DNR Offers Outdoor Discovery Camps Where Outdoor Learning Is Naturally Fun

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ANNAPOLIS —The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites parents looking for something fun for kids to do during the summer months to explore the opportunities offered by the Maryland Park Service’s Outdoor Discovery Program. Outdoor Discovery is a residential camp that provides youth with a total outdoor living experience, acquainting them with Maryland’s state parks while fostering a feeling of responsibility and respect for our natural environment.

“Some of the most valuable lessons, learning experiences and lifelong friendships begin when you send your children to summer camp,” said Colonel Rick Barton, Superintendent of the Maryland Park Service.

The program has specially designed four different camps for boys and girls, ages 8-16. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in hiking, swimming, canoeing, environmental education, cultural education, teambuilding, games/initiatives, fishing, arts and crafts, journal-keeping, campfires, Meet the Ranger, Junior Ranger, and Scales and Tales. Enrollment is limited to 15 participants per camp, and Outdoor Discovery maintains a 5 to 1 camper to counselor ratio to ensure each child is safe and receives adequate attention to enjoy the full camping experience. The four different Outdoor Discovery camps are:

Multi-Adventure I
Rocky Gap State Park, Tuckahoe State Park, Point Lookout State Park Ages: 8-11 Cost: $375/week

• Multi-Adventure II
  Horsemanship at Tuckahoe State Park, Eastern Shore Paddling at Tuckahoe State Park, Southern Maryland Specialty and Fishing at Point Lookout State Park, Western Maryland Specialty at Rocky Gap State Park Ages: 10-13 Cost: $450/week
• Multi-Adventure III
  Rock Climbing at Rocky Gap State Park, Fishing at Tuckahoe State Park, Horsemanship at Tuckahoe State Park, Western Maryland Specialty at Rocky Gap State Park, Eastern Shore Specialty at Tuckahoe State Park Ages: 12-16 Cost: $450/week
• Multi-Adventure IV
  Western Maryland Expedition at Rocky Gap State Park, Extreme at New Germany State Park, Water Sports at Assateague Island State Park, Southern Maryland Expedition at Point Lookout State Park Ages: 12-16 Cost: $500/week

Outdoor Discovery Camps operate at various times from June 27 through August 12. For more information, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/outdoordisc.html or call 410-260-8154.

For information on all DNR’s summer camp opportunities, search the DNR website at www.dnr.maryland.gov

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April 26, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov