Art classes, summer camps set at Dungeness River Nature Center

Local youths can experience nature as the world's biggest classroom with a number of classes and summer camps that kick off this month.

Children's summer art classes begin on Sunday, June 11, at the Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W. Hendrickson Road, and are scheduled through September.

Art classes will be held in the center's new Cedar Hat classroom which opens through three large garage-style doors to the outside. Materials will be provided. Classes are $10 per child for each class.

Summer day camps begin mid-July and include several popular robotics classes. Registration for art classes is at DungenessRiverCenter.org.

All volunteers and staff working with children have been cleared with a thorough background check, organizers note.

All art classes, geared for children 4-11 years old, begin with a short lesson on nature before children begin work on a related craft. All creations go home with the maker.

Parents and/or guardians must stay on with the child for art classes rather than dropping them off. Participants are asked to arrive at 1 p.m. but if a child completes their craft early, parents/guardians and their child/children do not need to stay until 3 p.m.

Art classes

• Sunday, June 11 — Paint a Pot, Plant a Seed.

Learn about seeds and plants, then paint a small pot to put them in.

• Sunday, June 25 — More Tree Cookies, Please

Learn about trees and decorate a wooden "tree cookie" with paint. Youths can either turn their craft into a necklace, a coaster or an ornament.

More classes are scheduled for July 9 and 23, Aug. 6, Sept. 3 and 17. Check DungenessRiverCenter.org or contact education manager Montana Napier at [email protected] for details.

Summer camps

Designed for children who love nature, enjoy science-based learning or just being outdoors, the center's summer camps have several full and partial youth scholarships are available. All day camp registration is online at DungenessRiverCenter.org.

• Olympic Discovery Trail Bike Camp

9 a.m.-noon, Tuesday-Thursday, July 18-20

Ages 8-14

Cost: $175

Experience the trail from Diamond Point to the Elwha River in this three-day adventure. Campers will travel through forests and farmlands, cross rivers and creeks, look for wildlife, and enjoy spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

• Creative Robotics Camp and Animal Parade

9 a.m.-noon, Monday-Thursday, July 31-Aug. 3

Ages 10-14

Cost: $200

In this camp, students will be combining art and technology to make their own robotic parade floats. The floats will be built out of common materials like cardboard, paint and paper and brought to life through coding, motors, lights and a variety of components.

• Girls in Science Camp

9 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday-Friday, Aug. 9-11

Ages: 8-12

Cost: $275

This camp will immerse young girls in science, observation and the great outdoors. They will explore different areas of the Dungeness River while learning about the plants and animals that live there. Girls in Science will also focus on collaboration and confidence building through teamwork and adventure.

• Dirty Tires Bike Camp

9 a.m.-noon, Tuesday-Thursday, Aug. 15-17

Ages: 9-14

Cost: $175

This camp will help young bikers to build skills and confidence riding a mountain bike through the forested trails of Miller Peninsula State Park and Dungeness Trails. Campers will specifically work on how to negotiate and pedal through obstacles, proper braking and bike body separation.

• Creative Robotics Camp: Critters

9 a.m.-noon, Monday-Thursday, Aug. 21-24

Ages: 10-14

Cost: $200

In this camp, students will combine art and technology to make critters (real or imagined) out of common materials like cardboard, paint, and paper and bringing them to life through coding, motors, lights, and a variety of components.