"If I wasn't here, I'd probably be sleeping," Wildlands Conservancy summer camper Millie Thompson, of Emmaus, said with a smirk. Lunch mate Halina Lattanze, of Alburtis, agreed.

In lieu of lazy days, Thompson and Lattanze have been busy exploring the meadows, forests and waterways of Pool Wildlife Sanctuary in Emmaus, where Wildlands, the Lehigh Valley's nonprofit land trust, is headquartered.

Like other campers, the girls will soon begin their 2014 school year. Lorraine Lidon, a seasonal naturalist who teaches English Language Arts at Robert Morris School in New Jersey, notes the benefits of teaching outdoors.

"Children who attend summer camp with Wildlands are given the freedom to explore their environment and become active learners," Lidon said. "It motivates them to ask questions and seek answers."

This may be one reason why Kirsten Hess, owner of Let's Play Books! in Emmaus, sends her 9-year-old daughter Madeleine to Wildlands. A dynamic outdoor enthusiast with an affinity for archery, Hess says Madeleine "really enjoys learning about animals, plants and our environment."

After completing weeks themed for "Child vs. Wild" and "Ecowarriors," Madeleine was moved to transform her backyard into a shelter-building practice area.

"Each year we make improvements and debut new themes – like Fairy Camp, Lizards and Wizards, Biomimicry and Ecowarriors," Vice President of Education Scott J. Cope said. "Thanks to highly trained professional staff and activities that are exciting, safe and educational, Wildlands' summer camp is a premiere program for inspiring a future for local conservation."

While camp has drawn to a close, Wildlands' events calendar remains packed with get-outdoors opportunities for all age levels, including: Paddle Exploration of Island Park - Sept. 6; YUM, Insects! at Trexler Nature Preserve – Sept. 6; Jr. Naturalist Club: How to Eat an Apple – Sept. 14; Wednesday Walk & Talk: Geocaching – Sept. 17; and Family Overnight at Camp Fowler – Sept. 27 and 28.

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