Summer Nature Day Camps
Naturalists lead an annual set of summer camps that allow children to explore and enjoy the great outdoors. The camps are a week-long experience in conservation and nature. Activities may include hiking & outdoor recreation, meeting live animals, story time, nature arts & crafts, picnics, and science activities.
Parents may register children for camp beginning Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Registration is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, come to the Annett Nature Center (15565 118th Ave Indianola, IA) or call us at (515) 961-6169 (no e-mail registrations will be accepted.) Our camp sessions fill up very quickly. Parents or relatives may register campers.
*Due to the popularity and limited space in our camps, children may only attend each camp one time.
*Day Camp fees are non-refundable*
2024 Day Camp Schedule
Cricket Camp (2 sessions):
Ages 4-5
Cost: $50
M-F 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Session I: June 10-14
Session II: June 17-21
*Must be 4 years old by first day of camp.
This camp is themed around “animal awareness”. Children will learn about insects, birds, pond life (amphibians and fish,) mammals, and reptiles. Each day will include nature art, games, hiking, songs, and story time.
Discovery Camp:
Ages 6-7
Cost: $75
M-F 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
June 24 - 28
This camp is themed around habitats and areas of scientific studies or “ologies”. Children will learn about Woodlands, Prairie, Wetlands/Ponds, and Lakes, and Backyards as habitats. They will also learn about scatology, arachnology, micro/macro biology, paleontology, and cryptology. Each day will include LOTS of hiking along with some journaling, nature art, games, science, and story time.
Kestrel Camp:
Ages 8-9
Cost: $75
M-W 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
T-F 3 p.m. - 8 a.m.
July 8-12
This camp is themed around early Iowans. We will learn about Native Americans, Pioneers on the Oregon Trail, Early Iowans in Nature and Primitive Cooking. Each day will include games, crafts and hiking!
Challenge Camp:
Ages 10-12
Cost: $75
M-W 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
T-F 3 p.m. - 8 a.m.
July 15-19
This camp is themed around a challenge and outdoor survival theme. This includes outdoor challenges, mental challenges, physical challenges, and social/teamwork challenges. We will learn about fishing, knot tying, orienteering, geocaching, standup paddleboarding and canoeing. Each day will include games and hiking.
*New This Year*
Family Camp:
Ages 6 and Up
Cost: $20 per participant
Friday at 6:00pm through Saturday at 2:30pm
May 3-4
This camp is a survivor-style family camp! We will divide our camp into 2 teams (families will stay together) and the teams will compete in a variety of challenges including obstacle courses, team work challenges, making our own meals, and camping out!
Dinner Friday night, breakfast Saturday morning, and lunch Saturday will be provided with camp registration.
*Staff will be facilitating camp and the challenges, but parents must supervise their children at all times.