The Children's House

Base Camp and Excursion Camp
for children entering 1st through 8th grade

With a focus on nature, our 8-acre campus provides the perfect environment for outdoor play, exploration, and learning. Excursions to beautiful, local sites will deepen their connection to our amazing region. Learners will enjoy building forts, searching for bugs, and getting their hands dirty in the greenhouse and gardens. Emphasis is placed on creativity, imagination, and connection to nature, helping kids make lasting memories while exploring new interests.

Base Campers, ages 5 to 9 entering 1st through 3rd grade, will explore various themes through outdoor and indoor activities. Many weeks culminate with an excursion off campus. Week 4 these campers will have the option to participate in their own Bike Week!

Excursions Campers, ages 10 to 13 entering 4th through 8th grade, will spend several days each week exploring natural amenities and destinations around the region. From kayaking, hiking, and bike excursions, to spending days learning from local food producers on their farms, there are sure to be adventures for everyone! Week 7 will be Bike Week for 4th -8th grade campers only!

A Typical Week:

	Base Camp  (1st through 3rd grades): Base Camp provides a consistent schedule for campers during the times they are not involved in excursions. Base Camp activities include athletic and social skill-building games, creative problem-solving activities, crafts, and copious outdoor exploration and garden activities. A daily quiet period after lunch includes time for chess, board games, and quiet reading.
	Morning Workshops and weekly outings (1st through 3rd grades):  Summer camp mornings will consist of a daily gardening activity with our Della Terra specialist, Brooke, along with other engaging activities based on the weekly camp theme. Themes (see below) will involve craft projects, art, learning opportunities, and snacks. Off-campus field trips will be scheduled on most Fridays. Following the morning session will be lunch, outdoor fun, and quiet reading.  Pizza Wednesdays: Pizza will be available for Primary and Lower Elementary campers.  To order, please use Boonli and be sure to change your student’s profile to their summer classroom. Email Marty if you have questions (martin@traversechildrenshouse.org). Sprinkler Day is on Thursday afternoons. Campers will need swim gear, water shoes, and a towel. Popsicles will be served, and campers will be able to play in the sprinklers on campus. Moomers Ice Cream Day is on Friday afternoons. There will be a $12 transportation fee charged for all weeks that include off-campus outings.  Bike Week: We will be offering two bike weeks this summer, Week 4 for 1st - 3rd grade campers and Week 7 for 4th-8th grade campers. Camp Guides will take the students on many local paved trails. One day they will spend off-roading at Palmer Woods!  Children must be able to ride at least a 2-wheel 20'' bicycle (no training wheels) and cover up to 65 miles for the week. In order to create a consistent, safe experience for riders and staff alike there will be no exception to these age groupings or requirements.
	Excursion Camp (4th through 8th Grades): Our older campers are ready to get out and have adventures. This year, the adventure will be next level with trips to local farms, kayaking, and of course, biking. A $12 weekly excursion fee is charged to cover transportation and admittance fees, when applicable. Steve Maas, Robby Hovie, and guest adult leaders will ensure this group has an engaging and exciting summer! This year we are welcoming students entering 4th through 8th grade. Bike Week: We will be offering two bike weeks this summer, Week 4 for 1st - 3rd grade campers, and Week 7 for 4th-8th grade campers. Camp Guides will take the students on many local paved trails. One day they will spend off-roading at Palmer Woods! Campers should be comfortable riding up to 65 miles for the week. In order to create a consistent, safe experience for riders and staff alike there will be no exception to these age groupings or requirements.

Summer Program Weekly Themes:

*Weekly excursions subject to change

1st - 3rd Grade Themes:

Week 1 (June 16-20): Forts & Structures 
We will kick off this summer by establishing stick-built forts, dens, and teepees in the wooded area on our campus. Campers will learn basic building skills and work together to build the foundation of our outdoor play area for camp. Once our structures are built, we can decorate & cook up some fun in the mud kitchen. Please be mindful to wear clothing that can get dirty & muddy!  
Friday Excursion: Grand Traverse Butterfly House & Bug Zoo 

Week 2 (June 23-27): Here Comes the Sun 
Explore fun facts & projects revolving around Earth’s closest star. Campers will learn about the awesome power of the sun by creating solar ovens to make smores. We will explore how to tell time using the sun. Several solar crafts and sun safety will round out the week.  
Friday Excursion: Blair Township Park & Splash Pad 

Week 3 (June 30-July 3): A Very Cherry Red, White & Blue Week 
A combination celebration of the National Cherry Festival & Independence Day. Patriotic colored crafts, cooking with cherries, and a bike parade are on the schedule. On Thursday, the children will have the opportunity to bring in their bikes or scooters and helmets. We will decorate them with red, white & blue and ride them around the parking circle. Following the parade will be a hot dog picnic (veggie dog option available).  
(No Excursion, closed Friday the 4th)

Week 4 (July 7-11): Insects Exploration OR Bike Week (1st-3rd only)
Join us in exploring the wonderful world of insects! We will look at what is considered an insect & why they are so important in our world. Fun-filled crafts and art will include making a set of dyed fabric butterfly wings for each camper to keep.  
Tuesday Excursion: Pit Spitters Baseball Game

OR: Bike Week (Lower Elementary Only)
We will be offering two bike weeks this summer, one for 1st - 3rd grade campers and one for 4th-8th grade campers. Camp Guides will take the students on many local paved trails. One day they will spend off-roading at Palmer Woods! Children must be entering 1st grade, able to ride at least a 2-wheeled, 20'' bike (no training wheels), and cover up to 65 miles for the week.

Week 5 (July 14-18): Fossil Discovery
Spend a week with us as junior paleontologists! We will be on the hunt for fossils and will learn how to extract them like a pro. Campers will have the opportunity to examine and learn about different kinds of fossils. Crafts include making fossil soap and prints. We will have the opportunity to hunt for fossils on the Friday excursion. 
Friday Excursion: Point Betsie Lighthouse/ Beach

Week 6 (July 21-25): Native Michigan 
Together we can build appreciation for the people, plants, and animals that are indigenous to the great State of Michigan. We will explore geology through rock crafts and learn about the importance of native plants.  
Thursday Excursion: Boardman Nature Center

Week 7 (July 28-August 1): Creativity in the Natural World 
With Summer in full swing, the beauty of nature will be all around us to explore.  Nature’s design will inspire our arts and crafts. Each camper will make a nature journal and all projects will be fueled by natural elements. Foraged snacks will be on the menu! 
Friday Excursion: Michigan Legacy Art Park

Week 8 (August 4-8): Wings of Wonder: Birds & Bats 
Birding is a fun pastime for any age group. Campers will learn to spot and identify birds with their eyes and ears. Each camper will construct a birdhouse, among other crafts, to take home.  
Friday Special Guest: On campus visit from Skegemog Raptor Center

Week 9 (August 11-15): Let’s Make a Mess! 
Gooey Art. Slimy fun. Sloppy snacks. Mud....We will dig our hands, feet, and spoons in and thoroughly enjoy making a mess together. Dress for a mess! 
Friday Excursion: Sleeping Bear Dunes, Dune Climb  

Week 10 (August 18-21): Summer Harvest Week & Family Picnic 
Campers will finally reap the benefits of their summer gardening efforts – and so will their families! Everyone will participate in the summer harvest coupled with cooking in the kitchen. A picnic will be served on Thursday for campers and families to enjoy. Details to follow. (no excursion)

4th - 8th Grade Themes:

Campers spend M-Th on excursions, F on campus.

Week 1 (June 16-20): Sleeping Bear Dune Climb and Lakeshore Exploration

Week 2 (June 23-27): Pit Spitters Game and Social Sports 

Week 3 (June 30-July 3): Cherry Fest and Native History

Week 4 (July 7-11): On Campus: Food and Farming

Week 5 (July 14-18): Visiting the John Ball Zoo

Week 6 (July 21-25): Water Week: Kayaking and Swimming 

Week 7 (July 28-August 1): Bike Week (4th-8th only)

Week 8 (August 4-8): Visiting the Northwest Michigan Fair and Animal Farms

Week 9 (August 11-15): The Great Lakes – Visiting Discovery Pier 

Week 10 (August 18-21): Farm Harvesting Visits & Family Picnic 

 
Weekly Session Rates: 

Base Camp and Excursion Camp Pricing is below. This does not include the $12/week transportation fee for excursion weeks.

5 Days
8:30-3:40
$393/week 

• Early Care is available from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM and must be selected at registration.
• Al-a-carte early care may be available by contacting Andrew Lutes or Marty Miklos.
• *Note: there is no after-care available this Summer, the school is open from 8:00 AM to 4 PM. Morning Carline will run from 8:20-8:40 and afternoon carline will run from 3:35-3:55 PM.
• The school closes at 4. 

We understand that summer may bring changes to your family schedule. If your family would like to participate in Base Camp with a schedule not shown above, please indicate on the registration form. For questions email andrew@traversechildrenshouse.org. We may be able to accommodate a limited number of custom schedules.

Enroll in Summer