Family fun at Crow’s Nest
A camp that enables the whole family to partake in the bounty of fun in nature
This summer, like those in the past at Crow’s Nest Preserve, campers have had the chance to play in the mud, swim in the stream and build swings in the woods. The difference this year, however, is that these activities aren’t intended just for kids. Instead, the approach they took was to create a family camp experience to enable parents to also have the chance to partake in the bounty of fun nature has to offer.
“The stars were aligning, telling us that normal camp wasn’t going to work this year,” said Molly Smyrl, educator and camp director at the preserve located in Elverson, Chester County. “We thought that if we did something in family units it takes away the whole risk of spreading the virus since families are already quarantining together.”
They also felt it would offer a good solution to the fact that many would have to cancel their vacation plans this summer due to the pandemic.
The camp has also given the opportunity to campers of previous years to show their parents all of the fun they’ve been having at the nature-centered camp held on the 712-acre preserve that is abundant with trails and wildlife.
“They get to enjoy doing some of the things the kids would normally do at camp at Crow’s Nest even if they couldn’t do it with their friends as they normally would,” Smyrl said.
It also gave families the chance to have a nice break from their own backyard, such as Sarah Boone and her husband, Rick, and their three girls, Lucy, Stella and Rose, who live in North Coventry Township, Chester County.
“We went to the swimming hole,” said Boone. “The staff greeted us and provided us with some great educational materials and fishing nets for exploring the creek.”
The swimming hole is one of six sites designated for family visits. Families sign up for either a morning or afternoon three-hour slot and they get to choose their location for that time period. The locations of the sites enable families to have plenty of room so they don’t come into contact with other families.
While families don’t typically see one another during their designated time at the preserve, the Crow’s Nest staff typically checksin on families during their visit.
“Our favorite part was visits from the staff to play and splash and just generally entertain the kids for a bit,” Boone said, referring to Smyrl and Serena Hertzog, an intern at the camp this summer, both of whom wore masks when in close contact with families.
When families arrive at the Preserve for camp, they check in by the barn to receive their bag of supplies.
“They have things like a firstaid kit, walkie-talkies,” Smyrl said, adding they also include items specific to the site chosen, such as fish nets for the creek site, rope and a piece of canvas and wood for the forest site.
In case families run out of ideas during their time slot, their supply bag includes a list of activities. Many families signed up for multiple days and multiple time slots.
“We have some families that worked their way through all of the spots,” Smyrl said. “People have had a lot of fun — they are playing in the creek, some parents have been playing in the mud with the kids, they are building hammocks and swings in the woods.”
The four-week camp offering, which officially ends today, has been free of charge this year and can accommodate up to 12 families per day. The success of the camp has Smyrl thinking the Preserve may likely continue offering it next year.
“I would love to do something similar to this in the future,” Smyrl said. “The families have seemed to have had a great time. I think a lot of the parents have wanted to come to camp anyway and this gave them the chance.”
The camp has been a great way for families who are more homebound this summer to keep moving.
“People have really come to appreciate the opportunity to be outside in nature and have the chance to move around and get outside of the house a little bit,” Smyrl said.
Even before the family camp started, the number of visitors to the Crow’s Nest Preserve skyrocketed during the pandemic.
“We’ve been busier this year than ever and people have been visiting all of the Natural Lands’ preserves in record numbers,” said Dan Barringer, Preserve Manager and Invasives Management Coordinator. “We’re so pleased to see people enjoying nature here.”
Visit www.natlands.org/crowsnest-preserve