Summer Camps Grow Youth Leaders

Campers Experience + Connect with Nature 

Testing water temperature

Summer camps occurred in the last two weeks in the Great Outdoors of our Escondido watershed. Can’t we all go back to camp? Our middle school emerging leaders enjoyed hiking, meeting and being with friends, getting deeper into nature from the mountains to ocean, and learning how to make a difference for a healthier world.

Gently observing a sea hare 

Here are some of the many highlights campers experienced:

Lake Wohlford
We played nature games, hiked — and got to see a Red-tailed Hawk with a mouse in its talons land on a rock right behind us.

Dixon Lake
Who popped up on our picnic tables? A young Western toad! We spotted a coyote trotting along and were amazed by its dog-like looks. A big plus? Campers got to vote on Dixon Lake’s new playground equipment.

Felicita Park
Science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) stirred our inspirations in the making of solar ovens. The sweetest part? Using the sun to melt our chocolate s’mores!  After hiking in three different habitats, it was nice to enjoy some quiet time sitting on cool boulders along the flowing Escondido creek.  

Elfin Forest
We went up, up and up the Way Up Trail at Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. This is a moderate hike to a summit with valley views. Campers supported each other along the way and we cheered when we met our challenge. Playing in the Escondido Creek cooled our warmed up muscles while we also gently investigated all sorts of cool macro-organisms.

Testing water quality at San Elijo Lagoon

Thank You:

AT&T Foundation
Escondido Union School District  
And, Your Support of Nature Collective