ECHO offers one-day and week-long science, stewardship, and design themed day camps during summer break and school vacation weeks.
What happens at ECHO Camp
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. We love kids who care, kids who imagine, kids who are different, kids who know more than us, and kids who are quietly brilliant.
What parents are saying
“Great educational experience. Staff are wonderful with the kids and really appreciate everything ECHO has to offer.”
“Fun, safe and respectful place for kids that is very engaging and my child learned a lot.”
“Fun exciting, way to connect to ECHO, the lake, the greater community…”
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.
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.
ECHO Camp Scholarship
ECHO has limited scholarship funds available for those requiring financial assistance to participate in our camps. ECHO Camp Scholarship Application
Camp Family Handbook
2018 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. See below for full camp descriptions and registration.
Summer Camp Deposit
Summer Camp Refund Policy
Families who cancel two 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 two 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.
Age Range: Entering Grades 1st – 3rd
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
Age Range: Entering Grades 3rd – 6th
Gear up and learn what it takes to become a freshwater biologist. We will go behind-the-scenes with ECHO’s animal care experts and design our own underwater exploration equipment. 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
Register & Pay Deposit
THIS CAMP IS FULL, click here to sign up for waiting list.
Age Range: Entering Grades 1st – 6th
3-2-1 Lift Off! 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
Register for any or all days
THIS CAMP IS FULL, click here to sign up for waiting list.
Age Range: Entering Grades 3rd – 6th
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 waiting list.
Age Age Range: Entering Grades 1st – 3rd
Are you a born builder like Wyldstyle or da Vinci? Team up with us as we build hammers, race cars, and walkers 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
Age Range: Entering Grades 3rd – 6th
Helpless princesses are so once upon a time. Harness your girl power and break out your toolbox, it’s time to rewrite fairytale history! Find a way for Rapunzel to escape her tower, build a boat for Moana to explore beyond the Island, help Little Red Riding Hood get her goodies to Granny’s house. Design the ultimate racetrack for Glitch and build a castle to protect Elsa from icy arctic winds!
Member: $280, Non-Member: $310
Register & Pay Deposit
Age Range: Entering Grades 3rd – 6th
Dive deep into lake science with ECHO and our partner, the Community Sailing Center. 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 hands-on experiments of our own. After exploring the lake’s depths, set sail each afternoon and learn the basics of sailing with the Community Sailing Center.
Member: $390
Non-member: $420
Register through CSC
THIS CAMP IS FULL. Click here to sign up for waiting list.
Age Range: Entering Grades 1st – 3rd
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 waiting list.
Age Range: Entering Grades 3rd – 6th
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
Age Range: Entering Grades 1st – 3rd
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: $310THIS CAMP IS FULL. Click here to sign up for waiting list
Age Range: Entering Grades 1st – 6th
Cut, melt, and reform wax blocks. Deform a wire into a spring. Program minbots to carry out simple tasks. From coding to injecting molding, campers will explore the processes and tech used to make everyday objects. The week will culminate with a visit to a local makerspace to explore the lastest fab-lab technology!
Member: $280
Non-Member: $310
THIS CAMP IS FULL. Click here to sign up for waiting list.
Age Range: Entering Grades 1st – 6th
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