There is a place where it's possible to hear the call of a native red fox on the chase and the scream of a brown kiwi stalking worms—a place where nature meets science.
Take in the beauty of the Shenandoah Mountains while enjoying a rare glimpse of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's headquarters (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia. This facility is normally closed to the public, but will be open just to you for an unique evening of exploration and discovery!
Your adventure begins with a keeper-led tour and continues with a campfire under the stars. Bunk in tents provided by FONZ, then rise for breakfast and a family-friendly activity.
Your incredible overnight adventure includes:
- A conservation-themed exploration of an animal area, led by a keeper
- A late night campfire under the stars
- Lodging in a four-person tent, provided by FONZ, on historic Race Track Hill
- Continental breakfast and a family-friendly morning activity
Participants must be six years and older to attend Conservation Campouts. A paying adult must accompany anyone under 18, and a minimum of one adult must chaperone every three children (under 18).
Participants
Participants in family overnights are not to exceed the maximum of six participants per registration. Conservation Campout campers sleep in a four-person tent. Participants are never asked to share their tent with a stranger. Large groups cannot be accommodated.
Please note: Adults may register for all Conservation Campout options, but please be aware that children may be in your camp group.
The adult-only Conservation Campout option is July 6-7: Maned Wolves and Hormone Monitoring Lab.
Registration
Priority registration for FONZ members with a Contributing or Premier Plus level membership begins on Tuesday, March 26 at 10 a.m. Registration for other FONZ members begins on April 2 at 10 a.m. Registration for non-members begins on April 16 at 10 a.m.
RegisterAges
Adults and children ages 6 and up. A paying adult must accompany anyone under 18, and there must be one adult chaperone for every three children. Participants in the July 6-7: Maned Wolves and Hormone Monitoring Lab adult-only overnight must be 21 or older.
Times
5:00 p.m.-10:00 a.m
A small snack is provided, but participants should dine before arriving. You can find many restaurants within a few miles of SCBI Front Royal.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation requests received at least four weeks prior to the scheduled Campout will receive a 75-percent refund. Requests must be made via email. No refunds or changes will be made thereafter. Conservation Campouts are a rain or shine event.
Fee
Member: $115 per person
Non member: $125 per person
Conservation Campouts 2013
June 8–9: Cheetahs and Birds
Take advantage of the chance to meet some of SCBI's critically endangered birds, from tiny, shy Guam rails with modest brown feathers to large, often loud, cranes showing off their spectacular plumage. Then, moving from feathers to fur, meet the cheetahs who are prone to vocalizing with an astonishing array of purrs, hisses and "wuffs," while you learn about their specially designed SCBI facility.
June 15-16 and June 22-23: Cheetahs and Hoofstock
Dots for spots . . . lots and lots. Imagine what it's like to be prey as you learn about SCBI's cheetahs and the purpose of their specially designed facility. Learn about real prey animals with horns and hooves, teeth and antlers, who are every bit as fascinating as their predators—the devious oryx, the unique Przewalski's horse, the skittish Eld's deer and the adorable western tufted deer.
July 6-7: Maned Wolves and Hormone Monitoring Lab Adult Only 21+
Meet the crepuscular Chrysocyon brachyurus, a fruit eating canid, commonly called the maned wolf. Maned wolves are not real wolves, but are rather "foxes on stilts." Step inside the research facilities for a special visit to SCBI's endocrine lab where scientists extract and probe the mysteries of stress, reproductive and other hormones.
July 27-28: Clouded Leopards and Birds
Would you like to meet a nocturnal Neofilis nebulosa, or "cloudy new cat"? Commonly known as clouded leopards, these felines are not leopards at all but are medium sized cats with special adaptations for living in trees. Take advantage of the chance to meet some of SCBI's critically endangered birds, from tiny, shy Guam rails with modest brown feathers to large, often loud, cranes showing off their spectacular plumage.
August 3-4 and August 10-11: Clouded Leopards and Maned Wolves
Would you like to meet a nocturnal Neofilis nebulosa, or "cloudy new cat"? Commonly known as clouded leopards, these felines are not leopards at all but are medium sized cats with special adaptations for living in trees. Also, meet the crepuscular Chrysocyon brachyurus, a fruit eating canid, commonly called maned wolf. Maned wolves are not real wolves, but are rather "foxes on stilts."
August 17-18: Black-Footed Ferrets and Hoofstock
Small and fierce, black footed ferrets are deceptively cute predators and are indispensable to the American prairie eco-system by helping to keep the prairie dog colonies in check. And yet, they were nearly lost forever. Come hear the story of how they were saved from the brink of extinction and are slowly making a comeback in their native habitat. Then jump continents to learn about real prey animals with horns and hooves, teeth and antlers, who are every bit as fascinating as their predators—the devious oryx, the unique Przewalski's horse, the skittish Eld's deer and the adorable western tufted deer.
Registration
Priority reservations for members at the Contributing Level begin on March 26, 2013. Reservations for members at the Household Level begin on April 2, 2013.
