Day Camps
Nature Rangers Day Camp
Every spring, summer, and fall, Burritt’s Nature Rangers Camps offer lots of learning and laughter!
Students in kindergarten through 5th grade (rising 1st-5th graders for summer camps) will experience the great outdoors, create fun crafts, and make new friends while exploring our trails and Historic Park at our day camp.
Nature Rangers Fall Camps
Burritt Nature Rangers Camp: Acorns and Antics!
September 30-October 4, 2024 | Children in Grades k-5th
Calling all little leaf peepers and pumpkin pickers! Fall has arrived at Burritt on the Mountain and Nature Rangers Camp: Acorns and Antics is bursting with fall fun and adventure! Join us as we explore the wonders of autumn and celebrate all things harvest, from campfire snacks to farm traditions. Come create a scarecrow for our gardens, forage on a hike and even jump back in time to learn how to cook in the 1800s. Acorns and Antics promises a fall break with laughter, learning, and celebrating the magic of the season! Camp days run from 9:00 to 2:00 and are led by our trained, CPR-certified staff. Our teacher-to-camp ratio of 1:12 ensures that your child receives individualized attention during these fun-filled days. Students should bring their own sack lunch, but Burritt will provide a snack each day.
The cost for camp is $195 for members or $245 for non-members. You may also choose to register for our extended day options with drop-off available as early as 7:30 a.m. and pickup as late as 5:30 p.m. The cost for each day of extended day is an additional $10 each day for morning only, an additional $25 each day for afternoon only, or $35 each day for both morning and afternoon.
Registrations and payment must be received by midnight September 26th.
Member Discounts apply for those with Family/Grandparent Memberships or above.
Extended Day slots are limited. Please register your child for any extended day options when you reserve your spot for camp.
Register for Nature Rangers Camp Here
Camp FAQs – Refund Policy, Cancellation Policy, Behavioral Expectations, etc…
Interested in a Camp that is FULL?
Plans change for our campers. If you are interested in being added to the waitlist for a camp that is full please choose the camp and join the waitlist. Should a spot open up an email will be sent to the waitlist to fill the spot.
Upcoming Camp Events
Camp Details
Each week of camp revolves around a different theme and focuses on hands-on learning activities designed to explore environmental, historical, scientific and cultural experiences while providing hours of fun. There are plenty of opportunities for both organized and free play activities that provide children with essential life skills from increasing creativity to learning to negotiate with others.
Campers are divided into age-appropriate groups for each camp, and activities are designed for each developmental level. Day camps are open to children enrolled in Kindergarten through 5th grade. (For summer camp, enrollment is open to students who are rising 1st through 5th graders). The camp day runs from 9:00am-2:00pm, with extended day options available. Reservations are required.
Extended Day
Our day camp hours are from 9:00am-2:00pm. For an additional charge, we offer an extended day option that allows you to drop off your child as early as 7:30am and pick him/her up as late as 5:30pm. Reservations are required for camp and extended day.
Camp FAQs
Camp Readiness & Behavior Plan
For more information, please contact:
Alice Kirsch, Museum Educator
256-512-0148
Alice.kirsch@huntsvilleal.gov
Camp FAQs
Is there a deadline to register my child for camp?
Yes, registration for a particular week of camp must be received by close of business the Tuesday before. However, registration will end earlier if camp capacity has been reached. Please sign up on the waiting list if the camp is full.
My child has completed preschool and will start kindergarten this fall. Can they come to camp this summer?
No, unfortunately. Our summer camps are designed for students who are rising 1st -5th graders. We would love to see your child for fall break, spring break or next summer!
My child is attending camp with a friend/family member. Can they be in the same group?
If your child plans to attend camp with a friend or family member, please let us know when you register if they should be in the same group. We will do our best to accommodate such requests when they are made in advance of camp. It is very difficult for us to rearrange camp groups after camp has already started, and it is likely that changes will not be made at that time. If there is an age difference between the campers you want to be assigned to the same group, we may contact you to discuss group assignments.
Does my child need a lunch?
Yes, your child should bring a lunch including a beverage and utensils (if needed) each day. Campers do not have access to a microwave or refrigerator. Burritt does provide a snack each day. If your child has food allergies, please include this information on the registration form or contact us at 256-512-0148 if you did not include it.
Can my child bring personal belongings?
Campers may bring a small bag with supplies such as a jacket or sweater, and a change of clothes if you believe one may be required. Toys from home are not permitted during camp. Campers enrolled in extended day may bring items as described in the email you will receive once they are enrolled for this program. All personal items, including lunch boxes, should be labeled with the camper’s name. Please do not send electronics with your child. Burritt staff members are not responsible for personal items that campers bring with them.
My child needs medication during the camp day. Can I send it with them?
Burritt staff members do NOT administer medication. You should give your child all needed medications BEFORE checking them in for camp. Burritt will only receive life-saving medications such as epi-pens, blood sugar test strips and glucometers, insulin, and inhalers. Your child should know how to tell when he/she needs these medications and should know how to administer them. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that life-saving medications are checked-in with a Burritt educator. Please let us know if you will be leaving it for the week or checking it in and out each day. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ask for the return of all medications that have been checked in.
What are camp hours?
Camp runs from 9:00am to 2:00pm. We do offer extended day options at an extra charge which requires preregistration.
What are extended day hours?
We offer both early and late extended day options. The early option allows you to drop off your child at 7:30am and the late pickup option allows you to pick up your child by 5:30pm. There is an additional charge for extended day.
How many children participate in extended day sessions?
The number of children in extended day sessions varies each day, but we only accept 10 campers in each session. Please sign up for extended day options when you register your child for camp. If you decide you need to add extended day sessions after registration, please contact our registrar or the camp leader. Extended day sessions must be paid for before your child participates in extended day.
What if I am late picking up my child from camp?
Plan to pick up your child at 2:00pm when the camp day ends. If you are more than fifteen minutes late picking up your child you will be charged a late fee of $20 per child. Starting at 20 minutes late, you will be charged $1.00 per minute per child. You must pay the late fee before your child is accepted for camp the next day. We accept cash, check, and credit cards.
What if I am late picking up my child from Extended Day?
If you are fifteen minutes past final pickup time, there will be a charge of $20 per child. Starting at 20 minutes late, you will be charged $1.00 per minute per child. After the third late pickup, your child will be unenrolled from Extended Day. Late fees must be paid before your child is accepted for camp the next day. We accept cash, check, and credit cards.
Do you offer scholarships?
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Alice Kirsch at alice.kirsch@huntsvilleal.gov or 256-512-0148 for assistance.
What if I need to cancel?
If you need to cancel your child’s enrollment, please contact us as soon as possible. Cancellations that occur:
1 days or more before the camp – receive a refund minus a $15 administration fee
Between 14 days – 20 days before camp – receive a refund minus the $15 administration fee and a $25 supply fee.
Between the start of camp and 13 days before camp – no refund will be given
- 1 days or more before the camp – receive a refund minus a $15 administration fee
- Between 14 days – 20 days before camp – receive a refund minus the $15 administration fee and a $25 supply fee.
- Between the start of camp and 13 days before camp – no refund will be given
Between the start of camp and 13 days before camp – no refund will be given
Camp Readiness & Behavior Plan
How can I tell if my child is ready to attend a camp?
The first and most important thing that you can do to ensure that your child has an enjoyable camp experience is to make sure that your child is ready – physically, mentally and emotionally- to participate in camp. Your child should be able to function in a positive, cooperative manner in a group setting. Campers should be able to be in areas with lots of noise when campers are together, be able to participate in the activities listed in the camp description (such as hiking and playing outdoor games) and be interested in the topic of the camp. Our staff is trained and experienced in creating a safe, engaging, fun camp and in helping campers feel relaxed and settled at camp. But staff members are not trained or equipped to manage individual education plans or specialized needs that require more attention to the point of not being able to give equal attention to the rest of the group. We want to partner with parents to ensure that all campers have a wonderful camp experience. This begins with educators working with parents to determine if Burritt camps or the specific camp you are interested in are a good fit for your child prior to enrolling your child. If you have questions about whether or not a camp is a good fit, please contact our Children’s Education Manager at shana.hyde@huntsvilleal.gov or 256-512-0146.
How can I help my child have a successful and enjoyable camp experience?
Please make sure your child is well rested and has eaten breakfast each day. Please make every effort to have your child here on time, so they can settle into the camp day with the rest of the group. After the camp day, check in with your child to ensure they are enjoying camp. Please let us know if you have any concerns so they can be addressed. We want every child to have a terrific experience at Burritt.
What are Burritt educators’ expectations for my child’s behavior?
We want all of our campers, volunteers and staff members to be safe and have fun at camp. To help achieve this goal, we have six rules that we review with campers each morning. They are:
- Listen to the speaker and follow their directions the first time.
- Don’t be a space invader. (This includes keeping their hands and feet to themselves).
- Use only kind and appropriate words.
- Stay with the group.
- Raise your hand and wait to be called on.
- Respect the property of Burritt and each other.
What happens if my child does not follow the camp rules?
Most of our campers do not have any problem following the camp rules and participating appropriately in our engaging camps. Usually, a gentle reminder about the rules is all that is needed to get a camper back on track.
We have a corrective plan for continued misbehavior with a stepped response.
- If campers do not correct their behavior after a few reminders, they may be asked to sit out of the current camp activity and think about their behavior, why it needs to change and how they will improve it.
- If the behavior continues, the camper is removed to the office to discuss with another education staff member the rules and their behavior. The child (if capable) is asked to write a letter to their parents telling them about what they have done, why it needs to change and how they will improve. The educator adds any needed additional comments to the parents/guardians. This note is sent home that day. We ask that parents please discuss how to improve behavior with their child.
- If the camper continues to display inappropriate behavior the parent/guardian is called, and the behavior and the plan going forward is discussed.
- If the inappropriate behavior is not corrected, a child may be suspended for a day of camp or even expelled from the camp. No refunds are given if a child is dismissed due to repeated behaviors that disrupt the camp or that endanger themselves, other people or Burritt property.
If a child is hitting, fighting, inappropriately touching others, or endangering themselves or others, we will call the parent immediately. We reserve the right to suspend or expel the child without further interventions.