A Week with KELT Kids Camp
KELT Kids Camp will run Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Each day, kids will spend 100% of their time outdoors – weather permitting! – in a variety of experiential activities for a week of fun and discovery.
Monday through Thursday, we will play and explore through a variety of outdoor activities. Each day will have a theme. Past sessions have included: Open exploration of forest trails and pond shores, games, geocache challenges, painting and plant pressing with natural materials, boat building challenge, and much more! If your camper likes to explore shorelines, forest, and fields in Maine, this camp will be perfect. Every day, we also welcome guest facilitators and experts in the natural world to share their love of Maine natural settings with campers.
On Friday, the group will have a special drop-off location for a celebration outing! Popham Beach or Morse Mountain have been popular Friday celebrations in the past.
a day in the life of a KELT camper
8:45 – 9:00 Dropoff Window
9:00 Welcome Circle and Group Games
10:30 Snack and Nature Art
11:00 KELT Guest Facilitator - Shelter Building, Fly Fishing Casting, Junior Stewardship, etc.
11:30 – Lunch and Exploration Stations
12:30 KELT Activity Session - Boat Building, Beach Yoga, Frog Catching, etc.
1:30 Sewall Pond Free Time and Nature Journaling
2:30 – Closing Circle
2:45 – 3:00 Pickup Window
“Our kid had a blast this week and is already talking about coming back next year. Thank you for introducing him to sewing and fly fishing - he wants to learn how to tie flies now. ”
See more of a day in the life with our photos from past years of camp:
What should I pack for camp?
We offer the following suggestions to help make your child’s camp experience safe, comfortable, and fun. Please reach out to Emily at epistell@kennebecestuary.org if you have any questions regarding the following information, or if your child has special needs of which we should be aware.
Clothing:
Campers need to dress in comfortable clothing that is suitable for the forecasted weather. If rain is predicted, please pack a raincoat and boots (we have a pavilion to shelter us from the rain, but we will be primarily outside). On cool mornings, campers should wear layers that can be shed as the day warms up.
Old sneakers or other comfortable shoes with closed toes are a must! Rubber boots (or an extra pair of sneakers and socks to change into) would be a good idea to pack each day. We will be playing in the woods, collecting leaves, dissecting rotting logs, and exploring the shallows of Sewall Pond so campers should not wear their best shorts, shirts, or shoes because they will get dirty!
We require foot-coverings when exploring the pond. Please pack water shoes, water-sandals, or old sneakers (that can get wet) for each day of camp. Wet shoes may be stored at camp during the week, if preferred.
Food:
All campers should bring a mid-morning snack and a lunch. Pack a full, non-glass water bottle every day clearly labeled with the camper’s name. Drinking water will be available to refill water bottles at any point during the day.
Sun and Bug Protection:
Campers should wear sunscreen (minimum of 15 SPF) each day to protect their skin from sun damage. Also, wearing a hat to shade the camper's eyes, face, and if possible, the back of his or her neck is a good idea.
Remember that we will be in the woods in summer and so will mosquitoes and ticks.
Please pack bug repellent AND do a tick check every day after camp.
Useful Items:
Campers can bring a backpack or a comfortable sack to carry their snack, lunch, equipment, water bottle, etc. Each morning and afternoon, campers will take a short walk to/from the outdoor classroom pavilion to the parking area. We will also be hiking around the preserve every day.
No electronics allowed.
Please leave phones, electronic games, iPods, tablets, etc at home.
Please also leave all toys at home.