Summer Camp at McKaig Nature Education Center

This innovative partnership brings together McKaig's expertly preserved land with environmental education leadership from Riverbend to offer summer camp designed specifically for McKaig families.

Camp Weeks and Theme Descriptions

Messy Science - Week of July 10 - 14

At nature camp, we are all Scientists, no matter your age or experience level. During our Messy Science weeks, campers will practice asking questions, gathering data, and using scientific tools to explore our natural world. Campers will conduct experiments, invent tools and most importantly, get messy!

Mini Worlds - Week of July 17 - 21

Nature is full of wonders, big and small. Our mini-worlds camp encourages campers to slow down, crouch low, and discover what mysteries lie beneath the leaves, rocks, and logs around McKaig’s preserve. Campers will create their own worlds using McKaig’s habitats as inspiration. Activities include exploring the range of different ecosystems at McKaig, story writing, and stream exploration.

Water Warriors - Week of July 24th - 28th

Where does McKaig’s stream flow to? What does the water ecosystem provide for the living things that call McKaig home? These are just a few of the questions that campers will be investigating during Riverbend’s Water Warriors camp. Campers will go on a creek walk, find out what water looks like under a microscope, and become environmental stewards of our local watershed.

Nature Art - Week of July 31st - Aug 4th

Let your creative energy flow using nature as your muse! Nature art is the perfect camp for those who love to create art, find creative inspiration from nature, and love to be outside. Campers will enjoy nature-based art projects such as making their own paint, sculpture building, and nature journaling. No artistic experience is required to have fun this week!

Camp Tuition and Registration

Riverbend Summer Camp is committed to providing a nature based, child centric camp experience. Our counselors are integral in creating the community and activities that make your children's summer so great. To give our staff the living wage they deserve, we have increased our camp prices. We thank you for your help in keeping Riverbend a desirable place for talented folks to work with your families.

$580 per week for all ages

Registration Policies

$100 per week deposit due upon booking. Please note: This is an administration fee and is non-refundable.
Transaction fees will be charged in addition to tuition fees and are non-refundable.
Tuition balances are due in full and become non-refundable as of June 1, 2023
Schedule changes will be accommodated to the best of Riverbend's ability. However, many weeks are full by summer and changes may not be possible.
Please Note: All children must be potty trained to participate in Riverbend's summer camp program.

We have great seasonal opportuities for our Summer Nature Camps at our Gladwyne and McKaig Locations!

Why you should work for us:

Riverbend Summer Camp is the perfect place for someone looking for a fun and rewarding job in the great outdoors. Spend your summer outside with us as we nurture the future generation of earth-lovers. If you are considering a career in education or environmental sciences, this job is the perfect resume-builder for you!

Check out our Job Opportunities and apply today!

Teen Volunteers Needed!

Educators-In-Training Volunteers (EITs) are important helpers at summer camp. If you love kids and spending summer days outside consider applying to become an EIT to develop your leadership skills and positively impact younger children. Riverbend has six openings every summer for energetic, motivated students to assist with our camp program. EITs must be able to volunteer for a minimum of the three weeks over the course of the summer.

EITs will assist lead and assistant educators with group management, daily activities, modeling of appropriate behavior, and providing nurturing support of campers. They will participate in game playing, nature exploration, field trips, and more. EITs work primarily with our youngest campers and are a vital part to the success of the program.

Please head to our Job Opportunities page to apply TODAY!