Congaree Summer Science Camp for Junior Rangers offers free opportunity to experience park
Thursday, May 15, 2008HOPKINS -- Are you the parent or guardian of a rising fifth-grader who enjoys the outdoors? Does your child like to study plants, animals and the natural world? Would you like your child to experience one of America's treasured national parks in the Midlands of South Carolina? Then join the first ever free Congaree Summer Science Camp for Junior Rangers!
The Old-Growth Bottomland Forest Research and Education Center at Congaree National Park currently is planning for two camp sessions this summer. Each session will run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Session I will run July 7-11, and Session II will be from Aug. 4-8.
Each camp will focus on outdoor activities including hiking, canoeing and scie.jpgic data collection as well as crafts, writing and hands-on, standards-based science lessons taught by National Park Service staff. The goals of the camp are to increase familiarity with the mission of the National Park Service; showcase common plants, animals and ecological features of Congaree's bottomland floodplain forest; and promote stewardship of South Carolina's natural resources.
Upon completion of camp, each camper will be officially "sworn in" as a National Park Service Junior Ranger and receive both a commemorative patch and pin.
The camp is free, but advance registration is required, and enrollment is limited to 20 campers per session. Registration for both camp sessions will begin on-site at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Harry Hampton Visitors Center. At that time, reservations can be made in person at the front desk on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of two campers registered by any one parent, guardian or designated adult at a time. Reservations can not be made by phone.
For more information about the Congaree Summer Science Camp for Junior Rangers, call David Shelley at 803-776-4396, ext. 15, or visit www.nps.gov/cong/forkids/summer-camp-2008.htm. For maps and more information about Congaree National Park, call 803-776-4396, visit www.nps.gov/cong or write the Harry Hampton Visitor Center at 100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061.
