Island Ford 2020 Camp Schedule
Register for Camp at the Nature Center Today!
Island Ford Park, the headquarters of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, is located 3.3 miles away from the Dunwoody Nature Center at 8800 Roberts Drive in Sandy Springs. At Island Ford the campers have the opportunity to explore the river, canoe on the pond, hike the trails and do lots of activities and games in the park that are best suited for our older campers. We frequently hear from campers that their experience at Island Ford is their favorite camp of the summer.
Please note: The hours for Island Ford camps are from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. These hours are different from the Nature Center camp times but are specifically designed to give you plenty of time to take your children to the different camps at Island Ford AND the Nature Center main campus.
Last year, every one of our camps filled to capacity, so don’t delay! Registration begins on February 3 at 6:00am for members, and remaining spots will be available for non-members beginning February 17. You can become a member during registration to enjoy discounts of up to $35 for each camp your child signs up for, plus numerous other benefits throughout the year. Already a member or not sure if your membership is up to date? Send us an email at info@dunwoodynature.org and we’ll be happy to check it for you. Or, renew right here today!
Not a member? Join today to enjoy discounts on all our camps and classes.
June 8-12: Junior Ranger I CANCELED
For Rising 4th-7th Graders
Each day, campers will engage in nature discovery and games, using the Island Ford Facility on the Chattahoochee River as our classroom. Campers will practice strategies learned during the week from their Junior Ranger booklet by canoeing in the facility’s pond and performing safety skills. We will learn to navigate throughout the park and we’ll explore the ponds/watersheds of the park while discussing conservation methods and the importance of the Chattahoochee River to the local Native Americans. Campers will learn about native plants and animals that inhabit the National Park. At the end of the week, campers will receive their Junior Ranger badges in a presentation led by the Rangers of the National Park Service.
June 15-19: Hunters and Gatherers CANCELED
For Rising 4th-7th Graders
Join us as we take a step back in time and learn what life was like before fast food, computers, and cars! Campers will learn what it was like to live off the land. Through games, experiments, crafts, and exploration, they will discover how early man survived from the natural resources available to them. Campers will learn how to build a shelter to protect them from the elements or build a fire with no matches; maybe a wheel can help… wait, what’s a wheel? Living in the past wasn’t easy but they made it. From food to tools to shelter, nature has it all… if only we know where to look.
June 22-26: Wind and Water CANCELED
For Rising 4th-7th Graders
Come and spend a week with us to find out why water and wind is so essential for plants, animals, and even our survival. We will study it, experiment with it, get wet and windy with it, and see how far it flies. We will not only explore the river, but also discuss all the places water and wind travels. From the clouds to the oceans, we will follow water on its journey around our world. Through games, experiments, crafts, and exploration, campers will learn all about the importance of water and the power of wind.
July 6-10: Skulls, Skins, and Scat CANCELED
For Rising 4th-7th Graders
Skulls, Skins & Scat…Oh My! Island Ford Park is home to a variety of wildlife that leave their mark in interesting ways all over the park. Campers will spend the week exploring the trails and creek looking for tracks and scats from deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and who knows what else! They’ll investigate where these park residents live, what they eat, and how they move. Campers will also get an up close look at skulls and skins from various Georgia wildlife species. Your camper will discover wildlife like never before. They might even get to make their own “scat” or cast of an animal footprint!
July 13-17: Junior Rangers II CANCELED
For Rising 4th-7th Graders. (Note: This is the same camp theme as the week of June 8-12)
Each day, campers will engage in nature discovery and games, using the Island Ford Facility on the Chattahoochee River as our classroom. Campers will practice strategies learned during the week from their Junior Ranger booklet by canoeing in the facility’s pond and performing safety skills. We will learn to navigate throughout the park and we’ll explore the ponds/watersheds of the park while discussing conservation methods and the importance of the Chattahoochee River to the local Native Americans. Campers will learn about native plants and animals that inhabit the National Park. At the end of the week, campers will receive their Junior Ranger badges in a presentation led by the Rangers of the National Park Service.
July 20-24: Explore The Hooch CANCELED
Please note: This camp is limited to 13 campers and is for rising 5th-8th graders. Fees for this camp are slightly higher to cover the cost of transportation: $315 members/$340 nonmembers.
Campers will have a wonderful time learning about the habitat around the Chattahoochee River at Island Ford Park and other places along the river while taking field trips transported by minibus. Campers will enjoy hiking, canoeing and rafting different sections of the river. Depending on the weather and river conditions, we will plan on either a float trip, canoe trip or visiting another park along the Chattahoochee 3 of the 5 days of camp. Drop off and pick up will be at Island Ford Park each day. We will provide an itinerary a week before the camp begins.
July 27-31: Wilderness Adventure CANCELED
For Rising 4th-7th Graders
Our campers will explore Island Ford to learn about the environment and develop their outdoor living skills. From navigating the wilderness to gathering food to building shelters, they will experience and understand the basic techniques for safely enjoying the outdoors. While practicing Leave No Trace principles, our campers will play, learn, and thoroughly enjoy seeing the wilderness from a new perspective.
Island Ford Camp Prices
Members $285
Non-members $320
July 20-24 – Explore the Hooch (Higher cost to cover transportation):
Members $315
Non-members $350
Not a member? Join or renew today to enjoy discounts on all our camps and classes, and much more!
General Information
Our teachers are adult professional educators, with extensive backgrounds in science, environmental education and art. A staff member trained in CPR and First Aid is on site at all times.
We emphasize waste reduction and water conservation in every camp. So we recommend reusable containers for food and drink.
Federal Identification Number (for childcare tax forms): 58-2009823. Confirmations are sent immediately upon registration – please save this for your records.
Too old to attend camp, but still want to be a part of the best camps in Dunwoody? Learn about becoming a Junior Counselor here.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
PAYMENT: Registration is online only; we accept Debit and Credit, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover.
CANCELLATIONS: Due to the unforeseen circumstances surrounding COVID-19, we are altering our refund policy. Beginning 5/14/2020, any cancellations requested at least 1 week prior to the camp session start date will be refunded minus the administration and credit card processing fees. This will equate to a 93% refund of your total registration fee. All cancellations must be requested in writing via email (Camp@dunwoodynature.org), no phone calls please. Any cancellations made by DNC will be refunded at 100%
The Dunwoody Nature Center’s goal is for every camper to have the opportunity to have fun and discover their strengths. In order to do this, every child must feel safe at camp. Please review the following policies with your child before arriving at camp, as this is what helps us ensure everybody’s safety and the quality of our programs. Download the Behavior Policy here.
Island Ford Park is 3.3 miles away from the Dunwoody Nature Center located at 1978 Island Ford Parkway in Sandy Springs. If you enter 8850 Roberts Drive Sandy Springs into your GPS, it will take you to the entrance of the park.
Camp at Island Ford is from 8:30-4:30. We do not offer early care or after care at Island Ford Park.
Drop off for camp is at the Visitor Center at the end of Island Ford Parkway. Please drive slowly in the park, the speed limit is enforced at 20 mph. On the first day, please walk your camper into the building. Your camp teachers will be there to check them in and make sure they have all their supplies for the day. Each camper will need to bring a lunch, refillable water bottle, snacks, a bathing suit, towel, and an additional pair of shoes that can get wet (water shoes, water sport sandals, etc). For pick up and for the other days of camp, you will be able to drive around the driveway to the front of the visitor center and drop your camper off. Your camp teachers will be there to check in and out the campers. Campers will spend the day hiking the trails of the park, doing outside activities in the field area, canoeing on the pond, water activities in the river and indoor activities in the lodge.
The camps at Island Ford are designed for children ages 9-13 years old and offer a slightly more challenging curriculum than camps at the Dunwoody Nature Center. We find that the additional space and ability to explore the park are ideal for our older campers who may be looking for something different than their camp experience at the Dunwoody Nature Center. We host one camp class per week at the park with two teachers and between 13-16 campers. Water and water safety are a big part of this camp. Children will wear life jackets while doing water activities. See individual titles and descriptions for the differences in the classes.
Yes, we take all levels of swimmers at Island Ford. Whenever we are doing any water activities all campers and adults must wear a life vest. The park provides the vests. For safety purposes we do ask for the camper’s swim level. All of our teachers are First Aid, CPR and AED trained. The park rangers test the water and monitor water levels, and have the final say if we can do water activities on the river. If we cannot go on the river, we will have alternate activities in the park or in the building.
If you have a child enrolled at both Island Ford Park and Dunwoody Nature Center you may drop off your child at Island Ford Park first and then drop off another child at Dunwoody Nature Center no earlier than 8:45 am at no additional charge. You may pick up your full day camp child at Dunwoody Nature Center no later than 4:00 pm and then pick up your Island Ford camper. If you do need to drop off your Dunwoody Nature Center camper earlier or pick up later than the designated times (8:45 am and 4:00 pm), you will need to pay our early and late care fees.
Holly Loscavio
Camp Director
Holly Loscavio is one of the Nature Center’s longest tenured educators – going back to the summer of 1997 when she first joined our team. Holly has a BS in Conservation Biology from Brigham Young University (’94) and has taught field trip programs, summer camps, scout programs, and preschool programs with the Nature Center. Holly’s popular “Mommy & Me” programs introduce children to a love of nature which they carry with them throughout life. Holly loves to spend time outside with her husband and their blended family of 6 children. In her free time (hah!) Holly enjoys running. She has completed eight marathons and enjoys long runs on the greenway near her home. Holly loves teaching children about nature and their role in preserving the planet. We at the Nature Center are thrilled to have Holly as our summer camp director. Holly can be reached directly via email at camp@dunwoodynature.org
Summer Camp is sponsored by:
