Camp Elachee

Elachee has hosted quality environmental education day camps for over 30 years. Each week of camp uniquely blends traditional outdoor camp activities and inquiry-based learning opportunities. The pace is slow and child-friendly. Our campers study nature while walking trails, wading in creeks, creating crafts, and singing songs. Their adventures and educational experiences increase their knowledge and appreciation of nature.

Our Staff & Group Sizes:

We pride ourselves in attracting and selecting experienced, enthusiastic, friendly, and knowledgeable camp staff who enjoy and respect children. Our counselors have degrees or are pursuing degrees in science, education or related fields. Excellent staff to camper ratios are the rule. Pre-K ratios are 1 to 5. Elementary and middle school ratios are 1 to 12.

Extended care available. Pre-registration is required and spaces are filled on a first-come basis. Register Online, Fill out the Registration Form and mail in, or call 770-535-1976 to register.

Camp Elachee Preview Day

Saturday, June 2nd, 11am - 2pm

Join us for our annual kickoff to Camp Elachee. Meet our professional, friendly and knowledgeable camp staff. Enjoy guided hikes in the Chicopee Woods. Participate in craft making, special animal programs and other activities that make Camp Elachee the area's best day camp. Bring a picnic lunch and take in the beauty of the Chicopee Woods in spring. Free.

2012 Spring & Summer Camp

Pre-K & Elementary Camp Weeks

April 2-6: NATUREPALOOZA! Daily themes & outdoor fun during Spring Break.

June 4-8: Wet, Wetter, Wettest** Enjoy an early summer dousing of fun during water week.

June 11-15: Exploring the Animal Kingdom A week of furry, feathery, & scaly fun!

June18-22: Seeing Stars Celebrate the summer solstice as you look to the stars.

June 25-29: A Heap of Herps! Cold-blooded fun with snakes & amphibians.

July 4th Break (NO Camp July 2-6)

July 9-13: Bugs, Slugs, & Katydids! Discover all things crawling, flying, buzzing, & chirping.

July 16-20: Lessons From the Cherokee A blend of nature & history at Elachee.

July 23-27: Wind & Weather A great week to experience & learn about two powerful forces of nature.

July 30-Aug 3: Water Journeys** Another week of watery fun!

**elementary only

Check out the Camp Brochure for more detailed descriptions

Middle School Camp Weeks

June 11-15: Extreme Creek Week Creek hikes, stream sampling, fish shocking, watershed mapping, & compass course.

June18-22: Adventures High & Low** Zip lines, creek hikes, tree climbing, & team ropes course.

July 9-13: Wilderness Survival Edible & medicinal plants, shelter building, tracking, orienteering, first aid, & leave no trace.

July 16-20: Elachee Mountain Bike Camp Twists, turns, thrills, & no spills! Beginners through advanced bikers welcome.

July 30-Aug 3: Super Science Sampler A week of fun exploring chemistry, physics, biology & rocketry!

**extra fees apply

Check out the Camp Brochure for more detailed descriptions

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Camp Programs

Pre-K Camp

For 3, 4, and 5 year olds not entering kindergarten this fall. All campers must be completely toilet trained. Camp is from 9 am - 12 pm daily. Activities include: an age-appropriate condensed version of each week’s description along with mini-hikes, songs, creative play and movement, story time, crafts and special visits from Elachee staff, and visiting creeks.

Elementary Camp

For children entering grades K-5 this fall. Camp is from 9 am - 2 pm. Activities include creek wading and walks, woodland hikes, nature study, songs, crafts and games, and special visits from Elachee staff and special guest presenters. All camp activities may vary due to group age, group interest, and weather conditions.

Middle School Camp

Young people entering grades 6-8 this fall Camp is from 9 am - 2 pm. Activities vary by camp week. Some camps are physically challenging or require specific equipment or gear. Camps may include special visits from Elachee staff and/or special guest presenters and a special evening program.

Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Program for High School Students

Youth entering grades 9-12 can apply for Counselor-In-Training (CIT) positions and assist counselors for a minimum of two weeks (only one of which can be bike camp). This is a great opportunity for students to learn about their natural world while developing interpersonal and leadership skills through assisting counselors with teaching and supervising campers.

Hours are Monday-Friday 8:30-2:30. A nominal fee of $60 covers training and supervision. Call for an application.

Before & After Camp Care

Our morning and afternoon care for campers is a low-key extension of the camp day. Supervised play, games, crafts, and individual activities before and after camp are entertaining for campers and a convenient child care solution for working moms and dads. Morning Care: 8-9 am, After Care Elementary: 2-5:30 pm, Aftercare Pre-K: 12-2 pm

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Other Information

Scholarships

Thanks to the generosity of many of our donors needs-based scholarships are available. Scholarships are awarded for one week of camp per child. Deadline for application is May 1st. The financial aid committee reviews each application and makes decisions by mid-May. Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis, as funding allows. Please call us for a copy of our guidelines and application.

Membership Discount

Elachee family level members receive a discount off the price of camp.
Your membership must be current for the camp week(s) attended in order to receive the member's discount.

Forms/Procedures/What to Bring

All campers must have completed registration, health, and waiver forms on file at Elachee in order to attend camp. Campers requiring any medications to be administered by camp staff are required to complete an additional medication permission form available from camp staff personnel. A checklist of appropriate clothing, food, and personal gear may be found on the What to Bring? list.

Changes, Cancellations, Refunds:

We will gladly accommodate your request for a change in camp weeks or Before & After Camp Care, provided space is available. Changes made with less than two weeks notice will include a $10 administrative fee. Cancellations made two weeks or more prior to your child’s camp session are eligible for a refund minus a $20 administrative fee for each week per child. No refunds are made for cancellations with less than two weeks notice except in the case of doctor-documented illness. Elachee reserves the right to dismiss any camper to ensure the safety/health of all campers. In such a case, we will refund pro-rata for any time lost.

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A Typical Day at Camp Elachee

8:45 am Arrival, join your group and enjoy pre-camp activities with your Counselor and your camp friends.

9:00 am Begin the Camp Day: Join your group, sing camp songs, and learn about the day’s activities – swimming, guest presenters, crafts, and learning games. “Elachee, Camp Elachee . . . the place we love to be”

9:30 am Join your counselor and your friends in the Education Hall for the week’s guest presentation. “I didn't know Georgia had so many reptiles!”

10:00 am Change into your swim suit, grab a net and don’t forget to pack your lunch and your water shoes. It’s time to head for Walnut Creek for some stream sampling. "I found cool crawfish, salamanders, and dragon fly nymphs!"

11:30 am Lunch and hike back to the Nature Center. "Wow! Look at the size of that Black Rat Snake crossing the trail!”

12:15 pm Change out of your suit and then join your group as an Elachee Naturalist answers your questions about Rat Snakes. Visit the Live Animal Room to meet “Gopher Boy”, our resident Gopher Tortoise, and learn more about these important animals from an Elachee naturalist.

1:00 pm Craft time. Let’s make an alligator out of pieces of mountain bike tire.

1:45 pm Collect your craft, backpack, and all your personal things and hike with your counselor to front pavilion for pick-up.

2:05 pm “Hi Mom and Dad! I had the best time and you won’t believe what I saw!"

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