ECHO offers one-day and week-long science, stewardship, and design themed day camps during summer break and school vacation
Set against the backdrop of the bustling Burlington Waterfront, a day at ECHO camp can move from an impromptu, behind-the-scenes observation of ECHO’s animal care activities to a lakeside game of Turtle Tag to an underwater robot-enabled search for Champ.
General Info
AFTERCARE: Aftercare is available until 5:00pm for $12/day. Aftercare sign-up is done morning-of and must be paid in cash or check.
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS: ECHO has limited scholarship funds available for those requiring financial assistance to participate in our camps. Click here to apply.
CAMP FAMILY HANDBOOK: Click here for more info
CONTACT: Call Noella at 1.802.864.1848 Ext. 141
or email camps@echovermont.org.
Camp Staff
Our stellar camp team is composed of year-round ECHO educators, seasonal staff with backgrounds in science and education, and members of ECHO’s environmental teen leadership program. We believe the intimate, responsive atmosphere of our camps is what makes ECHO Camps a truly engaging experience. Therefore, we ensure a low instructor-to-child ratio of approximately 1:6. Past guest instructors have included scientists from UVM’s Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Lab, members of ECHO’s animal care team, and robotic engineers from Greensea Systems Inc.
Summer Camps
ECHO offers a selection of exciting week-long science, stewardship, and design themed day camps for children entering 1st-6th grade from late-June through late-August. Aftercare available until 5 pm for $12/day.
Please note: Internet Explorer is not supported by our registration system. Our system supports Chrome, Safari, Firefox.
Summer Camp Deposit
Summer Camp Refund Policy
Families who cancel four weeks prior to the start of their camp(s) will receive a refund less a $25 check processing fee. No refunds will be issued within four weeks of a camp’s start date. However, fees may be transferred in full to a future camp. Should ECHO need to cancel a camp for any reason, you will be notified and given a full refund. We are unable to prorate week-long camps due to planned or unexpected absences.
Selecting from our awesome array of turtles, campers will investigate a turtle from ECHO’s collection. You’ll get up-close with snapping and other native turtles, explore their habitats, and share what you discover with friends and families during a special camp reception at week’s end.
Member: $280, Non-member: $310
This camp is full. Click here to sign up for the waitlist.
Dive deep into lake science as we investigate life beneath the lake’s surface by designing plankton nets, secchi discs, and invertebrate samplers. We will discover how scientists study Lake Champlain by doing some hands-on engineering of our own. Capping off the week, campers will head out on UVM’s Melosira Research Vessel to conduct their very own field study!
Member: $280, Non-member: $310
What are the forces needed to launch a rocket? Join us each day as we investigate thrust, drag, lift, and more. We will put our knowledge to the test as we design, build, and launch a different rocket each day. How high will yours go?
Member: $60/day, Non-member: $65/day
NOTE: Monday is full.
Get into Adventure Mode during this hands-on Minecraft camp. Each day, we will tackle a new engineering challenge inside and out of the Minecraft universe. We will design and craft real siege weapons, rockets, ziplines, and more, while conquering team challenges in themed Minecraft Adventure Maps.
Member: $295, Non-member: $325
This camp is full. Click here to sign up for the waitlist.
Are you a born builder like Wyldstyle or da Vinci? Team up with us as we build balances, race cars, and windmills using motorized Legos and other hands-on materials. We will explore the science of simple and complex machines, see how we use them in everyday life, and invent our own original contraptions.
Member: $295, Non-member: $325
This camp is full. Click here to sign up for the waitlist.
Have a maker in your family? In this hands-on, minds-on, all girls camp we will create, build, and tinker as we work to create unique contraptions and solve engineering challenges. We will cap the week off by visiting a local Makerspace to learn and create with some local makers.
Member: $280, Non-member: $310
Did pirates once terrorize our waterways? Are there such things as freshwater mermaids? In this imaginative offering, campers will experience high-seas style fun while exploring ECHO’s model shipwreck, searching for treasure on the waterfront, and hunting for Champ in the Lake. So, arrrrrrr you in?
Member: $280, Non-member: $310
This camp is full. Click here to sign up for the waitlist.
Step up to the competition field as we design, construct, and program robots to complete critical missions to save Lake Champlain. Graduating from mini-bots to LEGO mindstorms, campers will explore the world of robotics while learning about the real world problems facing our watershed.
Member: $295, Non-member: $325
This camp is full. Click here to sign up for the waitlist.
In this camp, children will become familiar with the biology, life cycle, and habitats of the Lake Champlain Basin’s native frogs. Over the course of the week, they will apply this knowledge to build an infographic display. They will then present their work to their families at week’s end.
Member: $280, Non-member: $310
Join us for the week as we tour the United States. We’ll be on a quest of fun as we explore ECHO’s Summer exhibit Trivial Pursuit: A 50-State adventure.
Member: $280, Non-member: $310
The force returns as ECHO campers work together to conquer Star Wars-inspired design challenges. We will tackle droid programming, lightsaber design, and more, all while exploring the mysteries of our own galaxy.
Member: $120, Non-member: $130