GLEN HELEN ECOCAMP
experience community - connect with nature - find joy
Since 1974, Ecocamp has provided countless opportunities for campers to experience the beauty of Glen Helen Nature Preserve up close, while creating a safe space for them to build community, connect with friends - old and new - and gain new skills as they build self-confidence.
Registration for Ecocamp 2025 is OPEN!
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What's Glen Helen Ecocamp?
Ecocamp has been a summer tradition since 1972! We offer weeklong day, progressive, and overnight camps based out of the Outdoor Education Center in Glen Helen Nature Preserve. While each camp has a different theme, we strive to inspire campers to be curious lifelong learners through exploration, to create friendships and community at camp, and to create joy throughout their experience with us. If you are curious about Ecocamp is all about, please check out our 2024 Wrap-Up Video!
What's New for Ecocamp 2025?
We are very excited to introduce new campers to the wonders of the Glen as well as welcome all returners with fun, new activities. We are offering our classically popular camps such as Wilderness Living, D&D, Raptor, and Nocturnal Camp. but we have added a few new options to the schedule:
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Animal Encounters (Ages 7-14) - Get an up close encounter with our ambassador animals. You will learn all about caring for animals, from reptiles to raptors!
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Friends in the Outdoors (Ages 10-15) - Spend the week adventuring with new friends all while discovering something new about the environment and yourself.
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Green Jobs (Ages 13-15) - Investigate rewarding Green Jobs that can take you deep into the forest. We will meet professional guests from the Ohio Division of Forestry and explore careers you didn’t know existed!
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Whimsy (Ages 9-11) - Created by popular demand and kind camper petitioning, we will be hosting our very first Whimsy overnight camp! Because you are never too old to frolic through the forest searching for mystical creatures with friends.
Each Ecocamp is a week long, Monday through Friday, and is 1 of 3 types: day, progressive, or overnight.
Every camper will receive one Ecocamp shirt upon registering.
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Day Camp - For our youngest group of children, ages 5-8, involving
daily 9a drop-off and 3:30p pick-up. $315/week
Extended care is available to Day campers Monday
through Thursday, with pick-up at 5:30p for an additional $30/week.
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Progressive Camp - For ages 7-11 looking to get their feet wet with
an overnight experience! $360/week
Drop-off Monday through Thursday at 9a, and pick-up Monday
through Wednesday at 5:30p.These campers will only sleep overnight
on Thursday with a Friday pick-up at 3:30p.
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Overnight Camp - Older campers ages 8-17, including the Leaders
In Training program! Overnight camps $400-$715/week
Overnight campers will be dropped off Monday morning at 9a
and spend the night until pick-up on Friday afternoon at 3:30p.
Registration
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To register you will first need to create an account for your household or log-in to a previously created account.
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If you are registering more than one child you may do so within a single account.
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Select which camp options your child would like to attend and any desired options (extended care, merchandise, scholarship donations, etc.).
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Every camper will receive one Ecocamp shirt upon registering for the season and additional attire may be purchased at Friday pick-up.
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Several forms are required upon registering and may be completed or updated prior to the start of your child’s camp.
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As summer approaches and registration for camps fill, campers may be placed on a waitlist for the specific camp of their choice.
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Deposits for Day/Progressive Camp ($50) and Overnight Camp ($100) are non-refundable and due at time of registration for each camp reservation.
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Camp fees are due in full by May 2, 2025 for all camps.
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All unpaid balances as of May 3rd will be processed by our staff using the last credit card on file.
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Any camp registration completed after May 3rd must be paid in full.
Cancellations
The $50.00 or $100.00 deposits are non-refundable and are required to hold your camper’s spot. If a camper's attendance must be canceled the remaining balance will be refunded to those who notify us at least 14 days prior to the Monday of their camp session.
No refunds will be made to those who cancel after this time frame.
If Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center cancels a camp for any reason all camp fees will be refunded in full, included deposit fees. A partial refund can also be refunded if the camper becomes ill and can provide a dated memo from a doctor to verify their condition.
If a camper needs to transfer the week of camp they will be attending, please contact us as soon as possible
to discuss the available options to provide space for a child that has been placed on the waiting list.
Available Discounts
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Early Bird Discount: Receive a 5% discount for early registration by January 31, 2025.
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Glen Helen Association Membership Discount: Glen Helen Association Spicebush members or higher (≥ $120 contribution/year), are eligible to receive a 10% discount off their first Ecocamp of the year for immediate family members. Please forward camper's name and the name of Glen Helen Association Member to mturner@glenhelenassociation.org or call our office at 937-767-7648. The discount will be applied to your account balance after the provided information has been confirmed.
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Bring-a-Friend Discount: If you invite any friends to camp who have never been to Glen Helen Ecocamp before, you are eligible for a 10% discount for each friend that registers who you have referred! Please forward your registered camper's name and the friend(s) they are bringing. Discount will be applied after the friends registration is complete.
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Outdoor School Student's First Ecocamp: If you attended Outdoor School you are eligible for a 10% discount on your first camp. Please forward the name of your school and the dates attended. The discount will be applied to your account balance after the provided information has been confirmed.
Scholarships
With support of generous donors, Glen Helen Eco-Scholarships are made available to legal residents of the Village of Yellow Springs, students of Yellow Springs Schools, and a limited number of other need-based applicants. We believe that the summer camp experience is one of the most valuable experiences a child can have. Our hope is to make that experience available to every child!
Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2025. Physical copies of our scholarship application can be found here or completed online here. Please submit an application for each child within the household requesting scholarship support. You will hear from us by April 28th with an awarded scholarship amount. Please direct questions regarding scholarships and/or the application process to Meigan Turner, OEC Operations Manager, at mturner@glenhelenassociation.org or call our office at 937-767-7648.
Please consider donating with your registration to help provide the Glen Helen experience to a camper in need!
Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment
Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center is a proud Afterschool Care Enrichment (ACE) provider for the state of Ohio. The Ohio ACE program provides funds for eligible students and families to use on various enrichment and education activities. This program has been extended to September 2025 and you can learn more about the program here. ACE program funds can cover $345 per Ecocamp. Preferred payment method is direct family reimbursement. Please contact our office to receive an itemized invoice for submission.
Questions?
Please reach out to Meigan Turner, OEC Operations Manager,
at 937-767-7648 or MTurner@glenhelenassociation.org
© Glen Helen 405 Corry Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387 (937) 769-1902