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About Bushy Hill -
Staff -
Programs -
Contact |
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Bushy
Hill offers a variety of programs all of which foster a child's curiosity
for nature. Our goal is to help kids and adults develop a strong
sense of place, an intimate connection with nature and a reverence for all
life. We believe that as people grow in their understanding of the
natural world, they in turn grow in their understanding of others, and
ultimately, of themselves.
"One of the
nation's top youth programs" -Child Magazine |
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Bushy Hill Summer
Day Camp |
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Daniel, age 7
says "The Lower Frog Pond is my favorite place. I like to catch
the frogs and I have a secret place" |
| The Bushy Hill Summer Day Camp is the oldest
of our three day camps. Because it is the oldest and perhaps the most
well known, many of our campers, counselors and alumni refer to it as
"Bushy Hill". At "Bushy Hill" children (ages 6-12) take part in
a safe, active and fun program led by carefully chosen, knowledgeable
and enthusiastic staff. Children will be placed in a field group of 12
(arranged by age) with two counselors (who are 18 or over and are
First Aid / CPR certified). The goal of the program is to foster a
child's curiosity and leaning habits in a safe, respectful, and
non-competitive environment.
Registration Form
Health Form
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Some
activities include exploring and learning about nature by visiting our
winding streams, hidden ponds, rocky ridges, wooded valleys, and by
swimming in our mile long spring-fed lake. We also enjoy safe fire
making, outdoor cooking, team building, and large group game playing.
Indoor facilities are available for use during inclement weather or
for specific activities.
A typical day at Bushy Hill goes something like this:
9:00 am - Arrive at playing field / play large group games & mingle
9:25 am - Field group activities begin
11:45 am - Lunch and a short rest time
12:30 pm - Swim at Bushy Hill Lake
2:30 pm - Return from lake. Snack time (we provide) Entertainment
(i.e. songs & group games)
4:00 pm - Depart from the playing field
What to bring to Bushy Hill:
Day Pack, Water Bottle(s), Lunch*, Swim Wear, Rain Wear (when
needed), Sunscreen, Close-toed shoes.
*LUNCH and beverage must be packed in a quality
container with freezer block to maintain state requirements.
Please avoid dairy based products and other potentially hazardous
foods during hot weather.
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Abo Camps for
Teens |
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"My summers at Bushy Hill
are some of the best times I've ever had. I started as a camper
nine years ago and have come back ever since. Whether it was my
first Inipi or making breakfast at 5:30 with my fellow Abo campers, my
Bushy Hill experiences are ones I will never forget." -Leah, age 14
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Abo Camp is a unique experience designed for
young adults ages 13-16. The word Abo is short for Aboriginal and
refers to the indigenous or native
skills and knowledge needed by our ancestors to live close to the
earth. If you enjoy books like
Hatchet, My Side of the Mountain and Julie of the Wolves
and if you are interested in learning more about the skills of
wilderness survival and tracking, then this camp would be great for
you.
These skills provide us with a much-needed
link to the earth. Through Earth Living Skills we learn to think and
see the world differently. As we learn to live close to nature, we
become more confident and humble. Most of all, nature gives us what we
need for a lifelong voyage of self-discovery.
Registration Form
Health Form
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"For 10 years I
have attended Bush Hill Nature Center Programs. Upon each return I
feel so incredibly connected with nature, fellow group members and the
councilors. Each day brings a new and incredible experience"
- Lee R., longtime camper and VIP
ABO I-IV
There are four levels of Abo camp. Each camp builds on the skills and
knowledge learned in the previous level, therefore it is required that
all campers start with Abo I. Abo I-III are week-long day camps with
an overnight on Thursday. Abo IV is a week-long simulated survival
experience on our 700 acre facility.
SKILLS COVERED
Abo I- Sit spots, tracking and animal forms, knife safety and
carving, shelter building, one match fires, throwing sticks, tree and
plant identification, and outdoor cooking.
Rite of passage: Blind drum stalk
Abo II- Sit spot, tree identification, mapping, directional
awareness, camouflage, fire by friction with a bow drill, advanced
tracking, outdoor cooking, and more.
Rite of passage: Sweat Lodge
Abo III- Sit spot, throwing stick
uses, advanced bow drill, introduction to hand drill, making and
firing primitive pottery, stone tools and flint knapping, and much more.
Rite of passage: Walkabout
Abo IV- Choosing a campsite, shelter
building, water gathering, primitive fire making, food gathering,
outdoor cooking, storytelling, and much, much more. Rite of passage:
Solo
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School Programs |
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"Our 4th grade
came away with a hands-on experience second to none." -
Julia
Evans, Teacher, Flanders School
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The educated, enthusiastic and
talented Bushy Hill staff has been providing programs and services to
schools, scout groups and civic organizations for over 17 years.
Our primary focus is providing exceptional
and unique educational experiences to students of all ages during the
school year.
All of our programs are flexible and can fill
any educational niche in our environment or yours. Customized programs
have included of air balloons, tracking and stone tools. We
offer programs about primitive studies, wetlands and maple sugaring.
Email or call us about custom programs to fit you curriculum and
overnight programs. Ask about our 3 program discount: slideshow,
school visit, and field trip. |
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Primitive Studies This
two hour program is a window to the past. Students are
transported back in time and given the unique opportunity to
view the daily living skills of different Native American
cultures including fire making, techniques in cooking, stone
tool making, hide tanning, food collecting and shelter
building. Our wigwam is set up to illustrate the life and
technologies in prehistoric Connecticut, as well as the
contact period of seventeenth century New England. We also
feature a teepee site designed to showcase the plains
culture, their nomadic lifestyle and their dependence on
bison. Best for grades 3 through 5. |
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The
Wetlands Program This is
our most popular spring program Students participate in an
active two hour exploration of a variety of wetland
habitats. The program features exploring the Atlantic
white cedar swamp (from a boardwalk), a vernal pool and a
guided probe of a diversely populates specimen pond. Focus
is on the importance o wetlands in connection to people,
animals and the environment. Best for grades 2 through
5. |
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Maple Sugaring As the
winter snows slowly recede, the days begin to get longer. We
know that spring is just around the corner. This has
traditionally been the time in New England to harvest the
sweet sap of the sugar maple tree. Our two hour program uses
the process of making maple syrup to teach math, science and
nature awareness. Students come away with an understanding
of the whole syrup making process from the tree to the sugar
house to the table. Best for grades 1 through 5. |
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Tee Pee Wigwam
Nature Center Adventure
This fun, information packed tour features stops at our
wigwam site, tee pee and nature center. Along the way
we stop to learn about plants, trees and animals. Best
for grades Pre-K through 2.
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Home School
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The Young Naturalist Program for Home Schooled
Children and Their Families consists of
12 Friday
morning classes which will run from 9:30 to 11:30 between October and
May. Classes begin and end at the Gym field promptly at 9:30 and
11:30. Families are welcome to bring picnic lunches for after the
program. Classes include: |
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Introductions
and team building exercises
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Wild Food
Gathering, Preparation and Uses
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Primitive
Studies/ Native Story Telling
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Primitive
Studies / Primitive Fire
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Winter Tree
ID / Winter Fire Making
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Animal forms
and Tracking
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Maple Syrup
Program
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Bird Language
and ID
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Primitive
shelter and geodome construction
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Orienteering/
Lost Proofing
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Wetland study
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Hammonasset
State Park
There is also
an extra 7 classes available to develop a more in depth connection
with nature through sit spot routines, story telling, spelunking,
journaling and studying plants, trees, and animals. |
Dates & Registration Form
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Vacation Day
Camps |
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"Berry
Berry Island is great - you can even catch fish there. Once we
even caught a baby snapping turtle there!" |
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Registration Form
Health Form
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Bushy Hill offers day camps
during February, March, and April school vacation. Camp runs Monday
through Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. In February and March we feature
weather dependent sledding, hikes and outdoor activities such as
making maple syrup in our sugarhouse. In April, we feature outdoor
cooking and exploring. Children will need day packs (with lunch),
hats, gloves, warm socks, shoes and a coat.
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Bushy Hill Nature Center
PO Box 577
Ivoryton, CT
06442
860-767-2148 |
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