CincyNature Camp

CincyNature Camp

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CincyNature Camp Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CincyNature Camp special? 

All camps at Cincinnati Nature Center are designed to provide fun, hands-on, educational experiences in nature for children ages 3 to 15 years. Our camps challenge kids to be active and creative while developing confidence and social skills in a natural setting. Our small camper-to-staff ratio allows for increased personalized attention for our campers. Our camp counselors make camps engaging and joyful for kids while promoting inclusiveness, safety, age-appropriateness, and passion for nature. 

How do you ensure safety at camp? 

Camp counselors know that camper safety is the first priority. Staff are trained in first aid and CPR prior to the start of camp. At Long Branch Farm & Trails, water safety protocol demands that campers and staff wear life jackets when canoeing and during more challenging stream hikes.

I’ve never been to Long Branch Farm & Trails; is it going to be out of my way?

Long Branch is only about 10 miles north of Rowe Woods, located just off of OH-28 and close to Loveland. The beauty of Long Branch Farm & Trails is in its remoteness; fewer members hike daily at Long Branch, allowing campers more space and freedom to explore. 

The description says this camp includes a wide range of ages. How will you maintain age-appropriate experiences for my camper?

Each camp has something special to offer to all children within the designated age range. Camps with a wide mixed-age audience are separated into smaller, age-appropriate groups to guarantee the best experience. 

Can I ensure that my child will be in the same group as their friend when campers are divided into groups? 

If your child has a friend or relative registered in their camp that you wish to place in the same trail group, please indicate this on your online health form under the “Additional Information” section, and we will do our best to accommodate as long as you indicate this two weeks prior to the start of camp. 

My young child is outside of the age range for a certain camp; can they still attend? They’re advanced for their age. 

Camps are carefully designed for specific age groups and, within most of our camps, children are further separated into smaller, similarly-aged groups to ensure the best quality experience at camp. We do not allow children outside of the designated age range to join in camp for the following reasons: 

  • Young children often lack the endurance for some of our activities designed for older children. 
  • Young children often lack the social maturity to deal with older campers. 
  • Enrolling a child in a camp designed for older children may inhibit either the young child or the older campers. We encourage you to register your camper when they come of age for these camps! 

Can my child bring a phone or smartwatch?

No. Campers are not permitted to use cell phones or smartwatches at any CincyNature camp. In an increasingly virtual world, being tech-free during camp is essential for the development of campers. Keeping cell phones and smartwatches at home allows campers to develop their social skills with face-to-face communication and practice of empathy. Without a cell phone, campers can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, stimulating an appreciation for it. If a camper is seen using a phone, the Site Coordinator will put it in a safe space until pick-up time. If your child needs a phone for a health or safety reason, please indicate it on their health form and contact the Camp Director before the start of camp. 

Do you accept children with special needs?

We’re happy to make reasonable accommodations for special needs. Parents and guardians with questions regarding the ability of camp staff to meet a child’s needs should contact the Camp Director, Kelly Steyer, before registering for camp. See below for contact information. 

My child has food allergies. How do you accommodate?

Over the years, we have had many campers with food allergies. The action we take depends upon the severity of the allergy. Children with strong peanut allergies eat away from members of the group with peanut products. (For example, a whole table of campers and staff who do not have peanut products in their lunches will sit together at a table or use a designated nut-free picnic blanket.) 

May I attend camp with my child?

Our well-trained counselors provide experiences that help increase your child’s confidence in an inclusive, age-appropriate environment. Little Acorns is the only camp at Cincinnati Nature Center in which a parent/guardian will attend with their child. Please see Page 9 of the CincyNature Camp brochure for more details. 

My child wants to go to Creek Week. Do I need to register my child for all four sessions of Creek Week Camp?

No. To meet the high demand for our camps, we sometimes offer the same theme and activities of one camp (such as Creek Week or H2Whoa!) for multiple weeks. This allows greater numbers of children to enjoy these camps. Although children can attend multiple weeks of the same camp theme if they desire, the activities and content will not change week-to-week for each theme, so they would find themselves repeating the same activities in which they already participated. 

What’s the difference between the two Wilderness Week camps?

We’ll cover the same material during the day at both sessions. The camp with an overnight component will include some basics of camping (for example, how to set up a tent and cook over a fire). 

Why are some camps at the same location priced differently? 

Our camps are carefully priced based on the unique experience provided. Some themes include a meal, extra materials, special presentations from outside organizations, and/or additional staffing expenses.

If you have a question that we missed regarding camp content or structure, staffing or camper accommodations, please contact us directly:

Early Childhood Camps for campers ages 3-young 5:
You can reach Tisha at tluthy@cincynature.org or (513) 831-1711, ext. 123.

Youth Camps for campers ages 5-15:
You can reach Kelly at ksteyer@cincynature.org or (513) 831-1711, ext. 137.

For camper registration queries: 
Please contact our Registrar at registrar@cincynature.org or (513) 831-1711, ext. 129.