Nature Explorers Day Camps

Days of Wonder in the Great Outdoors!

What’s more idyllic than childhood days spent exploring the forests, meadows and waters of our Green Mountain home? BEEC Nature Explorers are lucky enough to do just that! Our campers spend the majority of each day outside on our 60 wild acres in small groups participating in hands-on activities, non-competitive games, stories, art projects, music, free play, and sledding or water-sliding.

Year after year children return, anticipating fun times and excited to visit special places such as Grandmother Tree, Mossy Rocks, and Frog Pond. They investigate the lives of their wild neighbors, learn naturalist skills, explore wildlife habitats, develop sensory awareness skills, venture off-trail, and discover a sense of magic and wonder in the Great Outdoors!

Nature Days

Offered on vacation days, Teacher in-Service days and select holidays
For children in grades K – 5

Bring your child during their days out of school for Nature Days of fun at BEEC. We will romp and stomp as we play and learn, and benefit from the fresh air and exercise. Investigating the changing fields and forest around us we will learn through exploration, games and activities. Our adventures will be inspired by what is happening in the natural world.

Register for Nature Days ▸

2026 Winter Dates

  • Jan 19 & 23
  • Feb 16, 24, 25, 26
  • March 2 & 3

Nature Days Camp Details

Hours

Drop off 8:45am – 9:00am, Pick up 3:00pm – 3:15pm

Payment

$90 per day
Offered per diem

Financial Assistance

BEEC is dedicated to making our programs accessible to all. As a state licensed program we are able to accept subsidies through the Vermont Child Care Financial Assistance Program that is available for children up to age 12. Learn more about CCFAP here. Families can apply for a scholarship with their registration. If you’d like to contribute to the scholarship fund, you can donate online here! Thank you!

Camp Information & Policies
Camp is mostly outdoors, with the support of outdoor shelters and indoor classrooms.  For camp information and policies, check out the Nature Explorers Family Handbook. Information specific to your program dates will be emailed one week prior to the program.  For each child attending camp, please complete an online Medical Form and Waiver.
 
Questions? Send us a message or call 802.257.5785
 
Upcoming Nature Days

Nature Explorers Winter Camp (Part of Nature Days)

Offered in February as a part of Nature Days
For children in grades 1 – 5

As a part of Nature Days, at Nature Explorers Winter Camp we will…

  • Create snow sculptures and edible art for animals at BEEC and at home.
  • Learn some tracks and signs of local animals to become nature detectives.
  • Search for clues of where animals take shelter and build a winter shelter for ourselves (we hope there’s snow to make a quinzhee or snow cave).
  • Discover how animals keep warm, and make a fire and evergreen needle tea to warm ourselves.
  • Have lots of fun exploring and playing, guided by the offerings of nature and interests of the group!

Register for Nature Days ▸

Winter Camp Details

Hours

Drop off 8:45am – 9:00am, Pick up 3:00pm – 3:15pm

Payment

Program fee: $90/day
Offered per diem

Financial Assistance

BEEC is dedicated to making our programs accessible to all. As a state licensed program we are able to accept subsidies through the Vermont Child Care Financial Assistance Program that is available for children up to age 12. Learn more about CCFAP here. Families can apply for a scholarship with their registration. If you’d like to contribute to the scholarship fund, you can donate online here! Thank you!

Camp Information & Policies
Camp is mostly outdoors, with the support of outdoor shelters and indoor classrooms.  For camp information and policies, check out the Nature Explorers Family Handbook. Information specific to your program dates will be emailed one week prior to the program.  For each child attending camp, please complete an online Medical Form and Waiver.
 
Questions? Send us a message or call 802.257.5785

 

Nature Explorers Spring Camp

April 20-24, 2026
For children in grades K – 4

During Nature Explorers Spring Camp we will…

  • Search for signs of spring, from bursting buds to migrating birds.
  • Visit a pond and vernal pool to learn about the mysteries of metamorphosis.
  • Find the magical world of nature and create our own forest fantasies.
  • Discover who loves mud and get wildly creative with mud.
  • Have lots of fun exploring and playing, journaling and creating, guided by the offerings of nature and our interests.

Register for Nature Explorers Spring Camp ▸

Spring Camp Details

Hours

Drop off 8:45am – 9:00am, Pick up 3:00pm – 3:15pm

Payment

Camp fee = $400

Financial Assistance

BEEC is dedicated to making our programs accessible to all. As a state licensed program we are able to accept subsidies through the Vermont Child Care Financial Assistance Program that is available for children up to age 12. Learn more about CCFAP here. Families can apply for a scholarship with their registration. If you’d like to contribute to the scholarship fund, you can donate online here! Thank you!

Camp Information & Policies
Camp is mostly outdoors, with the support of outdoor shelters and indoor classrooms.  For camp information and policies, check out the Nature Explorers Family Handbook. Information specific to your program dates will be emailed one week prior to the program.  For each child attending camp, please complete an online Medical Form and Waiver.
 
Questions? Send us a message or call 802.257.5785

Nature Explorers Summer Camp

Six Weeks: June – August, 2026
For children ages 4 to 11

Nature Explorers Summer Camp captures the essence of a wholesome, screenfree childhood, but makes it seriously fun and immersive. Each week is dynamic as activities are guided by the theme of the week, interests of the group, and offerings from nature. All camps include exploration and discovery, games inspired by the world around us, naturalist skills including sensory observation and inquiry, hands-on activities, free play, journaling, stories, craft projects, and song.

Register for Nature Explorers Summer Camp ▸

Summer Schedule

 

June 29 - July 3

Ages 4–5 🌱 Creep, Crawl, Leap Adventure
Blending imagination and discovery, campers explore creatures that creep, crawl, and leap—from insects and amphibians to mythical centaurs and unicorns.

Ages 6–9 🐾 Amazing Animal Adventures
Each day we dive into a different facet of the natural world: incredible plants, fascinating insects, beautiful birds, mysterious mammals, and more.

July 6-10

Ages 4–5 & Ages 6–9 ✨ Magical World of Nature
Venture through fields and woodlands in search of nature’s mysteries, magical places, and mythical creatures. Create your own magical world along the way.

July 13-17

Ages 4–6 🦋 Flit, Flutter, Fly Adventure
Discover the skies and beyond! Campers explore birds, bats, insects, fairies, and dragons through play, observation, and creative activities.

Ages 7–11 🌳 Wild Wanderings
Explore a different habitat on Heifer Hill each day - from ponds and meadows to forests - learning about ecosystems and wildlife along the way.

July 20-24

Ages 4–6 & Ages 7–11🎨 Creative by Nature
Use forests and fields as your canvas! Explore art, music, and theater inspired by the natural world and its inhabitants.

July 27-31

Ages 5–7 🐉 Dragon of the Forest
Inspired by My Father’s Dragon, campers explore exotic animals, magical creatures, and mystical adventures through games, challenges, and imaginative play.

Ages 8–11 🔥 Adventures in Summerland
Discover hidden stories of Heifer Hill, learn nature awareness skills, track wildlife, find wild edibles, make fire, and build shelters in the outdoors.

August 3-7

Ages 5–7 🌳 Tree Trunk Wildlife Mission
Campers explore trees as wildlife homes through hands-on discovery, animal sign searches, and imaginative play, inspired by The Hole in the Tree by Jean Craighead George. They will also take part in simple stewardship projects that help care for local wildlife and their habitats.

Ages 8–11 🌾 Milkweed Meadow Wildlife Mission
Investigate our milkweed meadow with hands-on activities inspired by Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow by Elaine Dimopoulos. Campers participate in monarch community science, stewardship projects, and meet a wildlife rehabilitator.

Summer Camp Details

Hours

Drop off 8:45am – 9:00am, Pick up 3:00pm – 3:15pm
Aftercare: Monday to Thursday, until 4:00 pm

Payment

Camp fee = $400 / week
Aftercare fee = $50 / week
Deposit = $80 / week

Registration opening February 1st!

Financial Assistance

BEEC is dedicated to making our programs accessible to all. As a state licensed program we are able to accept subsidies through the Vermont Child Care Financial Assistance Program that is available for children up to age 12. Learn more about CCFAP here. Families can apply for a scholarship with their registration. If you’d like to contribute to the scholarship fund, you can donate online here! Thank you!

Camp Information & Policies
Camp is mostly outdoors, with the support of outdoor shelters and indoor classrooms.  For camp information and policies, check out the Nature Explorers Family Handbook. Information specific to your program dates will be emailed one week prior to the program.  For each child attending camp, please complete an online Medical Form and Waiver.
 
Questions? Send us a message or call 802.257.5785

Nature Photo Explorers

Mountains to Moss: Exploring & Photographing Natural Habitats
August 2026 (dates TBD)
9am – 3pm, Ages 11 to 18

This program will integrate digital photography into nature exploration and discovery, through a collaboration between In-Sight Photography and BEEC. We will use the camera as a lens to investigate the natural world around us. Explorations will take place at natural areas around Brattleboro, including woodland, aquatic and mountain adventures. No prior camera experience needed. Cameras will be provided by In-Sight.

Program Details

*Drop off and pick up location will vary by the day (rotating between BEEC and In-Sight)

BEEC programs with In-Sight are offered regardless of ability to pay, and no interested youth is ever turned away because of their family’s economic circumstances. Families are asked to recognize the cost to run the program based on suggested pricing tiers, but pledge and pay what they can afford.

Questions? Send us a message or call 802.257.5785

 

Check back later for 2026 registration ▸

Day Camps Photo Gallery

Just a glimpse of the fun we have at Bonnyvale!
Show more

Hear what families say about BEEC’s youth camps:

“The staff are so knowledgeable, the forest and trails are lovely, the stories and norms set feel appropriate and fun, the games are fun and educational, children are seen and heard in the programs, there is good communication between staff and families, children know their teachers well and get to explore some really cool topics (tree ID, tracking, animal information, bird calls) over the course of the time.”
“BEEC understands that children thrive in nature and that this can especially be true for children who do not thrive at school. The programming is developmentally appropriate and honors children as people.”
"My son has had such an incredible experience at camp this week – he’s never willingly shared so much about his day before and tells us he will be a naturalist when he gets older. Huge thanks to your team!"
"I love that BEEC programs are creative, fun, lots of outdoor time, great staff & good vibes! After summer camp this year, my daughter said that she wants to do BEEC camp all year long! She had an awesome time."
"My child loves it. I was showered with stories all week and for the following days of the adventures at camp and all to be learned. It is, by far, the favorite of any camp my child has ever attended."
“Very warm and positive staff, a good variety of activity types, fun ways of sharing and engaging curiosity in naturalist knowledge, accessible for low income families, and the land itself!”
“Our child really appreciates having the opportunity to run around, get dirty, play with bugs and fossils, slam rocks, and be in a different kind of environment than his usual school structure. He enjoys playing with different kids than those he meets at school and usually connects with one or more of the excellent counselors so that he feels safe in his explorations. For us as parents, it's a joy to be invited by our child to go on a hike to visit Old Mother Maple or explore the bugs in the Meadow. BEEC is truly a gift to the community, and to our family.”
“Our two children (each extremely different personalities and learners) both had an incredible three weeks at BEEC. The staff was accepting and supportive and both thrived. We still often use some of the reflection techniques in our daily lives now!”
“My child's experiences at BEEC camps have been nothing other than fabulous! We've spent a lot of time on the trails there as a family, so for her to be able to engage with knowledgeable staff and mentors about the land and its inhabitants, while getting social and physical health needs met as well, has been incredibly meaningful. She has learned so much, and feels such a sense of home and kinship there. This would not have been possible without scholarships, and we are just so thankful that BEEC is committed to doing this work, and making it accessible to as many children as possible!”
“For my child, time in the outdoors is an antidote to stress, it expands his curiosity and makes him more comfortable in his own skin without constant need for "things" to occupy his time. I also think it helps him develop coping skills for things he can't control, and in the long run, this is a very positive asset in his life.“
“We are parenting a child who struggles greatly in school with behavior regulation and has spent limited time outside, let alone in the woods. We wanted them to have a safe place to experience a full day outside to play and explore. BEEC was the perfect thing. We had never seen this child so content and cheerful when picking them up at the end of the day as we did when collecting them from BEEC.”
Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center

802.257.5785
admin@beec.org

Physical Location: 
1221 Bonnyvale Road
West Brattleboro, Vermont

Mailing Address:
PO Box 2318
West Brattleboro, VT 05303

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