Celebrating 30 Years of Adventure and Learning
Chattahoochee Nature Center's Camp Kingfisher
Nestled within the serene 127-acre campus of Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC), Camp Kingfisher has been an oasis of nature exploration, discovery, and joyful memories for three decades. Its mission: connecting kids with nature and each other.
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Camp Kingfisher this year, we reflect upon the immeasurable impact this remarkable camp has had on multiple generations of young minds. With a commitment to fostering environmental stewardship and a deep connection with nature, Camp Kingfisher has become a beloved institution, inspiring children to forge lifelong bonds with each other and the great outdoors.
Camp K is a place where everyone belongs, where campers come to be welcomed, supported, and loved.
Exploring Nature’s Classroom
Since 1993, Camp Kingfisher has welcomed campers from around metro Atlanta and the entire world! From hiking along forest trails to canoeing through tranquil waterways, every day brings new adventures and discoveries. Set amidst the lush woodlands and serene banks of the Chattahoochee River, the camp offers an unparalleled opportunity for children to explore and connect with the natural world.
Camp Co-Director Debby Head started her Camp Kingfisher journey as a 4-year-old camper, progressing through the ranks to her current position. Reflecting on the profound impact of the camp, she says, “For me, Camp Kingfisher holds a special place in my heart because it’s been a part of my life since I was a child. This camp has shaped who I am today, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its legacy.”
Debby’s journey from camper to Camp Co-Director is a testament to the transformative power of Camp Kingfisher. The camp ignited her passion for nature and environmental education during her early years as a camper, where she discovered the joy of connecting with the natural world. As a counselor, she found purpose in guiding and inspiring young campers, encouraging them to explore, learn, and develop a deep appreciation for the environment and become the best, most true version of themselves.
Debby estimates that 30% of camp staff Counselors begin their journey as campers at Camp Kingfisher, just like her! We call this a Camp K Legacy – a camper who becomes a Leader-in-Training (LIT), then a staff Counselor. This summer, we have 10 Camp K Legacy Counselors on staff, another testament to the positive impacts of Camp Kingfisher.
The Beginnings of Camp Kingfisher
Ronald Warnken, Jr., Camp Kingfisher’s first Camp Director, remembers Debby as an eager young camper-turned-counselor. Ron came to CNC in his 20s with a wildlife management degree from UGA and a second degree in environmental education. He had volunteered at nature centers during his school years, spent a year touring America’s National Parks, then ran a nature program at a summer camp. His mom, Sally Warnken, a longtime Docent at CNC, told him of the CNC job opening for Camp Director.
Hired in April 1993 and expected to launch the camp in June, Ron teamed up with longtime CNC staff member Henning Von Schmeling and the maintenance team to prepare the campus, where they painted, pulled weeds, and removed rusty nails. Ron developed a curriculum, secured canoes, hired and trained staff, and managed the logistics of turning the existing Camp Chattahoochee, a small half-day camp, into a full-day camp for 100 children. The Camp Kingfisher name evolved from a competition between staff members and volunteers, settling on the name Kingfisher in honor of this beautiful bird often seen around CNC’s 127-acre property.
Under Ron’s leadership, Camp Kingfisher grew each year and kept a robust waiting list due to its reputation as a safe, fun, wholesome educational environment for children. He added more weeks, developed new themes, and hired more staff. When he left the role, he had 20 counselors working for him.
Ron and his wife, Jean, lived on the CNC campus for the eight years he served as Camp Director, and he remembers fondly the peaceful time they spent there, especially hiking and canoeing during off-hours. He treasured the family environment of Camp Kingfisher and the safety, beauty, and serenity of Chattahoochee Nature Center. Ron continues to nurture his passion for the environment and conservation by serving as the Director of Conservation Programs for six states for the National Wildlife Federation.
Engaging Activities and Environmental Education
Camp Co-Directors Debby Head and Laura Viator have continued to grow and contribute to the camp’s success, which lies in its ability to combine education with fun-filled activities, resulting in an unforgettable summer experience. Campers explore a diverse range of activities, including animal encounters, wildlife observation and habitat study, organic gardening, native plant identification, archery, canoeing, swimming, nature-inspired crafts, and scientific experiments. Experiential learning is the focus, and counselors encourage campers to get their hands dirty and immerse themselves in nature.
Viator states, “Through hands-on activities, interactive learning, and engaging experiences, Camp Kingfisher cultivates a sense of wonder and curiosity in children. In today’s digital world, it is imperative that children have opportunities for safe, fun outdoor exploration. We aim to inspire the next generation of environmentalists who will cherish and protect the natural environment.”
Today, Head and Viator hire over 50 counselors each year and welcome over 2,000 campers throughout the summer.
“We believe that nature is the best classroom,” says Viator. Head adds, “At Camp Kingfisher, campers have the opportunity to have fun, make friends, and engage with the natural world directly, which opens their mind and encourages them to respect the environment.”
Donate today to celebrate Camp Kingfisher’s 30th anniversary and support CNC’s mission to connect people with nature.
As a mother whose children are coming to Camp K for the first time this summer, their safety while in the care of others is my top concern. Sending your children off on a new adventure will always come with some risks, and as parents, we cannot control everything (even though we sometimes like to think we can). Our children are individuals who will make their own choices when we aren’t around. Running when they should walk, cartwheeling around 270 other children, swinging their water bottles around like they’re going for an Olympic shotput record; these choices are made often, and by many, at camp. However, any camp worth its salt will have the same number one priority: your child’s safety.
Another thing to look for in a summer camp is its reputation. Ask your neighbors, community members, or your child’s school. What have their experiences been like at camp? Did their children have any issues? And if they did, how did the camp staff address them? What happens if your child comes home saying they were teased, bullied, or even worse… ignored by the other campers? These are things that can happen in any setting and sometimes happen here at camp as well. Kids are constantly learning. They’re picking up on social cues, noticing physical differences, and learning that not everyone thinks like them. And all of this is okay. What isn’t okay, and what should never be tolerated at any camp, is picking on others because of these differences. Camp staff should work very hard to ensure all campers feel welcome and included.
Looking for a place to send your kids during school breaks? Look no further! Camp Kingfisher offers an outdoor camp experience filled with hiking adventures, animal encounters, and outdoor play on a 127-acre riverside campus. Campers learn about nature and start to understand the precious ecosystem of the Chattahoochee watershed with hands-on science education.
>> Explore their creativity. Fairy house and shelter building have become a popular activity here at Camp K. Taking the time to explore nature, find their materials, and construct a shelter gets kids’ creative minds moving! Plus during our Winter Break camps, campers get the added bonus of getting to see others’ creativity at work when they explore the Enchanted Woodland Trail here at CNC.
>> Get active! Spending time at Camp Kingfisher always means more hikes, more games, and more recreation!
>> Improved self-awareness. Here at Camp Kingfisher, we are all about teamwork. Working together to build a shelter, cheering on their fellow campers at archery, or brainstorming ways to reduce, reuse and recycle more. Team building opportunities show kids just how important they are to their fellow campers, their camp community, and the community around them.
>> Connect with our native wildlife. The Chattahoochee Nature Center has so many fun and interesting animals to interact with. And our campers can get up close with them! All of our counselors are trained to handle our resident turtles, snakes, and gopher tortoises. And on top of that, they will get a chance to meet our raptors, beaver, and opossums! When was the last time you got to see a hawk or an owl talon up close? (Spoiler alert: they’re sharp!)
