Published: May 06, 2014 | 09:00 AM

Summer Camps Abound at IRWD San Joaquin Marsh

School will be out for summer before we know it and it’s time to think about summer camp. Look no further than your own back yard – the Irvine Ranch Water District San Joaquin Marsh. Sea and Sage Audubon and the Discovery Science Center are gearing up to once again present their unique summer camps at the Marsh.

Sea and Sage has provided summer nature camps at the Marsh for more than 20 years. The first offering is Fledgling Camp for the younger set – seven and eight year-olds. This camp takes place June 23-27, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Campers will learn observational skills on daily bird nature walks, where they will learn to keep a birding journal. Games, learning songs and doing crafts will keep campers busy.

Marsh Bird Camp sessions are June 23-27 and July 7-11, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Campers will explore all aspects of Marsh bird life, enjoy daily nature walks, see live hawks and owls from a rehabilitator, paint a birdbath, keep a nature journal, do crafts and much more.

Birds, Bugs and Blossoms Camp is July 14-18, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for campers 11 years and older. This camp will cover birds, bugs, and native plants of the neighborhood. Campers will take daily walks, an off-site field trip, enjoy craft activities, learn bird should and participate in a scavenger hunt.

Visit the Sea and Sage Audubon website for information on how to register for camp.

The summer camp partnership between IRWD and the Discovery Science Center is entering its fifth year. Camp offerings are for children ages five through 10.

Summer Smiles camp is geared toward the adventurous five and six-year-olds. Camps will investigate the world of frogs, bats, butterflies and crabs. They will use magnifiers to get an up-close look at butterfly wings, concoct ooey, gooey slime, make a bat box, and grind their own colorful sand. The young explores will learn the purpose of the Marsh’s natural filtration ponds during nature hikes in this scenic setting. The dates for this camp are July 7-11, July 21-25 and August 18-22, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Project Discovery is for youngsters aged seven to 10. Campers will enjoy a series of challenge-based activities, such as testing different models for flight, dropping an egg without breaking it and constructing a catapult. They will get to test their creations in a fun and friendly camp-wide competition. Campers will investigate the secrets of the solar system and take a close look at our planet. Dates for this camp are June 30-July 4, July 14-18, July 28-August 1, August 11-15, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Information about Discovery Science Center summer camps is available on their website.