Who we are
The Children’s Summer Program at Camp Linden is the major community service project of the Philadelphia Ethical Society. Its mission is to introduce children to the wonders of nature. We offer a curriculum in environmental education, swimming and character formation at our idyllic property on Brandywine Creek in rural Chester County. Each of our community partners brings the same group of children, age 6 through 12, on the same weekday, for a six-week program of environmental education, swimming and character building. Society members enjoy related programming, social outings to the property, and volunteer opportunities.
SWIMMING
We provide swimming lessons, which consists of a series of goals leading to mastery of the crawl stroke with alternative breathing. Colored wrist bands are given to campers to reward and document performance of each goal. Swimming instruction is followed by a period of free swim during which campers can practice their skills, engage in aquatic games led by our staff, or just play in the water. The aquatic program also includes a focus on water safety.
Every summer Camp Linden serves 150 to 250 children who are enrolled in summer camps operated by our community partners in low-income urban neighborhoods. We can accommodate two groups of up to 30 campers each day, and groups of more than 30 are divided at the beginning of the day. One group goes to the pool in the morning while the other goes to environmental education and they switch after lunch.
Environmental Curriculum
Week 1: Gardening and Nature Walk
Campers learn about the parts of a plant and their functions, photosynthesis, what plants need to grow, and why plants are important to us. They harvest, taste and plant in our raised bed garden, On the nature walk they mindfully observe their surroundings, and then visit and feed goats and chickens
Week 2: Pollination and Bugs
Campers “pollinate” a model flower and learn about plant propagation and insect pollinators. They catch insects and toads and examine their catch before releasing them back to nature
Week 3: Earth and Energy
Campers collect earthworms for our worm farm. They learn about decomposers and the cycle of life. This lesson also covered fossils, fossil fuel, climate change and alternate sources of energy, illustrated by a solar powered flying pig.
Week 4: Watersheds and Water Pollution
In a lesson on watersheds campers spray “rain” on a model of Camp Linden and witness how it washes pollutants into the Brandywine. Campers collect macroinvertebrates in the Brandywine to test the water quality, and floated in the current.
Week 5: Native American Culture and Values
This lesson stresses the Lenape value of respect for the Earth and all living things, Campers observe our “Three Sisters” garden bed planted in corn, beans and squash, in the Native American tradition - an early example of organic gardening. They are told traditional stories about the “Three Sisters” and the lacrosse game between the land animals and the birds, and practice tossing as in lacrosse.
Week 6: Closing Celebration
Campers harvest in the garden, pop popcorn and make kale chips. They celebrate Planet Earth with a parade and parachute exercises, and a feast featuring produce from the garden and other healthy treats. After interviews about their response to our program, campers bid farewell to Camp Linden for the last time this season,
Camp Linden Resources
We provide our partners with a list of videos and other resources which are available for free on the internet to prepare their campers for each weekly lesson.
Click Here
Camp Linden is a fifty-one acre, mostly wooded property, situated on the west branch of Brandywine Creek in rural Chester County, about five miles west of West Chester. The land is under a conservation easement to preserve its natural character. We encourage respectful use of our land, trails and Brandywine landing for activities related to enjoyment of the natural world, including hiking, horseback riding, hunting, canoeing and kayaking, fishing and overnight camping. We maintain a relationship with hunting and fishing clubs which use our property during their respective seasons. We allow hikers and horseback riders on our trails. We also grant permission for scouts and similar groups to engage in overnight tent camping. Groups which use our property make voluntary financial contributions or provide services to help maintain the property and support the Camp Linden Summer Children’s Program.
Under the terms of our easement WE ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RENT THE CAMP LINDEN PROPERTY FOR PRIVATE SOCIAL EVENTS. For permission to use the property for appropriate outdoor activities, send an email with your contact information and details relating to your proposed use to camplinden@phillyethics.org.