Nature Detectives: Tracking Animal Clues with Guide Maurice Schalker
Looking for a family adventure that gets kids off screens and into the wild? Nature Detectives: Tracking Animal Clues with Guide Maurice Schalker turns the forests around Camping de Wildhoeve into an open-air classroom. Children learn to read the woods like a book—spotting prints, droppings, feeding marks, hideouts, nest sites, and even listening for birds—while exploring the edge of the Royal Forest Het Loo on the Veluwe.
In this guide, you’ll discover what children learn on these kid-friendly excursions, when they run, what it costs, and how to join. You’ll also get practical tips to make the most of your time on the trail.
What is Nature Detectives with Maurice Schalker?
Nature Detectives is a series of children’s forest excursions at Camping de Wildhoeve, led by nature guide Maurice Schalker. Each outing focuses on wildlife clues—from claw marks and footprints to droppings and browsing signs—helping young explorers connect the dots between what they see and the animals that live here.
Set on the edge of the Koninklijke Houtvesterij Het Loo (Royal Forest Het Loo), the area features expansive forests and heathlands that teem with life. It’s a perfect backdrop for kids to learn, wonder, and ask questions as they move through the woods in a small group.
Quick facts
- Guide: Maurice Schalker
- Focus: Animal tracks, droppings, feeding signs, hideouts, nest sites, and birds
- Price: € 3.50 per person
- Age: Suitable from 4 years
- Group size: Max 20 persons
- Location: Camping de Wildhoeve, Hanendorperweg 102, 8166 JJ Emst
- Info: 0578 - 66 13 24 | info@wildhoeve.nl
Explore more on our Kinder natuur excursies page and the broader Nature section.
What kids learn on the trail
The power of these excursions is in the details. Maurice helps children slow down, look closely, and think like a scientist—asking, observing, and making simple, testable guesses about what happened and who did it.
Tracks and footprints: Reading the forest floor
Children learn to spot pootafdrukken (footprints) on soft ground and compare sizes, toe shapes, and stride patterns. They’ll notice how substrate (mud, sand, leaf litter) changes the look of a print and how to follow a short trail to find where an animal moved or rested.
Droppings and feeding signs: Nature’s evidence
Identifying keutels (droppings) and vraatsporen (feeding marks) gives clues to which animals visited, what they ate, and when. Kids discover how bite patterns on leaves, twigs, and cones differ among species and why these signs are often easier to find than the animals themselves.
Hideouts and nest sites: Secret spaces
From verstopplekjes (hiding spots) to nestlocaties (nesting sites), children learn to look for safe, sheltered micro-habitats animals choose—under roots, in bramble patches, inside old tree holes, or in dense shrubs. They discuss why animals pick those places and how we can admire them without disturbing wildlife.
Bird calls and ID: In May, all birds lay an egg…
One session focuses on the theme "In May, all birds lay an egg…" Children practice recognizing the birds of the forest by sight and sound—listening for calls, scanning canopies and edges, and noting shapes, colors, and behaviors to tell common species apart.
Crafting an adventure walking stick
During the Adventure Walking Stick activity, kids search for a special stick and decorate it with natural finds, creating a keepsake that reminds them to notice textures, patterns, and colors in the forest.
Dates, times, and themes
Below are scheduled sessions for Nature Detectives with Maurice Schalker. Themes repeat so children can build skills over multiple visits.
| Date | Time | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 22 April | 13:30 | Animal tracks of the forest: searching for claw marks, droppings, feeding signs, hideouts, nest sites, and footprints |
| Tuesday 29 April | — | Theme to be revealed |
| Tuesday 6 May | 13:30 | In May, all birds lay an egg… The birds of the forest—can you recognize them by sight and sound? |
| Thursday 29 May | 10:00 | Animal tracks of the forest: searching for claw marks, droppings, feeding signs, hideouts, nest sites, and footprints |
| Sunday 8 June | 10:00 | Adventure walking stick: find a great stick and decorate it with forest treasures |
Notes:
- Price: € 3.50 per person
- Suitable for children from 4 years
- Maximum 20 persons per activity
For the latest schedule and availability, visit Kinder natuur excursies or contact the campsite at 0578 - 66 13 24 or info@wildhoeve.nl.
How to join (fast answer)
- Check upcoming sessions on Kinder natuur excursies.
- Have questions? Call 0578 - 66 13 24 or email info@wildhoeve.nl.
- Small groups (max 20) mean spots can fill—reach out early to plan your visit.
Make the most of your Nature Detectives experience
A little preparation helps children notice more and enjoy the forest at their own pace.
What to bring
- Sturdy shoes with good grip
- Weather-appropriate layers and a light rain jacket if needed
- Water and a small snack
- A small notebook and pencil for sketches and notes
- An optional magnifier for close-up looks at tracks, leaves, and bark
Field habits that boost discovery
- Slow down and scan: Tracks hide in plain sight near muddy patches, sandy corners, or along path edges.
- Get low: Kneel to see fine details like claw marks, hair caught on bark, or tiny feeding nibbles.
- Use all senses: Listen for rustles and calls; sniff for the distinctive scents of resin, soil, or animal markings.
- Look for contrast: Boundaries—forest to meadow, path to understory—are hotspots for animal movement.
- Leave no trace: Admire signs without disturbing nests or hideouts; stay on marked paths and keep voices low.
Keep curiosity flowing
- Ask open-ended questions: “What do you notice? What changed since the last track?”
- Try simple comparisons: Match similar prints by size and spacing; group droppings by shape.
- Sketch: A quick drawing helps kids observe shape and pattern better than a snapshot.
Related nature experiences at Camping de Wildhoeve
Looking for more ways to explore the Veluwe? In addition to Nature Detectives with Maurice Schalker, families can join:
- Family Forest Walk (Gezinsboswandeling) with nature guide Jan Niebeek at 10:00 on select dates including 19 April, 28 April, 5 May, 30 May (Friday after Ascension), 9 June (Whit Monday), and several dates in July and August. A relaxed, educational walk with wildlife prints and feeding signs—great for all ages.
- Wolf Walk (Wolvenwandeling) with Jan Niebeek at 10:00 on multiple dates (e.g., 20 April, 1 May, 8 May, 31 May; 7, 12, 19, 26 June; throughout July and August). Participation is free.
Explore the full program and more wild inspiration on our Nature page. To learn about the wider landscape you’ll walk through, see Nearby Nature Areas.
FAQs
What is Nature Detectives with Maurice Schalker?
A children’s forest excursion at Camping de Wildhoeve focused on finding and interpreting animal clues—prints, droppings, feeding signs, hideouts, and nests—plus a special birds session and an adventure walking stick activity.
How much does it cost?
€ 3.50 per person.
What age is it for?
Suitable for children from 4 years.
How many people can join?
Maximum 20 persons per session.
Where does it take place?
At Camping de Wildhoeve, Hanendorperweg 102, 8166 JJ Emst, on the edge of the Royal Forest Het Loo.
How do I join?
Check Kinder natuur excursies for session details and contact 0578 - 66 13 24 or info@wildhoeve.nl with questions.
Conclusion: Raise a Nature Detective on the Veluwe
From the first footprint to the final feather, Nature Detectives: Tracking Animal Clues with Guide Maurice Schalker gives children a vivid, hands-on way to understand the forest. With small groups, accessible themes, and a magical Veluwe backdrop, it’s an easy win for curious families.
Ready to plan your wild day out? Explore Kinder natuur excursies, call 0578 - 66 13 24, or email info@wildhoeve.nl. Want to turn it into a mini-break in nature? Choose your stay and Zoek & Boek your camping spot or rental at Camping de Wildhoeve.