WildNative E.C.O. Camp is for high school students Ages 13 – 18 who are interested in Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology, or who just love to be outside and learn about the environment! Join us this summer for an Exciting Coastal Opportunity in either our Residential or Non-Residential Camp, and have a “water-ful” good time at Wild Native E.C.O. camp!
For the 7 day Residential Camp Itinerary, please CLICK HERE.
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.
Sunset over the USS Alabama Battleship
Swamp Kayaks at the Champion Cypress
Tour Vessel Osprey
Gators
Cypress Swamp near the Champion Cypress
School Group Kayaking
Campers arrive and check in at 8:00 am. First on our agenda is orientation and icebreakers, then Campers will depart for Camp Beckwith for the morning. At Beckwith, we’ll focus on developing team and leadership skills within our group, 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!
We’ll end the day with dinner and a relaxing excursion into the swamps onboard the Osprey motor boat, as we look for the ever-present wildlife, including American Alligators, that inhabit the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.
Low Challenges
High Challenges
Teamwork
Getting Ready to Depart
Explorers at the Champion Cypress
Low tide at the Champion Cypress
A Kayak at sunset in the Delta
American Alligators
Delta Lillies Flowering
Great Blue Heron
Sunset in Mobile Bay
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.
Dauphin Island Main Beach
Viewing Platforms
Sunset on Dauphin Island
Dauphin Shells
Birding Around
Enjoying Science
Environmental Studies Center
Tortoise Time
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.
Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Seining
Marine Mammal Studies
Dolphins
Smile!
Manatees
Sea Turtles
Loggerhead Hatchlings
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.
Marine Debris
Kayak Kleanup Educational Tour!
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.
Snorkeling
Sadly this is the last day. After lunch we will have a closing ceremony that parents are encouraged to join in. Who knows, there might be a secret that is revealed during the ceremony. Campers will 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 day programs. Our Residential programs are a 7 day camp with hotel accommodations for $1799. Our day programs are a 5 day camp for $999. Camps are separated in to age groups: 13-15 and 16-18. Please see below for specific dates.
2016 Dates:
June 5 – 11: Non-Residential Camp (13-15)
June 12 – 18: Non-Residential Camp (16-18)
June 19 – 25: Residential Camp (13-15)
June 26 – 2 July: Residential Camp (16-18)
2017 Dates:
June 4 – 10: Non-Residential Camp (13-15)
June 11 – 17: Non-Residential Camp (16-18)
June 18 – 24: Residential Camp (13-15)
June 25 – 1 July: Residential Camp (16-18)
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.
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.
*WildNative Camps believe in a Leave No Trace policy, in educating, and in preserving the amazing natural wonders of Coastal Alabama for future generations.*
We look forward to seeing your camper at WildNative ECO Camp!
