Resident - Junior Naturalist Outdoors Adventure Camp

The Resident Junior Naturalist Outdoor Adventure Camp (JNOAC) encourages children, ages 7 to 12, to explore their natural world through participation in Outdoor Adventure Sports, Environmantal Enhancement Projects & Conservation Education. Activities include: Orienteering, Canoeing, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Fly Fishing, Fresh Water Snorkeling, Wilderness  Survival, Tracking, Hiking, Astronomy, Camp Fire Songs, Environmental Enhancement Projects & Conservation Education.

All meals will be healthy and nutritious, and daily physical fitness activities will promote a healthy lifestyle. Campers are encouraged to get dirty, get sweaty, play hard & laugh a lot, while exploring their natural world.

Description:

 Our goal is to cultivate an active lifestyle & love for nature through participation in outdoor adventure sports, conservation education & environmental enhancement projects.

At JNOAC, children learn the importance of protecting their environment through Conservation Education. Campers receive 8 hours of Conservation Education and, are certified as Junior Naturalists. AAS partners with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, several universities, the National Aviary & numerous other private businesses & non profit agencies to provide the best conservation education possible for our campers.

Campers learn to assess and manage risk, water safety, water rescue, wilderness 1st aid and CPR familiarization... tools that will make their daily lives more safe.

Environmental Enhancement Projects give children ownership of their environment, encourages environmental stewardship and places an emphasis on teamwork.

Campers are encouraged to learn at a pace that is comfortable for them. Having one mentor for every seven campers maximizes learning opportunities. Values such as respect, courage, honesty & integrity are our cornerstones.

Our instructors are Swift Water Rescue certified, CPR certified & Wilderness 1st Aid certified. We have several certified Rappel Masters, Lifeguards, Leave No Trace trainers & a Mountaineering Instructor on staff.

To register & learn more, please contact: Lance Snow at 412-607-0152,  lance@americanadventuresports.com    or Camp Founder & Director, Doug Crytzer at (814) 397-4316, doug@americanadventuresports.com

2008 Camp Details:  

"Our adventurer's get to experience nature 1st hand."

"Our campers receive more than 8 hours training from naturalists who are experts in their various fields." 

"Campers learn to climb, rappel, kayak & canoe, & just plain enjoy nature."

"Erin Estell, an expert & trainer of raptor's educates the campers about the worlds largest owl."

"Our campers participate in a variety of environmental enhancement projects. The idea is to give the children ownership through participation in projects that will have a lasting affect. Such as this wetlands observation deck in Yellow Creek State Park."

"Dr. Holly Travis gets kids to do what most kids never thought they would do..... handle all types of insects."

"Give them the tools that they will need for a lifetime of safe exploration and adventure."

Kathleen Ryan, a naturalist with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources DCNR, teaches campers how to get close to nature."

TESTIMONIALS

"Working with the kids & American Adventure Sports was the highlight of my summer. Those kids were motivated from the beginning to the end. The work they did on the Wetland Construction Project was excellent. Without AAS's help this project would not have been able to get off of the ground. Thanks AAS for your hard work & dedication in making Yellow Creek State Park a better place for all visitors to appreciate." Mike Shaffer, Environmental Education Specialist, Yellow Creek State Park

"The staff was very knowledgeable & so good with the kids-made my shy daughter much more confident. It was a wonderful & educational experience & a valuable resource for teaching our children the immense importance of preserving our environment, & allowing them to realize their potential role in that environment. I'd recommend it to anyone." Lyn Potalivo, Erie , PA.

"I cannot express easily how fantastic the JNOAC this summer was for our children. I fully endorse this educational experience for all children. It can do nothing but generate a drive to learn more about the world we live in, and how to get the most out of life by putting more into it."  Joe Schwartz, Indiana, PA.

"Your camp stretched the limits of Matthew's endurance & courage every day. At the same time, he felt safe & respected, & had a blast. Matthew & I went canoeing recently & he taught me some of the techniques that he learned at camp. Impressive!"  Beth Prosser, Harrisburg , PA.

"What an incredible week. We knew that the JNOAC would be a great adventure for our students, but we had no idea what a lasting impression it would make. The patience & skill that your staff demonstrated was exceptional. We can't wait until next year's program." Robert Knipple, Office of Outreach & Professional Services, University of Pittsburgh , Johnstown .

"Everything was perfect! Camp was fun, exciting, energetic & even more fun!!!!!! Madeline Ruzak, Junior Naturalist Camper