Summer is one of the best times to discover and explore the wonders of our natural world! In 2024, The Nature Place is offering over 25 different themes and 40+ sessions of Summer Day Camp. Each nature-themed camp offers children ages 4 -12 hands-on experiences in nature, through hikes, crafts, games, and other meaningful activities.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Sessions run June 10 - August 23, 2024
As of 3/22/24, all general slots for all Littles Camps are filled. Waitlists have been started.
Scroll down for scholarship information!
Sessions
Littles
Ages 4 – 6
12 Campers per session
June 2024
Creep, Climb & Crawl
Campers will engage their motor skills as they actively learn about animals and how they move by making observations, mimicking critter motions and conquering challenges.
Makes Sense
Campers will learn and test new ways to use their 5 senses to explore and enjoy the outdoors.
Color Camp
We’ll start by searching our outdoor areas, adding crayons, glue, imagination and more to create art that showcases the vibrant colors of nature.
Paws & Claws
Compare and contrast animal adaptations and test them on various activities through indoor and outdoor explorations and challenges.
Water World
Join us for a week of cool summer explorations about, around and in the water as we investigate marsh creatures and their watery world.
Bug Besties
We’ll look high and low, exploring prairie, woodlands and marsh to find different scaly, creepy, crawly insect friends and learn about their homes.
July 2024
Feathered Friends
Campers will discover the wonders of birds through songs, play, nature observations and activities as they learn who is fluttering and flapping overhead.
Homes, Holes & Hives
Discover where animals live to see if it is like your home through crafts and exploration. Plus, build an animal home of your own for fun!
Summer Storytime
We’ll use real animal artifacts, our natural surroundings, imaginations and sense of fun to bring some favorite stories to life!
Scales & Slime
Let's hop to it and find out about scaly and slimy critters found in WI through hikes, crafts, games and more.
Makes Sense
Campers will learn and test new ways to use their 5 senses to explore and enjoy the outdoors.
Creep, Climb & Crawl
Campers will engage their motor skills as they actively learn about animals and how they move by making observations, mimicking critter motions and conquering challenges.
Paws & Claws
Compare and contrast animal adaptations and test them on various activities through indoor and outdoor explorations and challenges.
Color Camp
We'll search and collect from outdoor areas, then add crayons, glue, imagination and more to create art that showcases the vibrant colors of nature.
August 2024
Bug Besties
We’ll look high and low, exploring prairie, woodlands and marsh to find different scaly, creepy, crawly insect friends and learn about their homes.
Water World
Join us for a week of cool summer explorations about, around and in the water as we investigate marsh creatures and their watery world.
Homes, Holes & Hives
Discover where animals live to see if it is like your home through crafts and exploration. Plus, build an animal home of your own for fun!
Feathered Friends
Campers will discover the wonders of birds through songs, play, nature observations and activities as they learn who is fluttering and flapping overhead.
Scales & Slime
We’ll use real animal artifacts, our natural surroundings, imaginations and sense of fun to bring some favorite stories to life!
Summer Storytime
We’ll use real animal artifacts, our natural surroundings, imaginations and sense of fun to bring some favorite stories to life!
Middles
Ages 7 - 9
16 Campers per session
June 2024
Cold-Blooded Camp
Ready to learn about everything scaly and slimy? Compare and contrast the traits of our reptile and amphibian friends through crafts, hikes and fun.
Creation Station
Cut, color and collage! We’ll explore nature to inspire and supply all kinds of materials for personal crafts and creations.
Creepy Crawlies
Investigate survival strategies of area insects, isopods and arachnids through humane observation, capture, study, simulations and more!
Nature Ninjas
Come brush up on ninja skills like creeping, climbing and camouflage, taking inspiration from Wisconsin’s most cryptic creatures and accomplished acrobats.
Magical Creatures
Discover the magic of the marsh and bring legends to life with games and crafts inspired by animals featured in fables, fairytales and folklore.
Talons, Feathers & Beaks, Oh My!
Feathered friends are soaring in the sky and wading in marsh mud. In a fun-filled week, discover different bird types and how they survive.
July 2024
All About H2O
Have a cool week of summer fun as you actively learn some fantastic properties of water through hands-on (and perhaps bodies in!) explorations!
Powerful Plants
Discover local plants that are soft or slimy, smooth or pokey, colorful or camouflaged, smell sweet or stinky, be edible or poisonous and much more!
Budding Builders
We’ll look at the creations of ants, beavers, wasps and others as inspirations for building projects of our own!
Playing Defense
From furry spines to fishy schools, we will uncover ways that animals protect themselves through stories, games, modeling and more.
Creation Station
Cut, color and collage! We’ll explore nature to inspire and supply all kinds of materials for personal crafts and creations.
Cold-Blooded Camp
Ready to learn about everything scaly and slimy? Compare and contrast the traits of our reptile and amphibian friends through crafts, hikes and fun.
Nature Ninjas
Come brush up on ninja skills like creeping, climbing and camouflage, taking inspiration from Wisconsin’s most cryptic creatures and accomplished acrobats.
Creepy Crawlies
Investigate survival strategies of area insects, isopods and arachnids through humane observation, capture, study, simulations and more!
August 2024
Talons, Feathers & Beaks, Oh My!
Feathered friends are soaring in the sky and wading in marsh mud. In a fun-filled week, discover different bird types and how they survive.
Magical Creatures
Discover the magic of the marsh and bring legends to life with games and crafts inspired by animals featured in fables, fairytales and folklore.
Powerful Plants
Discover local plants that are soft or slimy, smooth or pokey, colorful or camouflaged, smell sweet or stinky, be edible or poisonous and much more!
All About H20
Have a cool week of summer fun as you actively learn some fantastic properties of water through hands-on (and perhaps bodies in!) explorations!
Playing Defense
From furry spines to fishy schools, we will uncover ways that animals protect themselves through stories, games, modeling and more.
Budding Builders
We’ll look at the creations of ants, beavers, wasps and others as inspirations for building projects of our own!
Bigs
Ages 10- 12
16 Campers per session
June 2024
Rattlesnakes, Wolves & Bears, Oh My!
Join us for stories and outside activities to discover the myths and realities about the hair-raising critters we could potentially find visiting our backyards!
Plants & Potions
Learn which powerful plants in your backyard and around the world can be used to change colors, scare spiders, calm a cold and more.
Marsh Michelangelos
Look at the marsh as an artist, then use everything including collected objects, recycled materials and standard art supplies to create one-of-a-kind arts and crafts.
July 2024
Earth Engineers
We will hone in our engineering skills as we build stuff with natural materials including willow branches, sticks, stones, water, mud and more.
Things with Wings
Explore more about birds, bats and insects through observations, models, activities and experiments as your knowledge takes wing!
Earth Forces
Do earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and tornadoes interest you? Join us as we dive into the mysteries of Earth’s forces with activities, games and adventures!
Ready to Roam
Looking for some new adventures? Join us for a week of exploring amazing areas in and within hiking distance of Myrick Park.
August 2024
Wilderness Warriors
Human vs Nature – can you survive? Learn how to build shelters, face the elements, recognize the threats of animals and other essential skills.
Nature at Night
The marsh at night is a magical place. With heightened senses and marsh moonlight, we’ll have three evenings to explore nocturnal sights and sounds.
(You may also view these camp sessions on our full calendar.)
Registration Notes
- Camp registration closes at 5pm the Tuesday before the camp begins. (July 8 - 12 sessions close 2 weeks before camp)
- 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.
- All campers must be able to independently use the toilet. The Nature Place staff and AmeriCorps team members can only assist with the washing of hands.
Cost
$130 for each half day session
9 am – 12 noon, 1 pm – 4 pm
$275 for each full day session
9 am – 4 pm
Sibling Discount
10% discount for each additional child registered during a concurrent camp session.
*Discount does not apply to extended care options.
Scholarships
Available for single camp sessions.
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 | $20/week per camper
12 pm – 1 pm Lunch care | $15/week per camper
- Meal not provided.
- Not needed for Bigs ages 10 – 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.
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 10 -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.
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.
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