Published: May 24, 2016 | 09:00 AM

Summer is Coming – Time to think about Camp!

Memorial Day weekend is often hailed the unofficial kick-off to summer and with the school year ending in a few weeks, there is no better time to start planning for summer camp.

The Irvine Ranch Water District San Joaquin Marsh provides the ideal setting for fun and learning. Opportunities abound for youngsters age seven to 12.

Sea and Sage Audubon Society will once again host its popular nature camps as it has done for more than 20 years and Discovery Science Center returns with Summer Smiles and Project Discovery camps.

All of these camps fill up quickly, so sign up now!

Sea and Sage’s Fledgling Camp is for 7-8-year-olds and scheduled for June 20-24.24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Campers will enjoy bird walks, journaling, songs, art projects and games.

Marsh Bird Camp is geared toward those nine-12 years old and has two sessions – June 20-24 and June 27-July 1, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Participants will explore all aspects of marsh bird life, take daily nature walks and have a visit from the Birds of Prey Center.

Bugs, Birds and Blossoms Camp is for those 11 years and older, scheduled July 11-16, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. This camp covers birds, bugs and native plants of the neighborhood.

Advanced Bird Camp is for campers 11 years and older and requires Marsh Camp experience. Camps take place July 18-22 and July 25-29, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Campers will study seasonal Orange County warbler populations, Alpine and Arctic Tundra habitat, enjoy art projects, off-site visits and nature walks.

Visit the Sea and Sage website for information.

Discovery camps begin with Project Discovery the week of July 11-15. Other weeks include July 25-29, August 8-12, and August 15-19. Duration of camp is 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Campers will enjoy a variety of design and engineering challenges, such as building and testing a model roller coaster, dropping an egg without breaking it, and constructing a catapult to launch objects toward targets. Project Discovery is for children seven-10 years old.

Summer Smiles is for the five-seven-year-old set, with dates of July 18-22 and August 1-5, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. During this camp, youngsters will investigate the world of marshland plants and animals, while also focusing on a series of children’s storybooks. Hands-on activities include concocting gooey slim, creating a cloud in a bottle, and designing a bug.

Visit Discovery Science Center’s website for more informati