Soil made muddy by recent rainfall smears across the cream-colored canvas. Berry by berry pops under the pressure of little hands, accenting the earthly brown with electric red swirls. This scene offers a glimpse of Wildlands Conservancy summer campers getting hands-on with nature discovery.

Campers like Jackson Diaz, of Emmaus, who may have initially pondered how to properly mud paint, are swiftly moving past the basic parameters of the craft to realize a world all their own.

Wildlands, the Lehigh Valley's non-profit land trust headquartered at Pool Wildlife Sanctuary in Emmaus, offers 11 weeks of summer camp allowing campers like Diaz to connect with nature. From Lizards and Wizards to Ecowarrior Camp, varying themes provide fresh experiences for returning and new campers alike.

Kristina Thompson of Emmaus, mother to Millie and Thure, enrolls her children in camp throughout the summer. She says she and her husband Iain grew up being outside all summer long and wanted the kids to learn about environmental stewardship while having a similar experience.

"The Wildlands offers an opportunity for this in a safe and educational environment close to home," Thompson said.

According to senior naturalist Denise Bauer, the goal of camp is to "immerse children in nature so they gain an understanding of wildlife and habitats, in turn nurturing a desire to protect our local natural resources."

Due to their popularity and contribution to a record-breaking season nearly 600 children attended summer camp last year, up 200 participants over 2012 camps like Child Vs. Wild and Water Camp are making an encore appearance.

Child Vs. Wild Camp 2, running Aug. 4 through 8, will offer campers an opportunity to practice survival skills. This week's campers are also invited to participate in an overnight campout with family members at Trexler Nature Preserve 7 p.m. Aug. 9 through 8 a.m. Aug. 10. Campfires and shooting stars will help supply the entertainment.

Water Camp 3 will run Aug. 11 through 15 and will engage campers in creek explorations, water-related activities and games, and tubing a camper favorite, according to camper Caleb Greene, of Allentown. Bauer says water Olympics and water games like Drip, Drip, Splash in lieu of Duck, Duck, Goose "unleash loads of fun while facilitating learning and indelible memories."

Ecowarriors Camp will follow, running Aug. 18 through 22. The program will focus on the effect of simple everyday habits on nature.

In addition to summer camp, Wildlands offers environmental education for schools, community members and Scouts. All aim to grow future environmental stewards to support the land trust's mission.

To learn more about summer camp and other Wildlands' education programs, visit www.wildlandspa.org.