Summer Camps

REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 1 AT 6:00 AM CST

Important Camp Info

• Camps are first come, first served.
•  
• Online payment is required in order to reserve your child's spot in camp. Refunds will not be issued after May 13. 
• Registration: Opens March 1, 2024
• Inclement weather: Activities will be conducted indoors if there is inclement weather. Please dress for the weather.
• Children will need to bring a sack lunch during day-long camps.
• Pre-packaged snacks will be offered twice a day for day-long camps and once for half-day camps.
• Each day children will need to pack a water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, hat or sunglasses, and a change of clothes or swimsuit for water games.
• Prior to the first day of camp, parents/guardians will be emailed a detailed letter with any pertinent info regarding the camp your child is registered for.
• A parent or guardian will need to accompany children to any Toadstool camp.

2024 Camps

Grades are based on the grade your child is entering in the 2024-2025 school year. 

Toadstool Camp (PreK-K): 

Hop on over to Nahant Marsh for a morning of nature exploring. Campers will meet live creatures and explore their wondrous world through hands-on activities. Children should be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. 9:00-11:00am.

Limit 16 children.

Cost: $22 per camp
Dates: June 18 (Terrific Turtles), July 2 (Busy Beavers), July 16 (Sensing Nature), July 30 (Hiding in Plain Sight), August 13 (Butterflies and Moths)

Critter Camp (1st-2nd):

Connect your child with nature as they learn about insects, reptiles, and other critters. Children will be fully engaged with activities such as live animal encounters and outdoor exploration. 9:00am-3:00pm.

Limit 20 children.

Cost: $50 per camp
Dates: June 20 (Cold-Blooded Encounters), July 3 (Marsh Explorers), July 18 (Magic at the Marsh), August 1 (Earth Crafters), August 15 (A Bug's Life)

Jr. Naturalist Camp (3rd-6th):

Dive deep into the world of plants and animals. Campers will engage in various research techniques that are used by wildlife biologists to study insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals.

Limit 24 children.

Cost: $150
Dates: June 11-13
9:00am-3:00pm each day

Nature Adventure Camp (3rd-6th):

Explore wetlands, woodlands, and prairies with the naturalists at Nahant Marsh. Campers will get hands-on experience learning about wildlife and practicing outdoor skills. This camp includes a couple of field trips offsite to go fishing, canoeing, swimming, and more.

Limit 30 children
Cost: $250
Dates: June 24-28
9:00am-3:00pm each day

Art in Nature Camp (3rd-6th): 

Immerse yourself in the Art in Nature Camp, where youth explore the wild side of creativity! From foraging to crafting with botanicals to nature journaling and pottery, campers unleash their artistic spirit surrounded by the wonders of the outdoors. Dive into marsh mysteries, observe wildlife, and let your imagination bloom in this three day-long adventure where art and nature meet.

Limit 24 children.

Cost: $150
Dates: July 9-11
9:00am-3:00pm each day

Outdoor Survival Camp (3rd-6th):

Getting back to the basics, campers will learn skills like fire building, shelter building, and navigation skills. They will also learn how to safely forage, harvest, and prepare wild foods.

Limit 24 children.

Cost: $165
Dates: July 23-25
9:00am-3:00pm each day

NEW! Wilderness Experience Camp (7th-9th):

In this advanced camp, youth will experience the outdoors with activities such as canoeing/kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, and more. This camp includes an offsite canoe trip to the Maquoketa River and one overnight stay at Nahant Marsh, where campers will look for owls and other nocturnal wildlife, make campfire meals, tell stories from around a bonfire, and tent camp right next to the marsh! Campers must bring their own cold lunch on Day 1 and 2; Dinner will be provided on Day 2 and breakfast will be provided on Day 3. Snacks will be provided on all days.

Limit 16 children.

Cost: $125*
Dates: August 6-8
Camp Schedule:
Day 1, 9am-3pm
Day 2, 9am-overnight
Day 3, pickup 10am

*This camp is sponsored in part by the Friends of Nahant Marsh