Lucky Dog Camp
24 Elm Ridge Rd Pennington NJ 08534
Interested in learning more about us?
Summer time conjurers up images of children running barefoot in the grass, splashing in puddles, climbing tress, chasing butterflies and swinging on swings. It used to be that kids could go out their back door and play outside with limited restriction. They were free to roam the fields, woods and streams, just to explore and play. Not so much any more.
Today, the lives of children are much more structured with fewer opportunities for free play. With what little time that children do have for free play it is spent indoors in front of the TV or computer. By some reports daily media use among 8-18 year olds is up dramatically from 5 years ago. One reports that teens spend 7 hours and 38 minutes per day, an astonishing 53 hours per week in front of TV,computer and smart phones! Sadly childhood and outdoor play are no longer synonymous.
It is a widely accepted principle in early childhood education that children learn best thorough free play and discovery. There is a wealth of research that documents what parents traditionally believed: children who spend time outdoors playing in nature are healthier and less stressed. They exhibit greater cognitive abilities, improved focus and more self control. They have greater self- esteem and are better problem solvers. That is why so often we heard from our parents "Go outside and play".
Lucky Dog Camp will provide a safe and fun environment for children to play and explore the natural world around them. I feel that it has never been more important for our children to learn about the diminishing world around them and how to protect the limited natural resources that we have left. Children have an innate curiosity for all thing "nature". Through the planned themed nature activities, I will gently guide the campers as they play.
I raised my four children to respect nature , animals and their habitats. I am a certified elementary teacher and it is my goal to share the importance of respecting all earth's creatures with the next generation. I believe that the outdoors represents freedom, unlimited possibilities and the space to play and dream. Although there will be guidance and supervision at Lucky Dog Camp, the children will fee like they are just playing!
MELITA WRIGHT, founder, director, teacher and mother
The Property
Lucky Dog is situated on 40 beautiful acres in Pennington New Jersey. It is surrounded by protected and preserved open space. There are trails to hike, Stony Brook to investigate and fields to explore.
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly". RICHARD BACH
