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Wildlife Hotline
614-793-WILD
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Summer Wildlife Camps

OWC is one of only a handful of wildlife centers in the nation that offers children the unique opportunity to interact with wild animals.  These are fun-filled, action-packed weeks at a working wildlife center. Campers take a hands-on role in learning about Ohio’s native wildlife, including the care and husbandry of our resident animals, hikes, biosurveys, nest box monitoring and other nature conservation activities.

Registration begins for members on March 1, non-members can register beginning March 15.  Please note, space is limited, so send in your form quickly to ensure your child's place in camp. Download a REGISTRATION FORM.

Want to register early?  Download a MEMBERSHIP FORM.

One way to help conserve and restore natural ecosystems is by reducing the trash we make and the packaging we buy.  OWC strives to help children make connections between their actions and their environment. 

We ask that campers bring 100% waste-free lunches so we can significantly reduce the waste we send to landfills.  Waste-free means all contents of your lunch are consumable and/or reusable.  For example:

  • Carry lunch boxes/bags instead of paper bags
  • Store sandwiches in storage containers instead of plastic bags
  • Use refillable drink bottles rather than juice boxes

Don't forget to label all items so they go home with the right children each day.

OWC - Day CampsGet a little WILD this summer!

 

Camp Scholarships
OWC keeps a list of children who want to attend Summer Wildlife Camp, but cannot due to financial constraints.  These children are recommended by teachers or child welfare organizations.  Please contact our offices to add a child to our list.  As scholarships become available, we contact families on the list. 

Interested in sponsoring a child?
Call our offices, and we can gather the necessary information over the phone.  Thank you for helping OWC foster appreciation for wildlife and conservation education.

 

OWLETS Preschool Half-Day Camp, Ages 4-6


Owlets Preschool Wildlife Camp (1/2 days)

Owlets preschoolers enjoy 3 half-days (choose either AM or PM session) of hands-on immersion in nature through hikes, games, stories and the opportunity to learn how to feed and care for the resident wild animals at OWC, such as small turtles, squirrels, birds, opossums and rabbits. Fifteen children in each session will be led through the activities by three preschool teachers and wildlife day camp counselors in activities that introduce them to up-close encounters with nature in woodland, aquatic and meadow habitats on our 20-acre facility. A nutritious snack is provided each day.

2012 Owlet Camp Dates

July 2-4 (choose either morning or afternoon session)
July 9-11 (choose either morning or afternoon session)
August 13-15 (choose either morning or afternoon session)

Download a REGISTRATION FORM.

WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS CAMP, Ages 7-12

Wildlife Explorers
Outdoor wildlife lovers…this is the camp for you!  Join us for an exciting week immersed in learning about the wild animals in our midst, when and why wild animals come in conflict with people and the rehabilitation process of injured and ill animals at the Ohio Wildlife Center.  We will spend time each day feeding and caring for our resident wild animals such as opossums, woodchucks, snakes and turtles, squirrels and chipmunks and many more.  Through outdoor games, hikes and aquatic bio-surveys, we will find out how our Ohio species adapts to a variety of habitats and challenges as the seasons change around us.  (June 18-22 or June 25-29)


Wildlife Imaginarium
For our creative, artistic and technologically savvy animal lovers, you will enjoy an amazing week of hands-on activities with wildlife at the Ohio Wildlife Center as we design and prepare a variety of enrichment activities for our resident animals.  We will give animals various enrichment opportunities each day, observe and record their interactions with the items and learn in depth about wildlife behavior and adaptations.  We will feed and care for several animals daily and feature a wild animal each day for an art or enrichment activity.  Bring your imagination, technology and design curiosity and love of wildlife!  OWC provides the art and enrichment materials.  (July 16-20 or July 23-27)


Wild Care Camp
Wildlife lovers who want to explore pre-veterinary, animal keeping and biology sciences will not want to miss this camp!  With daily hands-on practice in care, handling and diet preparation, we will study the health and nutritional needs of wildlife.  We will also learn how to do animal exams, read x-rays, bandage wounds and calculate medications.  Through many of our outdoor activities we will take a close look at adaptations and how and why wildlife sometimes has conflict  with humans and may need rehabilitation care for a second chance in the wild. (July 30-Aug 2 or Aug 6-10)

Download a REGISTRATION FORM.

Photos from Camp

The Red-tailed hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey found throughout North America. It is generally non-aggressive toward humans and other birds and is an opportunistic feeder with a diet mostly of small mammals. Raccoons are opportunistic eaters and can be avoided by keeping garbage and compost piles secure, and keeping pet food inside. Photo by Scott Schisler American bullfrogs are common in Ohio and recognized by their deep, throaty song. Photo by Dr. Don Burton Canada goslings are born in the spring and by fall are mature and ready to fly south with their flock. Photo by Katherine Clifton Coyotes were introduced to Ohio and have thrived in urban environments. This coyote, Hope, was unreleasable because she was hand-raised by humans before sent to OWC, and so lacks certain survival skills. Photo by Sue Simunich Mother deer tell their fawns to stay still and low (often curled up) all day while she is away. She will return at dusk and likely move them to a new spot. This is a safety precaution for the fawns, but many times fawns are mistaken to be orphans because of it. Photo by Scott Schisler Black rat snakes are native Ohio snakes. This snake resides at OWC because of injuries that would compromise its ability to survive in the wild. Photo by Sue Simunich. The Chukar is a game-bird in the pheasant family, originally from Asia but introduced to the United States. This Chukar is Tori, who resides at OWC. Photo by Sue Simuncich This male American Kestrel also resides at OWC and can be seen at the center’s outdoor wildlife display. Photo by Deb Keller You may see Eastern Gray squirrels like this in your backyard, consuming seeds, acorns, insects, eggs and other nuts. Photo by Sue Simunich The population of the Leopard frog is decreasing due to pollution and deforestation. They are often good indicators for environmental problems because of their sensitivity to chemical pollutants found both in the air and the water. Photo by Sue Simunich Most Snapping turtles eat plants, small mammals, fish and birds and are quick to take off your finger if you get too close. Photo by Sue Simunich Despite what it looks like, those big tuffs on the top of this Great-horned owl’s head are not ears. To predators, they may look like an easy way to grab the owl, but they are actually just feathers. Photo by Sue Simunich The American Bald Eagle is an endangered species. Photo by Katherine Clifton Male Cardinals are recognized by their bright red appearance. Photo by Scott Schisler The Eastern Fox snake resides in Ohio, Michigan and parts of Canada in flat, marshy areas. Fox snakes will eat primarily small rodents, but will also eat small birds, rabbits and other small animals. Photo by Sue Simunich The wings of the male Kestrel are slate-blue. Females are rusty to match the back feathers. Photo by Deb Keller Flying squirrels are one of the most common squirrels in Ohio, although they are rarely seen because they are nocturnal (meaning they are awake at night time). Photo by Deb Keller Red fox kits stay with their mother and siblings for several months and then go off on their own typically in July. Foxes are generally shy animals. Photo by Scott Schisler The Painted turtle is a reptile that is common in southern Canada, the US, and Mexico and is related to other water turtles like sliders and cooters. They live in ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers with muddy bottoms. Photo by Deb Keller Great horned owls hunt at night by waiting on a high perch to swoop down on prey. They eat small to medium-sized mammals like rats, voles, skunks and rabbits. Photo by Deb Keller Blanding’s turtles are a semi-aquatic species found mostly near the Great Lakes regions. Photo by Sue Simunich The Virginia Opossum is about the size of a house cat and “plays dead” as a defense mechanism from predators. Photo by Sue Simunich White-tailed deer have been forced to adapt to urban environments as their natural home is being destroyed by human development. Photo by Katherine Clifton Canada geese are dedicated parents and very social. When one goose is fatigued while flying, they will make sure it is not alone while it rests and will fly in shifts. Photo by Katherine Clifton Bobwhite quails are ground-dwelling birds found in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Photo by Deb Keller Raccoon mothers will call out to their young should they fall from a tree or get lost. As long as she sees them or hears their cries, she will do whatever it takes to retrieve them. Photo by Owen DeWolfe In flight, Red-tailed hawks flap as little as possible to conserve energy. Their flight is slow and deliberate, with deep beats of their wings. Photo by David Harrison The male Red-winged Blackbird fiercely defends his territory during the breeding season. He may spend more than a quarter of all the daylight hours in territory defense. He vigorously keeps all other males out of the territory and defends the nests from predators. He will attack much larger animals, including horses and people. (birds.cornell.edu) Photo by Tripp Braden