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The Manitoga Summer Nature & Design Camp is a little bit like other day camps and a little bit different, too. We think that summertime for children should be fun, relaxed and carefree. Yet it’s also a great time to soak up knowledge of things that schools today don’t always have time to teach, like how to observe and care for the natural world and how to use nature to inspire creativity. These are things Russel Wright felt passionately about as he designed the 75-acre Woodland Garden that our campers explore each summer.
At Manitoga we learn by doing. A typical day generally consists of an excursion into the woods with a learning adventure in mind. Observing animal habitats, identifying plant species, collecting water specimens and brainstorming orienteering skills are just a few of our forest activities. Built around these and our related art activities we make sure we include plenty of good old running around fun time. We go wading in the many streams and creeks found in these parts; we play games and sports in 'Mary's Meadow'. There's unstructured time too, to be used as one chooses, working with fellow campers to construct a fort out of branches, or simply relaxing and talking to a friend in the shade.
HOW THE SUMMER IS STRUCTURED:
Today, Manitoga continues to serve as a laboratory for
our campers’ explorations. They learn by doing. A typical
day includes an excursion into the woods with a learning
adventure in mind. Observing animal habitats, identifying
plant species, collecting water specimens and brainstorming
orienteering skills are just a few of our forest activities.
Built around these and related art activities, there are plenty
of games and sports in Mary’s Meadow. There’s unstructured
time, too, for simply relaxing and talking to a friend in
the shade.
Five one-week sessions run from Monday, July 7 through Friday, August 8. The camp is open to children five to 12 years of age and children are divided into groups according to age and grade level. Activities are tailored to the campers’ abilities and interests; some involve the whole camp, while others are age-specific.
Each day begins at 9:00 and ends at 2:45 for five and six year olds and 3:00 for those seven and up. If siblings of different ages are attending or if carpooling of children of different ages is involved, the younger children may be picked up at 3:00. This staggered pick up is necessary to alleviate parking congestion at the end of the day.
THE EDUCATIONAL STAFF AND GUEST EDUCATORS
Camp Director Mark Wick returns for his second season
at Manitoga. A fourth grade teacher at Haldane,
Mark has a Master's Degree in Environmental Education
and a particular passion for reptiles and amphibians.
"I'm thrilled to be returning as Manitoga's Camp Director
in '08," says Mark. "Get ready to lace up those hiking
shoes, because we're going to continue to explore
the many treasures found along the trails. Whether it's
a hike up to Lost Pond or a casual stroll along a meandering
stream, we'll be sure to take careful notice of all the
plants and animals that make their homes at Manitoga.
I'm confident that this summer will be full of excitement.
See you soon!"
We will also be joined by an Artist-in-Residence who has both teaching and fine arts experience. Each week, the Artist-in-Residence will lead the children in art projects, many of them echoing the themes of the outdoor activities. A tour of Russel Wright's Home and Studio gives older campers a peak at how a successful artist lived and worked and encourages them to see the world through his eyes.
Staff is assisted by enthusiastic and caring counselors, all of whom have previous experience working with children. Staff members undergo a thorough orientation and safety training program prior to the start of camp. Manitoga's camp is small by design, with a maximum of 40 children per session. A low ratio of counselors to campers is maintained, rarely exceeding 10 children per counselor plus at least one teen volunteer. The small size and low ratio keep the experience personal – a mainstay of the camp and one of the things that makes it unique.
A key component of our program is weekly visits from guest educators. In 2007, artist Grace Knowlton came to discuss her Spheres III: Untitled which were installed at Manitoga as part of the Garrison Art Center-sponsored Current sculpture show. "Wildman" Steve Brill lead campers into the woods for hands-on foraging experience, and artist Carla Goldberg helped the
children embed natural materials they had collected while hiking in acrylic resin to create small artworks similar to the
plastic panels found in Wright's Home and Studio.