Berks Nature Eco-Camp

Berks Nature Eco-Camp will begin June 12, for preschool-aged children through grades 6 and above, at The Nature Place at Angelica Park, with a new theme offered each week throughout eight weeks of summer. Eco-Campers will grow their understanding of nature, earth systems and commitment to the stewardship of the Earth. Eco-Camp is led by veteran teachers, supported by members of the staff.

At camp, children participate in unique hands-on activities and outdoor exploration that connect them to the natural world. They have daily access to a forest, wetlands, stream, gardens and more. Themes include: Eco-Camp Then and Now; The Secrets of Water and Soil; Fur, Scales, Wings and Bats; Cycle-mania; Raptor Camp; The Wetlands Through the Eyes of a Camera Lens; Critters Underground & Camouflage; Wild Things Camp; and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

The staff at Berks Nature believes nature is essential to quality of life, and demonstrates this daily by protecting nature and connecting people to nature. The location is easily accessible from Berks and Lancaster counties. The camp staff makes drop-off and pick-up easy, and also provides the convenience of before and after care.

Cost: half-day camp, $110/week; full-day camp, $210/week; extended care, $25/week. Receive 10 percent off registration before May 1. Location: 575 St. Bernardine St., Reading. For more information, call 610-372-4992, email [email protected], or visit BerksNature.org to register.

Raptor Adventure Camp at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Raptor Adventure Camp will be held in the education building, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 18 through 20, for students entering grades four and five, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 24 through 27, for students entering grades six through eight. Campers will have educational experiences related to raptors, the outdoors and conservation science. Registration is required.

Camps include hands-on activities and projects to learn about raptor migration and observation. Children will spend a few days immersed in nature, with each day devoted to a different type of raptor. Learning will occur through activities, games and hands-on projects on topics including binocular use, hawk watching, hiking, journaling, owl pellet dissection, radio telemetry, kestrel box building, raptor care and more.

Cost: $150, grades 4 and 5 (Hawk Mountain members, $125); $200, grades 6, 7, 8 (members, $175). Location: 1700 Hawk Mountain Rd., Kempton. For more information, visit HawkMountain.org/RaptorCamp. To register, call Erin Brown, 610-756-6000, ext. 208 or email [email protected].

Creative Writing Summer Camps

Write From The Heart Creative Writing Summer Camp, for children ages 9 to 12, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., July 10, 13 and 14, and for teens ages 13 to 17, from 1 to 3 p.m., July 17, 20 and 21, at Melissa Greene’s Lancaster studio. The camps emphasize the joy of writing, not the rules. Classes are gentle and non-intimidating, while fun and full of life.

Led by Greene, a published writer and therapeutic writing coach, writing camps offer young people a relaxing, one-of-a-kind experience to inspire happier, more confident creative writers, both in school and out. Write From The Heart camps are perfect for children who long to write, but may be shy and lacking in self-esteem.

Participants take a break from grades, tests, technology and hurrying, and learn the importance of playfulness, warmth and humor in reducing perfectionism and writer’s block. Greene writes alongside her students, guiding them to find inspiration in everyday surroundings, and to appreciate the role of instinct and passion in the creative process.

Preregistration required. Sibling discounts available. For fees, location details and more information, call 717 393-4713, email [email protected] or visit WriteFromTheHeart.us.

Camp Chimaqua for Grieving Children

Camp Chimaqua, an overnight weekend camp for grieving children ages 6 to 12, will be held from June 9 to 11, at Camp Donegal, in York County. The experience allows campers to realize they are not grieving alone, and to understand that their feelings are normal as they get to know others who have also lost a loved one. Applications must be received by May 19.

Children meet with a counselor to determine if camp will best meet their needs. During the camp, a trained adult buddy is paired with each child for companionship, support and supervision.

Donations from Hospice & Community Care’s Circle of Friends and support from the community allow the cost of the camp to be $25 per child.

Cost: $25 per child; financial assistance available. For information and to request an application, call Pathways Center at 717-391-2413 or 800-924-7610 or visit PathwaysThroughGrief.org.