Summer Explore Camps
About Summer Explore Camps | 3-Day
Camping Trips | 5-Day Canoe Trips
5-Day Buyboat Trips | 5-Day
Skipjack Trips | Little Explorers
Middle Explorers | Day and Residential
Programs
Scenes from 2010 Summer Explore
About Summer Explore Camps
During the summer, the Outdoor School's Explore program runs three and five day educational expeditions in the unspoiled regions of the upper Bay and its tributaries. Additionally, Day Camps for young children are offered on our school campus.
Explore Trips for ages 8 and up
Echo Hill Outdoor School’s summer Explore program offers exciting three and five day adventures on the waters of the upper Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Four types of trips are available: three-day camping, five-day canoe, five-day skipjack, and five-day buy boat. Participants can register on an individual basis or with a friend or relative. The minimum age is 8 years for three-day trips, and 10 years for five-day trips.
All trips focus on exploring the ecology and cultural history of the Chesapeake. These trips are terrific learning experiences as participants travel together in a group and explore the wonders of the bay. Swimming, fishing, crabbing, sleeping under the stars, and taking time to relax is what life on an Explore trip is all about.
Echo Hill trip leaders are experienced educators with a variety of educational and geographical backgrounds who are dedicated to communicating an appreciation and respect for nature and people. All Echo Hill trip leaders hold American Red Cross certification in First Aid and CPR, and some hold more advanced medical certification. American Red Cross certified lifeguards directly supervise all swimming activities.
Little and Middle Explorers Day Camps for ages 4 – 9
Our young explorers learn the wonders of nature using all of their senses as they romp through the forest, wetland, beach, and fields. Opportunities abound for toad catching, bug investigation, fort building and sheer outdoor enjoyment.In small groups and guided by highly qualified educators/staff naturalists, Little and Middle Explorers participate in an exciting & nurturing outdoor learning experience.
Day and Residential Programs
Day and Residential programs are available in the summer from July 1 through Aug. 28 for groups ranging in size from 6 to 30. We offer experiences in all three of our curriculum areas: Science And Ecology, Individual And Group Development, and History And The Human Environment.
3-Day Camping Trips
This trip is designed to provide a positive and exciting adventure for the first or second-time camper. The group of six participants and two Echo Hill trip leaders explore the Kent shore of the Sassafras River and use the same campsite each night of the three-day experience. Basic Camping, canoeing and fishing skills are the focus of this program.
Minimum age 8 years 6 participants
Maximum age 11 years
2010 Fee: $280.00
2010 Application, Dates, and Pricing - 2011 Application to be posted in January
5-Day Canoe Trips
This canoe trip travels a twelve-mile section of the Chester River and explores undisturbed marshes, sandy beaches, fields and woodlands. These trips use up to six canoes to carry eight campers, three Outdoor School trip leaders and all food and gear for the week. Making and breaking camp, helping to cook and prepare meals, and canoeing are all major parts of every canoe trip, and along the way there is plenty of time for relaxing, fishing and swimming your hearts out.
Minimum age 10 years 8 participants
2010 Fee: $426.00
2010 Application, Dates, and Pricing - 2011 Application to be posted in January
5-Day Buyboat Trips
Buyboat trips take place aboard the 50’ Chesapeake Bay oyster boat, Annie D. The Annie D. was used to purchase oysters from waterman at the oyster grounds and transport them to the great shucking houses of the Eastern Shore. Now, the Annie D. can carry you as she travels the waters of the Chester River and the upper bay.
The beauty of an Annie D. trip is mobility. The group of six participants, the captain and crew are free to roam the entire Chester River. The bateau “Ric”, a 22’ skiff is towed behind to allow for extensive exploration anywhere along the way. The explorers have the ability to crab, fish, swim and study all parts of the ecosystem, anytime day or night.
Minimum age 10 years 6 participants
2010 Fee: $626.00
2010 Application, Dates, and Pricing - 2011 Application to be posted in January
5-Day Skipjack Trips
The Elsworth sails each Monday with six participants, the captain, and two Echo Hill trip leaders. Sailing and running the Elsworth is a team effort that requires involvement from everyone on board. Learning some basic sailing and navigational skills are a part of every trip. Every sailor has an opportunity to contribute.
Fishing, crabbing, and swimming are important activities on any skipjack trip and Echo Hill teachers provide the crew with challenging adventures and ecology problems as well. Camping is done on the vessel.
Minimum age 10 years 6 participants
2010 Fee: $658.00
2010 Application, Dates, and Pricing - 2011 Application to be posted in January
Little Explorers
... a summer camp for little ones
Little Explorers is a summer program for children 4 to 6 years of age. The program is nature based with children participating in outdoor exploration, songs, crafts and games.
Some themes campers will focus on include: habitats, barnyards & gardens, wild plants & animals, dirt & bugs, swamp life, and the Chesapeake Bay.
Parents are welcome to attend Little Explorers with their child or drop their child off. If you choose to drop your child off and remain on campus you are welcome to relax in our air-conditioned dining hall. Younger siblings (ages 3 and under) may attend accompanied by the parent at no extra charge.
Camp runs from 9AM to 12 Noon
Sign up options exist for two, three or five day sessions
2010 Application, Dates, and Pricing - 2011 Application to be posted in January
Middle Explorers
Middle Explorers is a summer program for children 7 to 9 years of age.
Children participate in outdoor exploration, climbing, a day on the
Chester river, crafts and games. The four-day session culminates with
a family overnight in our all-season dorms – the perfect preparation
for children getting ready for overnight camp.
Day - one 8AM-3PM
Welcome to Echo Hill Outdoor School! Campers will embark on a day filled
with outdoor exploration, nature crafts and active games.
Day - two 8AM-3PM
River Day – meet in Chestertown for a day of swimming, fishing,
and river exploration aboard the historic Chesapeake Bay workboat Twilight.
Day - three 8AM - overnight
Arrive ready to spend the night! Our day will include challenges on
the Pathfinder Climbing wall.
Campers are welcome to invite a parent or special adult to join us for
a cookout dinner and a night away from home.
Day - four 3PM departure
More outdoor fun as we wrap up our week; swamp mucking, fort building,
toad catching, water-play… – pure summer magic in the life
of a child.
2010
Application, Dates, and Pricing - 2011 Application to be posted in January
Day and Residential
Day and Residential programs are available in the summer from July 1 through Aug. 28 for groups ranging in size from 6 to 30. We offer experiences in all three of our curriculum areas:
Science And Ecology
These courses include Bay Studies (exploring the Chester River aboard
the historic vessels Twilight and Spirit), Swamp Canoeing (paddling
canoes through a fresh water shrub-swamp), and Pond & Stream Studies
(mucking about and exploring the ponds and streams of Kent County).
Individual And Group Development
We offer the opportunity for groups to challenge themselves, gain
confidence, and explore the inner-workings of a team in our Adventure
programs. Led by experienced facilitators, participants can try the
Zip-Line, Pathfinder climbing wall, Giant Swing, or Alpine Tower,
as well as a wide-variety of ground-level elements.
History And The Human Environment
Mystery Tour classes take students out into the Kent County community
to meet the farmers, watermen, and townspeople that make up Maryland’s
most agricultural county. In our Early American Studies class students
learn about some of the earliest inhabitants in the Chesapeake Region.
They can see firsthand what it was like to live in a wigwam, fashion
a dugout canoe, or make natural cordage.
Air-conditioned dorms and a dining hall are available for residential
programs in the summer. Please inquire at info@ehos.org
or (410) 348-5880.