Ages 6-10
Skofield Park in Mission Canyon
Camper pick up and drop off and Extended Day take place at MacKenzie
Park at Las Positas Road and McCaw Avenue. Session #4 During Fiesta
Extended Day and Pick up and Drop off takes place at Oak Park
300 West Alamar near the corner of Junipero street and Alamar
Information: 564-5495 Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm; second Friday until 9:00 AM
Extended Care: 7:30-9:00am and 4:00-5:30pm
Five 2-week sessions:
June 15– June 26, June 29 – July 10, July 13-July 24, July 27-August 7,
August 10 – August 21, August 18-August 22

Nature Camp is located in Skofield Park in beautiful Mission Canyon, two miles southeast of Santa Barbara’s Botanic Gardens. Campers experience a full and rewarding two-week (Nine-day) program focusing on the flora and fauna of the Santa Barbara foothills, studies of local creeks, Arts and Crafts, lots of goofy skits and songs and plenty of camp games. Some of the hikes may be modified with curriculum focusing on fire restoration in the burned areas from the Tea and Jesusita fires. Also during Red Flag Alerts Nature Camp will relocate to the beach or park and not hold activities at Skofield Park or in and around Mission Canyon.
Field trips to local beaches including Leadbetter, Butterfly, East Beach, and Carpinteria State Beach will also take place. Additional field trips include the Watershed Resource Center, The Land fill, Kids World, Museum of Natural History, and Los Baños Pool. All sessions include a camp overnight, which takes place on the second Thursday of each session. Parents bring a picnic dinner to Skofield Park at 5:00 PM for their camper and any family and friends and have a meal with their camper(s). After dinner, the campers perform fabulous songs and skits for their family. At about 7:30 parents leave and campers spend the night under the stars. Parents may take their camper with them or bring overnight gear and their camper(s) spend the night and enjoy more activities including a campfire and parents go home to spend a quiet evening in their own beds.

Please note that on Friday following the overnight, camp will end at 9:00 AM. We ask that parents be at MacKenzie Park at 9:00 AM to pick up their camper and gear. Nature Camp is unique and special in that campers are placed in groups of 8 to 10 and no more than 35 campers are enrolled in each session. Junior Counselors are also a big part of the Nature Camp energy and spirit and if you have a teenager between the ages of 12 and 16 they should apply to be a Junior Counselor. Much more information on the Junior Counselor Program is also available on our web site. Each day begins at 9am with the “Morning Celebration,” -- a series of camp songs, an overview of the activities, and the daily Trivia contest. Nature Camp has a daily theme such as ‘Welcome to Camp Day’, Love a Beach Day, Party Day or Hike a Trail Day with all activities geared toward that theme. Of course sometimes staff need to alter the course of the day and we’ll be sure and keep you updated on any changes due to weather, Red Flag Alerts or the many things that can alter the course of nature.

Transportation
Campers in sessions 1, 2,3 & 5 are picked up each morning from MacKenzie Park (near Las Positas Road and McCaw Ave) and transported to Skofield Park at 9am and returned to MacKenzie Park at 4pm. Session 4 due to El Mercado del Norte in MacKenzie Park pickup/drop off is at Oak Park. Parents must sign their camper into and out of camp each day. We request that parents drop off their camper by 8:45 so we may get the day started. Frequently Nature Camp will have time-certain destinations or guests and we like to be prompt.

Extended Day
Extended Day is available in the mornings starting at 7:30 am and in the afternoons from 4- 5:30 for families who need their camper supervised before and after regular camp hours. Extended Day takes place in MacKenzie Park in the Adult building next to the playground. Extended Day activities are passive and include table games, puzzles, free-time on the playground or just having a nice chat with a friend. Extended Day session #4 takes place at Oak Park (corner of Pueblo and Alamar near the playground) due to Fiesta activities at MacKenzie Park.

Meet the Staff of Nature Camp 2009
Kelci Hahn – Nature Camp Director
Kelci has just finished her second year at UCLA as a Vocal Performance and Music Education Major. Returning for her 13th year to Nature Camp, Kelci is now the director.  Kelsi has worked her way from camper to JC to counselor, brings lots of new ideas and spins on the "oldies, but goodies," and is incredibly excited to see what the summer holds. With all of her performance background, she is bringing even more music and skits to family night. Kelci says "I am so excited to start camp and spend every day doing exactly what I love”! I only hope that this summer is as wonderful for everyone as I know it will be for me!" Yayyy!!!

Reese Beisser – Nature Camp Counselor (Sessions 2 & 5)
Reese just finished his third year at UCSB studying microbiology. Reese was born and raised in Santa Barbara where he was a Nature Camper, Junior Counselor, Counselor, and Director and has now passed the torch to Kelci. Although Reese is very tall, he’s not grown up and thus will return as a Counselor for two sessions.  After being with Nature Camp for thirteen years, Reese knows all about the craziness and fun that keeps him coming back. Reese plays guitar, enjoys theatre and dance and says “I’m looking forward to yet another year and seeing campers from previous years and meeting new campers”.

Molly Payne – Nature Camp Counselor (Session 3 & 4)
Molly is a Graduate of UBSB who majored in English and Dramatic Arts and will be entering her third year as a Nature Camp Counselor. Molly has worked the last three years as an administrative assistant at Franklin school and as A-OK (After School Opportunities for Kids) director at McKinley School. Molly loves working Nature Camp and being outdoors; however, with her busy schedule, she’s only available sessions #3 and #4. 

Michael Hanson – Nature Camp Counselor (Session 1 & ?)
Some of you may remember the ‘soon to be famous’ Michael Hanson who is a former Nature Camp Counselor, UCLA Theater Grad and will once again be ‘performing’ his favorite role…that of Nature Camp ‘King’ Counselor. Michael will single handedly transform any educational experience into a theatrical opportunity. Look out session #1!

Tyler Parent – Nature Camp Counselor
Every year, a stellar Nature Camp Junior Counselor is selected to be a Counselor.  Last year it was Tyler and this year……it’s Tyler again! During the school year Tyler attends Santa Barbara High where he studies Biology, is a decathlete for the track team and works as a sports official for Parks and Recreation.Tyler has received all of the training and certifications as the other staff except van certification and driving.  We expect Tyler to be with Nature Camp for a few more years. Perhaps next year if Tyler is trained as a van driver, the door will open for a new stellar JC to apply for his position.

Claire Findley – Nature Camp Counselor
Claire is an amazing young woman who came to Parks and Recreation from a vast background in outdoor education and experience working with children. Claire currently works for Santa Barbara School District as an A-OK Program Leader at Adams School, is a former Camp Director for Paradise Park Day Camp in San Francisco, a Counselor at Larkspur Art n’ Sports Camp, a ropes course instructor for UCSB Outdoor Adventures and an Environmental Education Teacher at Isla Vista School. Clair is also a UCSB graduate and will be a tremendous new asset to Nature Camp this year.

Matt Donner – Nature Camp Counselor
Every so often an applicant comes through our door that is a natural fit. Since we hire for fit and train for skill, Matt will be our newest Nature Camp Counselor. Matt attends Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo where he is involved in local theater. Matt’s very talented and excited to be working Nature Camp while currently undergoing all of the training and required certifications. ‘It will be a great summer’ Matt says.

Eva Roodenrijs – Nature Camp Counselor (Session #5 and Sub)
Eva is a former Nature Camp Junior Counselor who’s earned her way into the Nature Camp family to assist where needed. Though Eva would love to work full-time and would be fabulous, she’s 17 years old and will need (like Tyler) to wait. Eva’s been working for Parks and Recreation this year as a soccer official, is a student at San Marcos high school, plays varsity soccer and has played soccer for SB Soccer Club.  Many JC’s met Eva at the interviews.

Should you have any questions about any of our staff or their certifications and training feel free to call Terry Brown at (805)560-7552.