Photo submitted to Times Observer According to Warren County Conservation District, if its camps can go on, they will go on. “Our plans may be forced to change depending on Pennsylvania’s reopening process... and local recommendations,” according to WCCD. “If the district cancels any of the camps, you will be reimbursed.”

Summer is around the corner and COVID-19 restrictions are lessening. The Warren County Conservation District is planning to hold its annual summer camp programs.

“Our plans may be forced to change depending on Pennsylvania’s reopening process… and local recommendations,” according to WCCD. “If the district cancels any of the camps, you will be reimbursed.”

Youth Conservation Camp (YCC) is a 12-hour day camp from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 16 through 18 geared to students entering grades seven through nine for the 2020-2021 school year. “This camp focuses on the philosophy of ‘Learning by Doing,'” according to WCCD. “The majority of the time is spent in the field where campers learn about trees and plants, soil, aquatics, ecology, wildlife, farming, and more.”

YCC will also include a history element this year.

The camp is based out of the conservation district office at 4000 Conewango Avenue and campers will be bused to on-site locations throughout the county. Snacks, lunch, and dinner are provided.

The application deadline is Wednesday, May 27.

Children’s Nature Camp (CNC) is held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hatch Run Conservation Demonstration Area (HRCDA) pavilion on Hatch Run Road and is broken into three age groups — those entering first and second grades (CNC I), those going into third and fourth (CNC II), and those moving into fifth and sixth grades (CNC III).

CNC I will run July 28 and 29; CNC II is scheduled for July 16 and 17; and CNC III will be held July 13 and 14.

“Children will learn and discover the uniqueness and importance of water, soil, plants, and animals in our local environment,” according to WCCD. “Kids in the CNC will also have a chance to play in the stream and fish in the pond where some campers have caught their first fish.”

Students entering kindergarten in the fall may join Kindergarten Nature Camp (KNC).

KNC, like CNC, is based at the HRCDA pavilion. It will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 30.

“This will be a fun-filled camp with stream and soil exploration and a visit from Smokey Bear in addition to crafts and games,” according to WCCD.

Snacks are provided each day of CNC and KNC, parents are responsible for providing lunches.

The deadline to apply for CNC and KNC is June 24.

The cost for the camps is $60 for YCC, $40 for CNC, and $20 for KNC. There are scholarship opportunities to help offset the cost of registration.

“The theme this year for all of our summer camps is Where the Wild Things Are,” according to WCCD. “Come learn about the wild things that live in the water and the trees, in the soil and among the leaves. Go to www.wcconservation.org for more information and also to download application forms. You can also call 726-1441 or e-mail Sherry at smoore@wcconservation.net.”