Welcome to the Watershed Nature Camp. Your child will experience nature every day and return home brimming with excitement. On a typical summer day, our campers venture into the woods to explore under logs, out into the meadow to catch butterflies, or down to the stream to explore watery worlds. Led by our amazing staff, our campers enjoy fresh air, make new friends, and receive a healthy dose of adventure. While our offerings vary in each camp week, our underlying values are threaded through each day.
At the Watershed Nature Camp, we believe that every child deserves a chance to experience a summer exploring the outdoors with their peers. In everything we do, we uphold and instill these values: We respect the land, the plants, the animals, the people, and ourselves.
Campers will spend most of their time exploring our 950-acre Watershed Reserve of fields, forests, trails, ponds, and streams. They will also have access to the exhibits and animal ambassadors inside the nature center. The Watershed Institute is a non-profit dedicated to keeping New Jersey’s water clean, safe, and healthy. We’re excited that after five years Wargo Pond will be part of the camp experience again. Campers will examine the wildlife in and on the pond, and practice age-appropriate paddling skills.
Registration process:
Thanks to the generous support of individual and corporate donors, approximately 25% of our campers receive scholarships through our partner organizations serving historically under-resourced communities.
Watershed Nature Camp is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to work with all ages of nature campers. CITs will engage with campers during hikes and games and work as a team with staff counselors to fulfill the goals and values of Watershed Nature Camp. Volunteers must be age 15 by June 22, 2026 to apply. (Exceptions will be made for former campers who are rising 10th graders.) Questions can be sent to [email protected].
“Our kids had a wonderful time at camp this summer. Thanks so much. “
“First and foremost — thank you for all that you do. My son comes home every day excited for the day he had and even more excited for the next one coming. Your programs are incredible and we can’t thank you enough for making this possible for him.”
“Watershed camp was my daughter’s favorite camp of the summer. She’ll be back for more weeks next summer! Thanks 
“
“Our daughter had another grand two weeks at the Watershed Summer Camp in 2025. What a great program you are offering! Thank you so much.”
“If there’s a platform where your camp is usually rated, I would rate the experience we had this summer there 5 out of 5 stars”
“My wife and I were extremely pleased and thankful to your camp, staff and for your great work.“
“Thank you for a wonderful summer at camp. My kids had a great time and are already talking about next summer.
The CITs and Counselors have been amazing. The kids have shared how much they liked them.”
“We are very thankful for a summer of adventures and less devices.”
“Our family really appreciated being at The Watershed. Several of the children had been to Nature camp and were wearing their tie-dye shirts for the occasion. One parent told me that their child’s former fear of thunderstorms, after the camp experience, was resolved (likely due to the calm and professional response of leaders to thunder during camp).”
“Thank you for providing such a fun and memorable camp experience for my daughter. She had such a wonderful time and I loved hearing about her adventures visiting the Butterfly House and finding crayfish in the stream. Those moments really stood out and sparked so much excitement and curiosity.
I’m very grateful for the scholarship my daughter received allowing her to participate at the Watershed this Summer. I truly appreciate the care, enthusiasm and creativity all of the counselors and staff put into every day of camp. It made a lasting impression and my daughter is already looking forward to hopefully coming back next Summer. With Heartfelt Thanks,” (parent of a scholarship camper)
My daughter had a fantastic time – came home animated, yet tired, every day from all the fun.
…It’s the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and learning.
Wonderful people with great experiences in a beautiful setting!
For families with high school students, please explore the immersive, weeklong courses in environmental science in Watershed Academy.
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