Looking for a camp for your child to make friends, spend time outside, and explore nature while using their senses?
SENSE-sational Summers at Meadowside is a program intentionally designed for sensory and/or processing, neurodivergent campers. Fast pace or slow, loose instruction or help step-by-step, camp staff are dedicated to meeting the needs of each camper during activities and lesson. Campers can expect to go on hikes, learn about ecosystems and habitats while using their senses, say “hello” to the nature center animals, make a splash in Rock Creek, and create sensory crafts.
*This camp will provide a low staff-camper ratio of 1:2 (one teacher for every two campers) and class size will remain small. Every parent/guardian must complete a Modification Intake Form to help us learn about each camper and submit these forms at least two weeks before the start of camp. One on one supervision is not available.
Activities are subject to change due to inclement weather, camper needs, and interest. Most outdoor surfaces are not paved, and the trails will be a mix of uneven dirt (small hills, tree roots, and small rocks), grass, and/or mulch.

Beat the heat this summer and join Creek Week! Each day campers will immerse themselves in the wonderful word of water by exploring their watershed, conducting experiments, participating in water activities such as fishing, and of course, just splashing around. There’s no better place to learn and play than Rock Creek at Meadowside. Campers can expect to get wet and dirty!

Calling all witches, wizards, fairies, and trolls! Discover the magic and power of nature during this week-long camp. Lessons in herbology, care of magical creatures, potions and spells will help guide you on your magical camp quest around the trails of Rock Creek Regional Park. Join us for a magical week of summer camp fun!

Come and learn how our Naturalist Staff care for our amazing birds of prey! Discover what raptors eat for lunch, what raptors do for fun, and how trainers build relationships with these incredible animals.

Happy “Noon” Year’s Eve! Does your bedtime arrive before midnight, but you still want to celebrate the New Year? Then join us as we engage in fun-filled activities leading up to mid-day. Bring your favorite juice drink to toast to the New Year and we will provide the activities and a small snack. Please register all child participants. Only participants that are pre-registered will be allowed to participate.  Wait listers cannot be accommodated. 

Celebrate Earth Day with tiny “green grenades” of native herb, flower, and vegetable seeds that create pockets of beauty and habitats for pollinators in your garden! Come make your own seed bombs using colored paper and native wildflower seeds and take them home to plant in your garden or neighborhood.

Come by our Nature Playspace and watch Gilly the Vulture train with her caretakers! Ask vulture questions, volunteer in a training session, or just relax and enjoy a vulture visit. 

Animal Friends Camp is designed specifically for preschoolers to foster their relationship with the natural world. Campers will romp through forests and meadows, befriend the animals of Meadowside Nature Center, and let their imaginations run wild in our nature play space! Each day will include opportunities for child-directed play, stewardship, and nature themed crafts and games. Children must be fully toilet-trained to enroll.

Develop your outdoor skills in Meadowside’s Junior Naturalist Camp. Learn to identify animal tracks and signs, build survival shelters and campfires, engage in environmental stewardship, and provide care for Meadowside’s animal ambassadors. Each day will include adventures to forest, meadow and wetland habitats, skill building activities, and opportunities for nature-oriented games and crafts.

Learn how to attract butterflies to your garden with this beginner friendly gardening program. We’ll cover which types of plants attract butterfly species, how to choose the best plants for your space, and tips to get your butterfly garden started this season!

Learn how to make your own paper with upcycled and natural materials. Bring your creative ideas and we’ll provide everything else you need to make your one-of-a-kind nature-inspired paper. Registration is required. Beginners welcome!

Put on your fanciest tea party attire and join Meadowside’s turtles for a turtly-awesome tea party. We'll discuss where turtles find their favorite foods while we sip tea and snack on some favorite treats of our own! Registration required.

Join us as we decorate terracotta pots for Mother’s Day! Choose a pot to decorate, pick your flowers, and get creating! Each participant will receive one terracotta flowerpot, soil, and a live plant.

This is a no rider left behind group ride – think “party pace”

There will likely be some “session-ing” and skills instruction along the way.

This is a perfect way to meet other riders and build skills on your bike.

We do have a limited number of bikes and Helmets available free of charge in case you don’t have one (we will ask to hold something as collateral during the program – cell phone/credit card/etc.).

**For those who bring their own bicycle – we ask that you ensure that the bike is in SAFE/WORKING order PRIOR to attending the group ride**

Pre-requisites/Requirements:

Ages 6+
Must know how to ride a bicycle
Must know how to operate a bicycle with gears/hand brakes (no coaster brakes)
Participants must wear CLOSED TOED SHOES

Registrants must provide their own:

Water bottle/hydration pack

It is also highly encouraged that participants wear:

Sunscreen
Bike gloves
Above the ankle socks