WildNative ECO Camp is an immersive week of enjoying Exciting Coastal Opportunities. Whether you live inland or by the sea, ECO Camp will provide access to a unique range of experiences, educational opportunities, friendship, fun and adventure that will last a lifetime. By the end of the week, you will have had hands-on experience rehabilitating injured wildlife, snorkeled around gorgeous coral reefs filled with life and color, canoed through “America’s Amazon”, seined through a coastal marsh, and been up close with dolphins, sea turtles and alligators. You will learn about endangered species, marine environments, how to reduce environmental impact, the characteristics of coastal flora and fauna, how animals adapt to a changing environment, astronomy, job opportunities in eco-tourism, and so much more.

Campers arrive, check in and unpack between 1:00 and 4:00. Orientation will commence during dinner, including introductions, and icebreakers. As the first ECO activity we will enjoy getting to know each other more while on a sunset cruise where we are bound to see some of the local fauna and flora. We will introduce “family time” then head to bed to rest up and prepare for our first full fantastic day.

Campers will spend the morning at Camp Beckwith, where we’ll focus on developing team and leadership skills within our group, all while problem solving on the low and high challenge ropes course.

Lunch will be Beckwith’s famous delicious cuisine.

There is a cypress tree in the delta that is so big, it is a champion tree! It is tucked in so deep in the delta, the only way you can get to it is by paddling a canoe. We will take a canoe excursion to this giant beauty. Be aware! You will get your hands and feet muddy!

This day will end with a late night boat tour of the swamps as we look for the ever-present American Alligators that live throughout.

We’ll travel to Dauphin Island. There we’ll hike the island and learn about what makes a barrier island and how the ecology of a barrier island is important to the rest of the mainland. A swim at Dauphin Island Beach will complete our morning, while we comb the beach for all sort of critters!

We will then be on the road to the Environmental Studies Center where we will get hands on with local wildlife such as eagles, owls, hawks, deer, water and land turtles, and so much more! We will learn about potential career opportunities and how to pursue environmental careers.

That’s also where we will have a professional NASA certified teacher give us a lesson about astronomy, the stories of the constellations and how to find them. After which campers will put their new found knowledge into practical use, as we discover and observe available constellations.

We are traveling to Mississippi for the day. The first stop is Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve where we get to muck around in the marsh. Campers will get dip nets to explore in the marsh grasses. We’ll uncover nature’s nurseries by cast netting, and test the water for chemicals and pollutants.

Afterwards we’ll tour their state of the art eco-friendly facility and the interpretative area. Then hike the nature trail near the facility.

The third activity for the day is visiting the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies. This is a facility that rescues, rehabilitates and releases marine mammals and turtles like dolphins, manatees and sea turtles, while educating visitors on the importance of being positive ecological stewards. This is a great opportunity for campers to see potential career opportunities – careers from animal training, marine mammal research, education and marketing.

Our final activity for the day will be at the beach with a sea turtle lesson and activity.

Campers will hear a local college professor talk about his personal experience on what and how toxins enter and effect the environment and how we can help. Since there is a big issue with marine debris the campers will get an inside scoop about it’s source and how they can help.

We will be touring a landfill to solidify the plastic and trash issue we learned about earlier that day. Then we will travel to a local waterway, where we’ll help clear debris via kayak.

This experience will show in real terms how campers can help the marine debris issue locally and globally. Last we will relax after a long day of helping the environment by having some fun & games.

This is a water-filled day! The campers will enjoy a boat ride to our snorkel site. Once we arrive, campers will snorkel around artificial reefs where clear water and the white sand bring out all the colors that life can offer. We will see small reef fishes, big game fish, sea cucumbers, sea anemones, live sand dollars and so much more.

After lunch we will go to Waterville. This local amusement park has tons of things to do including huge water slides, water rides, putt putt golf, games, and more.

Sadly this is the last day. We will have a closing ceremony where parents are encouraged to join. Who knows, there might be a secret that is revealed during the ceremony. Campers will pack up, clean up, say their “goodbyes for now, but not forever” because lifelong friends will be made here at WildNative ECO Camp.

Introduction

Student Testimonials

WildNative Eco Camp Pricing & Dates

WildNative Eco Camp offers both Residential and Non-Residential programs. Our Residential programs are a 7 day camp with hotel accommodations for $1799. Our Non-Residential programs are a 5 day camp for $999.

Policies & Disclaimers
Cancellation Policy:
A non-refundable deposit (25% of registration fee) is required at time of booking. Multiple payments are accepted with full balance required 30 days prior to camp start date. Payments made are refundable up to the 30 day deadline. After that, no refunds will be issued.

In the event that WildNative cancels an ECO Camp, all monies will be eligible for refund or transfer to an alternate camp week.

Campers are required to bring a packed lunch and snacks to all Non-Residential Camps.

Safety is our utmost concern, and as such all students will remain under the close supervision of camp counselors, guides and other trained personnel throughout the week long camp. WildNative operates regularly with children of all ages across our many locations, including operating hundred’s of school tours and expeditions each year. We look forward to caring for, nurturing and educating your children during Summer Camp.

Please make all checks payable to WildNative Inc.