Summertime is about to become even more idyllic for the children at the Boothbay Region YMCA Camp Knickerbocker, thanks to an expanded partnership with Boothbay Region Land Trust. There will be plenty of chances to find salamanders under logs and to lay in the grass examining clouds as BRLT develops and implements programming with an emphasis on nature. BRLT Environmental Educator Tracey “Turtle” Hall will be a familiar face at Camp K as she works with staff to utilize the lake, fields and forests at the 70-acre site.

This venture builds on the success of the past four summers when Hall offered environmental themed curriculum to campers three mornings a week. Under the expanded partnership, YMCA staff will be trained on this curriculum and it will become an essential part of the children’s time at camp. Traditional camp activities such as swimming, boating and sports will still be offered, but all will tie into the deeper awareness campers will develop towards their environment.

Hall will spend the spring developing programming suited to the site and participants. Each week of summer camp will have a different theme, such as “Out to Sea” and “Animal Planet,” with corresponding activities. The variety offered by the weekly themes will be complemented by summer-long investigations of camp such as monitoring the water quality of the lake and performing plot studies in the forest. Campers will also work on developing primitive skills such as building a survival shelter, identifying edible plants, and tracking animals.

In addition to the programming at Camp Knickerbocker, the YMCA will continue its offerings of Adventure and half-day camps off-site throughout the Boothbay peninsula and state of Maine. Hall will also be developing programming for Camp Knickerbocker throughout the year by working with school groups and families.

For more information about Camp Knickerbocker, its partnership with BRLT, and this summer’s schedule, view the Camp Guide at www.boothbayregionymca.org or pick up a copy at the YMCA or BRLT offices.