Ready for summer? Sign up your kids for day camps at Lake County Forest Preserves

By Kim Mikus

Lake County Forest Preserves

For the past nine years, Lizzie Gvozdev, an eighth-grader from Round Lake, has spent a week during the summer attending camps offered by the Lake County Forest Preserves.

"She has enjoyed the various camps, from gardening to fishing to learning about history at the Dunn Museum," said her mom, Lisa. "As soon as the Horizons magazine comes in the mail with the camp listings, she goes through it and we sign up right away," Lisa said, adding that this summer will be her final camp season before Lizzie heads to high school in the fall.

"I know she is going to be sad on the final day of camp. She has enjoyed them all," Lisa said.

And Lisa, like other campers' parents, has enjoyed the opportunity for her child to be outdoors in the summer and learning at the same time.

"We know from research that time spent in nature fosters the healthy development of children," said Alyssa Firkus, education manager at the Lake County Forest Preserves. "That's why most of our camps are held completely outdoors in natural settings, and those that aren't still have a large outdoor element."

Outdoor play in nature, sunshine and freedom to explore are important for a child's growth, and are all included as part of camps offered by the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Here are other things to know about the camps.

• Unplugging from technology is important. When kids take a break from video games, cellphones and the internet, they rediscover their creative powers and engage the real world­: real people, real activities and real emotions, Firkus said.

"Instead of spending summer break looking at a screen, our campers are catching frogs, wading through wetlands, going on hikes, learning about prehistoric Lake County, handling artifacts or drawing."

• All camp staffers are professional educators, certified in first aid, CPR, AED and EpiPen and asthma inhaler use.

"We set the staff-to-camper ratio low, based on the age of the camper, and we select activities according to group size and abilities," Firkus said.

• Camp sessions and locations vary. Weeklong sessions run from June 15 through Aug. 14. There are three-hour and six-hour camps available. Most are held outdoors in forest preserves across Lake County.

Camps held at the Dunn Museum have outdoor components. This summer, camps take place at Independence Grove in Libertyville, Grant Woods in Ingleside, Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods, Wright Woods in Mettawa, Bonner Farm in Lindenhurst, Nippersink in Round Lake and the Dunn Museum in Libertyville.

• Every day at camp is different from the last, offering a balanced learning experience, Museum Educator Sarah Salto said. "There are hands-on activities involved with each camp session."

Painting a landscape, planting an organic garden, and handling historic objects are just a few examples.

• Many camps rotate every two to three years.

"Our wide variety of topics allows campers to attend camps from ages 6 through 15 without repeating a topic," Firkus said.

Camps are planned according to age. For example, "Animal Attire," for ages 6-7, focuses on how fur, feathers, fins, scales and skin help animals survive, while "Kayaking in Nature," for ages 13-15, teaches campers how to develop solo paddling skills and explore nature through on-water science activities.

• Camps range in price from $95 for half-day camps to $250 for full-day camps. Financial assistance in the form of partial scholarships is available.

• Two camps are held at the Dunn Museum. Expressing your artistic side by creating your own works of art and discovering different artists from Lake County is the focus of one of the museum camps. The other camp incorporates history and studies prehistoric times through activities, games and crafts, Salto said.

"Campers will have the opportunity to learn from real objects and artifacts from the museum's collections," she said.

• Outdoor play helps children manage stress and become resilient. Being in nature supports the healthy growth and development of children. Natural spaces stimulate their limitless imaginations and promote creative freedom.

"These camps will spark your child's curiosity with the outdoor world," Firkus said.

• The camps develop lifelong skills with the right instruction, equipment and facilities for kids to enhance their outdoor recreation abilities, their artistic talents, or their adventure skills. The variety of activities offered at the camps makes it easy for children to discover and develop what they like to do.

• The camps provide an opportunity for outdoor exercise. Campers explore and learn about forest, wetland, prairie and lake habitats through team building during the "Habitat Adventures" camp. Hiking, swimming, biking and kayaking are included in the adventures.

• In planning the camps, the priority is to get kids outside in nature so they can experience different ecosystems, Firkus said.

"The campers are able to take what they see and relate it to their own backyards as they explore some of the most beautiful natural areas in the region and learn about Lake County's rich history," she said.

• Registration is taking place now at LCFPD.org/camps or (847) 968-3321.

• Kim Mikus is a communications specialist for the Lake County Forest Preserves. She writes a bimonthly column about various aspects of the preserves. Contact her with ideas or questions at kmikuscroke@LCFPD.org. Connect with the Lake County Forest Preserves on social media @LCFPD.