Summer is one of the best times to discover and explore the wonders of our natural world! In 2026, The Nature Place camps were voted the BEST day camps in La Crosse County.
Over 11 weeks, we served over 780 campers ages 4 - 12 with 55 sessions of 34 different themed camps.
Fast forward to 2027, we are looking at the possibility of adding another week of camp AND upon the request of multiple campers who would otherwise have aged out, we MIGHT have a BIGS+ option for those ages 13 - 17! Keep checking back for more information.
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
June - August 2027
Sessions
Littles
Ages 4 – 5
12 Campers per session
Middles
Ages 6 - 8
16 Campers per session
Bigs
Ages 9 - 12
16 Campers per session
(You may also view these camp sessions on our full calendar.)
(You may also view these camp sessions on our full calendar.)
Registration Notes
- With the exception of Bigs Night Camp and One Day Wonders, camps run Monday through Friday.
- Camp registration closes at 5 pm the Tuesday before the camp begins. (July 6 - 10 sessions close 2 weeks before camp)
- Please have your credit/debit card on hand as you cannot save the registration information to complete at a later time.
- Wait list: In the event a camp fills, a wait list will be established to fill cancellations.
- All campers must be able to independently use the toilet. The Nature Place staff and summer team members can only assist with the washing of hands.
- Campers must be at least 4 years old at the time a camp session starts. We do allow a 6-week grace period either side of a birthdate above the age of 4.
- Campers must be able to work independently within the camp group, we cannot provide constant 1:1 support assistance.
- Some scholarships are available for one-week sessions.
Cost
$135 for each week-long half day session (Ages 4 - 8)
9 am – 12 noon, 1 pm – 4 pm
$275 for each week-long full day session (Ages 9 - 12)
9 am - 4 pm
$60 for each single One Day Wonder session - lunch care included. (Ages 4 - 12)
9 am – 4 pm
Additional Child Discount
10% discount for each additional child from the same household registered during a concurrent camp session.
*Discount does not apply to extended care options.
Extended Care
Extended care sessions are available for sessions in which you are registered. There is no sibling discount for extended care.
7:30 am – 9 am daily | $25/week per camper
12 noon – 1 pm Lunch care | $25/week per camper
- Meal not provided.
- Automatically included for Bigs ages 9 – 12
4 – 5 pm daily | $20/week per camper
Camp doors will open promptly at 9 am and at 1 pm. Campers not enrolled in extended care must be supervised by a parent/guardian until they are escorted into the open camp room. If campers are dropped off early or picked up late, they will be charged the extended care fee.
Camp Information
Director:
Cindy Blobaum Email Cindy
Cindy has 30+ years of experience developing and delivering nature education and camp programs around the country. She trains and supervises the 9+ adult AmeriCorps service members who are the primary camp leaders.
There are always a minimum of 2 trained adult leaders with each group.
Communication:
An email will be sent to the primary address listed on the registration form the Friday before camp begins at the latest (may be sent earlier). This will include important information about the upcoming session – special days, a general schedule (subject to change as weather and camper conditions dictate), camp counselors’ names, the conduct contract, etc.
What to bring:
- Campers should be dressed to be outdoors (no flip flops!) in clothes that can get dirty.
- Water bottles
- Hats
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Snacks for each session are the responsibility of each camper
- Bigs (ages 9 -12) and campers registered for lunch care must bring their own lunch that needs neither refrigeration or heating each day
Daily activities:
- Crafts
- Games
- Hikes
- Stories
- Activities related to the weekly theme
The majority of each day will be spent outdoors
– except in the event of extreme weather conditions.
Conduct Contract:
To make sure everyone is aware of behavior expectations, every camper must have a camper and guardian signed Conduct Contract on file at the beginning of their first session.
Health Policy:
Per our Health Policy, campers and staff are expected to arrive at camp in a state of good health. If they are experiencing any signs of illness or require medication to remain comfortable, they should remain at home. If a camper becomes unwell during a session, they will be immediately separated from the group and supervised as a parent is contacted for pickup.
Refund protocol:
Camp fees are due at the time of registration. Full refunds are issued only when a camp session is cancelled by The Nature Place (does not meet minimum enrollment of 5 campers). If you need to cancel a camp enrollment, you will receive at 50% refund if the request is made 3 weeks prior to the start of camp. Cancellations less than 3 weeks prior to camp receive no refund unless the slot can be filled.
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