10 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® FAMILY 2026-2027 In a time of screens, social media and digital learning, spending time outside is becoming increasingly less common, but it is more important than ever for young people. That is according to Noelle Fletcher, marketing and events manager for the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. She says that being outside is not only good for strengthening one’s appreciation of their environment, but also for their own mental health. This is especially true for children whose formative years have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. “What we’re seeing now is kids who just don’t have a full understanding of what the natural world is, and what it can do for them,” she says. “When you go outside, your brain just feels better. Your anxiety relaxes. Your stress starts to melt away.” This summer, several camps will be held for young people across Monterey County, aiming to connect them with the outdoors, as well as the region’s natural and cultural history. The Pacific Grove Museum will host its annual series of outdoor day camps for children and youth. Pinecone Camps, for students in third, fourth and fifth grades, and Acorn Camps, for K-2 students, will kick off in June and run through July. Each camp is six weeks long, and each week has a different theme. From space exploration to dinosaurs, animal habitats to marine ecology, there are many opportunities for youth to experience the natural world. “Our camps are all about getting outdoors, getting dirty and trying new things,” says Liese Murphree, director of education and outreach at the museum. “For us, it’s a win if a child tries something they’ve never experienced before. That’s what camp is all about.” Museum staff, along with a team of professional educators and student interns, come together every year to organize the camps. Murphree says Above: Campers at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History take a closer look at a mastodon tusk with help from a camp intern. Left: In one of many activities, campers experience the results of their elephant toothpaste science experiment in a special demonstration. NOELLE FLETCHER NATURAL CONNECTION Summer camps aim to strengthen young people’s relationship to the great outdoors. By Johanna Miller NOELLE FLETCHER
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==