Stony Brook Nature Camp | About Camp
Welcome • Rates & Dates • About Camp • Day Camp Policies
Our Philosophy
Our camp is an exciting outdoor adventure for children. We strive to educate children about ecology so that they will be motivated and empowered to maintain a healthy environment for generations to come. Activities are carefully planned to meet these goals and, at the same time, create fun and memorable experiences.
Campers are encouraged to explore and appreciate the miracles and mysteries of our natural world. Through hands-on learning, they come to understand their place in nature as well as the importance of preserving it. As naturalist and conservationist John Muir said, "When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to everything else in the world."
A Day at Camp
No two days at Stony Brook Nature Camp are alike! However, this sample schedule gives you an overview of daily activities and flow.
| 7:45–8:00 am | Before Camp Program (optional) Registration required |
| 8:50–9:15 am | Camper Drop-off & Games Counselors welcome their campers, remind them of where to put their backpacks and lunchboxes, and help them to decide which activity to try during this supervised, free-choice time. Campers can choose from active games, coloring or drawing, playing in Stony Brook’s Nature Play Area, or simply hanging out with friends. |
| 9:15–9:30 am | Opening Circle & Songs The whole camp joins together to learn about what special activities await them and sing silly camp songs. The first clues to the day’s Nature Riddle are given, and the Mystery Object of the Day is unveiled. |
| 9:30–Noon | Activities, Exploration, & Hikes Campers explore the sanctuary’s trails and habitats as they learn more about the week’s theme. Activities that engage and deepen learning may include catching insects in the pond, looking for frogs and turtles, building a model of a stream, and arts and crafts projects. We even find time to include camper favorites such as making prehistoric dragonflies and playing the game Camouflage. |
| Noon–1:00 pm | Lunch & Free Play Campers enjoy lunch and participate in unstructured activities such as visiting the sanctuary’s butterfly garden, playing table games, and/or participating in a game of tag! |
| 1:00–3:15 pm | Afternoon Explorations, Hikes, & Games |
| 3:15 pm–3:30 pm | Closing Circle & Songs The whole camp joins together and the final clue to the day’s Nature Riddle is given. Campers take turns making guesses before the answer is revealed. They also find out what the day’s Mystery Object is. We then pass around the camp mascot, Boris the Bullfrog, and learn about each camper’s favorite part of the day before ending with a silly camp song! |
| 3:30 pm | Camper Pick-Up |
| 3:30 pm–5:00 pm | After Camp Program (optional) Registration required |
Camp Staff
Stony Brook's camp staff are passionate about sharing the joy and excitement of the outdoors with campers. Year after year, we receive exceptional feedback about our counselors’ creativity and enthusiasm. Staff members are carefully selected for their maturity, caring attitude towards children, and outdoor education and leadership experience. All staff undergo background checks, are certified in CPR and first aid, and receive training in health and safety procedures, child development, natural history, and environmental education best practices.
Camp Director
Marla Cohen (she/her/hers) joined the Mass Audubon family in 1997 and became Stony Brook’s Camp Director and Education Coordinator in 2001. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Ohio University. Outside of camp, Marla spends her time developing and teaching nature programming for local schools, scouts, and families.
Camp Handbook
The Camp Handbook packet contains important information for families, including drop-off and pick-up instructions, health and safety procedures, packing lists, and more. Please be sure to read this prior to the start of your camper’s first session.
The 2023 Camp Handbook will be available for download in spring 2023.
Credentials
Camp License
Our camp complies with the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 430) and is licensed by the Norfolk Board of Health.
American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation
We are proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association. Developed exclusively for the camp industry, this nationally recognized program focuses on program quality, health and safety, management, and camp operations.
Camp Policy Requests
You may request copies of our background check, health care, discipline, bullying, and grievance policies at any time. Request copies of our policies >