’s Chefs)

Coyote Cohort | Steelhead Cohort*  |  Golden Eagles

 

WEEK 8 – August 1-5 – Click a link below to register for a cohort (Theme for River Otters: Earth Stewards)

(The River Otter cohort is currently full. Please CLICK HERE to sign up on our waitlist and you will be notified when a space becomes available.)

Coyote Cohort |  Steelhead Cohort   |  River Otters Cohort*

 

Herbal Medicine Making

We’ll get to know our plant friends from the Petaluma River Watershed during this weeklong  Herbal Medicine Making camp.  We will invite campers into the plant world with an introduction to herbalism, including harvesting ethics, plant I.D, reciprocity and making our own plant medicines.  During the week campers will have fun delighting their senses with a wide variety of plant potions, including honeys, teas, aromatic spritzers and more.

Makers by Nature~Art with Nature

We all have a maker inside us, and how great it is to craft with local materials creating something beautiful.  We will be connecting to place through our artistic expression.  Campers will be introduced to a variety of nature based art creations using natural pigments, wool, natural fibers, clay and more.

Nature’s Chefs(fresh)

During this week of camp youth will experience the joy of cooking.  We will begin with an introduction to basic culinary skills including food preparation, knife safety and chopping techniques with local produce.  Everyone will have an opportunity to harvest and prepare a variety of farm fresh food, and herbal treats and beverages to share.

Wilderness Skills Competency

This camp introduces the fundamentals of wilderness skills through connecting to nature in a playful and grounded way.  Campers will build connection and confidence in wilderness settings that support them in thriving in and out of nature. All activities will allow for sharpening our awareness of our surroundings through fire making, shelter building, foraging for food, treating wounds, and purifying water. Campers will gain a strong sense of place, peace, and confidence in the outdoors as they learn skills that become helpful for thriving in wilderness situations.

Earth Stewards 

Earth Stewards will provide the  opportunity for youth to dive deep into connection with nature and land stewardship. By developing knowledge of and orientation to place, we will learn as stewards through species monitoring, community science practices, and activities within our local ecosystem. Campers will cumulatively design and implement a restoration project of their choice. 

Golden Eagles

This program focuses on supporting teens, 13-16 years old, in developing their leadership skills, nature competency and healthy communication skills with peers. During this week of camp teens will deepen their connection to nature while having fun in the beautiful Petaluma River Watershed.
Campers will spend time paddling along the Petaluma River, engage in daily nature connection routines, craft with earth based materials, play nature games, learn basic orienteering and more. We will end the week with an overnight campout on Thursday night.