About the Homeschool Enrichment Series
(For info on SLNC’s Day-off from School Camps, please click here)
SLNC’s Homeschool Enrichment Series is an option for families who take a different approach to educating their children (ages 5-12). Our 4-week program provides an opportunity for children to get hands-on experience within the STEM disciplines, without the formal constraints. Each of the lessons are developed with the PA Standard Aligned System (SAS) in mind and ensure that children will excel in all settings.
There are FIVE sessions this year: Fall II, Winter, Winter II, Spring, and Spring II. The topics covered are relevant to each season. We enjoy all types of weather at SLNC and will encourage your children to feel the same way. It is important to make sure that your child dresses for the weather, including closed-toe shoes, and is always prepared to get dirty! Long pants are also recommended as we do explore in our forest, meadow, and marsh.
The program is a drop-off program run by SLNC’s Environmental Educators. We encourage parents to minimize interactions with the class in order to reduce distractions. Parents are not encouraged to stay on site, but are welcome to hike the trails on their own during this time.
Participants may sign up for either a morning (10:30am-12pm) and/or afternoon (1:30-3pm) session.
🌼Spring Into Nature: Life, Growth & Discovery
AM 10:30-12PM
In this four-week outdoor homeschool series, children will explore the wonders of spring through hands-on science, nature walks, creative projects, and real-world observation. Each week focuses on a different aspect of seasonal change. From identifying signs of spring and journaling field data, to investigating plant and animal life cycles, and discovering the important role of pollinators in local ecosystems.
🖊️Week 1: (April 22nd) : Signs of Spring
Focus: Nature journaling, observations, and field data
This week, children will explore the trails in search of early signs of spring, using a scavenger hunt to spot buds, birds, insects, mud, and new plant growth. They will record their discoveries through drawings and notes in their very own seasonal field notebook, beginning their journey as young nature observers
- Nature walk scavenger hunt (buds, birds, insects, mud, new growth)
- Journaling observations with drawing at different locations around the park
- Start a seasonal field notebook
🌸Week 2: (April 29th) : Plant Life Cycles
Focus: Seed dissection, planting seeds. and plant anatomy
This week, children will explore what’s inside a seed by dissecting soaked beans and learning about the tiny baby plant hidden inside. They will plant their own fast-growing seeds, compare dormant and sprouting plants, and discover the basic parts of a plant through hands-on activities.
- Seed dissection activity
- Start fast-growing seeds (beans or peas)
- Compare dormant vs. sprouting plants
- Simple plant anatomy lesson
🦋Week 3: (May 6th) : Animal Life Cycles
Focus: Life cycles, art & craft, and nature walk
This week, children will learn about animal life cycles by exploring the stages of a frog or butterfly through hands-on activities, role-play, and creating their own life cycle wheel craft. During a guided nature walk, they will observe signs of animal life such as nests or eggs and connect what they see in nature to the life cycle stages they learned.
- Frog or butterfly life cycle activity
- Role-play life cycle stages
- Build a life cycle wheel craft
- Look for eggs/nests on a guided walk
🐝Week 4: (May 13th) : Pollination & Spring Ecosystems
Focus: Pollination, native plants, and seed bombs
This week, children will explore how pollination works by playing an interactive simulation game and learning about native pollinators and their role in spring ecosystems. They will then create their own seed bombs to help support local plants and pollinators.
- Pollination simulation game
- Learn about native pollinators
- Make a seed bomb
🌲Outdoor Adventure Skills
PM 1:30PM-3PM
Join us for a 4-week, hands-on outdoor program where kids build confidence, teamwork, and real-world skills while exploring nature. Each week focuses on a new adventure skill through active games, challenges, and exploration around the nature center.
🗺️ Week 1: (April 22nd) Map & Navigation Adventure
Focus: Mapping, Navigation, Tool use
Children learn how to read simple maps and navigate the outdoors! Through fast-paced games and a team treasure hunt, students will practice finding landmarks, following directions, and working together to reach their destination.
- Navigation relay races
- Map-based treasure hunt
- Create-your-own map activity
🥾 Week 2: (April 29th) Trail Skills & Hiking Challenge
Focus: Trails, Hiking, Safety
It’s time to hit the trail! Students will learn how to hike safely, move efficiently through nature, and work as a team. Expect obstacle courses, group challenges, and fun games that teach real outdoor skills.
- Outdoor obstacle course
- Team hiking challenges
🪢 Week 3: (May 6th )Building & Survival Skills
Focus: Shelters, Knots, Engineering
This week focuses on hands-on problem solving as students learn simple knots and work in teams to design and build their own shelters using natural materials.
- Knot-tying challenges
- Team shelter building
- Design, test, and improve structures
🏕️ Week 4: (May 13th) Ultimate Adventure Quest
Focus: All Skills Learned
Our final week brings everything together in an exciting outdoor challenge! Students will use their navigation, hiking, and building skills to complete a team-based adventure course and finish with a fun “explorer mission.”
Highlights:
- Multi-skill adventure course
- Team-based challenges
Please note that we are no longer offering a member discount for the Homeschool Enrichment Series. The total cost for the four-week program is $80 per child. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to another wonderful session together.
Refund Policy:
If you have any questions, please contact Summer Camp Director/ Environmental Educator, Holly Hewchuk at v-hlhewchuk@buckscounty.org or 267-880-5021.