If you want to give your family a unique, nature-based experience, Jellystone Park™ campgrounds offer a variety of activities that involve both learning and fun!

The Jellystone Park™ campground in Pittsfield Illinois hosted a bird banding demonstration the weekend of August 2, 2014. Campers learned about identifying birds and the process of banding, which is used for research and migration information. The event was led by Tony Rothering, who is a permitted Bander, and a member of local non-profit organization – Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders. The Pittsfield Illinois campground, also known as Pine Lakes Jellystone Park, is planning a hummingbird exhibit in the spring.

If you are traveling west, the Jellystone Park™ campground in Larkspur, Colorado has a Ranch Camp during the summer that promises to “hand back your kids happy, dirty, tired, and of course, better educated about nature.” Ranch Campers get to feed and care for the park’s goats and horses, do ranch chores, practice archery and more.

In their quest to get kids to unplug, the Jellystone Park™ in Marion, North Carolina introduced the Passport Program that encourages kids to experience various nature-focused activities in order to win prizes. A 1.4 mile geocache hike along a river, scavenger hunts and gem mining in a natural creek further encourage family bonding and outdoor recreation. They also added a “Nuts for Nature” woodland trail featuring owl boxes, a ropes course, tree cookie walkways, log noodles, a butterfly patch and a nature building zone.

Many Jellystone Park™ campgrounds include nature walks as part of their activity programs. Campers learn about trees, birds, animals and principles of Leave No Trace – a Boulder, Colorado-based non-profit organization that develops educational programs to help children and adults take better care of the environment.

Check with your favorite location to see what nature activities they have planned.