Summer Camp 2025
Gardening Season!
Eco-J Summer Camps are full-day outdoor, nature-based camps that get children excited about and engaged with the natural world. Each week-long camp explores a different focus within the summer’s theme with age appropriate hands-on investigations, art projects, games, and more. Each day features time for campers to participate in free choice activities, create, play, and discover.
Experienced Staff
Our full-time staff leads a team of dedicated, paid college interns.
Comprehensive Training
Interns undergo a two-week training program covering instructional skills, emergency procedures, and child management techniques.
Certified in First Aid & CPR/AED
All staff are equipped to respond to emergencies.
Summer Camps 2025
Cost for 1 week session:$250
Camps run: Monday-Friday
- 9:00am-3:00pm: Monday-Thursday
- 9:00am -1:30pm: Friday
Early Care: 7:30-9:00am daily during camp
Back again this year, is our “Early Care” option. We offered this for the first time last summer to make mornings a breeze for busy parents or guardians and provide a seamless transition into our exciting camp activities. Available from 7:30 am to 9:00 am Monday-Friday, this optional early drop-off service ensures a stress-free start to your child’s day.
For just $55 for the entire camp week, “Early Care” provides a nurturing setting where campers can gather, play games, and connect with friends before the official start of camp. Whether you have multiple drop-offs or are heading to work, this new program is designed to offer a convenient and engaging way to kickstart the day’s adventures. Give your child the gift of a smooth morning routine with EJC’s Summer Camp Early Care!
After Care: 3:00-4:00pm Monday-Thursday during camp
New this year, is our “After Care” option. For just $30, this add on is available from 3:00-4:00pm for 4 days of camp: Monday-Thursday. (After care will not take place on Fridays of camp because of the family Lead and Learn event and the early end time of 1:30pm).
This optional extension is aimed at giving busy parents or guardians a bit more wiggle room at the end of the camp day for pick up. Campers will enjoy all the same benefits of our early care program in the last hour of their time at EJC relaxing and playing games with camp staff and fellow campers before it’s time to go home for the day. A fun end to a day of camp adventures!
Ages 6-8 – Garden Adventures
June 16-20 OR July 14-18
Are you ready roll up your sleeves and dive into an unforgettable adventure? Get your hands dirty planting seeds, hunting for fascinating insects and busy pollinators, and harvesting your very own vegetables! This camp is your ticket to discovering the magic of how plants grow and why certain crops make the best neighbors. Get excited to meet our friendly alpacas and chickens up close and uncover how they help our gardens thrive. Take your summer to the next level with Garden Adventures camp to explore, learn and grow like never before!
Ages 6-8 – Garden Adventures
June 23-27
Unleash your creativity and get your hands dirty in this one-of-a-kind artistic gardening camp! Each day is packed with fun as you dive into unique art projects inspired by nature and spend time nurturing your very own gardens here at Eco-J. Hang with our alpacas and chickens, discover the magic of growing vegetables and flowers from seed, explore the fascinating plant life cycle, and craft stunning works of art using natural materials. Dig into the soil, spark your imaginations, and create something extraordinary with Garden & Create camp this summer!
Ages 12-14 – Garden & Cook
July 7-11
Embark on a farm-to-table adventure where you’ll bring garden plots to life and transform fresh produce into delicious creations! Master basic horticulture skills, dive into the wonders of composting, and uncover the secrets of companion planting. Meet our hardworking alpacas, chickens, and beneficial insects to see how they help the farm thrive. Every day you’ll roll up your sleeves in the garden and whip up a mouthwatering farm fresh recipe. Get ready to grow, learn, and cook like a true farm-to-table chef! What tasty masterpiece will you create this summer at Gardening & Cooking camp?
Things To Know
Additional Camp Information
Drop off time:
- Early Care – 7:30-9:00am Monday – Friday
- After Care ??
Pick up Time
- Early Care – 3:00-3:10pm Monday – Thursday, 1:30pm Friday
- After Care ??
Friday Lead & Learn Event:
Families are invited to join campers at the Eco-Justice Center from 11:30am-1:30pm on Friday, the last day of camp for the Lead & Learn event. Campers will give tours of the Eco-Justice grounds stopping by activity stations for families and campers to learn together and share about the week’s adventures. Pack a picnic lunch to share as a family and sample produce from the gardens in the dish prepared by campers for families to try.
Daily Schedule of Activities:
The week prior to the start of camp, families will receive an email with more information on the activities scheduled for each day of the week to help prepare for camp!
Packing List:
- Children should bring the following items with them each day:
- Water bottle
- Lunch and snack (these will not be provided)
- Wear clothing appropriate for the weather and for being outdoors
- Durable, comfortable shoes, like tennis shoes (no flip flops)
- Bug spray and/or sunscreen (if needed)
- Hat and/or sunglasses (if needed)
Tuition Help:
Eco-Justice is committed to making its programs available to all. Need-based tuition waivers are available while resources last, pending an application process. Contact Katie Flannery at (262) 681-8527 x2 or katie@ecojusticecenter.org for more information.
Safety Guidelines:
The Eco-Justice Center will follow regulations set by the Racine Health Department and guidelines for summer programming outlined by the CDC. We are implementing these policies to protect the safety of all participants and staff.
- If you, your child or a member of your household is at higher risk for severe illness we advise you to seek advice from your primary care providers to assess risks and determine if attendance is appropriate.
Volunteer Positions:
Summer Camp Assistant
This volunteer position is open to high school students between the ages of 14-18 years old. Assist in providing safe, fun, educational experiences for children ages 6-14 in our summer camps. Summer Camp Assistants interact with children, helping them feel comfortable, included, and proud of their participation. Summer Camp Assistants learn professional work skills and receive mentorship from Summer Camp Interns and Eco-Justice Center staff. Applications due no later than 5pm on May 3.
Summer Camp Assistant Application
Adult Programs
Needle Felting Gnomes
Learn how to needle-felt from an expert! Sr. Janet Weyker will lead you through the steps to make a three-dimensional gnome using colored wool and barbed needles. You will leave with a gnome you constructed as well as a barbed needle to use for your future creations.
For participants ages 12 & up (children under 18 must attend with a participating adult).
May 3 – 9:30am-12:00pm
Cost:
- $30 for new felters
- $20 for returning felters
Family Program
Needle Felting Gnomes
Welcome the first days of spring with our Spring Equinox Celebration at the Eco-Justice Center! On the equinox, the length of day and night is nearly equal everywhere in the world. Celebrate the days of warmth ahead with engaging exploration and planting activities for the whole family. Set your intention for the season of growth to come and discover the wonders of early spring time on the Eco-J grounds! Activities will be available the duration of the drop in event.
For participants of all ages.
Saturday, March 22 – 9:30am-11:00am
Cost:
- Free with a suggested donation of $5
No registration necessary, this is a drop in event.