Ages 8+
Spend the afternoon hiking in the creek bed to see what rock and fossil treasures you’ll find.
Read MoreAges 8+
Utilizing a discovery and inquiry-based approach to learning, this class reintroduces insects to students in a whole new light, inviting students to broaden and expand their perspective and understanding of these creatures, and build creative and critical thinking skills. We will examine many different habitats at the Sun Foundation to learn about the insects found in each.
Read MoreAges 7+
Rocketeers will assemble and launch rockets from ready-made kits. They will learn how careful assembly procedures and safety practices lead to successful rocket flights.
Read MoreAges 7-11
In this class, you will learn all about the metamorphosis of the monarch from tiny egg to butterfly and what makes them so amazing. We will take a short hike where you will learn to identify the host plant (milkweed) and look for eggs and caterpillars. If we find caterpillars we will bring them back to our tent and put them into an enclosure with their favorite leaves. Over the week, you’ll be able to come back and check on them to see how quickly they grow. After our hunting excursion, Connie will show you how to make a hanging monarch butterfly of your own to take home.
Read MoreAges 7-12
Join us for fun traditional Native American songs and games. Learn about echolocation during Bat & Moth, and a Native American song to call in deer efore we play Deer and Hunter, and many more fun nature based games!
Read MoreAges 7+
A few hundred years ago, Illinois was covered mostly in expansive grassland habitats known as prairies. In this class, we’ll immerse ourselves in the Sun Foundation’s prairie and explore it’s science through hiking, activities and an animal encounter or two.
Read MoreAges 7+
Many people are familiar with large fish that live in the Illinois River, but may not be as familiar with the many different kinds of small fish that make creeks and small streams their home. In this minor, we will use different types of nets and traps to survey sections of Crow Creek for small fish, such as shiners, darters and dace. Students will learn about the diet and behavior of each type of fish and how to identify them. Ages 7+
Read MorePee Wee • Ages 5-7
In this class, students will create our very own masterpieces, trek though nature and explore science in the outdoors. We will use clay, paint, and other art materials to create art. Join us as we explore the marsh, forest, and trails on this exciting adventure. Gear up for a week of games, play-based learning, and fun while we capture the beauty around us!
Read MoreAges 8-12
Spend a week exploring the Sun Foundation’s natural spaces and the living things that build healthy ecosystems! In addition to plenty of hiking and science-based field activities, we’ll also build a mini museum collection of our favorite findings and research how they contribute to our environment.
Read MoreAges 8-12
We will explore the Sun Foundation property, looking for native reptiles and amphibians. We will show you how to find and identify animals. We will discuss what they eat and how to take care of them. You’ll get to catch, touch and hold them. Plan to get hot, wet and dirty! Please make sure to wear clothes that are appropriate. Class will be all day on Wednesday.
Read MorePee Wee • Ages 5-7
This class is an introduction to the Sun Foundation. Campers will explore all that camp has to offer. We will hike, play games, visit the marsh, look for fossils in the creek bed, paint, work with clay, dif for treasures in our own “archeological dig”, bead, and explore our environment.
Read MoreAges 8+
This class provides an introduction to a fascinating world that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Children will learn how to use several different types of microscopes. They will learn to sample, identify, and develop microscopy skills while studying the samples brought back from different sites.
Read MoreAges 7-12
Spend the week learning about the physics of motion, moving your body through the woods using maps and magnets (compasses), and enjoying the general mayhem of camp! Campers will learn some bite sized physics lessons and be introduced to the art of land navigation with map and compasses. If you have a compass, please bring it.
Read MoreAges 10+
Rocketeers will build rockets made of common household materials. They will learn basic equations of rocket thrust, stability and trajectory. Then they will launch their rockets and evaluate the performance.
Read MorePee Wee • Ages 5–7
The youngest among us often notice the WONDER-full details of the natural world. This major is for those who love to make amazing discoveries right before their eyes! Join us as we explore the forest, marsh, grassland and creek. We’ll draw big inspiration from small wonders, like a caterpillar’s stripes or water flowing over pebbles – to sketch, paint and sculpt artistic treasures. There’ll be lots of games too. Come play and create with us!
Read MoreAges 10+
Hike the creek bed with Steve searching for clues to the past as you learn about geology and collect fossils and different kinds of rocks. After you study and display your collection, it's yours to keep.
Read MoreAges 7-12
Fish, Birds, Bugs, Beads and Creek Exploration! Every day is an adventure. Spend Monday watching, drawing, and observing bird banding. Tuesday is all about bugs and beads. We’ll learn about the microecosystems around us as well as work on beaded designs of our observations. Wednesday is a day of fishing with guest instructor Brian “Fox” Ellis as Louis Agassiz. Thursday we will track animals and explore the habitat of Crow Creek. Friday we will put it all together publishing our findings in an instant book that celebrates the wildlife of the Sun Foundation as well as end the week with Native American Fun & Games!
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