Connect a child to Nature through a Week of Camp!

A lot can happen in a few months, but kids still love getting outside! 

Thanks to a massive effort from staff, parents, medical professionals, donors (like you!), and countless other hardworking people, we were able to offer camps at Piedmont Wildlife Center this summer! 

It’s hard to describe our nervousness back in June. Choosing masks, stocking up on hand sanitizer, building hand washing stations, and calibrating infrared thermometers. We weren’t sure if it would work, would kids be able to wear masks all day? How could we still play the games we all loved so much? 

Two days into the first week of camp, we knew it would be a special summer. There was a particular light in the kid’s eyes as they chased frogs through knee deep water and an extra yell of excitement when they dashed through the woods hunting for pine cones. After a few weeks, I remember having lunch (distanced with masks off) and a boy exclaimed, “Woah! Look at how big this grasshopper is! Hang on! Put your masks back on and come check this out!” It was all a big reminder of how vital outdoor education is.

We have an amazing opportunity this fall. With many schools going completely virtual, kids and parents are looking for opportunities where they can explore and socialize safely with other families. Outdoor camps and afterschool programs are the perfect way to do this with reduced risk. There is plenty of interest, but your donations make these programs available for the families that really need them. 

Above all, remember the value of outdoor exploration. Turn off your computer for a couple hours, and take some time to go for a walk. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a frog or two in that knee deep water!

We are so grateful for your contributions. They make a huge difference, now more than ever.