Animal Antics

Animal Antics

This camp provides a wonder-filled, hands-on outdoor and lab experience to learn about the biodiversity of animals and their habitats and how people can care for and protect wildlife. There will be field trips to parks and other animal-filled locations.

Invertebrate Biology

Explore the wiggly world of our arthropod and gastropod friends (insects, spiders, snails, and slugs) with catch-and-release terrestrial and aquatic sampling and observations. Students will build insect hotels and make seed bombs for pollinators to enhance native gardens.

Ornithology

Observe bird behavior and diversity using binoculars in wetland, forest and suburban habitats. Students will make pine cone and hummingbird nectar feeders, as well as dissect owl pellets.

Vertebrate Biology

Observe behaviors of mammals, fish, amphibians, and reptiles in wild and captive settings. Students will make fish prints and decorate garden shelters for small vertebrates such as frogs and lizards.

Animal Expert Expo

Work like zoologists to observe animals and give a “keeper talk,” in which you will share the animal antics and biology of their species. 

Upper School biology and life sciences teacher Mr. David Privasky has been a member of the Collegiate School community for 10 years. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from Central Michigan University and went on to complete a master's degree in biology at Mississippi State University. Mr. Privasky hiked the Appalachian Trail’s 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. His favorite animal is the gray wolf. Mr. Privasky’s passion for science and education drives him to inspire curiosity and a love for learning in all his students.

Director of Sustainability and Upper School biology and sustainability science teacher Ms. Sandra Marr has been at Collegiate for a decade. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Carnegie Mellon University and a master’s degree in environmental science from the insect biology department of University of California, Berkeley. Ms. Marr has led outdoor science education for preschool through university students for more than 20 years. Her favorite finds include any animal that typically and unfairly evokes an “ew” (like frogs, salamanders, snakes and praying mantis) and any native plant that attracts interesting insects and birds (like mountain mint and cutleaf coneflowers). She is as likely to get students loudly mimicking barred owls as she is to encourage centered forest mindfulness.

For more information, contact Sandra Marr at sandra_marr@collegiate-va.org or Dave Privasky at dave_privasky@collegiate-va.org.