This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
12/30/2018 11:00 PMIf exploration is in your nature, there's a spot in Ivoryton to check out. Over the past 30 years, Bushy Hill Nature Center has enriched the lives of people of all ages through summer camp, school programs, indigenous studies workshops, and farm programs.
The 700-plus acres of Bushy Hill offer a wide variety of terrain including a white cedar swamp with winding boardwalk, a mile-long spring-fed lake (where swimming is permitted), miles of trails running through beautifully forested areas, a ropes course with dozens of elements, functional tipi and wigwam sites, and a working farm featuring a variety of animals. In the Nature Center, you will find hands-on exhibits, a diversity of live animals, and a classroom for school programs and workshops.
Bushy Hill's staff members are highly motivated with strong education backgrounds. Throughout the year, they work with children of all ages through school programs teaching indigenous studies, team building, maple sugaring, wetlands studies, home school science, and an after-school mentoring program. The center is developing new school programs to assist school districts in meeting the goals of the CORE, NGSS, and Connecticut Science Curriculum Standards both in the classroom and on site.
Bushy Hill offers summer day camp programs for preschoolers to high schoolers and is recognized for its commitment to excellence. Led by experienced summer camp directors, children of all ages explore the natural world and learn a sense of community.
Why Bushy Hill? It offers experienced, professional, certified staff of all ages includes day camp alumni, teachers, and environmental science experts. Staff members undergo an extensive application and training process to gain employment. The summer team is comprised of active, intelligent, and enthusiastic people.
At Bushy Hill, children get out of the house and into their outside surrounding world while participating in team building and adventurous activities, connecting with the natural world and building an environmentally responsible community. Safety is the number one goal at Bushy Hill. There are certified lifeguards, CPR, first aid, archery, boating, and ropes course administrators on staff. Each staff is trained in conflict resolution, classroom management, and positive interactions.
A PARENT TESTIMONIAL:
"I am a former Bushy Hill camper. I went every summer as a kid and created memories and skills that have stayed with me my whole life. Now I send my daughter to Bushy Hill because I know it's a place that will instill a love of nature and the outdoors. It's a place where she'll gain independence and confidence by introducing her to new experiences. And most importantly, Bushy Hill offers these opportunities for personal growth and education through pure fun and joy. I am grateful that we are fortunate enough to be able to send our daughter, and our son when he's old enough, to such an amazing camp!" Sarah, parent of a current Bushy Hill Day Camper
This story was provided by Bushy Hill in Ivoryton. For more information, visit www.bushyhill.org or email info@bushyhill.org.