Camp Programs
Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space
2012 Camps
For information about upcoming camps at the following parks:
Blue Jay Point County Park
3200 Pleasant Union Church Road
Raleigh, NC 27613
To check for space availability, contact the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education by phone at
919-870-4330 or by email. To register, you will need to include a completed registration form and payment by mail or in person.
Eco-Kids Astronomy Adventures Mini-Camp for ages 4–5
January 9 & 11, 1–3 p.m., plus January 13, 6–8 p.m. (evening session with parent participation)
Spend the week with the stars, planets, and other celestial celebrities. Friday will be a special nighttime Eco-Kids session to provide stargazing time. Preregistration is required. $25/child, includes staff supervision, daily snacks, crafts and activities.
Eco-Kids Rocks for Tots Mini-Camp for ages 4–5
February 13, 15 & 17 (3 days), 1–3 p.m.
Discover the differences between rocks and minerals, find out how fossils are formed, and learn about the forces that form our earth. Preregistration is required. $25/child, includes staff supervision, daily snacks, crafts and activities.
Eco-Kids Weather Wonders Mini-Camp for ages 4–5
March 19, 21 & 23 (3 days), 1–3 p.m.
Weather affects all of us! Learn about the many different types of weather in our area, from winter storms to sunny spring days.
Registration for Eco-Kids Summer Mini-Camps for ages 4–5 will begin on March 20, 2012.
Terrific Trees Mini-Camp for ages 6–8
June 18, 20 & 22 (3 days), 9 a.m.–noon or 1–4 p.m.
Join other junior foresters as we delve into the world of trees from roots to canopy, make recycled paper, print leafy bandanas, and explore the surrounding forest. Ages 6–8-year-olds. $36/child. Includes staff supervision, daily snacks, crafts and activities.
Blue Jay Explorers Mini-Camp for ages 9–12
June 25, 27 & 29 (3 days), 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
From the sun and stars to Global Positioning Systems (GPS) join us as we progress through time to learn how explorers have used tools to find their way through our world. We will use these tools to become skilled in such activities as letterboxing and geocaching while we explore the wilds of Blue Jay Point County Park. For 9–12-year-olds. $72/child
Wild About Water Mini-Camp for ages 6–8
July 16, 18 & 20, 9 a.m.–noonCool off and drink the same water that dinosaurs drank! Water captures our fancy this week as we explore the water cycle through land-based water games, get acquainted with the Blue Jay pond and the pretty slick critters that live there, focus on fish and our local aquatic food webs, and conduct fun water experiments with this all-important liquid. Ages 6–8-year-olds. $36/child. Includes staff supervision, daily snacks, and crafts and activities.
To check for space availability, contact Crowder District Park by phone at 919-662-2850 or by email. To register, you will need to include a completed registration form and payment by mail or in person.
Crowder’s camps offer your child hands-on history and nature activities including visits with live animals, hikes, crafts, games, and more. Each day offers a different theme. There will be 2 adult staff with the kids at all times. Kids bring their own lunch. Preregistration is required. Camp size is limited, so sign up early!
Young Pioneers Camp
(Ages 6–8)
Fee: $46/Child
Three-Day Camp: Tuesday–Thursday, June 5–7, from 9 a.m.–noon
Nature Discoverers Camp
(Ages 7–11)
Fee: $96/Child
Four-Day Camp: Tuesday–Friday, July 10–12, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
For day camps for older children, please check out the camp listings for Historic Yates Mill County Park.
To check for space availability and to obtain a camp-specific registration form, contact Harris Lake County Park by phone at 919-387-4344 or by email.
Nature Detectives Mini Camp
Become a nature detective by exploring the natural world, from identifying tiny insects to investigating the depth of wildlife in our ponds. Through hands-on activities, games, crafts, experiments and much exploration, your child will unravel the mysteries of their natural environment and the animals and plants that live in it. Call 919-387-4342 for more information!
Ages: 7–10
Dates/Times:
May 29–31, 2012, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Fee: $84 per child
ECO Camp
Explore your environment through hands-on activities, games, hikes and more! Investigate further the lives of animals and plants by discovering where they live, what they eat and other ways of survival. What better way to learn about plants and animals than observing them in their own habitat! Kids will explore a different habitat each day and discover the variety of wildlife that live from among the trees of our Longleaf pines to the depths of one of our farm ponds.
Ages: 8–12
Dates/Times:
June 25–29, 2012, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
July 16–20, 2012, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Fee: $140 per child
Mini Nature Day Camp
Begin your exploration journey in this mini-camp designed to introduce you to the natural wonders of Harris Lake County Park. Hands on activities, games, hikes and crafts will make this camp an exciting adventure.
Ages: 5–7
Dates/Time
August 14–16, 2012, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Fee: $48 per child
Harris Lake and American Tobacco Trail Service Camp
Giving back to the parks and learning about the natural resources is a great combination for teenagers interested in working in the outdoors. This camp will be an educational and resume building opportunity. Many fun and worthwhile projects will be panned for this camp including shoreline clean up from a canoe.
Ages: 14–16
Dates/Time
July 31–August 2, 2012, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Fee: $50 per teen
To check for space availability, contact Historic Yates Mill County Park by phone at 919-856-6675 or by email. To register, you will need to include a completed registration form and payment by mail or in person.
Yates Mill’s camps offer your child hands-on history and nature activities including tours of the old mill, visits with live animals, hikes, crafts, games, and more. Each day offers a different theme. There will be 2 adult staff with the kids at all times. Kids bring their own lunch. Preregistration is required. Camp size is limited, so sign up early!
Historical Trades
Camp (Ages 7–12)
Fee: $90/Child
Three-Day Camp: Tuesday–Thursday, June 19–21, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Art in Nature Camp
(Ages 8–13)
Fee: $80/Child
Three-Day Camp: Tuesday–Thursday, July 24–26, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Nature Adventurers
Camp (Ages 9–14);
Fee: $100/Child
Four-Day Camp: Tuesday–Friday, August 7–10, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
For day camps for younger kids, please check out the camp listings for Crowder District Park.
Lake Crabtree offers a number of sailing camps each summer. For information, contact Colleen Bockhahn by phone at 919-460-2723 or email colleen.bockhahn@wakegov.com.