Bordered by Swift Creek and the Neuse River, and located about 6 miles upriver from New Bern, Cool Springs Environmental Education Center encompasses 1,700 acres of forest-land owned by Weyerhaeuser Company, making it the ideal setting to explore the secrets of our natural surroundings.
Learn about wildlife and habitats, while having fun and making new friends! Each week campers will explore all kinds of wildlife — from reptiles and amphibians to in-sects—with a different daily focus. Accompanied by counselors with over 50 years of combined, real-world experience in forestry, amphibian and reptile conservation, ecology, and marine biology, campers will also explore different natural areas, including upland pine, managed pine, pond, river, and swamp habitats.
Each day is a new adventure…
Wildlife
Learn how to track animals on a hike and make a real track mold to take home! Dissect an Owl Pellet!
Aquatics
Explore the Swift Creek, Swamp, and Neuse River with nets!
Learn to fish with a special guest from the Wildlife Resources Commission!
Forestry
Real foresters will introduce the world and life of trees through hands-on activities, such as paper making, “Goods From the Woods,” and “Tree Factory”
Birds and Herps
Make a bird feeder or bird bath, learn to identify backyard birds, frogs, lizards, turtles, and salamanders!
See a live snake presentation by a herpetologist.
Ecology and Conservation
Take a seedy socks hike, make dirt cake, and learn about composting
| Group / Grades | Dates | Time | Cost |
| Warblers / 1-2 | June 16 – 20 | 8am – 2pm | $125.00 |
| Bluebirds / 3-5 | June 23 – 27 | 8am – 2pm | $125.00 |
| Warblers / 1-2 | July 7 – 11 | 8am – 2pm | $125.00 |
| Bluebirds / 3-5 | July 21- 25 | 8am – 2pm | $125.00 |
| Ospreys / 6-8 | August 4 – 8 | 8am – 2pm | $125.00 |
For more information, or to request a registration form, call 252-514-3533 or send an e-mail.
Submitted by: Melissa Patrick, Cool Springs EE Center