This summer, the Duke Forest hosted two programs designed to spark curiosity and connect young learners with nature. From welcoming summer campers displaced by flood damage to hosting families for story time and hands-on exploration, the Forest continues to serve as a living classroom where imagination, discovery, and stewardship take root.
After Tropical Storm Chantal caused devastating flooding along the Eno River in July, our friends at Schoolhouse of Wonder suddenly needed a new home for their Durham-based summer camps. Together with Duke University administration, our team worked quickly to offer the Gate C and Shepherd Nature Trail area as a temporary camp location for four weeks, serving up to 80 campers each week, ages 5 to 12.
The unexpected partnership with Schoolhouse proved to be both meaningful and mutually enriching. Campers immersed themselves in hands-on learning about ecosystem health, biodiversity, and conservation while enjoying the cover of the Forest’s canopy. By combining the strengths of both organizations, the partnership created an experience that deepened environmental understanding and encouraged future stewardship.
The Forest also hosted a children’s story time event with the local non-profit, Book Harvest. Families gathered under the trees to enjoy Outside In by Deborah Underwood, a delightful book that highlights nature’s presence in our daily lives. After the reading, kids embarked on a forest scavenger hunt and created leaf-rubbing art, an activity that parents enjoyed just as much as their children.
These opportunities highlight the Forest’s vital role in nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards. By hosting these programs, the young explorers could use the Duke Forest as a classroom, which encourages learning, creativity, and a lifelong connection with the natural world.