Explore the Outdoors in Spring Break Camp

Running to the next activity after investigating pond life

By Kaitlin Henderson

What better way is there for kids to spend their spring break than investigating Duke Gardens? Spring Break Camp provides a fun, safe and supportive environment for kids to engage with the newly warm outside world and learn from our many knowledgeable educators.

Camp takes place over the five weekdays of spring break. Spring is a very special time in nature, and each day kids will explore a different aspect of it. They'll start off learning what spring is and why it happens, and they'll go on to find out what happens with different plants, bugs, birds and other animals during this exciting season.

Taking a closer look at a worm found under a log

Why do plants make flowers? Where are all these bugs coming from? What's that sound by the pond? Camp is fueled by the questions and imaginations of the kids who join and the bounty of things to explore around the Gardens.

Creating bugs using imagination and new knowledge about insects

Each day will involve hands-on exploration outside in the Gardens to mentally and physically engage kids' curiosity. We'll go on walks to see flowers blooming, plant seeds to take home, roll logs to look for bugs, and play lots of fun games!

Spring Break Camp is for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. It will take place Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (with extended care from 1-4 also available).

For more information and to register, visit the Nature Adventures Camp website, call 919-668-1707, or email gardenseducation@duke.edu.

All photos by Hope Wilder.

Kaitlin Henderson studies interdisciplinary engagement in Duke's Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program.