Enroll your child in Eco Odyssey 2007, Hawaii Nature Center’s new overnight camp in Iao Valley on Maui.

Program Overview
The Hawaii Nature Center (HNC) is welcoming overnight campers to its newly renovated Iao Valley facilities on Maui. Boys and girls, ages 10 -13, can be happily engrossed in outdoor adventures at HNC's EcoOdyssey for five days and four nights.

Professional environmental educators provide children with active outdoor learning projects that cover Hawaii's native ecosystem to include its biology, geology and natural history. A museum on the grounds houses 30 interactive exhibits to enhance the outdoor learning experience.

Recreational and extracurricular activities include Hawaiian music, art and dance; hikes; swimming and kayaking. Excursions such as snorkeling at Molokini Island, Hawaiian rainforest tours and trips to Haleakala, are interspersed to capture your child’s attention.

Hands-on exposure to Hawaii's environment and culture
And what better place to immerse youngsters in those mysteries than the exquisite, legendary Iao Valley?

Recognized as a national natural landmark by the United States Department of Interior, Iao Valley is nestled 750 feet above sea level on the island of Maui. It is 10 miles in length, encompassing approximately 4,000 acres, including 35 acres of pristine Hawaii native forest.

The valley holds a special place in Hawaiian culture.
According to ancient legend, the gods Maui and Hina had a daughter named Iao, who fell in love with Puuokamoa, a half-fish, half-man god.

This angered Maui who had vowed she would be wed to only the most worthy of kings, and he ordered Puuokamoa burned to death. But Pele, a friend of Puuokamoa, pleaded on his behalf. Iao, too, pleaded with her father, saying she would die if she could not see her lover.

Moved, Maui promised not to have him burned, but instead turned him into a pillar of stone. The romance was over, but Iao could always see him.

That stone, towering above the valley, is Iao Needle. Click here to see a video introduction to the Iao Valley.
In the days of the ali`i, commoners were not allowed into the valley. And still today, access is restricted to preserve this pristine environment.

Enroll today! For application and more information, click here!