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 Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Registration is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.
STAY TUNED FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION
(Registrations will not be accepted via email or voicemail.) Our camp sessions fill up very quickly.
Parents or relatives may register campers and up to one non-related camper per camp.
*Due to the popularity and limited space in our camps, children may only attend each camp one time.
*Day Camp fees are non-refundable*
2026 Day Camp Schedule *APPROX. DATES*
Cricket Camp
Ages 4-5
Cost: $50
M-F 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Session I: June 8-12
Session II: July 13-17
*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 15-19
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.
Th: Sleep Under 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
No Camp Friday
June 22-26
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! Thursday night’s sleep under will include making a camp stew and doing all of the fun night activities of previous camps! (All the fun of a sleep over, without the sleeping part!)
Challenge Camp
Ages 10-12
Cost: $75
M-W 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
T-F 3 p.m. - 8 a.m.
July 6-10
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. Thursday night will include making foil packet dinners over the fire and spending the night at the Annett Nature Center for a camp overnighter!
3rd Annual
Family Camp: Star Wars
Ages 6 and Up
Cost: $20 per participant
Friday at 6:00pm through Saturday at 2:30pm
May 1-2
Jedi or Sith? Join us for an adventure-filled weekend, and learn how to become one with the force. Your families will work together through games, challenges, and hands-on activities inspired by the galaxy far, far away. Along the way, campers will build teamwork skills, explore the outdoors, and create memories that are out of this world.
Your family may register beginning Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, at 8 a.m. Registration will be on MyCountyParks.com, stay tuned for the link!
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.
*Camp fees are non-refundable
