Scavenger Hunt

Take the children on a scavenger hunt for nature items such as plants growing, insects crawling,
 insects flying, a plant growing on a tree, a vine, a flower, bird feathers, a root, a seed, etc.

Flashlight Stars

Talk about stars.  Show the children stars by hammering holes into a
 juice can lid and shining a flashlight through it. Shine it all the wall.

Sink / Float

Collect various pieces of camping equipment.  Fill the water table with water
 and let the children test which objects sink or float.  If desired, make a chart.

Magnifying Glass

Provide magnifying glasses for looking at objects seen on a camping trip. 

Crickets

A lot of pet stores carry feeder crickets.
Obtain a few for the children to observe. (Frogs eat crickets)

Camping Collage

Take the group to a park where camping is allowed. Let the child each have a Wal~Mart or plastic
 grocery bag. Bring a list of things that they thought up at circle time of what they might see when
 they went camping, things of nature. Have them find all or more nature items on the list. When they
 get back match the things they brought back with the list. Make a chart with each child's name and
 write what they brought back. Then you can count how many brought each item back. Also add to
 the list the children that brought more items. Then use the items to make a camping collage.

Worms

We combine camping with nature. In science we put an aquarium of real live earthworms.
 You can get them at any bait store. At the bait store they have special dirt that they will allow
 them to live for a long time. The children love to hold them and explore the feel and even the smell.
 It is a wonderful science lesson, for not all children get the
 opportunity to see, touch and play with "real" worms.