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KinderNature camps are offered in 5-day series from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. All KinderNature camps will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, Iowa. We are offering 5 different camp themes, one each day. Camp themes are offered June 10th -14th & again August 5th - 9th. Cost is $15.00 per camper, per camp. Students are welcome to register for any session, please note camp themes presented in June will be repeated in August.
Dirt is amazing and it gives us so much, our food, our shade, our lives! Join us as we explore dirt & mud & learn all about how it does so many amazing things!
Visit the My County Parks website for details and to register for the June 10th camp
Visit the My County Parks website for details and to register for the August 5th camp
See turtles & their shells, learn about the life they live, & experience what it is like to carry your own home around with you through immersive play and exploration.
Visit the My County Parks website for details and to register for the June 11th camp
Visit the My County Parks website for details and to register for the August 6th camp
Learn more about pack life & the world of a carnivore while you practice your nocturnal animal skills. Night vision, sense of smell, and listening skills will all be explored through immersive play and experimentation.
Visit the My County Parks website for details and to register for the June 12th camp
Visit the My County Parks website for details and to register for the August 7th camp
From tiny seed to enormous tree we will explore how our shade giving friends grow. We will explore root structure, leaf shape, photosynthesis, & more.
Visit the My County Parks website for details and to register for the June 13th camp
Visit the My County Parks website for details and to register for the August 8th camp
Explore different species of bugs you see in western Iowa, explore their unique compound eye, learn what it is they do for us every day, and find out what is cute and cuddly about these six-legged friends.
Visit the My County Parks website for details and to register for the June 14th camp
Visit the My County Parks website for details and to register for the August 9th camp
Designed for children who are entering 1st or 2nd grade. Children will love outdoor activities that are based on the camp theme, including hiking through prairie and woodlands, searching for animals, insects, and habitats. Camps are held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. Cost is $75.00 per camper per camp & you are welcome to register for one or both camp options. Campers must provide a sack lunch for each day of camp.
June 18th - 20th
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Become a Nature Ninja in Training & learn the skills you need to be a stealthy nature explorer from Iowa wildlife. Campers will learn all about how animals stay hidden, find safe spaces, and sneak up on food with immersive learning through play. We will explore camouflage & different adaptations then we will put them in action as we try to copy animal behavior in the field.
Visit the My County Parks website for more information & to register online for Nature Ninjas
July 30th - August 1st
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Arrowhead Park, Neola
Experience the rocking & rolling of nature as we roll through the water on canoes, go on rock hunts, roll up our fishing line, & rock out to the sounds of nature. Campers will learn important outdoor skills such as bird identification, water safety, fishing, & canoeing. We will also be exploring the common rocks of Iowa in our geology unit & will examine Iowa's state rock, the geode!
Visit the My County Parks website for more information and to register for Rock N' Roll
Designed for children who are entering 3rd or 4th grade campers will have the opportunity to develop their senses and outdoor learning as they navigate the natural world. Camps are held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Cost is $75.00 per camper per camp & you are welcome to register for one or both camp options. Campers must provide a sack lunch for each full day of camp.
June 25th - 27th
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Narrows River Park, Council Bluffs
Go back in time to the era of Lewis & Clark in this historic camp. Learn map reading skills, & discover historic survival skills & trades that these adventurers used on their voyage along the Missouri River. Campers will explore the diverse ecosystem of the Missouri River while learning more about the historic voyage that shaped Iowa. We will be covering an assortment of skills including archery, campfire cooking, & more!
Visit the My County Parks website for more information & to register online for Lewis & Clark Excursion
July 23rd - 25th
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Arrowhead Park, Neola
Many of our greatest artists have been inspired by nature & the great outdoors. We will explore all the beautiful & interesting things that nature has to share with us and learn how to express them using various art media. Campers will experience nature & explore artistic expression through nature journaling, sketching, bark rubbing & more. Make and take artwork will document each camper's interpretation of the beauty of nature.
Visit the My County Parks website for more information & to register online for Art in Nature
Designed for kids entering 5th and 6th grade these camps are full of action packed activities & outdoor adventures designed to help young outdoor enthusiasts navigate & explore the natural world. Cost is $75.00 per camper per camp & you are welcome to register for one or both camp options.
July 16th - 18th
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Arrowhead Park, Neola
Become a Nature Apprentice and learn how nature transforms, functions, & adapts to changes throughout the seasons. Through experimentation, immersive learning, & scientific exploration we will learn what it takes for Mother Nature to do her job each day. Hands-on activities will include pond dipping, animal identification, & interacting with nature in low impact ways.
Visit the My County Parks website for more information and to register online for Nature's Apprenticeship
August 6th - 8th
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Bring gaming skills into the real world! Minecraft, D & D, & more come alive as campers collect supplies, build shelters, & overcome obstacles in the great outdoors. Campers will learn fire safety, archery, navigation & more as they explore the Loess Hills at Hitchcock Nature Center.
Visit the My County Parks website for more information and to register online for Green Time
Entering 7th & 8th GradeJuly 9th - 11th
July 9th - Arrowhead Park, Neola - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
July 10th - Botna Bend Park, Hancock - 9:00 a.m. Drop Off
July 11th - Edgington City Park, Avoca - 11:00 a.m. Pick Up
Our oldest campers get a chance to put all their outdoor skills to use during a paddling adventure and an overnight camping stay at Botna Bend Park. Campers will be at Arrowhead Park from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on July 9th for a full day of camp focusing on building canoeing skills & learning water safety.
Our second day of camp will start out at 9:00 a.m. at Botna Bend Park where we will take a trip down the West Nishnabotna River Water Trail to our overnight camp out location. Parents will pick up their campers at 11:00 a.m. on July 11th at Edgington Memorial Park in Avoca.
Campers are asked to provide a sack lunch for the first & second days of camp. Tents, outdoor gear & additional food during the overnight will be provided. Campers must provide a sleeping bag & a change of clothes. Cost is $100.00 per camper & pre-registration is required as space is limited.
Visit the My County Parks website for more information & to register online for Survivors
Helping Hands Camp: All AgesJuly 11th - 13th
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Designed for our friends with special needs this unique summer camp experience blends indoor & outdoor exploration with hands-on nature-based learning perfect for all ages. Discover the world of animal habitats as you get to know the wildlife that call Hitchcock Nature Center home. Campers will get hands-on activities as they explore nests, burrows, & dens. We will look at the needs each animal has & how they adapt those needs to the environment they live in.
Helping Hands Camp will be held June 11th through 13th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. each day at Hitchcock Nature Center. The cost is $45.00 per camper with caregivers & guardians included for no additional fee. Online pre-registration is required to attend this camp as space is limited.
Visit the My County Parks website for more information & to register online for Helping Hands
