RiverCamps

FRENCH BROAD RIVER CAMPS

Summer 2012

"Educating and empowering the next generation of watershed stewards"

www.riverlink.org/rivercamps.asp

(828) 252-8474 ext. 18 education@riverlink.org

~ Environmental Education ~ River Recreation ~ Service Learning~

~ Kids in the Creek ~ River of Words & Art ~River cleanup ~Raft Trip down the French Broad~ Tour of River Parks, stream restorations, and rain gardens ~Nature Journals~Guest Speakers~Crafts~And much more! ~

Sessions:

June 11th-15th

June 18th-22nd

July 9th-13th

July 16th-20th

If a session is a full child will be placed on waiting list

Age:

Rising 3rd-5th grade

Rising 6th-8th grade

Rising 3rd-5th grade

Rising 6th-8th grade

Location:

We will meet each morning and afternoon for drop-off and pick-up at the French Broad River Park at the intersection of Riverview Drive and Amboy Road in Asheville. Click here to view a map of the park. The park includes a covered pavilion, picnic tables, restrooms, water fountain, parking, and walking paths. We will be walking the half mile greenway to Carrier Park on Amboy Road for other activities.

Time:

9:00 – 4:00

Registration:

Click here for Registration
Form

Campers will be registered in the order in which applications are received

Cost:

$250

RIVER CAMP LEADERS

Nikki Bauman

RiverLink's Education Coordinator and Camp Director      

Did you know one of the oldest rivers in the world runs right through Asheville? Discover the fabulous French Broad River —

it’s past, present and future!

Investigate a local stream’s water quality by looking for aquatic insects. Build your own watershed model and find out how human activities impact the river. Create river-inspired art and poetry, and volunteer for our Clean Stream Team. And of course, explore the river by kayak, canoe, or raft!

The goal of the French Broad River Camps is to educate and empower the next
generation of watershed stewards. The River Camps will provide the opportunity for rising 3rd-8th grade students to spend a week of their summer exploring the river and its watershed. The curriculum will include hands-on environmental education, river recreation, and service-learning projects.

Our region is currently experiencing unprecedented growth and development, and the
impacts for the river and the watershed include erosion, sedimentation, polluted stormwater runoff, degraded wildlife habitat, and flood damage. In order for us to grow sustainably, it is critical that we educate the next generation of watershed stewards and provide them with the tools and knowledge for a healthy environment.

•Provide young citizens of the French Broad River watershed an in-depth, hands-on
educational experience about their environment;
• Supplement in-school classroom curriculum with art, history, science, and recreation
components;
• Empower campers to be lifelong watershed stewards by educating them on the issues facing our rivers and watersheds, and providing concrete examples of what can be done;
• Inspire campers to make community service an integral part of their student and adult lives;

• Clean water
• Watershed stewardship
• Point and non-point source water pollution
• Erosion and sedimentation
• Ecosystem protection (biodiversity, native and invasive species)
• Sustainable development
• Best management practices
• Environmental and cultural history
• Community service

Typical activities include:

• Kids in the Creek water quality testing
• Enviroscape watershed model
• River of Words and Art (poetry and art lesson)
• Project WET lessons
• River games
•A trip to the WNC Nature Center, the Botanical Gardens, and Bent Creek
• Nature Journals
• Rafting or tubing trip
*All educational curriculum will coordinate with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study

Learn more about RiverLink's ongoing Watershed Education Program offered to preK-12 students during the school year

A 15 passenger van will provide transportation for our field trips and will be driven by the Education Coordinator and a Camp Counselor or Intern.

REGISTRATION

Deadline: May 18th, 2012

To register, submit a completed application and payment for each applicant. Spaces cannot be held without receipt of both the application and camp fee. Early registration is highly recommended. Camps reaching maximum enrollment will be closed and campers will be placed on a waiting list. Payment is not required for campers on a waiting list.

REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS

Any parent/ guardian who is a member of RiverLink will receive a 10% discount.

To sign up for membership please visit http://www.riverlink.org/membership.asp.

PAYMENT

Camp fees are $250 per camper. Payment in full is due at the time of registration. Payments can be made with Visa, Mastercard, or check. There is a returned check fee of $35.00.

REFUND POLICY

A refund must be requested in writing (email or mail) or by phone prior to June 1st to receive a full refund of $250.  Cancelation after June 1st will not be refunded except for extenuating circumstances or emergencies. Please allow up to six weeks for refunds.

ARRIVAL

Camp begins promptly at 9:00 each day and ends at 4:00. Please be aware that because of field trip plans, campers need to arrive on time and early dismissals may not be possible. Arrive ready for a fun day at camp between 8:30 and 9:00 each morning.

DEPARTURE

Campers must be picked up by 4:15. If campers are on site after 4:15, parents will be billed at the rate of $1 per minute with a $10 minimum.

SNACKS AND LUNCH

Camp will break for a morning snack around 10:00, and lunch around 12:00. Please send a snack and a lunch with your child each day- food will not be provided. We will provide a cooler for lunches and drinks.

WHAT TO BRING

• Campers are responsible for applying their own sunscreen before camp each day
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Snack(s)
• Clothes and shoes that can get wet- bathing suit and crocs/ sandals
• Towel
• Raingear
• Prescription medications, as indicated on registration form.
• Campers must bring a full water bottle each day.
  We will provide refills.

ACTIVITIES

Activities will take place on land and water in Asheville. Activities are adapted from our Watershed Education Program offered to K-12 students during the school year, adapted from national water education curriculum and focusing specifically on the French Broad watershed.

PARENT PARTICIPATION

We invite parents to volunteer with River Camps! If you would like to participate in any of the activities currently on the schedule, please send times and days you are available to education@riverlink.org.

If you can’t participate during the week, please join us on Friday at 3:00pm for a camper presentation for parents!

CHANGES

Due to the possibility of changes in enrollment levels, activities, and weather conditions, we reserve the right to make changes in the schedules when necessary. We will inform you of any changes before the program begins.

CAMPER CONDUCT

RiverLink reserves the right to dismiss, without a refund, any camper whose conduct we deem to be unsafe or inappropriate. We will be participating in activities for which safe behavior and respect for the environment are critical, and any camper that cannot comply with instructions will be asked to sit out or sent home.

GENERAL POLICY

RiverLink does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected under the law.

Chaperone Enegertic Campers~Give Back~Beat the Heat~

Gain Experience Teaching in an alternative learning environment~Spend the Summer Outside!

If you interested in volunteeting for the RiverCamps, please contact Nikki Bauman, Education Coordinator and Camp Director at 252-8474 ext.18 or education@riverlink.org