BY MICHELLE KEY
THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — Registration is now open for spring and summer camps at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center (KPNC), offering a variety of nature-based programs designed to engage children of all ages in hands-on outdoor learning.
This year’s camp theme, “Alabama Rocks,” will guide many of the programs, highlighting the state’s rich geologic history — from ancient oceans and erupting volcanoes to glittering minerals and the landscapes that shape Alabama’s forests, streams and wildlife.
Spring Camp
Spring Camp for students in first through sixth grades will be held March 9–11 and March 16–18, meeting Monday through Wednesday. Campers will spend three days exploring the forests of the Nature Center alongside KPNC naturalists, participating in active, outdoor learning experiences designed to engage both body and mind during spring break.
Summer Ecology Camp
The Summer Ecology Camp, open to students in first through seventh grades, will run Monday through Friday from May 26 through June 26. Campers will experience nature-based lessons covering a wide range of educational topics while enjoying hikes, time on the Nature Playground and opportunities to observe wildlife up close.
Through experiments, projects and exploration, participants will learn how rocks form, how landscapes change and why Alabama is one of the most geologically and biologically diverse states in the country.
Woodland Wonders Camp
For younger children, Woodland Wonders Camp is available for ages three through kindergarten from June 1 through July 24. The camp provides a safe, outdoor environment where children learn through nature-based lessons, play, exploration and guided activities. This year’s Woodland Wonders theme will also focus on Alabama’s geology.
Adventure Camp
Older students in sixth through eighth grades can participate in Adventure Camp, held July 13–16. This four-day, three-night experience takes campers to Auburn University’s Solon Dixon Center in Andalusia.
Nestled within the Conecuh National Forest, the 5,000-acre outdoor classroom offers lessons in nature, history, wildlife, geology, archaeology and astronomy. Campers will also have opportunities to swim, hike, climb and explore. All meals and lodging are included in the registration fee.
Tree Tots & Forest Friends
KPNC also offers Tree Tots and Forest Friends, a winter session program for families with young children. Enrollment opens Dec. 1, and spots typically fill quickly. These programs encourage early exploration of the natural world through stories, hands-on activities and outdoor play, even during the winter months.
About the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center
The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center is a nonprofit outreach facility of Auburn University’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment. Located on nearly 120 acres of preserved forest, the center features more than six miles of hiking trails, a nature playground, gardens, wildflower meadows and year-round educational programs.
The property is open daily from dawn to dusk and is located at 2222 N. College St., in Auburn. Registration details, program calendars and additional information are available at kpnc.auburn.edu. To help protect wildlife and natural habitats, pets and bicycles are not permitted on the property.
