Things are always wild at the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve, and this year’s Summer Nature Camp was outstanding!

Most communities offer summer camp programming for their young residents during the summer; however, not every municipality is fortunate enough to have miles of the Cross Timbers ecosystem right in their backyard. Every summer, dozens of young nature enthusiasts spend their days hiking at the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve, learning about nature, and developing a life-long passion for our local environment. Now that summer is wrapping up and school is almost back in session, we’re taking some time to remember the incredible memories our campers created over the last two months.

Here's a quick recap of what our campers experienced:

Themed Lessons
It wouldn’t be Nature Camp without a weekly theme and lessons to go along with it! Themes this year included Forest Friends, Staying Alive, Birds of a Feather, Insect Investigators, Beneath the Surface, Welcome to the Four Seasons, Survival Skills, and the Circle of Life! Campers learned about the various creatures who call the BJNCP their home, the relationship between predators and prey, the birds over the Southlake sky, insects, and sea creatures!

Outdoor Adventures
The best part about Nature Camp is leaving the classroom behind and walking outside in nature. The Nature Center boasts over 20 miles of hiking trails! Our campers got to apply their classroom knowledge in the field, learning all sorts of valuable skills such as staying on the path, not leaving behind a trace, and spotting local wildlife. Every Friday was Field Day featuring a giant waterslide, pizza lunch, and ice cream!

Off-site Excursions
This year’s camp added extra adventures with exciting field trips every Thursday. Our campers explored the Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland, the Fort Worth Zoo, the Heard Museum, the Dallas Zoo, the Perot Museum, the Dallas Arboretum, and the Trinity River Audubon!

It was a summer to remember! Staff is already gearing up for the Fall season with our award-winning Forest Preschool and Nature Club! We look forward to seeing some familiar faces throughout Autumn!