Environmental Education Center at University of Rhode Island's W. Alton Jones Campus

Creature Camp is an Earth Camp program for ages 9-12. The goal of the program is to learn about the Animal Kingdom and its members. You will explore forests, fields, wetlands and ponds to learn who lives there and how the animals interact with each other and their surroundings. The week is spent learning about nature and enjoying the camp life at W. Alton Jones.

Sunday is devoted to moving in and getting to know your fellow campers and counselors. First you will move into your cabin and meet your cabin mates. You will have some time to unpack and get settled before meeting your field group counselor and the other members of your Creature Camp field group. Some will look very familiar because they are in your cabin too! Get ready for dinner and the all-camp campfire where you will get to see the entire Earth Camp, campers and staff. You will eat your meals in the dining hall, except Thursday lunch.

On Monday, you will participate in some group building activities to enhance communication between you and the other campers as well as you and the counselors. Your counselor will give you an introduction to the animal kingdom and the names of each phylum (or group) in the animal kingdom. Other activities are designed to orient you to your natural surroundings. Monday also includes a swim test, free swim and possibly canoeing. After dinner, there will be an all-camp evening program.

Tuesday and Wednesday are spent exploring the different groups of animals that live at W. Alton Jones. This includes insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. You will learn about their lives and interactions in fun, active and hands on games and activities. You will:

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Experience complex animal interactions in an active game of predator-prey.
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Learn what the food web is and how it is important to animals.
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Identify and study the behavior of birds at the bird observation area.
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Explore first-hand the amazing world of insects using nets, traps, lights and bait.
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Find and observe salamanders, frogs, fish and turtles.
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Examine and identify animal tracks left behind in one of our tracking boxes.

Thursday is a special trip to the Roger Williams Park Zoo. During your visit you will have a special program with a member of the zoo staff. Spend the entire day participating in fun and hands-on activities that will allow you to experience the zoo in a new way while learning the important role zoos play in animal conservation.

Friday is spent putting the whole week together with reviews and wrap-ups plus closing activities. After lunch, there is some time to spend with friends new and old before the family program begins. Sign out and goodbyes follow as the week comes to an end.