Summer Nature Camps

2023 Summer Nature Camps

Updated Jan 19, 2023

  • Registration opens on Wednesday, January 25th, 2023 at 12 (noon) YST
  • Age specific programming
    → Discovery Nature Camp ages 6-8 (must be 6 years old as of Dec 31, 2022)
    → Explorer Nature Camp ages 8-12 (must be 8 years old as of Dec 31, 2022)
  • $375* + GST / child / week
  • Three unique themes to choose from (see schedule for more)!
  • Transportation to/from Whitehorse included
    → Pick-up at Takhini Elementary from 8:30am-8:45am
    → Drop-off at Takhini Elementary from 3:15pm-3:45pm
  • Find out more about camps below!

* Members get a 10% discount! Before registration, renew or purchase membership here, then use the discount code mightymoose when registering to receive your member discount.

 

Register Here

2023 Schedule

 

 Discovery Camps
(ages 6*-8)		Explorer Camp
(ages 8*-12)
Week 1:
June 19 – 23		Nature DetectivesWild Detectives
Week 2:
June 26 – 30		Wilderness Skills IWilderness Skills II
Week 3:
July 3 – 7		Animal Care IAnimal Care II
Week 4:
July 10 – 14		Nature DetectivesWild Detectives
Week 5:
July 17 – 21		Wilderness Skills IWilderness Skills II
Week 6:
July 24 – 28		Animal Care IAnimal Care II
Week 7:
July 31 – August 4		Nature DetectivesWild Detectives
Week 8:
August 7 – 11		Wilderness Skills IWilderness Skills II
Week 9:
August 14 – 18		Animal Care IAnimal Care II

*As of Dec 31st, 2022

More About Nature Camps

Overview

Nature Camps are week-long day camps at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.

Gift your child with the opportunity to explore the great outdoors and connect with the world around them. We believe in the importance of positive outdoor experiences to support physical, mental and emotional health.

Our Nature Camps are a series of week-long day camps for outdoor enthusiasts ages 6-12 (campers are divided into younger and older aged groups). Camps are held at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve between June 19th and August 18th, 2023. We offer 3 recurring camp themes over 9 weeks: Nature / Wild Detectives, Wilderness Skills, and Animal Care.

The majority of camp takes place at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, located 30 km from downtown Whitehorse. Camps may also include field trips to local attractions.

The bulk of Nature Camp will be conducted outdoors. Camps are based out of a dedicated 1600 sq. foot learning centre at the heart of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. This space is great for inclement weather.

Dates, Times and Transportation

The Preserve is offering 9 weeks of camp during Summer 2023 (every 3 weeks the theme recurs):

  • Week 1: June 19-23
  • Week 2: June 26-30
  • Week 3: July 3-7
  • Week 4: July 10-14
  • Week 5: July 17-21
  • Week 6: July 24-28
  • Week 7: July 31- August 4
  • Week 8: August 7-11
  • Week 9: August 14-18

Camps are five days in length (Monday to Friday – including on statuatory holidays) from 8:30am to 3:45pm.

We are at Takhini Elementary School each morning from 8:30am to 8:45am to pick-up your child.

We are back at Takhini Elementary School from 3:15pm to 3:45pm to drop-off your child.

Please see our online store for schedule, theme descriptions and up-to-date availability.

Cost and Discounts

Camp Cost

$375* + GST / child / week

Our prices include transportation to and from Whitehorse.

Member Discount

* Members get a 10% discount! Before registration, renew or purchase membership here, then use the discount code mightymoose when registering for Nature Camp to receive your member discount. Please note, we will invoice you for the amount of the discount if you use the code without a valid membership.

Eligible Ages
To participate in 2023 Summer Nature Camps:

  • Discovery camp ages 6* to 8 years old.
    *Children must have turned six (6) years old by December 31, 2022. The December 31st age policy follows that of the school system, and ensures that camp participants have completed Grade One by the start of camp.
  • Explorer camp ages 8* to 12 years old.
    *Children must have turned eight (8) years old by December 31, 2022.  If your child is 8 years old by Dec. 31, 2022 you may register them in either Explorer or Discovery; to help you make a decision, see below. 

My child is 8 years old as of December 31st 2021. Which camp do I register them in?
This is your choice based on the needs and personality of your individual child! Both camps will be good options for this age and have activities designed to suit 8 year olds.

Here are some things to consider when registering your individual child:

Discovery campExplorer camp
  • 8 year old campers will have more skill and mastery over the activities they participate in
  • 8 year old campers may enjoy stepping into a mentorship role for younger participants in their group
  • Registering your 8 year old will allow more 6 & 7 year olds the opportunity to participate in Discovery Camps
  • 9 years old by the start of camp, please register in Explorer
  • 8 year olds will be a little fish in a big pond; they may be in a group with 11 & 12 year olds
  • Explorer Camp Activities are geared to also meet the needs of the upper age-limit campers. Your 8 year old may find these activities challenging as members of this group work to refine their skills
Learning Differences and Accommodations
NOTE: If your child benefits from an inclusion and support worker in school, we welcome this to continue in camp! Please connect directly with us to ensure arrangements can be made!

Inclusion & Support Workers

We can typically accommodate support workers. If a typical school day would not be accomplished without a support worker, it is very important to communicate this in advance. Please contact our Manager of Programming & Education at 867-334-3338 / education@yukonwildlife.ca to make arrangements.

Some things to consider:

For campers who may experience challenges throughout a typical school day related to learning or behavioural needs, it is essential to be prepared for this to affect their camp experience. Please communicate this prior to the first day of camps, so that staff can prepare to do their best. Our goal is to do everything we can to make camp accessible for all, while ensuring the comfort and safety of all campers. Please let us know any tips or wishes you might have regarding how we can make sure your camper has the best possible experience.

Cancellation Policy
If cancellation occurs more than two weeks prior to the Nature Camp start date, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve will retain 20 per cent as an administrative fee on refunds. Generally, for cancellations occurring two weeks or less prior to the Nature Camp start date, no refund or transfer will be given.
 
However, should cancellation within two weeks of the start date or during a Nature Camp be required due to COVID-19 or for compassionate reasons, parents/guardians can submit a request to cancel to education@yukonwildlife.ca, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A prorated refund for the remaining full days (at the time of request) may be provided depending on the circumstances. No shows, missed days during the week, and missed days prior to a cancellation request are not eligible for refunds.
 
The Yukon Wildlife Preserve reserves the right to cancel camps that are less than half full. In this event, a transfer or full refund will be provided. In the event the Yukon Wildlife Preserve needs to cancel a camp mid-week, a prorated refund for the remaining full days will be provided. 
What to bring?

Please ensure that your child is dressed suitably for spending time outdoors, with potential inclement weather conditions, and brings everything they need for the day. The following are essential to your child’s enjoyment, health and wellness:

  • Backpack
  • Packed lunch, snacks and refillable water bottle;
  • Bug spray;
  • Sunscreen;
  • Hat;
  • Sunglasses;
  • Appropriate close-toed shoes such as running shoes (no sandals allowed);
  • Rain boots;
  • Extra change of clothes;
  • Rain Jacket

Please make sure your child is prepared!

Note: We have a no electronics rule at nature camp.

Waiting Lists

Guardians may register their child(ren) on waiting lists through the camp registration website. In past years we have had waiting lists on almost all weeks. When a spot becomes available, ALL individuals on the list for that week will automatically receive a notice that a space is available. Registration for the newly available spot will be first come, first serve.

For more information, please contact:

Madison Rushton
Manager of Programming and Education
Yukon Wildlife Preserve
education@yukonwildlife.ca
867-334-3338