Summer Camps

Audubon-Naturalists-in-Training (ANTS)

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve - June 16

Teens ages 13-18. ANTS, Audubon-Naturalists-in-Training, is for teens age 13-18 who love to be outside and work with children. ANTS assist our Outdoor Discovery Camp staff in leading our day camp of nature exploration, trail hikes, games, and crafts for kids ages 5-12. ANTS must attend this 1-day, 4-hour training course (10am to 2 pm), and commit to a total of 30 hours of service during this summer's day camps in June and July. Teens attend this ANTS training at BFNR regardless of which property they choose to work at for the summer. Questions and preferences for which camps you want to help with may be directed to Scott, sdetwiler@aswp.org. ANTs training is eligible for scholarships. 

Cost: $50



Birdz Camp

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve: June 19-23 

Entering 6th - 9th Grade. Birding is cool, fun, and the fastest-growing outdoor activity in America. Campers will develop new skills by spending quality time in the field with the correct equipment and with one of our expert guides. Included are guest speakers, visits to Todd Nature Reserve and North Park, and a trip to Moraine State Park to look for Bald Eagles, Ospreys and Cliff Swallows rounding out the week. Each participant will receive a birding field pack complete with binoculars, field guides, & other materials. This is an all day camp, from 9 am - 3 pm. Students must provide their own lunches. 

Cost: ASWP members $275; ASWP non-members: $300

Wilderness Skills for Survival

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve: July 31-August 4

Succop Nature Park: July 10-14

Buffalo Creek Nature Park: August 7-11

For kids entering 5th - 8th grade. These are the skills you need to know now! Learn to recognize the best plants to use when building proper shelters and fires, then build them! Secure your shelter with knots using natural fibers, and cook over an open fire like a pro. Orient yourself with just nature as your guide. This is an all day camp from 9 am - 3 pm. Students must provide their own lunches. 

Cost: ASWP members $275; ASWP non-members: $325

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve: June 19-23, June 26-30, July 3-7 [4 day camp with adjusted pricing], July 17-21, July 31-August 4

Succop Nature Park: July 10-14

Buffalo Creek Nature Park: July 24-28

For kids entering 3rd - 6th grade.  Observe, identify, explore—and make a difference in the world. We combine learning about our natural world and our place in it with the fun of a summer day. For kids entering grades 3-6 this fall. Choose All day (9am to 4pm), Morning Only (9am-12pm) or Afternoon Only (1pm-4pm). Every morning and afternoon has different activities, and each week has a different collection of themes, so your camper will never run out of new things to do.  Campers must provide their own lunches. 

Camp cost for members: Half Day $125; Full Day $275 [July 4 week: Half Day $100; Full Day $220]

Camp cost for non-members: Half Day $160; Full Day $325 [July 4 week: Half Day $125; Full Day $260]

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve: June 19-23, June 26-30, July 3-7 [4 day camp with adjusted pricing], July 17-21, July 31-August 4

Succop Nature Park: July 10-14

Buffalo Creek Nature Park: July 24-28

For kids entering Kindergarten to 2nd grade. Jump like a toad, zing like a dragonfly, and sway like a tree! Explore forest, field, and pond for birds and bugs, frogs and foxes. Make nature crafts, play games, and get dirty along the way. Each week features a new and exciting nature theme. Each camp week has a morning (9am-12pm) session and an afternoon (1pm-4pm) session. Every morning and afternoon has different activities, and week has a different collection of themes, so your camper will never run out of new things to do. Campers must provide their own lunches. 

Camp cost for members: Half Day $125; Full Day $275 / [July 4 week: Half Day $100; Full Day $220]
Camp cost for non-members: Half Day $160; Full Day $325 / [July 4 week: Half Day $125; Full Day $260]

(Please see list below for available camps for specific age groups)

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve:  July 10 and July 11

Succop Nature Park: July 24 and July 25 

Buffalo Creek Nature Park: July 17 and July 18

Want to develop your scouting skills over the summer while earning your Merit Badges? This camp is open to anyone age 12-17, even if you're not a Scout. Topics include Geocaching (participants must bring a GPS-enabled smart phone or other device) and Environmental Science. Please see MeritBadge.org for details on the material we will cover. We will complete all the requirements for these badges. We also offer merit badge workshops to organized groups of 5 or more, contact Scott at sdetwiler@aswp.org for details.

You must register for each day independently.

 Cost: ASWP members $40 per session; ASWP non-members: $50 per session.

BEECHWOOD FARMS NATURE RESERVE

July 10 Environmental Science: all requirements met

July 11 Geocaching (participants must bring a GPS-enabled smart phone or other device); all requirements met

SUCCOP NATURE PARK

July 24 : Environmental Science: all requirements met

July 25 Geocaching (participants must bring a GPS-enabled smart phone or other device); all requirements met

BUFFALO CREEK NATURE PARK

July 17 Environmental Science: all requirements met

July 18 Geocaching (participants must bring a GPS-enabled smart phone or other device); all requirements met

June 5-7; various locations (see below)​

Birding is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activity in America. The primary objective of this camp is for every participant to emerge from the course with a lasting knowledge of and appreciation for birds, particularly the birds of Western Pennsylvania. Campers will develop their birding skills by spending time in the field observing species with one of our expert guides and Master Birder graduates. Included are visits to Todd Nature Reserve, Moraine State Park , and Harrison Hills. 8am – 12 pm

Camp cost for members: $100
Camp cost for non-members: $140