Summer is one of the best times to discover and explore the wonders of our natural world! This summer, The Nature Place is offering over 25 different themes and 40+ sessions of Summer Day Camp. Camps are open to children of any ability from ages 3 to 12. Each nature-themed, week-long day camp offers children hands-on experiences in nature, through hikes, crafts, games, and other meaningful activities.

Join us June 5 – August 18 for summer fun!

Scroll down for scholarship information!

camp team with camp kids posing for photo

Sessions

Discoverers

Ages 3 – 5
12 Campers per session

June 2023

Color my World

Jun 5, 2023 - Jun 9, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

From stripes and spots to camouflage and warning colors, campers will compare and contrast colors and patterns on plants and animals and create their own amazing art!

Imagination Station

Jun 5, 2023 - Jun 9, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Campers will explore the fantastic natural world of dragonflies, leopard frogs, jewelweed and more through stories, hikes, observations and crafts.

Water Week

Jun 12, 2023 - Jun 16, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Explore what lives in the marsh water outside the camp door, measure how much water is in a watermelon, look for sprinkler rainbows and other amazing water explorations!

Sunshine & Shadows

Jun 12, 2023 - Jun 16, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Campers will explore the mystery and magic of sunshine and shadows through sun prints, sun beads, shadow outlines, shadow tag, prisms and more!

Scales & Tails

Jun 19, 2023 - Jun 23, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Animal lovers will compare what animals have in common and how they differ. Discover which ones have scales, tails, fur, feathers and shells!

Sense-ational!

Jun 19, 2023 - Jun 23, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Campers will actively explore amazing natural sights, smells, touches and sounds as they really get a feel for the natural world around them!

Plantastic

Jun 26, 2023 - Jun 30, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Explore amazing plants that use color, taste, touch, smell and even movement to attract animals, protect themselves, save water, spread their seeds and more!

Holes & Homes

Jun 26, 2023 - Jun 30, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Animal homes can be big and easy to see, or tiny and hidden. Explore area animals big and small by looking for holes and homes and trying to make your own!

July 2023

Run, Hop, Slither, Soar

Jul 10, 2023 - Jul 14, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Through games, hikes, crafts, nature observation and more, campers will actively learn and test different ways animals get around.

From bugs to slugs

Jul 10, 2023 - Jul 14, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Investigate the world beyond the cute and cuddly as you look for and learn about some of the creeping, crawling, scuttling, scurrying and slime-producing critters found in the area!

Imagination Station

Jul 17, 2023 - Jul 21, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Campers will explore the fantastic natural world of dragonflies, leopard frogs, jewelweed and more through stories, hikes, observations and crafts.

Color my World

Jul 17, 2023 - Jul 21, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

From stripes and spots to camouflage and warning colors, campers will compare and contrast colors and patterns on plants and animals and create their own amazing art!

Sunshine & Shadows

Jul 24, 2023 - Jul 28, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Campers will explore the mystery and magic of sunshine and shadows through sun prints, sun beads, shadow outlines, shadow tag, prisms and more!

Water Week

Jul 24, 2023 - Jul 28, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Explore what lives in the marsh water outside the camp door, measure how much water is in a watermelon, look for sprinkler rainbows and other amazing water explorations!

Sense-ational!

Jul 31, 2023 - Aug 4, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Campers will actively explore amazing natural sights, smells, touches and sounds as they really get a feel for the natural world around them!

Scales & Tails

Jul 31, 2023 - Aug 4, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Animal lovers will compare what animals have in common and how they differ. Discover which ones have scales, tails, fur, feathers and shells!

August 2023

Plantastic

Aug 7, 2023 - Aug 11, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Explore amazing plants that use color, taste, touch, smell and even movement to attract animals, protect themselves, save water, spread their seeds and more!

Holes & Homes

Aug 8, 2023 - Aug 11, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Animal homes can be big and easy to see, or tiny and hidden. Explore area animals big and small by looking for holes and homes and trying to make your own!

From bugs to slugs

Aug 14, 2023 - Aug 18, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Investigate the world beyond the cute and cuddly as you look for and learn about some of the creeping, crawling, scuttling, scurrying and slime-producing critters found in the area!

Run, Hop, Slither, Soar

Aug 14, 2023 - Aug 18, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Through games, hikes, crafts, nature observation and more, campers will actively learn and test different ways animals get around.

Explorers

Ages 6 - 8
16 Campers per session

June 2023

Ghosts, Zombies, Aliens & Cryptids

Jun 5, 2023 - Jun 9, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Creepy creatures from books and movies also exist as the really WILD life of WI – past, present and unknown! Examine evidence, make models, and search for the truth!

Critter Celebrations

Jun 5, 2023 - Jun 9, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Celebrate holiday critter connections - Halloween bats, Easter bunnies, Thanksgiving turkeys, February Groundhogs – with crafts, games & activities that will have you becoming an animal expert!

Park Picassos

Jun 12, 2023 - Jun 16, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Create art of all kinds using nature for inspiration and some materials! From leaf pounding prints to berry dyes, stick sculptures to plant weavings, express your nature connection in creative ways.

Dig-In!

Jun 12, 2023 - Jun 16, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Campers will be looking for treasures (critters, rocks, vegetables and ???) underground – and perhaps even hiding their own! Be prepared for a week of good, dirty fun as shovels and scoops get put to good use!

Camp Camp

Jun 19, 2023 - Jun 23, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Hands-on fun as we pitch tents and test the best place to do so, practice hammocking skills, prepare camp treats, play camp games and more! No sleeping bags needed as we will be active all week long!

Going for the Record!

Jun 19, 2023 - Jun 23, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Have the MOST FUN as you see – can you jump as far as a frog? Fit the group in a whale’s belly? Discover which mammal has the most teeth? Find the biggest tree and smallest flower? And much, much more!

Birds, Bats, Bugs & Beyond

Jun 26, 2023 - Jun 30, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Many different animals float, flutter and fly. Compare the who’s and how’s and create and test your own flying models to see how humans have used nature as inspiration for inventions.

Mythbusting Gone WILD

Jun 26, 2023 - Jun 30, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Can toads give you warts? Does sugar attract more flies than vinegar? Does moss only grow on the north side of trees? Bring questions and curiosity to learn and test nature based myths!

July 2023

Collecting Kids

Jul 10, 2023 - Jul 14, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Collect and identify leaves, fossils, seeds, stones, sticks, nuts, bones, bugs and of course, memories with non-living collections for keeps, but all living animals only kept for up to 24 hours for observation.

Wild Wisconsin Week

Jul 10, 2023 - Jul 14, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Wisconsin is a wild place – full of plants, animals, rocks and more! The official state icons will be the starting place for our explorations through interactive hikes, games, crafts, and more!

Critter Celebrations

Jul 17, 2023 - Jul 21, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Celebrate holiday critter connections - Halloween bats, Easter bunnies, Thanksgiving turkeys, February Groundhogs – with crafts, games & activities that will have you becoming an animal expert!

Ghosts, Zombies, Aliens & Cryptids

Jul 17, 2023 - Jul 21, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Creepy creatures from books and movies also exist as the really WILD life of WI – past, present and unknown! Examine evidence, make models, and search for the truth!

Dig-In!

Jul 24, 2023 - Jul 28, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Campers will be looking for treasures (critters, rocks, vegetables and ???) underground – and perhaps even hiding their own! Be prepared for a week of good, dirty fun as shovels and scoops get put to good use!

Park Picassos

Jul 24, 2023 - Jul 28, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Create art of all kinds using nature for inspiration and some materials! From leaf pounding prints to berry dyes, stick sculptures to plant weavings, express your nature connection in creative ways.

Going for the Record!

Jul 31, 2023 - Aug 4, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Have the MOST FUN as you see – can you jump as far as a frog? Fit the group in a whale’s belly? Discover which mammal has the most teeth? Find the biggest tree and smallest flower? And much, much more!

Camp Camp

Jul 31, 2023 - Aug 4, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Hands-on fun as we pitch tents and test the best place to do so, practice hammocking skills, prepare camp treats, play camp games and more! No sleeping bags needed as we will be active all week long!

August 2023

Mythbusting Gone WILD

Aug 7, 2023 - Aug 11, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Can toads give you warts? Does sugar attract more flies than vinegar? Does moss only grow on the north side of trees? Bring questions and curiosity to learn and test nature based myths!

Birds, Bats, Bugs & Beyond

Aug 7, 2023 - Aug 11, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Many different animals float, flutter and fly. Compare the who’s and how’s and create and test your own flying models to see how humans have used nature as inspiration for inventions.

Wild Wisconsin Week

Aug 14, 2023 - Aug 18, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Wisconsin is a wild place – full of plants, animals, rocks and more! The official state icons will be the starting place for our explorations through interactive hikes, games, crafts, and more!

Collecting Kids

Aug 14, 2023 - Aug 18, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Collect and identify leaves, fossils, seeds, stones, sticks, nuts, bones, bugs and of course, memories with non-living collections for keeps, but all living animals only kept for up to 24 hours for observation.

Adventurers

Ages 9 - 12
16 Campers per session

June 2023

Marsh Minecraft

Jun 5, 2023 - Jun 9, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Imagine the marsh as your future home. What items did people use in the past? What can be used today? Come create your community as you really dig into the possibilities of the marsh!

Explore More!

Jun 12, 2023 - Jun 16, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Get your backpacks ready – your day might include a hike up to Grandad’s Bluff, a mosey down to the Mississippi or an in-the creek walk! These are possible off-site explorations with the final Friday to be spent at Pettibone Park!

Nature CSI

Jun 19, 2023 - Jun 23, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Who’s cutting down marsh trees? Whose feathers are in the field? How did a groundhog get in the garden? Campers will find, identify and use skulls, scat, signs, prints and more to figure out what’s up when we’re not around!

eARTh Week

Jun 26, 2023 - Jun 30, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Our world is beautiful and full of art-making potential! Camper art could include natural dyes, charcoal art, fruit tattooing, sculpting, leaf printing and other opportunities to express themselves using nature as an inspiration and source of materials.

July 2023

Let’s Do It!

Jul 10, 2023 - Jul 14, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Campers will improve the area for people and wildlife with both temporary and permanent hands-in, hands-on activities. Possibilities include making a giant sun clock, monitoring bird nesting boxes, removing invasive species, doing a butterfly survey and others.

Survival Skills

Jul 17, 2023 - Jul 21, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Can you read a map, use a compass, build a survival shelter, find potable water, signal a rescue team, make a simple fishing pole, get sparks from striking flint, tie a knot? Learn these skills and more as you create and use a personal survival kit!

camper painting with watercolor
camp kids using microscope out in nature
young camper girl planting in the garden

(You may also view these camp sessions on our full calendar.)

Registration Notes

  • Camp registration closes at 5pm the Wednesday before the camp begins.
  • Please have your credit 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.

Extended Care

Extended care sessions are available for sessions in which you are registered.

7:30 am – 9 am daily | $20/week per camper

12 pm – 1 pm Lunch care | $15/week per camper
- Meal not provided.
- Not needed for Adventurers ages 9 – 12

4 – 5 pm daily | $15/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 over 30 years of experience developing and delivering nature education and camp programs around the country. She will be training and supervising the 8 adult AmeriCorps service members who will be the primary camp counselors.

There are always a minimum two 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 camper conduct contract, etc.

kids in a class learning about turtles
kids outside looking at cactus plants
Instructor holding a snake
camp girls looking at a pondwith lilly pads
camp kids making funny faces for photo on trail

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
  • Adventurers (ages 9 -12) and campers registered for lunch care must bring their own lunch 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.

leaf icon

Camper Conduct Contract:

To make sure everyone is aware of behavior expectations, every camper must have a camper and guardian signed camper conduct contract on file at the beginning of their first session.

Illness:

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.