Where kids can be kids - explore nature and enjoy outdoor adventures
Camp Starkweather was developed and is supervised by Todd Miller, with a group of young adult staff and high school volunteers to assist in engaging children in fun activities. Todd has a B.S. in physical education, M.S. in special education, and is certified by High5 adventure education. The camp utilizes the entire property from the NIA playground and fields to the frog pond and trails leading to it. Camp activities begin and end at each groups designated area. Each week features a different theme, appealing to children ages 4-10, abilities and interests.
Children are engaged in small groups and individual activities.
At the center of it all is the belief that kids should be kids.
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COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
In 2020, state guidelines allowed for camps to operate with a max of
50 campers per session (10 campers per cohort). Historically, Camp Starkweather runs at or slightly below these numbers so the guidelines had little to no impact on our structure or programming. When you factor in that Camp Starkweather program is held outdoors, we were able to easily adhere to the guidelines set forth by the State.
In 2020 we operated at a max of 40 per session and kept our cohorts to 7-8 campers. This equated to about 500 campers over the 6 weeks.
ZERO reported cases of community spread.
We are currently awaiting the 2021 guidelines but anticipate
that we will use/follow our 2020 camp policies
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Physicians sign off of child health prior to camp.
Families to ensure hand washing/good hygiene prior to arriving to camp.
Temperature monitoring before entry into the camp.
SANITATION
All materials & surfaces will be sanitized daily.
Hand sanitation stations will be available for campers use.
PPE will be worn by counselors when within 6 feet of campers.
Campers are welcome to wear PPE, but it is not required by the state.
Each group will have a designated porta-john so as not to share one toilet.
GROUP SIZE
Limited spots per session (current size is 75), with low group numbers grouped by age (current size is 16).
Campers will be grouped by age.
If requested, siblings can be grouped together (grouped with youngest sibling).
1 counselor per group. No interchange between groups or counselors.
Camper groups will be involved in activities contained to one area of the
property each day to limit interaction with other groups.
Activities will be geared towards distancing,
though children naturally will play in close proximity.
OTHER PRECAUTIONS
During inclement weather we normally remain outdoors. If the weather would require campers to be under a tent
an email will be sent the night prior advising of the situation. If extreme weather is in the forecast
we may choose cancel by 7:30 am the day of.
In order to eliminate close contact, the Starkweather House will not be used for programming.
We are encouraging families and friends to sign up as groups to help reduce the number of households within one group.
We will not be accepting drop-ins but will continue to take campers for extended morning and afternoon.
If you have any questions regarding Camp Starkweather's COVID-19 procedures please feel free to contact Camp Director, Todd Miller at kidconnections@gmail.com
AGE GROUPS
EXPLORERS (4-5) - RANGERS (6-8) - ADVENTURERS (9-10)
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HALF DAY SESSION
Mornings (9am - 12pm) or Afternoons (12:30-3:30pm)
NIA Members: $140 per session / Non Members: $180 per session
FULL DAY SESSION
9am - 3:30pm
NIA Members: $250 / Non Members: $300
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EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
Registrations received by April 30th will receive a $10 discount.
SIBLING DISCOUNT
A credit of $10 (per weekly session) will be issued at the end of camp for each additional sibling registration. In order to receive the discount siblings must be registered/attend the same session(s).
REFUND POLICY
A full refund will be issued if you notify us in writing at least 4 weeks prior to your camp session OR If we can fill your spot from the waitlist.
Requests at least 2 weeks prior to camp session = 75% refund & 25% credit.
Requests under 2 weeks from camp session = 50% refund & 50% credit.
If withdrawing due to a medical reason, a signed doctor’s note must be presented at time of request and a full refund will be issued.
The credit will be good for up to 1 year and is valid for NIA membership, event fees or future camp sessions.
TWEEN CAMP - JULY 5-9
SPECIAL PROGRAMING FOR AGES 11-13
The tween age is a challenging age and behavior and attitude variation are hallmarks of this age. Camp Starkweather aims to provide structured opportunities to reinforce responsibility through volunteerism and mentorship. While balancing independent activity time to allow the tweens time to be independent while having fun and being respectful.
Sample Program Structure
9-10: Volunteer activities & service project
10-2: Games and Activities (i.e. PS4 Tournament, Rock'n Jump Field Trip, Kickball, Capture the Flag, etc)
2-3: Camper Mentoring - work with younger campers during activities and learn how to be a role model
NIA Members: $200 / Non Members: $225
SOLD OUT - ADD NAME TO WAITING LIST HERE
INVENTORY LAST UPDATED: 4/7 @ 9:00pm
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Week 1 June 28- 2
AM: Science Magic - SOLD OUT - WAITLIST STARTED
Campers will learn magic tricks as well as perform science experiments for example creating slime, elephant toothpaste, rubber eggs, volcanoes, as well as learn to grow their own rock candy. Older campers will build their own rockets.
PM· Extreme Sports
Campers will participate in activities that involve team “out of the box” activities such as colliding in the inflatable balls, balancing on a slackline, crawling in the mud and climbing over obstacles in Ninja warrior challenge. Climbing and abiding by the project adventure principle, “challenge by choice”.
FRIDAY IS WATER DAY
REMAINING INVENTORY (0 morning / 13 afternoon)
TO BE ADDED TO WAITLIST PROCEED TO REGISTRATION & SELECT WK 1 - AM WAITLIST or WK 1 - FULL WAITLIST
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Week 2 July 5-9
AM - Camping - SOLD OUT - WAITLIST STARTED
Campers will learn different aspects of camping along with fun traditional camping games. Campers will construct their own structure, a tent pitching, campfire creation, smores, (Games: potato sack races, human tic-tac-toe, hot potato) ---- we will have a campfire for parents and children to have a good old fashioned camp cookout.
PM· Engineering - SOLD OUT - WAITLIST STARTED
Children will engage in stem activities such as; Bridges/drawbridge, Wooden structures, Legos, mini Trebuchet, popsicle stick Catapults while learning about design, planning and material selection.
FRIDAY IS WATER DAY
REMAINING INVENTORY (0 morning / 0 afternoon)
TO BE ADDED TO WAITLIST PROCEED TO REGISTRATION & SELECT WK 2 - AM WAITLIST, PM WAITLIST or FULL WAITLIST
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Week 3 July 12-16
AM - Career Week - SOLD OUT - WAITLIST STARTED
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Paleontology: will go on a fossil dig, play games like dinosaur twister and make their own dino eggs.
Marine Biologist: Explore frog life cycle at frog pond, make shark hats, Create sea shell decorations and make the ocean zones in a jar
First Responders: Campers will get to visit with responders/ get to get truck and vehicles, Fire hose advance practice, play cops and robbers game, and Save the world from the Zombie apocalypse - find the cure.
Astronauts: Campers will learn about Zero gravity make Astronaut ice cream - rock salt baggies and make Marshmallow constellations
PM - The Amazing Race (like the tv show)
Campers will race around the world competing in games from around the world. Campers will have only their map and passport to get to the next check in. But watch out for detours. The goal is to get your passport stamped at each country while collecting as many points(souvenirs) as possible by the end of the race.
FRIDAY IS WATER DAY
REMAINING INVENTORY (0 morning / 23 afternoon)
TO BE ADDED TO WAITLIST PROCEED TO REGISTRATION & SELECT WK 3 - AM WAITLIST or WK 3 - FULL WAITLIST
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Week 4 July 19-23
AM: Color Wars (Co-hort dependent) - SOLD OUT - WAITLIST STARTED
The entire camp is split into two teams. Children will be grouped normally but at the sound of the air horn teams will divide to form 2 super teams. Teams will compete against same age peers in mental, physical and team challenges. Teams will receive points for each competition. At the end of the Thursday - points will be tallied and the winning team gets to choose a silly dress for the counselors of the losing team. The goal of this week is to teach sportsmanship and teamwork by focusing on the process of competing instead of the outcome.
• Draft to create teams
• Each day - competition
• Separate documents
PM· Myths & Legends - LOW INVENTORY
Dragons, wizards, knights, oh my! It is time to go back in time and learn all about the myths and legends of ancient times. Were there really fire breathing dragons? Did Athena really hand down magical wisdom? Was Merlin getting into all kinds of magical trouble? It is time to find out as we learn magic, create mythical creatures, and learn a mythical story to act out in our very own short play.
FRIDAY IS WATER DAY
REMAINING INVENTORY (0 morning / 5 afternoon)
TO BE ADDED TO WAITLIST PROCEED TO REGISTRATION & SELECT WK 3 - AM WAITLIST or WK 2 - FULL WAITLIST
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WEEK 5 July 26-30
AM: Heroes & Villains - SOLD OUT - WAITLIST STARTED
This camp features games and activities for the division between good and evil. Campers will participate in games and activities that will be based on their chosen superpower. In a struggle between good vs. evil they will navigate the obstacles that heroes and villains face throughout this exciting week. Campers will choose to become their favorite superhero.
PM - Big Splash - LOW INVENTORY
Each day the children will have fun with a different water activity. Children will use squirt guns, sprinklers, water balloons, slip and slides and inflatable water slides. Each activity has the potential for slipping. All camp staff will supervise each activity to review safety rules and supervise activities.
FRIDAY IS WATER DAY
REMAINING INVENTORY (0 morning / 9 afternoon)
TO BE ADDED TO WAITLIST PROCEED TO REGISTRATION & SELECT WK 5 - AM WAITLIST or WK 5 - FULL WAITLIST
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WEEK 6 August 2-6
AM: Co-op, Collab, and Conquer
Children will learn through adventure. They will have to problem solve together using balance at times physically in heights and mentally challenged with memorization. Activities will use counselors and teen volunteers to safety spots for falls. For the younger campes, cooperative games will encourage teamwork to complete challenges.
PM: Holidays in August
Each day will feature a different holiday. Think Gifts, Egg Hunts, Costumes, Etc. Campers will play games and make crafts that go along each holiday. Such as Spring Celebration; St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, 4th of july, Halloween, Winter Celebration; New Years, gift giving.
WEDNESDAY IS WATER DAY
REMAINING INVENTORY (23 morning / 35 afternoon)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
15 & OLDER
In order to improve our volunteer service program we are requiring volunteers to apply by May 1st. We will no longer be taking last minute sign-ups. To apply for Volunteer service, you must be 15 and older and be able to work a consistent schedule.
Contact Volunteer Coordinator - Emma Shriver emmashriver07@gmail.com
for an application and to schedule an interview.