Camp Nihan facts for kids

Camp Nihan is a special place in Saugus, Massachusetts, where kids and groups can learn about nature. It's like an outdoor classroom managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which is a state group that takes care of parks and natural areas. Camp Nihan offers free programs to schools and other non-profit groups, teaching them about the environment.

What is Camp Nihan?

Camp Nihan is an environmental education center. This means it's a place where people, especially students, can go to learn about the natural world. They offer programs that teach about local plants, animals, and ecosystems. It's a great way to understand how nature works and why it's important to protect it.

Part of Breakheart Reservation

Today, Camp Nihan is part of a larger natural area called Breakheart Reservation. This makes it an even bigger place for nature to thrive. The camp itself covers about 65 acres. That's like 65 football fields! This land includes different types of natural spaces.

Natural Habitats at Camp Nihan

The camp has several important habitats:

• Woodland forest: This is a wooded area with many trees.
• Marsh: A marsh is a wetland area, often covered with grasses and shallow water.
• Spring-fed pond: This is a pond that gets its water from underground springs.
• Saugus River: The Saugus River flows right through the camp.

These different areas provide homes for many kinds of wildlife.

What Animals Live at Camp Nihan?

Because Camp Nihan has a mix of forests, marshes, a pond, and a river, many animals call it home. It's a great spot for wildlife watching!

Birds and Mammals

You might see different types of birds and mammals living here.

• Birds: Look for birds like heron, which are tall wading birds, and mallards, a common type of duck.
• Mammals: Many mammals live in and around the camp. These include clever foxes, graceful deer, and playful river otters.

How Did Camp Nihan Start?

Camp Nihan has a long history. It was first created way back in 1929.

The Role of George Nihan

The camp was named after a man named George Nihan. He was a leader for the Lynn Council Boy Scouts. George Nihan worked hard to buy the land so that it could be used as a Boy Scout camp. This shows how important outdoor spaces were, even nearly a hundred years ago.

Becoming a State Property

Later, in the early 1970s, the land was bought by the Metropolitan District Commission. This group eventually became part of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This is why Camp Nihan is now managed by the state and offers its programs to the public.