9-9:30am - Arrival and self-directed activities/stations

9:30am - Camp meeting and overview of day

9:45am - Morning snack and break into groups

10:15am - Instructor led group activities (e.g., guided hike, birding, insect ID, soil study, nature journaling, guest speaker, etc.)

11:45am - Lunch

12:15pm - Instructor led projects & activities (e.g., nature sculptures, sensory bins, rock painting, field microscopes, scavenger hunts, etc.)

1:45pm - Water play and free choice activities (water table, sprinklers, wading pool, arts & crafts, etc.)

3:30-3:45pm - Pick up window

Yes, this camp is entirely outdoors. Campers are kept cool during very hot days through water play, shaded activities, and ample hydration breaks.

All campers should come dressed for our warm summer days and bring an extra change of clothes every day in case they get wet or dirty. Shoes for walking on uneven terrain are required. Shoes must be worn at all times, including during water play, so water shoes are highly recommended.

Every camper needs to bring a water bottle, morning and afternoon snack, lunch, an extra set of clothes, sunscreen, a swimsuit, a towel, and extra shoes they don’t mind getting wet.

In order to keep our camp affordable, we do not provide food. Every camper must bring their own lunch and snacks each day. Snacks were donated to us in 2025, but they are not guaranteed.

Our initial registration fee in 2025 was set when APWC had an AmeriCorps member on the AOSC team. Unfortunately, that AmeriCorps position was de-funded in May 2025, one month before AOSC started. The 2025 registration fees were not enough to cover our expenses. In addition, a major budget cut to one of our other programs has reduced our unrestricted funds. We had to raise our registration fees in 2026 to cover our program costs and ensure the program’s sustainability.

Fortunately, we have received grants from the Pacific Power Foundation and Jackson Soil & Water Conservation District to help cover overhead costs and minimize increases to the registration fee. The fee would be significantly higher without these awards.

Partial scholarships may be available for campers from qualifying families. The AOSC scholarship fund is comprised of donations from local community members and businesses, Rooted In Hope, and an award from A Greater Applegate’s Innovation Grant program.

To access the scholarship application, please contact our Education & Outreach Program Director at charlotte@applegatepartnership.org.

• 154 Cantrall Rd. Jacksonville, OR 97530.

• This park’s 88 acres is located along the Applegate River and provides a beautiful locale for students to experience nature in a hands-on, site-specific approach.

Cantrall Buckley Park has full-flush bathrooms, potable water stations, picnic tables, a large pavilion, hiking trails, river access, and more. We also utilize pop-up canopies for additional shade.

“AOSC is a much-needed program for our rural community. We have very few kid-friendly options in the area, especially during summer breaks, so this camp was a true gift. The hands-on experiences and caring staff made it more than just a camp—it was a real connection to the land and the community. I’m so grateful for the way AOSC fosters curiosity, stewardship, and a love for the Applegate Valley. We’ll definitely be back next summer!” - 2025 AOSC Parent

“We are deeply grateful that APWC has responded to this long-standing need in our community. AOSC offers our children the chance to build meaningful relationships—with one another, with this landscape, and with the values of stewardship and care. They are learning not just how to enjoy where they live, but how to love and care for it—and for each other.” - 2025 AOSC Parent

“Camper Name attended all four weeks and after care at AOSC. She had a wonderful experience learning so much about the ecosystem that she lives in. She learned the names of many organisms' unknown to her before. She also learned new skills with crochet and macrame. The counselors inspired creativity and an all-around great learning environment. She can't wait till next year!” - 2025 AOSC Parent

In 2026, AOSC was fortunate to receive program support from the Pacific Power Foundation and Jackson Soil & Water Conservation District. A Greater Applegate, Rooted In Hope, and generous community members have contributed to the AOSC Scholarship Fund. The Teresa McCormick Center also donated snacks.