Aynslee Dellacca plays a campfire game with students at Nameless Creek Youth Camp’s Plug Into Nature Camp.
Maribeth Vaughn / Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD – Students from across Hancock County got an education in nature this month, plugging into the environment rather than their iPads.
The 12th annual Plug Into Nature Camp at Nameless Creek Youth Camp had 60 students learning about taking care of the earth, birds, habitats and more with plenty of games, crafts and traditional campfire food throughout the week of July 11-15. The camp is located just south of Greenfield.
“The whole goal is bringing them outside, the whole week, plugging into nature instead of technology,” said program director Brittany Bennett.
This is Bennett’s second year directing the camp, but she’s no stranger to teaching about the environment. Bennett is a New Palestine High School biology and environmental science teacher, and has also worked with Indy Parks as an environmental educator.
“I’ve been doing environmental education since I was in college, so this is my passion,” Bennett said. “When (NCYC Director) Jerry Bell asked me if I’d be interested, I jumped at the chance.”
It’s only a week long, and nature doesn’t always get the memo to cooperate with outdoor education. In 2021, rain all week had Bennett thinking on her feet, always coming up with a Plan B. This year, perfect weather made for a great week, she said, and she’s grateful for the volunteer counselors that assisted, many of whom returned from last year.
The day camp is designed to first give students who may not have a chance financially to go to a traditional summer camp to get an outdoor experience. Registration is then opened to the general public. While normally the camp would have 40 participants, this year registration grew to 60.
Students had small-group and large-group instruction with a different theme each day, including fire safety with a demonstration from local firefighters; water with creek stomping; and a birds demonstration that included a guest speaker funded by the Hancock County Community Foundation.
A group of students gathered around a bonfire in the middle of the day Wednesday, July 13, munching on corn on the cob and playing a story game where one person would tell the line of a tale and another would add to it. Counselor Aynslee Dellacca, an NPHS senior, said she grew up going to Girl Scout camps so she was thrilled to have the opportunity to serve locally. She said an outdoor nature camp helps children develop socially and gain a passion for the great outdoors.
“I love kids more than anything,” Dellacca said. “Being outside, teaching them about nature; it’s more than I could ask for during the summer.”
Bennett said as students are introduced to nature, studies show they will have better mental health and physical health. Developing an appreciation for nature at a young age will hopefully continue to develop as they grow.
But perhaps even more than an appreciation for nature, Bennett said, she hopes the students take away new friendships and confidence in meeting new people. She had students return from last year’s camp noticeably more confident in themselves, she added.
More youth activities are on the horizon for Nameless Creek Youth Camp, Bennett said, including weekend or day camps this fall.
For more on NCYC, visit namelesscreekyouthcamp.com.
