From picking vegetables to meeting animals and building solar ovens, kids will have the chance to explore nature and learn new skills this summer at Slippery Rock University’s Macoskey Center for Sustainability Education and Research.
The center is once again offering its annual summer camp series, inviting families to enroll children in a variety of outdoor learning experiences. The camps focus on nature-based education through themed weekday sessions designed for two age groups: 4–5-year-olds attend from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and 5–9-year-olds attend from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Camps are held in three-day sessions on June 9–11, June 23–25, July 14–16, and July 28–30 at the Macoskey Center, located at 247 Harmony Road in Slippery Rock.
“Our biggest goal is to help kids connect with nature,” said Sami Bortz, director of the Macoskey Center. “We want them to explore the outdoors, learn by doing, and build a sense of community with other campers.”
The first session, “Farm to Fork – Let’s Get Growing!” runs June 9–11 and teaches campers how to plan, plant, and grow a garden. They will harvest what they planted during the final camp session in late July.
Bortz, a former teacher and environmental educator, has helped lead the camps since 2022. She also works with SRU students, giving them real-world experience in environmental education.
“We bring students from different majors together so they can learn how to create and run environmental programs,” Bortz said. “It also means campers get exposed to a wide range of ideas and knowledge from different fields.”
Camp counselors include SRU students from majors such as early childhood education, music education, park and resource management, and environmental geoscience. The camp program is a collaboration with Amy Orville, assistant professor of curriculum, instruction, and education leadership, and is funded in part by SRU’s College of Education.
Here is a look at the remaining 2025 summer camp themes:
- Week 2: “Fur, Feathers & Scales – A Summer Safari,” June 23–25
Campers will learn about different animals and their roles in the local ecosystem.
(Note: This session is currently full, with a waiting list.) - Week 3: “Solar Quest – Exploring the Power of the Sun,” July 14–16
Children will build mini solar-powered cars, cook with solar ovens, and make sun prints.
(Registration is still open.) - Week 4: “Farm to Fork – Let’s Get Cooking!” July 28–30
Campers will harvest from the Macoskey Center’s gardens, prepare fresh meals, and cook for family and friends.
(Registration is still open.)
Camp costs are based on household income, with daily fees starting as low as $50.
