Seasonal: Camp Guide

Ace Camp, sponsored by Quonset Air Museum, North Kingstown, and Rhode Island Aviation and Space Education Council; call Michael Zavada, 865-2585, for information; www.providence.edu/bio/ (click on faculty, Zavada, RIASEC). At this aviation camp at the air museum, ages 12-15 will receive basic ground flight instruction, visit an airport tower and talk with controllers, plan and experience a two-hour flight in a small aircraft, and launch a model rocket. July 24-28, 8:30 am-4:30 pm. $190. Registration deadline May 15.

Alton Jones Camp, W. Alton Jones Campus, URI, 401 Victory Highway, West Greenwich. 397-3304, ext. 6043. June 26-Aug. 18. Farm and Ecology Day Camp, 9 am-3:30 pm, for ages 5-11: Woodvale Farm Day Camp for ages 5-8, $215, explores farm life and nature, and Eco-Zone Day Camp, for ages 8-11, $225, explores ecology. Overnight Earth Camp, ages 9-13. Choose from themes focusing on the environment: Forest Frenzy, Waterworlds, Outdoor Skills, Night Camp, Marine Madness and Eco-Mania. $430-$650. Teen Expeditions, ages 12-17, Sun.-Fri., include backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing and rappelling, and wilderness survival skills, $575-$730. Expeditions held throughout New England. Open house on the Alton Jones Campus April 15, 9 am-5 pm. E-mail altonjones@.uri.edu or visit online at www.altonjonescamp.com.

Animal Camps at the Tri-Pond Park Nature Center, Asa Pond Road, Peace Dale, sponsored by South Kingstown Parks and Recreation. In Junior Fabulous Furry Friends, ages 3-6 learn about furry creatures and how to care for them, with live animals present. July 11-13, 9 am-noon. $65 residents, $75 non-residents. Fabulous Furry Friends is for ages 7 and older. Aug. 8-10, 9 am-3 pm. $120/$130. In Junior Leaping Lizards, ages 3-6 learn about reptile and amphibian friends, from pets (hands-on experiences) to those in the wild. July 11-13, 1-4 pm. $65/$75. Leaping Lizards is for ages 7 and older. Aug. 22-24, 9 am-3 pm. $120/$130. In Creature Crafts ages 7 and older make animal-inspired crafts. July 18-20, 9 am-3 pm. $122/$132. Registration begins March 27; call 789-9301. Scholarships available for South Kingstown residents.

Audubon Day Camps, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield. Nature programs at five sites in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. Weekly sessions at wildlife refuges for grades K-7 and preschoolers, June 26-Aug. 18. Day camp, 9 am-3 pm, $160-$195. Morning only camp, 9-11:30 am (except July 31-Aug. 8, 12:30-3 pm), $100-$150. Themes are night camp, coastal explorations, wildlife discovery and nature art. Family camp also available. Call 949-5454 or visit www.asri.org.

BayCamp, Save The Bay . Campers learn about Narragansett Bay and marine ecology aboard education vessels and along the shoreline. For grades 3-6: July 17-21, Aug. 21-25 (Newport); July 24-28 and Aug. 14-18 (Wickford). For grades 7-9: Aug. 7-11 (Providence). $195 members, $240 non-members. Call 272-3540, ext. 139 or visit www.savebay.org.

The BIOMES Marine Biology Center, 221 Shady Lea Rd., North Kingstown. 295-4690. Private, hands-on facility used as a school and family learning resource. The center's 60 exhibits feature more than 100 types of marine animals and reptiles. Weekly camps in July and August. Ages 5-7 meet twice a week for three hours each day; ages 8-11 meet three times for three hours. Times alternate each week between morning and afternoon sessions 9 am-noon and 12:30-3:30 pm. Ages 5-7, $75 per child. Ages 8-11, Mon.-Wed.-Fri., $95 per child. Activities include animal identification, protective behavior lessons, feeding behavior lessons, adaptations, habitat designs, reptile and fish handling, shark petting, scavenger hunts and crab "racing." Predator Camp, ages 7-11 learn in a hands-on way about predatory animals, from stingrays to snakes. July 10-11, 9 am-noon. $95. Visit online at www.biomescenter.com or e-mail biomes@cox.net.

Camp Best Friends Day Camp, Canine Training Center, 71A Wheaton Ave., Rehoboth. (508) 336-4021; e-mail pineridgectc@aol.com. On a training center in a farm setting, ages 6-14 learn about their dogs and how to train and take care of them; daily activities include obedience instruction, agility, games, nature walks, hay rides, junior handling, dog care and grooming, training demonstrations, canine crafts and a dog show with awards. Three one-week sessions, June 26-30, July 24-28 and Aug. 21-25, 8 am-noon. $175 a week includes snacks and drinks ($10 sibling discount) or $40 a day. Children bring their own dogs, or a dog can be borrowed.

Casey Farm Summer Camps, 2325 Boston Neck Rd., Route 1A, Saunderstown. 295-1030. At Growing Together camp, ages 5-8 learn on a working farm. Explore the woods, cultivate and harvest crops. Play historical and new games, make ice cream and candles, and go for a hay ride after a swim in the river. $195 per week. At Sense of Place camp, ages 9-11 explore plants and animals, both domestic and wild, that create the dynamic interaction between farm and the surrounding land and water. Both camps, three one-week sessions, July 10-14, 17-21 and 24-28, Mon-Fri, 9 am-3 pm. $230 per week. Farm is accessible to campers with some special needs.

Clones, Genomes and Crime Scenes: The Modern Science of DNA, Rocky Hill School, 530 Ives Rd., East Greenwich. 884-9070, www.rockyhill.org. Gives campers hands-on experience with DNA science as they manipulate genes, map a genome, solve a crime. Age 14 and up. July 10-21, noon to 3 pm, $350.

Cool Places, Rocky Hill School, 530 Ives Rd., East Greenwich. 884-9070, www.rockyhill.org. Adventures to "cool places" around the state, including Rome Point and Bissell Cove, Fort Wetherill and Beavertail, the Norman Bird Sanctuary, Sachuest Point and Second Beach, the Arcadia Management Area, and more. Children 5-9 learn about plants, catch critters, hike, play games and swim. $195. June 26-30, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, 9 am-3 pm.

Frosty Drew Nature Center's NatureWeeks, Ninigret Park, Charlestown. 364-9508. Ages 6-10 explore Ninigret Salt Pond and National Wildlife Refuge with experienced naturalists. Weekly July and August, Mon.-Fri. 9 am-3 pm. Daily swim. Theme days, games, crafts, hiking and exploring. Campers design T-shirt and develop a personal nature journal. $125.

Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology Summer Camps, Mount Hope Grant, 300 Tower St., Bristol. 253-8388. For ages 8-12, Mon.-Fri., 9 am-2 pm. Uncovering the Past: Exploring Archaeology, July 24-28. Learn how archaeology works through surveying techniques, examining stone tools, "reading" animal bones, building a Paleolithic fireplace, playing a stratigraphy game, examining garbage and more. Members $125; nonmembers $150. Discover Native North America!, July 31, Aug. 4, Mon.-Fri. 9 am-2 pm. Explore five different Native American cultures through crafts, games, music, stories and objects. Members $125; nonmembers $150.

K'nex Creations, Rocky Hill School, 530 Ives Rd., East Greenwich. 884-9070, www.rockyhill.org. Ages 8-12 create cyber people, "mechanimals," roller coaster and fantasy ride and rapid racers. July 24-28, 9 am-noon. $140.

Lego Creations, Rocky Hill School, 530 Ives Rd., East Greenwich. 884-9070, www.rockyhill.org. Ages 8-12 create structures related to a daily theme. July 3, 5-7 (no July 4) 12:30-3:30 pm. $110.

Lego Explorers, Rocky Hill School, 530 Ives Rd., East Greenwich. 884-9070, www.rockyhill.org. Ages 5-9 will be guided through projects including Pirate Lagoon, Dino-Island and Monster Madness. June 19-23, 9 am-noon; July 10-14 and July 17-21, 12:30-3:30 pm. Also, July 3, 5-7, 9 am-noon ($110 tuition). $140.

The Lloyd Center's Summer Program in Coastal Studies, 430 Potomska Rd., South Dartmouth, Mass. (508) 990-0505. Environmental activities for ages 5-8. Among the many topics are Creepy Crawly Critters, July 5-6, Aug. 2-3; Dino-mite, July 10-11; Are You Crabby?, July 12-13; Marvelous Mammals, July 17-18; Big on Butterflies, July 19-20, Aug. 7-8; Crafty Nature Creations, July 24-25; Fish Frenzy, July 26-27, Aug. 9-10; Dragonflies and Damselflies, July 31-Aug. 1. $35 per two-day session for members; $45 nonmembers. Programs for older children: Diamonds in the Rough, grades 6-8, June 26-30, 8:30 am-3 pm. $250; $225 members. Campers seek the elusive turtle called the Northern Diamondback Terrapin. Investigating Your Extended Backyard, grades 4-5, July 24-28, 8:30 am-3:00 pm. $250; $225 members. Campers investigate a beach, salt marsh and forest, muck through a vernal pool, and scan for birds. Coastal Ecology, grades 5-6, Aug. 7-18, 8:30 am-3 pm. Explore fresh- and saltwater habitats through canoeing, snorkeling and other coastal adventures. $400; $360 members. Freshwater Wetlands: grades 4-5, July 31-Aug. 11, 8:30 am-3 pm. $400; $360 members. Explore ponds, swamps, marshes, bogs and rivers. Marine Biology, grades 7-8, July 24-Aug. 4. 8:30 am-3 pm. Learn about marine plants and animals; snorkeling, canoeing and an overnight camp-out. $400; $360 members.

Marine Exploration Camp, Rocky Hill School, 530 Ives Rd., East Greenwich. 884-9070, www.rockyhill.org. Ages 9-14 explore the coast and other locations. June 26-30, July 17-21, July 24-28, 9 am-3 pm. $200.

Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. Learn about flight and space while making rockets, planes, helicopters, rovers and more. Explore the universe while creating art, conducting experiments and playing space explorer games. MNH Space Camp, ages 7-9, July 26-28 and Aug. 9-11, $85. Girls go stargazing at Girls All Stars Camp, ages 7-9, July 24-25. $60. Train like an astronaut at Astronaut Academy, ages 10-12, July 31-Aug. 1 and Aug. 2-3. $60. All camps 10 am-3 pm. Call 785-9457, ext. 224, e-mail education@musnathist.com or visit www.osfn.org/museum.

Mystic Aquarium Summer Camps, Mystic, Conn. (860) 572-5955, ext. 520. Summer Day Camp Programs: Animal Spotlight, ages 3-4. Wednesdays, July 5-26, 9:15-10 am.; Thursdays, Aug. 3-24, 9:15-10 am. $20 child/adult pair; $35 nonmembers. In Sea Urchins and Sand Dollars, two separate camps highlighting different creatures, ages 5-6 get close to marine animals. Sea Urchins: June 26-30, July 17-21, July 31-Aug. 4; Sand Dollars, July 10-14, July 24-28, Aug. 14-18; both 8:30 am-noon. $195; $230 nonmembers. Sea Lions and Sand Sharks, ages 7-8 investigate the aquarium creatures then take seining nets to the local shore. Sea Lions, July 10-14; July 24-28; Aug. 7-11; Sand Sharks, June 26-30, July 17-21, July 31-Aug. 4, 8:30 am-4 pm; each is $295; $340 nonmembers. Girls Whirl, girls ages 9-12 learn about animals, meet female scientists. June 26-30, July 10-14, July 24-28, Aug. 7-11. 8:30 am-4 pm. $310; $355 nonmembers. Explorers Camp, ages 9-12 investigate the science and technology behind ocean exploration. July 3-7, July 17-21, July 31-Aug. 4, Aug. 14-18, 8:30 am-4 pm. $310; $335 nonmembers. Soccer Camp, ages 9-12 play soccer in the morning, explore marine science in afternoon. July 24-28, Aug. 7-11. 9 am-4 pm. $310; $355 non-members. Extended Day, 4-5 pm for ages 7-12. $75; $85 nonmembers. Overnight Summer Camp Programs: Marine Madness, ages 11-13 at the University of Rhode Island Environmental Education Center; begins with an overnight at Mystic Aquarium. Sun.-Fri., July 2-7; July 9-14, July 16-21; July 23-28; July 30-Aug. 4; Aug. 6-11; Aug. 13-18. $650 members/nonmembers. Aqua Camp, ages 13-16 expore what it's like to be a marine biologist, July 5-7; Aug. 16-18. Wed. 8:30 am-4 pm., Thurs. 8:30 am to Fri. 4 pm. $355 members/nonmembers. Paddlin' To The Sea, ages 13-16 explore marine environments in a 6-day canoe trip. July 16-21, Aug. 6-11. $615 members/nonmembers.

Oceanographers Lab, Little Compton Community Center. 635-2400. Take an adventure through the ocean and learn about its life with crafts, play, games and hands-on experiments. Ages 3-4, July 18-20, Tue-Thu, 9-11 am. Ages 5-7, July 18-20, Tue-Thu, 1-3 pm.

Oceanography Explorer Day Camp, Office of Marine Programs, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett. 874-6211. Five-day camps, 9 am to 3 pm, with daily field trips to coastal areas, laboratory activities at URI's Graduate School of Oceanography and a trip aboard a coastal vessel. For students enteriing grades 6-8. July 10-14 or July 17-21; $335 per session. Beachcombing For Kids: July 24, 12:30-2:30 pm; July 22, 11:30 am-1:30 pm; Aug. 19, 10:30 am-12:30 pm. Educational beachcombing experience for all ages (must be accompanied by an adult). Free but advance registration is required. Meet at Fort Getty State Park, Jamestown.

The Providence Maritime Heritage Foundation Summer Cadet Program. Operators of the Continental Sloop Providence. Cadets 12-17 years old live aboard the sloop and sail on the Great Lakes during the tall ship festivals. Six one-week slots starting in July. $850 per week includes instruction, accommodations, food, uniform and cadet manual. E-mail ardia_sloopprovidenceri@cox.net to sign up. See Web site at www.sloopprovidenceri.org or phone 274-1776.

Rocketry, The Wheeler Summer Programs, 216 Hope St., Providence. 528-2111. Coed for students entering grades 7-8. July 10-14. $280. Build and launch rockets, experiment with wing angles, rocket weight, propulsion and other elements of flight control. www.wheelerschool.org.

Roger Williams Marine Biology Camp, One Old Ferry Rd., Bristol. For high school students who have completed a course in biology. Introductory program in coastal ecosystems, including field and sampling trips to habitats around the Bay. Students use a variety of techniques to gather samples for analysis. Instruction, materials, use of labs and equipment, field trips, lodging and meals. Two sessions, July 23-29 and July 30-Aug. 5. $925. For info, call the Science Department at Roger Williams University at 254-3108 from 8 am to 4 pm weekdays. Download an application from www.rwu.edu/fcas/biology/camp.htm.

Roger Williams Park Zoocamp, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. Kids ages 4-17 can experience a unique environmental day camp at the Zoo and have fun while learning about the natural world through arts and crafts, nature games, environmental activities and live animal interviews. Seven camps, including the Tadpole Academy for little ones, and all-new themes for every age group. Price range $120-$270. Edventures Travels, for ages 14-17, a travel camp with a new overnight rafting trip. $345, $320 members. Family Camp, child-parent pairs, includes whale watch. Aug. 14-18; $270, $254 members. Call 785-3510, ext. 359; www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org.

S.E.A. Critters Kids Camp, Rocky Hill School, 530 Ives Rd., East Greenwich. 884-9070. Little S.E.A. Critters, ages 5-6, and Big S.E.A. Critters, ages 7-8. 9 am-3 pm June 19-23, June 26-30-July 3, 5-7 (no July 4, $155), July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28. $195 per week.

Summer Nature Camp, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, P.O. Box 122, Mystic. (860) 536-1216. Outdoor natural science exploration and adventure for ages 3-14. New specialty camps include Family Camp, Herpetology and a one-night overnight program for campers 12-14. Eleven one-week sessions beginning June 12. Half-day (ages 3-6) $95-$115; full day (6-14) $220-$325 per week. Pre- and after-camp programs available.

Weather Watchers, Little Compton Community Center. 635-2400. Campers record daily weather events, learn to measure sunlight, wind speeds, and precipitation. Ages 3-4, Aug. 15-17, 9-11 am. Ages 5-7, Aug. 15-17, 1-3 pm.

Wet 'n' Wild Nature Camps based at the Tri-Pond Park Nature Center, Asa Pond Road, Peace Dale. Ages 7-12. Both camps include crafts and swimming. July 24-29: Day aboard the Sea Princess and trips to Roger Williams Park Zoo, Watson Farm and Beavertail Lighthouse. Aug. 15-19: Sailing Narragansett Bay on the Tall Ship Brandaris and trips to the Audubon Society's Environmental Education Center in Bristol, the McIntosh Wildlife Refuge and Watson Farm. 9 am-3 pm. $152 for residents of South Kingstown (scholarships available); $162 non-residents. Registration begins March 27; call 789-9301.

Wilderness Adventure, Rocky Hill School, 530 Ives Rd., East Greenwich. 884-9070, www.rockyhill.org. Introduction to outdoorsmanship includes hiking, orienteering, mountain biking, kayaking, indoor and outdoor rock climbing, swimming and snorkeling, bird watching, and plant and animal identification. Days spent at sites around the state. Participants must have a mountain bike. Ages 9-14. July 10-14. 9 am-3 pm. $250.

Zoo Camp at the Franklin Zoo, Dorchester, Mass. An environmental camp offered by Camp Fire USA in partnership with Zoo New England. Ages 6-11 explore the world of animals and their habitats and participate in creative arts, science and games. Three two-week sessions, July 3-Aug. 11, and a one-week session, Aug. 14-18. 9 am-3 pm; extended day program, 7-9 am ($40) and 3-6 pm ($60). Two-week sessions $330; one-week session $165. Zoo New England membership required. Financial aid available, vouchers accepted. Call (617) 591-0300, ext. 100 or visit Web site www.campfireusa-emass.org for more information.