Thriving with Nature at Camp Woodend

As eight-year-old camper Maya crouches beside a fallen log, her eyes open wide with wonder. “Look what I found!” she excitedly announces to her campmates. Carefully, she points to a red-backed salamander nestled in the damp earth. Her discovery sparks a chorus of hushed “wows” from the other children who gather around. The tiny woodland creature ignites their curiosity.

This is a common scene at Camp Woodend, and it represents far more than just a magical moment of discovery. It exemplifies the profound impact that immersive outdoor experiences have on a child’s development and well-being. Nestled on the 40-acre Woodend Nature Sanctuary located just outside Washington, DC in Chevy Chase, MD, Camp Woodend offers children opportunities to unplug from screens and plug into nature, with lasting benefits that extend far beyond summer.

Research has shown that consistent outdoor experiences fundamentally reshape how children develop, learn, and thrive. When children like Maya spend their days exploring our mature woods, meadows, and pond, they’re not just having fun – they’re building crucial neural pathways that enhance attention spans, problem-solving abilities, and emotional regulation.

Our experienced environmental educators lead this transformation daily. Whether it’s encouraging a group of campers to work together to build a fort from fallen branches (strengthening both muscles and social bonds), or seeing a typically anxious child find calm while listening to birdsong by our stream (a scientifically proven stress-reducer), camp instructors say the benefits are visible and profound.

The sanctuary’s diverse landscape becomes a living laboratory where children develop physical literacy naturally and joyfully. Balancing on logs, climbing trees, and navigating our well-maintained nature trails helps children build core strength, flexibility, and coordination in ways that structured indoor activities simply cannot match. These activities, combined with the immune-boosting effects of vitamin D from sunshine and exposure to beneficial soil microbes, create a comprehensive workout for both young bodies and developing immune systems.

But perhaps most remarkable is the mental health transformation we witness at Camp Woodend. In an era where childhood anxiety is at historic highs, our camp provides crucial antidotes: the soothing sounds of our intermittent stream, the satisfaction of working with hands in our Children’s Garden, and the confidence built through mastering outdoor skills. Studies show that just 120 minutes of weekly nature exposure significantly reduces stress levels and improves emotional well-being – our campers get that and more each day.

The impact extends into intellectual development as well. Whether they’re participating in our new Young Astronomers program or joining our Bilingual English/Spanish Fiesta de Plantas (which accepts all levels of Spanish), children engage in experiential learning that makes abstract concepts tangible. “Thank you for this incredible and creative solution that has brought so much joy and interest into my child’s life this summer,” a parent recently shared.

What sets Camp Woodend apart is our commitment to nurturing not just individual growth, but also environmental stewardship. As children form connections with all of the living things that call our sanctuary home, they develop an innate understanding of ecological relationships and their role in protecting them. This understanding becomes particularly powerful during our specialty programs like Deep Sea Discovery or Nature Investigators, where children connect their local observations to global environmental systems.

At the day’s end, when parents arrive to collect their tired but happy campers, they often hear excited tales of salamander discoveries, successful fort constructions, or new friendships formed. But what parents are also witnessing is their child growing stronger, more resilient, and more connected to the natural world. As one parent noted, “My son so badly needed this time to unplug, get down in the mud, be creative, and most of all get to be around other kids in a safe way.”

In a world where children increasingly find themselves glued to screens and disconnected from nature, Camp Woodend offers more than just a summer activity – it provides an essential foundation for physical health, emotional well-being, and environmental consciousness that will serve them throughout their lives. Learn more at natureforward.org/campwoodend/