About the Waimea Nature Camp
The goal of Waimea Nature Camp is to develop in our children an ethic of stewardship for our natural resources by engaging their minds through natural science, and touching their hearts with the power and beauty of nature. We hope to develop the core values of equality, service, peace, and respect for the earth and environment through play, crafts, and exploration, all within an outdoor setting.
Nature Camp is based at Ulu Laʻau, the Waimea Nature Park. This public park is planned, managed and maintained by community volunteers of Waimea Outdoor Circle, and campers spend a few hours each week of camp doing service within the park: spreading mulch on native plantings, picking up trash, or weeding out invasive plants. Field trips bring campers to the mountains, the streams and the forests of Hawaiʻi Island. Here they learn about ecological processes, native species, and conservation, while experiencing the simple joys of childhood play—catching tadpoles, building forts, and squelching through the mud.
As one camp parent shared, “The best part [for my child] was enjoying nature and not being afraid to explore!” At the nature park, campers climb trees, wade in the stream, create dramas and crafts, and learn basic field science.
Click here to find out more about the Kohala Watershed Partnership.