Summer Camp Wrap-up 2024

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This summer, we:

• Added instruction from our Garden Educator staff members.
• Offered opportunities to enjoy Cylburn Camp starting with Pre-k all the way through middle school age children.
• Added a kayaking field trip for our Middle School campers.
• Passed inspection by the state of Maryland Department of Health (who oversees Maryland Youth Camps) in all areas

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Camp Staff & Guest Presenters

Our camp staff this year included returning director, Jim Ritter (working with our older campers) in addition to early childhood educator and new Mini Camp director Sara Smith. 

We had phenomenal counselors, some returning and some new. The two directors, along with Education Director Erika Castillo, collaborated with guest presenters. We were joined by CAF Educators Ron Roberto, Rose Pacheco, and Sarah Ford for lessons each week. Also leading us were Master Gardeners Sara Service and Sandy Markowitz and USFWS Bee expert Sally Lent.

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Quotes from Cylburn Camp Parents

• Truly our best camp experience so far – counselors made my daughter feel so confident and welcome!
• My son absolutely loved it! He came home telling us about what he learned (which is rare on a regular preschool day)!
• Staff was really caring and engaged with the kids.
• I think the balance was good, a mixture of learning and play activities is important and my sense was that balance was good.
• My kid absolutely loved it and wants to do it again next year.
• Spoke positively about counselors and other campers and made friends. Really enjoyed the science he learned about nature he observed.
• Very well organized, wonderful clear comprehensive communication. Camp staff was kind and caring.
• Well organized, GREAT counselors; loved the activities at morning drop off to provide distraction and reassurance. This was our daughter’s first out of home “activity” without a parent or grandparent present and we couldn’t have been more pleased – thank you!!
• So well organized, wonderful counselors, great projects and fun!
• Keep doing what you are doing! Addition of time with gardeners was great this year!
• The camp staff were amazing and the kids came home full of excitement around the nature facts they learned and sharing about the hikes they took. Because the camp size is relatively small, they also forged some great friendships with the other campers.
• My kids had a great time at camp this year. Really well done mix of activities and fun camp stuff.
• [My child] loved the night hike and kayaking as well as the daily camp activities. I am so happy she got to experience Cylburn camp!
• The staff was very nice! They were very professional.
• The camp staff is super friendly and fun. The nature camp keeps my child excited and interested all day. This is the one camp they continue to ask to be enrolled in.
• My child always arrived home happy and enjoyed each day!
• This was [my child’s] first time at camp and he was very nervous about it. After the  first day, it was clear he was having a good time. He definitely perked up by the 2nd day (after getting to meet/touch the corn snake). Some of his highlights include the Cylburn nature map (which he loves), playing checkers, the bamboo forest, turtle anatomy (specifically the plastron), and just playing outside. It was clear he felt comfortable with the counselors and I really appreciate the whole staff for creating a welcoming and nurturing environment. He said he wants to come back next year!
• Erika did a fantastic job with organization, and especially communication! That up front communication helped us prepare [our child] and keep the anxiety (of the unknown) low. I didn’t get to know any of the counselors by name, but ALL of them were: friendly and helpful – particularly that first day. THANK YOU ALL!!
• My daughter loved this camp, especially the counselors! She was so excited to walk me around the arboretum afterwards and show me all the places she liked best and explain what they did.
• It was so organized! Counselors were kind!
• My son isn’t great at describing his days, but I can tell from his emotions that he had a great time and felt comfortable.
• Responsive camp staff!
• This is the best camp around for kids who love nature and the outdoors. Our son especially loved the opportunity to learn from the Cylburn gardeners and visit the greenhouses. Staff were genuinely invested in encouraging his interests, answering questions, and inspiring continued learning. The camp is a great example of how interactions with experts make a huge impact on learning— and show kids future avenues and possibilities for their interests. Our son is in awe of the Cylburn staff— and of their projects like orchid artificial selection and cataloging plants…. The staff made such a positive impression on him— and he continues to tell us about “how cool” the Cylburn superheroes are: we’re hearing about Gardener Ron, Gardener Fig, Mr. David, and Gardener Rose and what they each taught him! We are immensely grateful for their kindness, knowledge, and care that all of the staff took to support and encourage curiosity and care of nature. This camp is all about hands-on, experiential learning— and our son learned so much by interacting with experts. Camp Directors Erika and Jim are amazing! Shout out to counselors Bella, Frances, and Flynn!