(7/30) Far-reaching staffing shortages are hitting close to home as Fairfield’s own environmental education center, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, has had to cancel all its annual summer camp programs this season.
Due to staffing shortages and related issues, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel its annual summer educational programs, according to Executive Director Daniel Brannen.
The camps would require four or five counselors as well as hiring a new Environmental Education Manager. Amanda Markle, who had been serving as Strawberry Hill’s Environmental Education Manager, took up a position this spring to the Gettysburg Foundation and in no longer able to help at Strawberry Hill, Brannen said. Without a coordinator, it was impossible to line up the volunteers and counselors in time for this year’s camps.
The cancellation applies to all three of the preserve’s weeklong day camps for children ages five through 12, including Wildlife Week, the week of June 13 through June 17, STEM and Streams of July 11 through July 15, and Outdoor Adventures the week of August 8 through August 12.
Summer camps at Strawberry Hill strives to provides children with a safe place to learn and ask questions about the environment around them while participating in a variety of activities based on the weekly theme including hiking, stream exploration, swimming, nature, crafts, and an abundance of adventures.
Traditional Strawberry Hill Camp age groups include Foxes for campers entering first through third grade and Bears as campers entering fourth through sixth grade.
While the popular summer camps for kids had to be cancelled, Strawberry Hill is still staying busy with its 25 scheduled afternoon programs throughout the summer including Animal ambassador events, and local tree programs. "Strawberry Hill runs a lot of smaller programs during this current season and keeping these programs running throughout the summer is the goal," Brennen said.
Email notices of the cancellations were sent out in May and full refunds were distributed. "We look forward to being back next summer," Brennen said.
Since 1986, Fairfield’s very own nonprofit nature preserve has specialized in educational programs that inspire the next generation environmental stewards and the annual summer camp has been no exception.
As schools return to session, Strawberry Hill also looks forward to a multitude of Autumn programs and events for class field trips.
Located in south-central Pennsylvania, Strawberry Hill has been teaching and promoting environmental stewardship as Adams County’s only nonprofit environmental education center and, since the debut of its barred owl, Strix, continues to offer the only live raptor program in the area.
Offering a variety of environmental programs ranging from one to three hours, Strawberry Hill educates more than 8,000 people every year. Area hiking trails remain open to the public, pet friendly, and free of charge.
Although the summer will not be the same without Strawberry Hill summer, patrons are encouraged to routinely check the environmental education center’s website for updates regarding other nature programs offerings.
More information about Strawberry Hill can be found at strawberryhill.org or by calling 717-642-5840.
