'Messy Mayhem' promised at PEEC camp

DINGMANS FERRY — As the long, lazy days of summer, the staff at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is preparing for its popular summer day and residential camp.
Day camp runs from July 3 to Aug. 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Campers ages 5 years old to 11th grade will have up to eight weeks to explore, play, and learn about the natural world in which they live. Parents can choose individual weeks or register their children for the entire summer.
Every week features a new theme, for example:
“Creek Week,” for kids who like to get wet, includes explorations for tadpoles and diving beetles.
“Nature Gone Wild,” where kids roam free.
“Superpowers,” where campers learn the amazing abilities of native creatures.
“Camper’s Choice” is centered on kids taking the lead in planning their favorite activities.
“Messy Mayhem” lets campers get downright dirty all week.
“PEEC Rocks!,” a week celebrating all things geology, including PEEC's bat cave and fossils hunts.
Younger campers will be Polliwogs (5 years to second grade) or Wet and Slimies (grades 3 and 4). Junior Naturalists (grades 5 and 7) enjoy Thursday late-nights with a campfire dinner ,and Senior Naturalists (grades 8 to 11) will have the option to stay overnight Thursday to Friday. Wednesday afternoon is devoted to swimming at Lake Akenac.
Weekly fees range from $175 to $230, depending upon the camper’s age and the activities included in each week. Options for an additional charge include bagged lunches and transportation from Milford.
Residential campThe three-week residential camp includes expeditions on the river and Appalachian Trail for Senior Naturalists, and outdoor adventures for Junior Naturalists. These weeks are all-inclusive with meals, lodging and programming for $750.
PEEC also has a Volunteer Counselor Program for teens ages 15 and up, who will learn the expectations of a real job while guiding children and changing lives.
PEEC’s mission is to advance environmental education, sustainable living, and appreciation for nature through hands-on experience in a national park, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area. It's located near mile marker 8, within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, in Dingmans Ferry, Lehman Township.
For more information call 570-828-2319 or visit http://peec.org.