Nature Camp

A week of outdoor discovery, creativity, faith, and wonder on Saint Peter’s five-acre campus.

At Nature Camp, children explore pond life, birds, insects, mammals, plants, and the hidden life of the churchyard. They make art, play games, hear stories from Scripture, and learn to see God’s creation with curiosity and care.

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on August 10-14, 2026

Register for 2026

See schedule and cost

Last year, when camp ended, children were already asking: “When does Nature Camp start again?”

Two young girls with name tags stand in a wooded outdoor area, attentively listening to an older man who is showing them something in his hands. Other children and adults are seen in the background.

A Week of Wonder

Ecology

Plants, energy, and the connections within creation.

Painted paper plates with water lily pond scenes, some with clay frogs and lily pads.

Pond Life

Freshwater creatures and up-close discovery.

An older man with a mustache and a young boy with blonde hair holding a green cloth with black footprints printed on it in a community room.

Mammals

Adaptations, habitats, and the animal world.

Two young boys working on craft projects at a table in a room with wooden chairs, one boy holding a paintbrush and the other holding a paint palette, with a carton of juice on the table.

Birds

Bird walks, habitats, and owl exploration.

A person with brown hair wearing a beige t-shirt featuring butterflies, sitting on a surface, holding a large insect in their hands.

Insects

Leaf litter critters and tiny wonders.

What Campers Do

At Nature Camp, children will:

Explore Saint Peter’s woods and outdoor spaces.
Learn with naturalist George Steele.
Make nature-inspired art.
Hear Bible stories about creation, growth, care, and praise.
Play games, share snacks, and build friendships.
Celebrate the week with an Art Show and Campfire.

Group of children and an adult in a wooded outdoor play area, climbing and playing around a black plastic tunnel and wooden structures.

Two young boys sitting on a wooden bench outdoors, smiling and holding snacks, with water bottles next to them and lush greenery in the background.

Children participating in a craft activity at a table, creating arrangements with dried flowers and leaves. They are wearing light gray T-shirts and orange lanyards, in a room with wooden chairs and tables.

Group of children and adults gathered around a fire pit outdoors, roasting marshmallows on sticks during dusk or evening.

Faith and Science Together

Children are invited to ask questions, use their senses, wonder deeply, and practice care for creation.

Camp is rooted in the joy of discovery: turning over leaves, watching birds, making art, hearing sacred stories, and learning that the world is full of life worth loving.

MEET OUR NATURALIST

George Steele

George Steele brings decades of experience as a naturalist and educator. He helps children slow down, look closely, and discover the life all around them.

George,worked in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Endangered Species Unit and has been studying the natural world his entire professional life.

An older man with a black shirt featuring reindeer, holding a spark from a firework while two young boys watch outdoors near greenery and a large rock.

Sample Day

9:00 a.m.
Welcome, music, and gathering

9:20 a.m.
Nature exploration or Scripture and craft

10:20 a.m.
Snack and outdoor break

10:50 a.m.
Second morning rotation

11:50 a.m.
Closing in the Nave

12:00 p.m.
Half-day pickup or lunch

12:30 p.m.
Quiet games

1:00 p.m.
Outdoor games or nature walk

1:15 p.m.
Afternoon art and nature projects

2:45 p.m.
Snack and pickup

Family events

Nature Camp includes two evening gatherings for families.

A brown and white owl perched on a branch against a wooden wall.

Tuesday evening

Nature walk at Gulf Branch Nature Center

An elderly man crouches down on one knee with a small campfire made of sticks in front of him, surrounded by children sitting on logs and standing nearby outdoors on a grassy area.

Friday evening

Storytelling and Campfire

Middle schoolers are welcome to serve as counselors-in-training. High schoolers are welcome to apply to serve as paid staff.

Ages, schedule, and cost

Dates: August 10–14, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Half-day option: 9:00 a.m.–noon
Ages: Children age 4 through Grade 5
Full-day program: Open to children entering Grade 1 and older
Lunch: Children bring their own lunch

Cost for Saint Peter’s Members

Morning only: $90
Full day: $175

Cost for Non-members

Morning only: $155
Full day: $285

A $50 non-refundable deposit is due at registration. Full balance is due by April 1. For campers registered after April 1, the full camp cost is due at registration.

Parent volunteers may receive 10%–20% off their child’s registration fee.

Register for Nature Camp

Give your child a week of wonder, discovery, creativity, and care for God’s creation.