Summer Campers Make Lifelong Memories

Campers are making memories with outdoor experiences inspired by nature and science this summer.

Our Nature Inspired Camp for GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) middle school students from Escondido Union School District encouraged campers to connect with, experience, and pledge to protect nature.

Campers participated in interactive science experiments throughout the week-long camp, including water quality testing (featured image) and measuring biodiversity. They also enjoyed hands-on fun potting plants indigenous to San Elijo Lagoon that campers could take home.

Above: A camper measures biodiversity within a quadrat along the dunes at
Cardiff State Beach.

Above: Yassin Wahhab, Nature Collective’s Lead Restoration Technician, guides campers in potting plants indigenous to San Elijo Lagoon at our plant nursery.

Above: Campers observe the new Escondido Creek watershed model at San Elijo Lagoon, designed by Nature Collective member and artist Kim MacConnel, to understand better how water travels from Escondido to the Pacific Ocean.

Campers spent time at San Elijo Lagoon learning about the importance of estuaries and how estuaries filter water. They then had the opportunity to tour the new water campus with our San Elijo Joint Powers Authority partners to observe how a nature-inspired human-designed system also filters water.

Above: Campers tour the new San Elijo Water Campus. 

After a week of exploring coastal ecosystems, having fun, building friendships, and learning from environmental experts, campers developed a greater understanding of how nature benefits people and how people can study and protect it.

One camper commented: “I saw so many cool plants and animals, and I want to protect them and their beautiful environments.”

Above: A beach cleanup along Cardiff State Beach encouraged campers to think about their potential impacts on our environment.

Thank you, Escondido Union School District, Hans + Margaret Doe Charitable Fund at the San Diego Foundation,  San Elijo Lagoon Joint Power Authority,  San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation, California State Parks, and you. 

Your membership makes experiences like these possible for youth to grow their passion for nature.

THANK YOU, JUNE MEMBERS

Individuals/ Foundations/ Funds

Shari Burkhart
Susan Carroll
Jody Creamer
Jim Day
Barbara + Larry Dovenbarger
Claude + Ruth Fenner
Lindsey Gonzalez
June Gottleib
Anita Hayworth + Dave Shaw*
Lisa Lane + David Daymude
Meghan Laurs + Dan Jaoudi
Barbara + Dave Loskutoff
Andrea Meyer
Alex + Isabella Monacelli
Cindy Moore**
Garth Murphy
Brys + Rita Myers***
David Newman
Kathleen + Stephen O’Leary
Mary Salvato
MaryJo Schumann
Lance + Lynne Small
Al + Sally Stoffel
Jan Wier via National Financial Services*
Ida Houby + Bill E Miller***
Daniel Wulbert via Fidelity Brokerage Services

In Memory

Steve Ellis in memory of Alexandra Ellis

Corporate

Dowling & Yahnke in honor of Danielle + Matthew Adams*
Boeing in honor of Norma and Steven Chodos*
Leathem & Company

*President Circle
**Legacy Circle
***President + Legacy Circle

Feature Image:  A camper checks water salinity at Cardiff State Beach.