I teach preschool, but these are some things you could modify for older kids: Before camp starts, a couple of weeks in advance, put quick lawn grass seed in containers. We used styrofoam cups. It gets tall really fast. One camp day have the kids paint flower pots with faces on them. Put the grass containers in them and let them give them haircuts and take them home. The grass will keep growing so they can do it over and over again. My 3 year olds called ours "Mr. Grassy Head". Order an ant farm. They are cheap and interesting. The old peanut butter on pinecone birdfeeder. Make treats/snacks that incorporate fresh herbs, letting them do the herb snipping and assembling. The different kinds of mint are really interesting to kids, chocolate mint especially. You could google "homemade wind chime" and find those to make. Also you can paint stones to look like ladybugs or really anything, spray with clear coat and they can put it in their garden at home. Edible seeds. Nuts. In and out of shells. Lots of kids can't identify anything past sunflower seeds, peanuts and pecans. There are so many cool looking ones! Earthworms and ladybugs can be put into soil/garden. Leaf rubbings (or any nature item, really) with crayon. Water spray bottle fights. Dirt cup snacks - pudding, crushed oreos, gummy worms. Have kids crush the oreos themselves. (I use mini ones, just easier) in a ziplock. We make the pudding (instant) too, right then. They can assemble theirs, my preschoolers need help. Fill a large washtub with water and use all kinds of natural objects to play "will it sink or float?". It is interesting which fruits do and don't, as well as other items. Suncatchers with real flowers or leaves (or anything) pressed between clear contact paper. Curling ribbon to hang. They don't last permanently, but alstroemeria keeps its color a long time and you can find it at any grocery store. And you can hang them all up outside during the camp. Cut white carnations will draw up food colored water and you can see it on the petals. Sometimes this works better than others, there may be a flower that works more consistently. And it will take the whole week before you can see much difference. So that might be a take home... If they bring a white t-shirt from home, they can decorate it with "nature's paint" :-) rub on flower petals, make grass stains, some pollens are incredibly durable. If you put a leaf between the fabric (like inside the shirt) and have them pound it with a hammer, it will make the shape on the shirt. Actually, that works well with zinnias and marigolds, too. Demo how to make a cutting and put one for each child in water on the first day. You'll probably have the start of roots by the end of the week and they can take it home or plant it in styrofoam cups. That and the carnation are just great ways to demonstrate how root systems work. I know lots of those are more crafty than outdoor actvities... but it is a start. Google "kids nature camp activities" or something similar and you will find tons of stuff!

Wow, I really love Kathryn Ireland's work. I had no idea she did a boot camp. If the extra money spent wouldn't cause your family all that much heartburn I would definitely go for it, even though it seemed disorganized at first. It might be worth the $$ just to hang out and pick her brain. As an aside - I had a somewhat familiar experience at my workplace. There was a woman (who worked in a different locale and whom I'd never met in person) who I needed to do something professionally for one of my research projects (run a focus group). All through the planning she seemed totally disorganized and non-committal. But when the time came to do the deal, she was phenomenal and I learned a lot by watching her. Please keep us posted - I hope you go!!

My Abe has been a very good plant, but has declined some since this picture was taken. Mine is by the hot street and blooms usually don't fry but guess we don't get as hot as Las Vegas. I do spray but not so much after June. My Evelyn plant has never been vigorous. I have a friend with two good plants of Evelyn. I think I'll sp my Evelyn this year and try again in a different location. To me Abe is more beautiful and fragrant, and repeats well. Abe with Carefree Beauty to the right :

You did a great job, did you finish it? I would like to see the result of your work. I dream about some RV for traveling, may be someday I will buy one. Now my budget doesn't afford me this. Recently my grandfather proposed me his old sprinter and I am thinking about to renovate it like you did. I am looking for ideas and I liked like your work. I don't need much to have but still there are big work to do. I want to do a place to sleep and to sit. I need a wardrobe for my stuffs, I think under and above the bed will be a place for shelves. Also I think to buy a small stove and fridge. And of course some little things like the lanterns, curtains, bedspread, pillows for decor. I hope I will be able to do all this work soon and to go camping.