Children & Family Programs

Spring Equinox Celebration & Open Barn

Sunday, March 19th

Spring Equinox Celebration: 2:00-3:30

Open Barn: 3:30-4:00

Help welcome the first day of spring with our Spring Equinox celebration! On the equinox the length of day and night is nearly equal everywhere in the world.  The Spring Equinox bonfire ceremony is from 2-2:30, followed by seed planting activities for the family from 2:30-3:30.

Learn more about volunteering at Eco-J as a board or committee member at our ‘Open Barn’ from 3:30-4pm. Executive Director MaryLynn Conter Strack, along with Eco-J Board & Committee members will provide a short tour and explanation of their experience as a board or committee member. Learn more here.

Free event for adults and families with a suggested donation of $5 per person.

Summer Camps Are Here!

Eco-J Summer camps are full-day outdoor, nature-based camps that get children excited about and engaged with the natural world. Each week-long camp explores a different theme with age-appropriate hands-on investigations, art projects, games, and more. Each day features time for campers to participate in free-choice activities, create, play, and discover.

Cost for 1-week session: $250

Camps run: Monday-Friday

  • 9:00am-3:00pm: Monday-Thursday
  • 9:00am-1:30pm: Friday

Garden Adventures Summer Camp (Ages 6-8)

June 19-23 OR July 17-21

Are you ready to dig in the dirt, plant seeds, search for insect and bird pollinators, and harvest vegetables? Then this camp is for you! Discover how plants grow and why we grow different plants next to each other. Experience animal encounters with our alpacas and chickens and find out how they help with the gardens. Design your own garden sign, visit a bee hive, and enjoy the magic of watching your own seeds grow at home. Join us for a week of garden adventures!

Registration for Garden Adventures: Ages 6-8 here.

Garden & Create! Summer Camp (Ages 9-11)

June 26-30

Explore the artistic side of gardening in this creative camp! Each day involves an art project in addition to time spent in the garden. Learn to grow vegetables and herbs from seed, explore the plant cycle, and learn about beneficial insects while understanding the value of diversity in the garden. Then tie-dye a bandana and learn about extracting colorful dyes, design garden signs, and make beautiful art with natural materials. Dig, learn, create!

Registration for Garden & Create!: Ages 9-11 here.

Gardening & Cooking Summer Camp (Ages 12-14)

July 10-14

See the complete farm-to-table process as you develop basic horticulture skills to bring garden plots to life and cook with fresh produce. Investigate compost, learn about companion planting, and explore the roles of alpacas, chickens, and beneficial insects. Each day involves preparing a farm-fresh recipe in addition to time spent in the garden. Visit a bee hive and create a recipe using honey, harvest wild black raspberries, and make a delicious dessert. What will you cook up?

Registration for Gardening & Cooking: Ages 12-14 here.

Additional Camp Information

Drop-off time:

  • 8:50-9:00am Monday-Friday

Pick-up time:

  • 3:00-3:10pm Monday-Thursday
  • 1:30pm Friday

Friday Lead & Learn Event:

Families are invited to join campers at the Eco-Justice Center from 11:30am-1:30pm on Friday, the last day of camp for the Lead & Learn event. Family pods will remain together as campers give tours of the Eco-Justice grounds and facilitate an activity for families and campers to learn together. Pack a picnic lunch to share as a family pod and sample fresh-picked produce from the gardens in the dish prepared by campers for families to try.

Daily Schedule of Activities:

The week prior to the start of camp, families will receive more information on the activities scheduled for each day of the week to help prepare for camp!

Packing List

Children should bring the following items with them each day:

  • Mask
  • Water bottle
  • Lunch and snack (these will not be provided)
  • Wear clothing appropriate for the weather and being outdoors
  • Durable, comfortable shoes, like tennis shoes (no flip-flops)
  • Bug spray and/or sunscreen (if needed)
  • Hat and/or sunglasses (if needed)

Tuition Help

Eco-Justice is committed to making its programs available to all. Need-based tuition waivers are available pending an application process. Contact Katie Flannery at (262) 681-8527 x2 or katie@ecojusticecenter.org for more information.

Safety Guidelines

The Eco-Justice Center will follow regulations set by the Racine Health Department and guidelines for summer programming outlined by the CDC. We are implementing these policies to protect the safety of all participants and staff.

  • If you, your child, or a member of your household is at higher risk for severe illness, we advise you to seek advice from your primary care providers to assess risks and determine if attendance is appropriate.

Important COVID Procedures and Safety Modifications for Programs

Eco-Justice will follow regulations set by the Racine Health Department and guidelines for programming outlined by the CDC. We are implementing these policies to protect the safety of all participants and staff. Our policies and our practices may change as new information and guidance about COVID-19 is available.