Ecology

Wild Strawberries Summer Camp

Anne Gageby
Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve

(6/2025) If you’ve been around campus over the last year or so, you might have noticed rocks being left on the railing of one of the Nature Trail’s bridges. That’s no accident. Those rocks are left for George, one of our resident trolls. Yes, we have trolls at Strawberry Hill. But don’t worry; they’re good trolls who love geology and dendrology, the study of trees. The forest is their home, and their stories help us teach kids of all ages about the science and history of the woods.

These trolls, like much of our campus folklore, developed over time during our Wild Strawberries camp days. Our young explorers love finding unfamiliar rocks, leaves, mushrooms, insects, and more. These discoveries come with questions that have real, scientific answers. And some fun answers as well. Over time, our folklore blossomed into what it is today and it’s thanks in part to our Wild Strawberries campers’ questions and enthusiasm for nature.

Wild Strawberries is Strawberry Hill’s summer camp designed to immerse kids in nature while engaging their hearts and minds with hands-on, play-based learning outdoors. It gets kids outside and away from electronics while bolstering their love of adventure. It fosters community connections and affords kids the opportunity to make new friends, usually outside their social circle and school network. Kids share their experiences and learn and grow together while enjoying the great outdoors.

Wild Strawberries runs from Monday through Thursday from 9am-4pm. Each week has a different theme from exploring a watershed to nature science to survival skills. Kicking off the summer season is Outdoor Survivalist from June 23rd - 26th. Create memories that will last a lifetime as you join your friends on the trails. We’ll learn the basics of hiking safety, understanding landmarks, orienteering, fire safety, building shelters, and tackle a survivalist challenge! Outdoor Survivalist is unfortunately sold out but reach out if you’d like to be added to our waitlist.

Week two is Bee Bilingual from July 7th - 10th and this is a week that’s sure to be a hit as we learn how animals and insects communicate. Join us as we discover the hidden "languages" of woodland creatures while adding in nature education in English, Spanish, and Sign Language! We will also learn how different animals sneak through the forest, find food, and water, and spend their days and nights when we’re not watching.

Up next is Nature Scientist which runs from July 14th - 17th. By the middle of July, summer will be in full swing and that means the forest is hopping! Join us as we explore and discover the wide variety of creatures that call our forests home. We’ll participate in community science activities, try nature experiments, and so much more.

Follow that up with Forest Friends from July 21st - 24th and see what secrets the forest holds! Join us for a week of learning how to show kindness to the forest, making nature art, meeting Strawberry Hill’s animal ambassadors, and creating new memories while adventuring outdoors.

End your summer camp experience with Water, Water, Everywhere! from July 28th - 31st. Grab your water shoes because this week is all about water. We’ll learn how to locate hidden sources of water, water safety while out in the woods, how to prevent pollution, why a healthy watershed is important, and so much more!

Wild Strawberries summer camp is an experience like no other. It offers kids a chance to engage in environmental education without the pressure of tests and grades. It makes learning fun again. It also fosters a natural curiosity that helps children become real-world problem solvers and self-motivated learners. They gain valuable experience in leadership, communication, and decision-making through hands-on activities with peers. And it accomplishes this while allowing children the freedom to be themselves and have a blast with friends. After all, camp should always include games and activities that allow kids to just be kids.

While learning is an important piece of the summer camp experience, imagination is just as important. That’s part of why we use creative storytelling. Because it helps kids to engage in their learning in an enjoyable way while absorbing genuine science in the process. So, when campers ask questions about the quartz they find all around us or want to know more about a new fungus they just found, we have fun answers. Just look at George, our geology troll. He teaches us about the uniqueness of our mountain and region. His story encourages kids to pick up rocks, to be fascinated by the world around them. And at the end of the day, who doesn’t love a troll with a hobby of collecting metamorphic rocks?

These stories and experiences at camp bring out the joy of being a kid. And they help foster a better appreciation for our natural world. Being immersed in nature deepens the connection to it. At Wild Strawberries, children explore creeks, forests, make nature art, discover geology, and so much more during their time on campus. We encourage children to ask questions, share their knowledge and ideas, and form emotional connection to our natural world through play and exploration. All while making memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

I would know because my own kids went to camp at Strawberry Hill when they were younger. Summer camp on the hill still holds a special place in their hearts even though they’re grown. It mixes learning with fun and makes a recipe for an unforgettable classic childhood experience for many. Up at Strawberry Hill, the next summer adventure starts in just a few short weeks and we’re so excited for the fun to begin!

Anne Gageby is the Environmental Education Manager of the Strawberry Hill Foundation. Strawberry Hill inspires stewardship of our natural world by
connecting the community with educational opportunities.
 Learn more by visiting StrawberryHill.org.