Archived Outdoors

Kids explore with Creation Care Camp

Campers lean in to see which aquatic creatures they found in the Pigeon River. Donated photo Campers lean in to see which aquatic creatures they found in the Pigeon River. Donated photo

Two environmentally focused camps this summer offered students the chance to get outside while learning about how to care for creation. 

Creation Care Camp included a day camp in June and an overnight camp in July. During the June day camp, students visited a variety of locations, including Cold Mountain Nursery, Mingus Mill and Lake Junaluska, and participated in activities such as building small container gardens, cleaning up the riverside at Waynesville Recreation Park, and learning how to compost. During the July overnight camp, students visited the Pigeon River to snorkel and search for aquatic creatures, did a cleanup and campout at Fontana Lake and hiked the Cataloochee Divide Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Each camp welcomed about 25 campers and 15 high school helpers. Outdoor Mission Community planned and funded the camps with generous grant funding from the Tennessee Valley Authority, hosting and direction from First United Methodist Church of Waynesville and support from a long list of Haywood County organizations. Camps were offered free of charge.

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