Nature Camp

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REFUND POLICY

Cancel before March 15th – Receive a full refund

Cancel between March 16th and May 15th – Receive a 50% refund 

Cancel on or after May 16th – No refund is available, but 50% of the registration cost can be used towards a future registration

If you need to move your camp week to another week, we can do this with no charge to you (pending availability in the week you’d like to move to).

Program Details

Ages

4 to 8 years old

Camp Hours

9:00am – 4:00pm 

*no before or after care availability*

Location

Patapsco Valley State Park – Hilton Area

 

Cost of Camp

$399

 

Discounts Available

Sibling discount – Register 2 or more children and receive $50 off your total booking cost when you enter the code SIBLING2025 during checkout.

Exciting adventures that nurture a love for nature through free play and exploration!

Terrapin Adventures Nature Camp is a child-led, nature-based play experience where campers are free to follow their natural sense of wonder and explore at their own pace. Without a rigid schedule, each day unfolds organically as campers make their own choices, embracing free play and discovery. Whether climbing fallen logs, investigating insects, or creating woodland forts, children learn through exploration in a way that feels like pure adventure. Rooted in Montessorian principles, our program encourages campers to develop teamwork, compromise, and conflict resolution skills as they collaboratively shape their day. Through challenge by choice, every camper engages at a level that feels right for them, fostering confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of the outdoors.

Learn more about the benefits of free play from the American Psychological Association.

Frequently Asked Camp Questions

Each day all campers should bring a reusable water bottle that holds at least 24 ounces, a non-perishable lunch and snacks, full change of clothes (including shoes), sunscreen, and bug spray. A raincoat or poncho is recommended depending on the weather.

Unfortunately, before and after care are not available for our nature camp.

Drop off is between 9:00-9:30 am.

Pick up is between 3:30-4:00 pm.

Transportation is not provided to campers in the Nature Camp program.

We provide early bird pricing through the end of January.  

We also provide a sibling discount. During checkout, please use the code SIBLING2025 to receive $50 off your booking. Please note that you must fit the criteria to claim this discount! 

While our other camp programs have a set daily schedule, our nature camp is a little different. Our only set scheduled events are check-in (9:00-9:30), lunch (around noon), and check-out (3:30-4:00). The rest of the day’s events are entirely up to the campers to decide!

Absolutely! We have many campers that sign up for multiple weeks during the summer. Since our nature camp is entirely child-led, there is little chance they’ll have the same exact experience!

That’s okay! Our nature camp program is fully challenge-by-choice, and activities are decided by the campers themselves. 

If your child will need prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, emergency medication, homeopathic remedies, vitamins, etc while they are at camp, they will need to be capable of self-administering their medication. Although our staff are trained to handle medical emergencies and oversee the health and safety of our campers, they are not able to administer medication.

Additionally, you must complete the medication administration form. This form must be signed by both the parent and the child’s physician. 

Emergency medication will remain with the camper who needs it. A Camp Counselor will store the Epi-Pen, Inhaler, or other Emergency Medication in the medical backpack for the child’s group. 

We operate rain or shine! Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather and have a waterproof raincoat on hand. 

In the event of a summer thunderstorm, we’ll move to the closest shelter.

Some of our camp programs do include campfire meals. When you fill out your health form, please make sure to list all food allergies your child has so that we can make sure they have something they can eat the day(s) that they will be campfire cooking with us. We can accomodate almost all food allergies or dietary restrictions.

If your child’s food allergy is airbourne or a contact allergy, please make sure to note this on your child’s health form so that we can work as a team to keep everyone safe at camp.