Earth Camp 2026: Two Days of Discovery at the Refuge Inspiring Future Conservationist

Earth Camp 2026 brought energy and excitement to the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge and Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge on June 2–3, as 29 young participants spent two mornings exploring nature, wildlife, and outdoor skills.

Day One: Learning Through Exploration
Campers began the first day by rotating through five handson learning stations, each offering a different window into the natural world. Over the course of the morning, they learned about mushrooms, watched hummingbird banding up close, built bluebird boxes, explored the importance of pollinator gardens, and met reptiles and amphibians during a herpetology session. Each 35minute class gave campers a chance to handle materials, ask questions, and see conservation in action.

Day Two: Outdoor Skills and Recreation
The second day opened with a favorite Earth Camp tradition — fishing in a pond stocked with 400 pounds of catfish. Afterward, campers divided into two groups to take part in archery and kayaking, switching halfway through so everyone had the chance to try both activities. The mix of recreation and skillbuilding made for a lively and memorable morning.

Becoming Junior Rangers
At the end of camp, all participants were sworn in as Junior Rangers, marking their commitment to learning about wildlife and conservation. Campers headed home with the bluebird boxes they built, mushroom spawn to grow at home, and goody bags filled with educational materials from Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, Land Between the Lakes, and Stewart County.

A Community Effort
Earth Camp is made possible by the many volunteers, instructors, and partners who give their time and expertise each year. Their support ensured that Earth Camp 2026 was not only educational but also inspiring for the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and conservation stewards.