Native Animal Explorers

By Fish and Explore

Two one-week sessions
June 9–13
July 7–11 Full- Waitlist Available
8:30 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Rising 3rd through rising 6th graders
$640 per session

What to bring: Sneakers or river shoes (no Crocs or flip-flops) and clothes that can get wet and dirty, snacks, lunch with drink, hat, water bottle, towel, change of clothes, hand sanitizer, sunscreen and bug spray (labeled with name). A detailed list of what to bring will be emailed prior to each week. Fish and Explore Waiver is required for all campers to attend.

Nothing gets children more interested in the outdoors than encountering the animals that call it home. Explorers will embark on a journey to a different trail, park or body of water each day. We will hike trails, wade streams, and walk ponds and lakeshores to find native wildlife. Campers will observe, catch, photograph and release frogs, toads, tadpoles, salamanders, lizards, turtles, crayfish, minnows, and many more small critters. Fish and Explore makes it easy for kids to understand safe handling techniques that result in a better understanding and appreciation of small animals. We incorporate principles of appreciation and understanding so that campers learn to enjoy the wild animals as part of our ecosystem, not as pets.

The van will leave campus each day at 8:30 a.m. so your prompt arrival is very important. Locations are kept flexible depending on weather and water levels, but the following may include Lake Clopper, Lake Seneca, Gunners Lake, Big Water Lake, Antietam Creek, Catoctin Creek, Beaver Creek.

**Please note, Native Animal Explorers is designed for campers to explore wildlife at a variety of outdoor locations. Campers do not fish during this program. Check out Young Anglers or Big Fish for a fishing experience.

Rain/Inclement Weather Policy: Campers will participate in outdoor activities even while it’s raining, unless the weather is deemed unsafe by Fish and Explore. In case of lightning or thunder, we will seek shelter either indoors or in our vehicle. The campers will remain sheltered for the duration of the inclement weather and for fifteen minutes after the last visual lightning or audible thunder.

    

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Fish and Explore just completed its 10th summer as a premier summer camp and fishing and nature guide service. Our mission is to advance appreciation, stewardship, exploration and investigation of nature. We are dedicated to developing programs that are structured around elements that naturally excite children – animals, water, and a little dirt! We practice Wildlife CPR (Catch, Photograph, and Release) with all our outdoor encounters. Our programs are designed to excite children about nature while teaching them self-confidence, respect for others, and how to sustain the great outdoors for their future appreciation. Visit fishandexplore.com for more information. 

 

Meet our Staff:

Matt Helfinstein

Matt is the camp director of Fish and Explore. He has been interested in nature and animals his entire life, especially insects, spiders and snakes. He grew up in Austin, Texas and moved to Virginia to attend George Mason University. While there he earned B.S. in biology and had the opportunity to collect data on streams and lakes all over Northern Virginia. When Matt is not teaching and guiding at FAE, he is teaching Fairfax County students about aquatic bugs and the ways humans affect the environment. He loves to spend his free time outdoors hiking, swimming and exploring.

John Lipetz

John is the founder of Fish and Explore. He has been an ambassador for the great outdoors his entire life and playing in the outdoors has always been a passion for him. Fish and Explore has been in the making for years, as a gleam in his eye as a child and then a reality as he introduced his son and daughter to what he enjoys most – fishing and exploring. His life has been dedicated to teaching others how to safely appreciate animals, nature, and the environment.

Billy Wilken

William “Billy” Wilken is the kayak and paddle sports leader at Fish and Explore. He has over 30 years of experience as a trip leader, environmental educator, soccer coach and mentor. He is currently certified as a Wilderness First Responder and has a Red Cross Bundle 5 Waterfront certification. He was born and raised in Northern Virginia, exploring many of the tributaries feeding the Potomac River. He spent 10 years as a Whitewater Kayak instructor in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Billy is passionate about teaching people how to be outdoors safely.