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Summer Camp

Hiking, stream-stomping and bug-catching are a few of the key ingredients that have made Riverbend's summer camp a sensation since 1982. Riverbend campers aren’t afraid to get a little dirty in our weekly program that runs from mid-June to Labor Day. Children have fun as they connect with nature and build upon skills and knowledge. Our qualified and enthusiastic educators (some who were campers themselves!) guide children in hands-on nature exploration and investigation, games, crafts, hikes and more. Your child’s favorite summer memories await!

Program Updates:

NEW Themes! For the 2025 Summer Camp Season we have created some new themes and reinvented some old ones. Please be sure to check out the new theme description before registering. The 2025 summer themes are:

  • Summer Camp Classics

  • Well & Wild

  • Riverbend Animals

  • Messy Science

  • Sunny Science (McKaig & Wetherill Locations Only)


Thursday Picnics: We will be discontinuing our Thursday Picnics for the 2025 summer season due to staffing constraints.

REGISTER HERE

Program Description by Age Group

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We’re excited to return to McKaig Nature Centerin 2025.

McKaig Nature Education Center and Riverbend Environmental Education Center are excited to continue our partnership in 2025 to bring nature education to the Wayne and King of Prussia area.

  • Location: 889 Croton Rd, Wayne, PA 19087
  • Price: $450 per week.
  • Dates: June 23rd-August 1st
  • Camp Hours: Monday through Friday: 8:45 am - 3:15 pm
LEARN MORE ABOUT MCKAIG SUMMER CAMP

Rangers Program: Age 4 at Wetherill 

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Riverbend offers camp for 4 and 5-year-olds at The Wetherill School in Gladwyne, located just 10 minutes from Riverbend’s main campus. This preschool location includes a forest hiking trail, log circle for songs and stories, and outdoor classroom, plus indoor amenities sized just right for young children who have not yet started Kindergarten. Camp will be run by caring and kind Riverbend camp counselors.

 Please contact our Camp Director, at info@riverbendeec.org with any questions. 

Location: 1321 Beaumont Dr, Gladwyne, PA 19035

Price: $625 per week 

Dates: July 7, 2025- August 15, 2025

Camp Hours: 9:15 am - 4:00 pm

REGISTER HERE
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Adventurers: Ages 5 - 6

Description:

  • Adventurers will explore natural habitats and conduct investigations to discover something new.

Pricing:

  • $660 Per Week

Explorers: Ages 7 - 8

Description:

  • Explorers will conduct science-based experiments in nature and embark on hikes around the preserve.

Pricing:

  • $660 Per Week
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Discoverers: Ages 9 - 10

Description:

  • Discoverers will practice new skills and hike to various habitats around the preserve for exploration.

Pricing:

  • $660 Per Week

Trailblazers Program: Ages 11 - 13 

 

For the 2025 Summer Camp Season, we will only be offering this age group during selected weeks. This year The Trailblazer age group will be offered during the weeks of:

  • June 16-20

  • June 23-27

  • July 7-11

  • August 4-8

  • August 11-5

Description:

Trailblazers will engage in a richer, more immersive experience with the weekly themes, allowing them to dive deeper into the activities and concepts. This age group will explore the topics in greater detail, encouraging critical thinking and hands-on learning that fosters a true connection to each theme. Additionally, they will embark on one exciting trip each week, providing opportunities for real-world exploration and adventure that enhance their understanding and enjoyment of the themes.

Pricing:

  • $630 Per Week

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AND CAMP THEMES HERE

 

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Summer Camp Theme Descriptions

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Summer Camp Classics

Summer Camp Classics is all about celebrating the timeless activities that make camp unforgettable! From cooking over the campfire to stream time, field games, nature hikes, and arts and crafts, campers will enjoy all the classic experiences we know and love. It's the perfect blend of outdoor fun, creativity, and bonding that makes every summer magical!

Wild & Well

Explore the wonders of nature with our Wild & Well theme! Campers will experience the freedom and peace that Riverbend is known for as they engage in guided nature walks, exciting outdoor games, and activities that promote physical activity and emotional well-being. This theme encourages kids to connect with nature and each other in a way that’s so much fun, some have even said Riverbend is “better than a video game!”

Riverbend Animals

Get up close and personal with our furry and scaly friends in the Riverbend Animals program! Campers will have the chance to interact with our beloved camp animals, including guinea pigs, snakes, turtles, and frogs, along with designated stream time for even more exploration in the natural world. This program encourages curiosity and creativity while fostering a love for wildlife. Get ready for an exciting adventure filled with hands-on experiences and plenty of animal fun!

Messy Science

At Riverbend, we are all Scientists, no matter your age or experience level. During our Messy Science camp, campers will practice asking questions, gathering data, and using scientific tools to explore our natural world. Campers will conduct experiments, invent tools, and most importantly, get messy! 

Sunny Science

Dive into the fascinating world of solar energy and weather in our Sunny Science theme! This engaging program is perfect for curious campers who want to explore the science behind the sun and its effects on our environment. Stream time will also be included, offering campers a refreshing way to connect with nature as they explore the elements.

*Only offered at McKaig & Wetherill


Please Note: Wetherill does not have access to a stream. but campers will engage in waterplay in alternative ways.


Registration and Information

Camp Dates & Hours: 

  • Riverbend Preserve Camp Dates: June 9-August 29th
  • Camp will be closed June 19th in observation of Juneteenth and closed July 4th in observance of the Fourth of July
  • Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM with extended care offered in the morning and afternoon.
  • Before care will run from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM and aftercare will run from 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM.
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Camp Tuition at Our Main Location:

Riverbend Summer Camp is committed to providing a nature based, child centric camp experience. Our counselors are integral in creating the community and activities that make your children's summer so great. To give our staff the living wage they deserve, we have increased our camp prices. We thank you for your help in keeping Riverbend a desirable place for talented folks to work with your families.    

 

$660 - Adventurers (ages 5 - 6) per week

$660 - Explorers (ages 7 - 8) per week

$660 - Discovers (ages 9 - 10) per week

$630 - Trailblazers (ages 11 - 13) per week 

Extended care is offered in the morning and afternoon:

  • Before care will run from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Aftercare will run from 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM.
  • Parents can choose the extended care add-on at checkout. Before Care is $75/week. After Care is also $75/week. The cost for both Before Care and After Care is a flat fee of $150/week. 

Registration Policies

  • $100 per week deposit due upon booking. Please note: This is an administration fee and is non-refundable.

  • Transaction fees will be charged in addition to tuition fees and are non-refundable.

  • Tuition balances are due in full and become non-refundable as of June 1, 2025

  • Schedule changes will be accommodated to the best of Riverbend's ability. However, many weeks are full by summer and changes may not be possible.

  • Please Note: All children must be potty trained to participate in Riverbend's summer camp program.

Registration for 2025 Opening Dec. 17th!

REGISTER HERE
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Registration FAQs

Friend Requests:

Our registration form contains a question that will allow you to request that your child be in a particular friend’s camp group. We ask that all friend requests be made at time of registration. We are sorry. We will not be able to accept friend requests via email.

Waitlists:  

We monitor waitlists to get as many campers into camp as possible. Some weeks are more popular than others. We often have plenty of capacity in several weeks of camp. If you prefer that siblings or friends be in the same group, we encourage you to look at available weeks in June and July. Due to the high volume of requests and the dynamic nature of waitlists, we cannot provide you with an estimate of when your child may be released from a waitlist.  

If a slot opens on the waitlist, you will revieve an time-sensitve email to claim your spot. Please note: if you miss the time window, the spot will be sent to the next family on the list.

Age Groups: 

We have arranged our camp by age group to benefit all children in the group. While we can be flexible if your child is within 2-3 weeks of their birthday, we generally will not be able to move children to a different age group.

Caregiver Guide and Health and Safety Information

Guides will be evaluated and is subject to change prior to the first camp week. Watch this space for updated information.

 

SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS

Riverbend is excited to announce that we are offering a limited number of Summer Camp scholarships to families in need. Preference will be given to applicants who are PA ACCESS card holders. If you are in need of financial assistance, please contact Summer Camp Director at info@riverbendeec.org

Donate to Camp Scholarship Fund
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We have great seasonal opportunities for our Summer Nature Camps at our Gladwyne and McKaig Locations!

Why you should work for us:

Riverbend Summer Camp is the perfect place for someone looking for a fun and rewarding job in the great outdoors. Spend your summer outside with us as we nurture the future generation of earth-lovers. If you are considering a career in education or environmental sciences, this job is the perfect resume-builder for you!

Check out our Job Opportunities and apply today!

 

Teen Volunteers Needed!

Educators-In-Training Volunteers (EITs) are important helpers at Riverbend's summer camp. If you love kids and spending summer days outside consider applying to become an EIT to develop your leadership skills and positively impact younger children. Riverbend has six openings every summer for energetic, motivated students to assist with our camp program. EITs must be able to volunteer for a minimum of the three weeks over the course of the summer.

EITs will assist lead and assistant educators with group management, daily activities, modeling of appropriate behavior, and providing nurturing support of campers. They will participate in game playing, nature exploration, field trips, and more. EITs work primarily with our youngest campers and are a vital part to the success of the program.

Please head to our Job Opportunities page to apply TODAY! 

EITs entering their Junior or Senior year in the fall of 2025 will now be paid $10/hr for the three weeks they commit to Riverbend during the 2025 summer season!

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For more information please contact

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Arionna Hart

Camp Director