CAMP DESCRIPTIONS
American Girl Camping – Are you as adventuresome as your American Girl? Bring your favorite doll and join us as we
explore the wide world of nature. We will make sleeping bags for your doll, have a cookout and go exploring.
Animal Dancing - Can you move like an animal? We will have an animal dance party and make up our own moves as well.
Archery – Beginning– Learn beginning archery skills and make your own bow and arrow. Learn archery folktales. Get some target practice and learn the etiquette and safety rules of for all projectiles.
Archery – Advanced – This camp is for serious archers who have previously completed an archery class. This class provides
extended target time to practice consistent, accurate shooting skills.
Camping & Hiking Skills - We’ll set up a campsite, cook over the fire, blaze a trail, whittle, and learn first aid. It’s everything great about
camping, but with a good night’s sleep in your own bed!
Dino Dig/Paleontologist– Let's walk back in time and delve into a world before humans existed! We will learn about dinosaurs, excavate in search of dinosaur fossils, and create dinosaur themed crafts, including making our own dinosaur fossils.
DaVinci's World - daVinci was an Artist, Inventor, Naturalist, Architect, Machinist, and Designer. He studied human anatomy and health as well. Let's discovery his world and interests.
Eric Carle Bugs – Enjoy the stories of Eric Carle and spend the week exploring the woods, fields, and ponds for an up close look into the world of bugs. We’ll make bug-themed crafts and play fun games as we celebrate these fascinating critters.
Exploring Artists - If you love to paint, this camp is for you. We'll explore the color wheel and learn about blending colors. We'll investigate colors and emotions. In addition, each day we will learn about a new artist and spend the day creating art projects based on their unique styles and what we can find in nature and imagination. Artists include Van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, George Baselitz, and Andy Goldsworthy. Projects are simplified for younger campers in the morning and extended for older campers in the afternoon.
Fairy Camp - If you like using your imagination and everything magic, looking for Fairies and Elves is for you! We will learn their characteristics and how they help care for the plants and critters in the woods. We’ll build fairy houses, look for treasures, play games, and create fairy gardens, wings or wands to take home.
Fairy Tales - Everyone loves classic fairy tales. We will tell fairy tales that happened in the woods and act them out. We may even mix up a few.
Fancy Nancy Goes Glamping – Fancy Nancy loves everything shimmery, shiny, or sparkly. She also loves ribbons, tea parties, lavender and anything French. She loves bugs and flowers and knows how to find all the beautiful things in Nature. We will look extraordinarily spectacular as we explore outdoors with our Fancy gear and nature journal.
Fiber Arts - Based on Laurie Calson's guidebook, Knit, Hook, and Spin, this fiber arts camp focuses on easy and quick projects that can be reproduced at home such as hand spinning, finger knitting and fork weaving. We will make gifts like friendship bracelets, pet collars, or felted soaps, beads or balls. We will also take breaks to gather some craft materials out in nature and then relax in the shade to create. Additional material fee ($5 or less) may apply. Adults are welcome to drop in or the first or last hour for crafting time.
50 Dangerous Things –Inspired by the book, “50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do),” we hope to remember that climbing trees is good for the soul, and that a pocketknife is not a weapon. Full of exciting ways children can explore the world around them, we will learn to “Play with Fire” and “Taste Electricity” while learning about safety and much, much more.
Fishing Adventures – Spend time fishing as well as exploring the woods and pond. Experiment with different bait to catch catfish, brim, and bluegill. Learn about fish body parts, habitats, and those in North Carolina fresh water. We will taste different kinds of fish cooked over a campfire.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road - We'll search for the Wizard and along the way we'll talk about Courage, Brains, and Hearts. Don't be surprised if we run into a witch or two.
Frog and Toad – Everyone loves Frog and Toad. We will recreate their world and act out their stories. They will teach us about being a great friend. We will sing all the frog songs we know. We will look for and learn the difference between real frogs and toads too.
Gardening 101 – This camp will teach you methods of sustainable gardening that you can replicate in your own yard. We'll talk about soil preparation, composting, plant parts and life cycle, companion planting, native plants and invasive plants. In this camp, we will help maintain Woodland gardens and taste fresh garden produce each day. You will plant your own micro-green garden to take home.
Going on a Bear Hunt - There are lots of things hidden in the woods: Lions, Tigers, and BEARS? or maybe other animals as well. Come join us as we overcome our fears and go looking for all kinds of imaginative surprises.
International Sleepover - Each day we will delve into a new country to explore their celebrations and crafts! We plan to visit Spain, Japan, Mexico, and Korea. Morning camp is simplified for younger campers and afternoons are reserved for older kids. On the last day of camp, we will gather blankets on the grass, do some typical sleepover crafts like making beaded friendship bracelets, popping some popcorn and watching a movie.
Mad Scientist – Campers will wonder “What if?” as they do some mixing, melting, and exploding all while having a super time
acquiring STEM knowledge! They will do hands on experiments and have opportunities to ask new questions, create their own
experiments, and share their knowledge at this creative, exploratory, fun science camp.
Make a Book - Become an author and make your own book! For those with an interest in storytelling and drawing, we will spend the week writing, developing, cutting out and gluing text, and illustrating our own books which they can take home. We will read other stories for inspiration, play outside games, and create self-portraits for the biography page.
Mindful Monsters - While "mindful" and "monster" seems incongruent, we will use a Monster theme to learn about being intentional and making choices.
Mr. MacGregor’s Garden – We will dig in the dirt, plant seeds and create gardening accessories. We will also read stories by Beatrice Potter and learn about the plants and critters in Mr. MacGregor’s garden. This gardening experience for the youngest of campers will provide free play and age-appropriate games and activities.
Mud, Clay and Camouflage - We will play in the mud, create with clay, and combine both to camouflage ourselves in nature. We will have loads fo fun playing games that rely on camouflage. We WILL get dirty!
Music Makers - There are magical sounds in the woods. We will listen to the sounds of nature, make musical instruments, and make our own joyful noises.
Off to Neverland – Join Peter Pan and the Darling children in the adventures of Fairies, Mermaids, Pirates, Injuns, and the Lost boys on this adventure of Never-Growing- Up.
Ooey, Gooey, Messy Play - Engage in all kinds of sensory, muddy, and wet fun during this camp that will delight every child. We will mix up all kinds of concoctions while making up our own recipes! Come ready to get wet and dirty.
Outdoor Adventures – Campers will learn how to play safely in the woods, including hiking basics, leave no trace principles, and fire safety. This camp may include outdoor games, knots, and first aid. Older kids will get to try a little fishing and archery.
Outdoor Cooking - Plan on building a fire every day and learning techniques of foil, dutch oven, stick, and 1 pot cooking. Incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables by selecting, foraging, or harvesting. Be prepared to experiment with new tastes. This camp runs an extra hour for 4 days to include lunch that we make! No Allergies or special diets, please. (Tuesday - Friday)
Treasure Trails/Escape Rooms – Work with your team to discover clues, solve puzzles, and investigate mysteries in this new twist on summer camp. We will “escape” outdoor rooms, follow clues on treasure trails, and learn what makes a good mystery. Bring your ideas and create an escape room experience for us all to solve. Lots of role playing and mysterious fun.
Tumbling/Yoga - Making our bodies move in active and reflective ways will help build core strength and confidence. We will also spend time exploring the woods.
Under the Big Top - Let's have a circus by pretending to be circus animals, acrobats, and clowns. We will put together the "greatest show on earth!"
Wild Butterflies - We will learn just how special butterflies are as we learn to identify caterpillars and butterflies, learn about their life cycle, and plan for plants to attract both. We will also compare moths, read stories, and create beautiful crafts.
Wilderness Survival - Campers will learn several skills required to survive in the wilderness. We will experiment with design styles and effective shelters, campfires, solar cooking, and foraging. We may even eat a bug!
Woodland Art – Nature provides so many examples of art to admire, to recreate, and to use. Join us for this mixed media camp of creation!
World Christmas Customs - It is beach weather in Australia for Christmas, so let's mark the half year of our favorite holiday by learning about customs around the world. We will do crafts, play games and make decorations and gifts.
Camp Kindness with the Kindness Elves – Back by popular demand, some of the kindness elves are returning with their fun camp activities to show kindness and empathy towards others. The Kindness Elves model kindness in a magical way with the understanding that kindness is not seasonal or a chore, but is great fun and van be an integral part of our lives every day. We experience happiness when we do things to bring happiness to others.
Artist Elves - The Artist Elves love art and music and are creative in their thinking and actions. This week we will make and play musical instruments, create plenty of beautiful art, and make friendship bracelets.
Potion Mixers Elves - The Potion Mixer Elves love to create and experiment, stirring up bubbly concoctions all day. We will make fizzing kindness potions, mix up some of our own creations, and put our kindness into action by serving others.
Storyteller Elves - The Story Tellers Elves love to read, write, and talk. We will enjoy lots of stories, write kind messages, and put on puppet shows together. We will create a kindness journal to take home.
Wish Maker Elves - The Wish Maker Elves love to spark joy in everyone around them and leave a place more beautiful than before. They love to invent surprises and make wishes come true. We will make wands for our magic adventures, go on treasure hunts and have plenty of laughs.
TAASC Adventure Camp - (The American Adventure Service Corp)- Building on the popular older kid summer adventure camp from last year, Woodland Discovery is pleased to partner with the American Adventure Service Corp to offer more! Lake Norman TAASC (pronounced "Task") is a service and educational non-profit offering weekly meetings and weekend trips for kids ages 8-18 in the Lake Norman Region. This summer TAASC will be offering four weekly day camps from 1-4 PM. Each weekend, an additional opportunity for adventure will be offered for students to test their new skills. This is a great way for those who have never heard of TAASC to try it out and see if it is for them. Optional weekend adventures are $60-$65 per day and will be paid directly to TAASC.
Campcraft -Learn about the tricks and tools you need to plan an overnight camping trip in North Carolina. We will learn about camping equipment, knots, shelters, fire building, and map and compass skills. Natural history and "Leave No Trace" principles will be woven into the week. An optional final overnight campout (on-site) will be offered on Saturday, July 16.
Canoeing - We will learn about the art of canoeing. Lessons include parts of the boat, equipment, stokes, rescues, and a skills rodeo on the Woodland Discovery Harris Lake. An optional off-campus day trip to Lake James will be offered on Saturday, July 23
Rock Climbing Skills - Learn some great technical skills around the sport of rock climbing. We will learn about the sport, equipment, knots, belaying, rappelling, and ascending. An optional off-campus day trip to Pilot Mountain State Park will get us out on some real rock to practice on Saturday, July 30.
Backpacking - This week will review campcraft skills and backpacking equipment, clothing, selections, planning skills, cooking, and food hanging systems. An optional 2-day backpacking trip will be available on August 6-7 to Pisgah National Forest.
Learn beginner Archery skills and make your own bow and arrow. Learn archery folktales. Get lots of target practice and learn the etiquette and safety rules for all projectiles. Advanced Archery is for older, serious archers who have previously completed an archery class. This class provides extended target time to practice consistent, accurate shooting skills.
American Girl Camping – Are you as adventuresome as your American Girl? Bring your favorite doll and join us as we
explore the wide world of nature. We will make sleeping bags for your doll, have a cookout and go exploring.
Animal Dancing - Can you move like an animal? We will have an animal dance party and make up our own moves as well.
Archery – Beginning– Learn beginning archery skills and make your own bow and arrow. Learn archery folktales. Get some target practice and learn the etiquette and safety rules of for all projectiles.
Archery – Advanced – This camp is for serious archers who have previously completed an archery class. This class provides
extended target time to practice consistent, accurate shooting skills.
Camping & Hiking Skills - We’ll set up a campsite, cook over the fire, blaze a trail, whittle, and learn first aid. It’s everything great about
camping, but with a good night’s sleep in your own bed!
Dino Dig/Paleontologist– Let's walk back in time and delve into a world before humans existed! We will learn about dinosaurs, excavate in search of dinosaur fossils, and create dinosaur themed crafts, including making our own dinosaur fossils.
DaVinci's World - daVinci was an Artist, Inventor, Naturalist, Architect, Machinist, and Designer. He studied human anatomy and health as well. Let's discovery his world and interests.
Eric Carle Bugs – Enjoy the stories of Eric Carle and spend the week exploring the woods, fields, and ponds for an up close look into the world of bugs. We’ll make bug-themed crafts and play fun games as we celebrate these fascinating critters.
Exploring Artists - If you love to paint, this camp is for you. We'll explore the color wheel and learn about blending colors. We'll investigate colors and emotions. In addition, each day we will learn about a new artist and spend the day creating art projects based on their unique styles and what we can find in nature and imagination. Artists include Van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, George Baselitz, and Andy Goldsworthy. Projects are simplified for younger campers in the morning and extended for older campers in the afternoon.
Fairy Camp - If you like using your imagination and everything magic, looking for Fairies and Elves is for you! We will learn their characteristics and how they help care for the plants and critters in the woods. We’ll build fairy houses, look for treasures, play games, and create fairy gardens, wings or wands to take home.
Fairy Tales - Everyone loves classic fairy tales. We will tell fairy tales that happened in the woods and act them out. We may even mix up a few.
Fancy Nancy Goes Glamping – Fancy Nancy loves everything shimmery, shiny, or sparkly. She also loves ribbons, tea parties, lavender and anything French. She loves bugs and flowers and knows how to find all the beautiful things in Nature. We will look extraordinarily spectacular as we explore outdoors with our Fancy gear and nature journal.
Fiber Arts - Based on Laurie Calson's guidebook, Knit, Hook, and Spin, this fiber arts camp focuses on easy and quick projects that can be reproduced at home such as hand spinning, finger knitting and fork weaving. We will make gifts like friendship bracelets, pet collars, or felted soaps, beads or balls. We will also take breaks to gather some craft materials out in nature and then relax in the shade to create. Additional material fee ($5 or less) may apply. Adults are welcome to drop in or the first or last hour for crafting time.
50 Dangerous Things –Inspired by the book, “50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do),” we hope to remember that climbing trees is good for the soul, and that a pocketknife is not a weapon. Full of exciting ways children can explore the world around them, we will learn to “Play with Fire” and “Taste Electricity” while learning about safety and much, much more.
Fishing Adventures – Spend time fishing as well as exploring the woods and pond. Experiment with different bait to catch catfish, brim, and bluegill. Learn about fish body parts, habitats, and those in North Carolina fresh water. We will taste different kinds of fish cooked over a campfire.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road - We'll search for the Wizard and along the way we'll talk about Courage, Brains, and Hearts. Don't be surprised if we run into a witch or two.
Frog and Toad – Everyone loves Frog and Toad. We will recreate their world and act out their stories. They will teach us about being a great friend. We will sing all the frog songs we know. We will look for and learn the difference between real frogs and toads too.
Gardening 101 – This camp will teach you methods of sustainable gardening that you can replicate in your own yard. We'll talk about soil preparation, composting, plant parts and life cycle, companion planting, native plants and invasive plants. In this camp, we will help maintain Woodland gardens and taste fresh garden produce each day. You will plant your own micro-green garden to take home.
Going on a Bear Hunt - There are lots of things hidden in the woods: Lions, Tigers, and BEARS? or maybe other animals as well. Come join us as we overcome our fears and go looking for all kinds of imaginative surprises.
International Sleepover - Each day we will delve into a new country to explore their celebrations and crafts! We plan to visit Spain, Japan, Mexico, and Korea. Morning camp is simplified for younger campers and afternoons are reserved for older kids. On the last day of camp, we will gather blankets on the grass, do some typical sleepover crafts like making beaded friendship bracelets, popping some popcorn and watching a movie.
Mad Scientist – Campers will wonder “What if?” as they do some mixing, melting, and exploding all while having a super time
acquiring STEM knowledge! They will do hands on experiments and have opportunities to ask new questions, create their own
experiments, and share their knowledge at this creative, exploratory, fun science camp.
Make a Book - Become an author and make your own book! For those with an interest in storytelling and drawing, we will spend the week writing, developing, cutting out and gluing text, and illustrating our own books which they can take home. We will read other stories for inspiration, play outside games, and create self-portraits for the biography page.
Mindful Monsters - While "mindful" and "monster" seems incongruent, we will use a Monster theme to learn about being intentional and making choices.
Mr. MacGregor’s Garden – We will dig in the dirt, plant seeds and create gardening accessories. We will also read stories by Beatrice Potter and learn about the plants and critters in Mr. MacGregor’s garden. This gardening experience for the youngest of campers will provide free play and age-appropriate games and activities.
Mud, Clay and Camouflage - We will play in the mud, create with clay, and combine both to camouflage ourselves in nature. We will have loads fo fun playing games that rely on camouflage. We WILL get dirty!
Music Makers - There are magical sounds in the woods. We will listen to the sounds of nature, make musical instruments, and make our own joyful noises.
Off to Neverland – Join Peter Pan and the Darling children in the adventures of Fairies, Mermaids, Pirates, Injuns, and the Lost boys on this adventure of Never-Growing- Up.
Ooey, Gooey, Messy Play - Engage in all kinds of sensory, muddy, and wet fun during this camp that will delight every child. We will mix up all kinds of concoctions while making up our own recipes! Come ready to get wet and dirty.
Outdoor Adventures – Campers will learn how to play safely in the woods, including hiking basics, leave no trace principles, and fire safety. This camp may include outdoor games, knots, and first aid. Older kids will get to try a little fishing and archery.
Outdoor Cooking - Plan on building a fire every day and learning techniques of foil, dutch oven, stick, and 1 pot cooking. Incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables by selecting, foraging, or harvesting. Be prepared to experiment with new tastes. This camp runs an extra hour for 4 days to include lunch that we make! No Allergies or special diets, please. (Tuesday - Friday)
Treasure Trails/Escape Rooms – Work with your team to discover clues, solve puzzles, and investigate mysteries in this new twist on summer camp. We will “escape” outdoor rooms, follow clues on treasure trails, and learn what makes a good mystery. Bring your ideas and create an escape room experience for us all to solve. Lots of role playing and mysterious fun.
Tumbling/Yoga - Making our bodies move in active and reflective ways will help build core strength and confidence. We will also spend time exploring the woods.
Under the Big Top - Let's have a circus by pretending to be circus animals, acrobats, and clowns. We will put together the "greatest show on earth!"
Wild Butterflies - We will learn just how special butterflies are as we learn to identify caterpillars and butterflies, learn about their life cycle, and plan for plants to attract both. We will also compare moths, read stories, and create beautiful crafts.
Wilderness Survival - Campers will learn several skills required to survive in the wilderness. We will experiment with design styles and effective shelters, campfires, solar cooking, and foraging. We may even eat a bug!
Woodland Art – Nature provides so many examples of art to admire, to recreate, and to use. Join us for this mixed media camp of creation!
World Christmas Customs - It is beach weather in Australia for Christmas, so let's mark the half year of our favorite holiday by learning about customs around the world. We will do crafts, play games and make decorations and gifts.
Camp Kindness with the Kindness Elves – Back by popular demand, some of the kindness elves are returning with their fun camp activities to show kindness and empathy towards others. The Kindness Elves model kindness in a magical way with the understanding that kindness is not seasonal or a chore, but is great fun and van be an integral part of our lives every day. We experience happiness when we do things to bring happiness to others.
Artist Elves - The Artist Elves love art and music and are creative in their thinking and actions. This week we will make and play musical instruments, create plenty of beautiful art, and make friendship bracelets.
Potion Mixers Elves - The Potion Mixer Elves love to create and experiment, stirring up bubbly concoctions all day. We will make fizzing kindness potions, mix up some of our own creations, and put our kindness into action by serving others.
Storyteller Elves - The Story Tellers Elves love to read, write, and talk. We will enjoy lots of stories, write kind messages, and put on puppet shows together. We will create a kindness journal to take home.
Wish Maker Elves - The Wish Maker Elves love to spark joy in everyone around them and leave a place more beautiful than before. They love to invent surprises and make wishes come true. We will make wands for our magic adventures, go on treasure hunts and have plenty of laughs.
TAASC Adventure Camp - (The American Adventure Service Corp)- Building on the popular older kid summer adventure camp from last year, Woodland Discovery is pleased to partner with the American Adventure Service Corp to offer more! Lake Norman TAASC (pronounced "Task") is a service and educational non-profit offering weekly meetings and weekend trips for kids ages 8-18 in the Lake Norman Region. This summer TAASC will be offering four weekly day camps from 1-4 PM. Each weekend, an additional opportunity for adventure will be offered for students to test their new skills. This is a great way for those who have never heard of TAASC to try it out and see if it is for them. Optional weekend adventures are $60-$65 per day and will be paid directly to TAASC.
Campcraft -Learn about the tricks and tools you need to plan an overnight camping trip in North Carolina. We will learn about camping equipment, knots, shelters, fire building, and map and compass skills. Natural history and "Leave No Trace" principles will be woven into the week. An optional final overnight campout (on-site) will be offered on Saturday, July 16.
Canoeing - We will learn about the art of canoeing. Lessons include parts of the boat, equipment, stokes, rescues, and a skills rodeo on the Woodland Discovery Harris Lake. An optional off-campus day trip to Lake James will be offered on Saturday, July 23
Rock Climbing Skills - Learn some great technical skills around the sport of rock climbing. We will learn about the sport, equipment, knots, belaying, rappelling, and ascending. An optional off-campus day trip to Pilot Mountain State Park will get us out on some real rock to practice on Saturday, July 30.
Backpacking - This week will review campcraft skills and backpacking equipment, clothing, selections, planning skills, cooking, and food hanging systems. An optional 2-day backpacking trip will be available on August 6-7 to Pisgah National Forest.
Learn beginner Archery skills and make your own bow and arrow. Learn archery folktales. Get lots of target practice and learn the etiquette and safety rules for all projectiles. Advanced Archery is for older, serious archers who have previously completed an archery class. This class provides extended target time to practice consistent, accurate shooting skills.
