Calling all eco-explorers!
New Pioneers is excited to announce: "Where the Wild Things Are" Day Camp for the Summer of 2025! Save the date for June 23-27, 2025 from 9 a.m - 4 p.m. at the Loretto Motherhouse for an unforgettable and immersive experience for all 6-12 year olds.
From connecting with the great outdoors to learning environmental stewardship, this is bound to be a fun-filled and educational week for your little ones!
Registration opens on Monday, February 10th for New Pioneers members, and Saturday, February 15th for all non-members. You can find registration on this page after the corresponding dates. Spots are limited and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
CAMP DESCRIPTION: Do you have a 6-12 year old seeking adventure and outdoor exploration this summer? You’ve come to the right place! “Where the Wild Things Are” Day Camp is the newest nature-focused, education-rooted summer camp right here in Central Kentucky. A collaboration between New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future and the Loretto Community, this day camp will immerse your child in a week of curious, creative, and hope-filled exploration of diverse natural spaces on the Loretto Motherhouse’s expansive, nearly 800-acre property.
With a goal of growing a new generation of curious, resilient, and educated environmental stewards, ”Where the Wild Things Are” brings your child on daily adventures to “wild spaces” - exploring pond, native grassland, forest, and farm habitats - to seek out “wild things” - the myriad of species that also call our community “home”, including worms, birds, and bugs. Oh my!
Each day, youth will gather at the Old Tobacco Barn before splitting into smaller groups rotating between different stations. Activities include: Hiking, creating natural art, playing educational nature games, birding, scavenger hunts, observing nature, wagon rides, and supervised free play. Get ready for our new, local summer camp of the year!
CAMP DETAILS: Camp runs Monday, June 23 through Friday, June 27, 2025 at the Loretto Motherhouse located at 515 Nerinx Rd, Nerinx, KY 40049. Camp starts at 9:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m. each day. Early drop off (8 a.m.) and late pick up (5 p.m.) is available during the registration process for an additional fee.
Camp costs $150 for the full week, per camper. Active New Pioneers members will receive a pricing discount of $25, totaling $125 for the full week, per camper. The cost of attendance includes participation in all five days of camp, snacks throughout camp, learning supplies, and a camp t-shirt. Lunch is NOT provided - participants will pack a “brown bag” lunch each day of camp. For participants needing early drop off and late pick up, families pay an additional $25 for each, which includes early drop off/late pick up for all 5 days of camp (i.e. $50 for both early and late coverage all week).
It is a priority of New Pioneers and the Loretto Community that all children have access to “Where the Wild Things Are”. Scholarships are available on a limited basis for those in need. For more information, email info@newpioneers.org.
Camp will be held fully outdoors, rain or shine. In the case of severe weather, day(s) of camp may be cancelled without refund eligibility. If there should be a reason you need to cancel your registration, all fees but a $25 processing fee will be refundable if cancelled by April 1. There are no refunds after April 1.
Camp is open to youth ages 6-12, who meet age requirements before the first day of camp. There is a maximum of 50 learners and registration will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Youth will be broken into smaller groups according to age, with a minimum ratio of 5:1 youth to adult at all times throughout the week. All adults coming into direct, regular contact with youth will receive a background check and health/safety training.
CAMPER EXPECTATIONS: Each camper is expected to meet the following base expectations in order to successfully, independently attend camp. By submitting your registration, you affirm that your child(ren) meets these expectations.
In appreciation for learners of diverse abilities, we are happy to explore accommodations and encourage you to reach out if your learner is unable to meet these expectations.
Base expectations include:
REGISTRATION PROCESS: Registration for “Where the Wild Things Are” will be conducted through a Google Form. You are not required to have a google email account to submit this form, but an email account is required to maintain communication. Registration will include necessary liability waivers and medical information, and will take roughly 10-15 minutes to complete.
Registration will open on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. for New Pioneers members. At this time, members will receive a direct email from New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future (info@newpioneers.org) to an email address on file. To verify that your email is up-to-date before camp registration opens, email info@newpioneers.org by Friday, February 7.
New members are welcome - and encouraged! - to enroll their membership at any level by Friday, February 7, 2025 to qualify for the early member registration and member rate. Note: Your membership MUST be active at the time of registration and at the time of camp to qualify for the member discount.
Registration will open to the general public on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. The registration form will be posted on our website at that time, linked to this page.
Further questions? Contact info@newpioneers.org or call our office at (859) 336-5070.