By Staff Reports 

Want to catch a salamander? Race roly polies? How about finding animal tracks? Or make friendsssss with some legless reptiles? It’s science, but please don’t tell the kids! Enjoy a week of hands-on field biology sure to impress next year’s teachers. 

Fresh Air Family is offering its award-winning Gross Out Day – and the gross fun is coming to Hartselle July 17-21. 

This is the second camp of its kind to be held locally this summer with the first being held last month.  

During this camp, education is taken out into nature’s biggest classroom: The Great Outdoors. Exploring outside is serious learning. Join counselors as they take children on walks in the woods, to hike a trail, canoe a stream or slog through a bog. Children will be looking for birds, flowers, salamanders, stars, bugs, rocks and all of the wonders the beautiful world has to offer. 

Gross Out Day is offered in a safe atmosphere where participants will get an up close and personal look at reptiles, bugs, stinky plants and more. 

Rachel Sims was introduced to Gross Out Camp this past year when her three children participated in the day camp. She volunteered this year to direct the Gross Out Camp.  

“They had the best time and were exhausted by the end of each day. They are excited to come back this year,” she said.  

“Penny Roy, last year’s director, reached out to see if I was interested because my kids enjoyed it so much last year. Being outside is such a huge part of childhood. I wanted to make sure this camp was offered again. I am looking forward to learning lots of new things with my campers this year.”  

The cost for Gross Out Day is $250. It will be held at Sparkman Park, located at 1701 Madison St. in Hartselle. Camp is held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and intended for children ages 6-10. Before and after care is available one hour before and after camp for an additional $35 per week. 

To register, visit www.freshairfamily.org/gross-out-camps. For more information, or to volunteer, email verna@freshairfamily.org.