Preschool half-day camps will be from 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM, unless otherwise listed. Drop off is from 8:20 – 8:40 AM and pick up is from 11:20 – 11:40 AM.

School Age Full Day camps will be from 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, unless otherwise listed. Drop off is from 8:20 – 8:40 AM and pick up is from 3:20 – 3:40 PM.

Camp sessions have a capacity of 24 campers (adult to child ratio of 1:6); some camps have smaller capacities, as noted below. 

Camps will be held primarily outdoors on the Nature Center’s main campus, both on and off trails, unless otherwise noted in the specific camp description. All camps include daily outdoor activities. Indoor spaces are always reserved for each camp in case of thunderstorms or extreme heat, so camps are rarely canceled due to weather. Don’t forget to wear your sunscreen and bug spray, and get ready to get dirty!

• Backpack (to store personal items)
• Snack
• Lunch (for full day campers)
• Reusable water bottle
• Rain jacket or poncho
• Sunscreen & bug repellant (please apply before camp each day)
• Sturdy shoes & lightweight clothing (no flip-flops)
• Hat and/or sunglasses
• Change of clothes

Do NOT bring:

• Cell phone
• Pocket knife
• Valuables
• Electronic games

We anticipate the possibility of having some of the following safety precautions in place during summer months:

• Campers, staff and volunteers are all asked to stay home when sick.
• Nature Center staff may request that children showing symptoms of illness while at a program that impact their participation in program activities be picked up promptly by a parent or guardian.
• Masks are not currently required. Families may choose to have their child(ren) mask while indoors or outdoors, and ICNC staff and volunteers will respect and honor those wishes.

We also anticipate that some of these procedures could change between now and your child’s camp(s). Families of registered campers will be sent information 1-2 weeks prior to each camp that includes the most up to date protocols and procedures.

It is our goal that all campers have a positive, meaningful and fun experience at ICNC. With that in mind, the following rules should be reviewed with your child before attending camp:

1. Indian Creek Nature Center is a preserve. This means we do not disturb animals/their homes OR pick up/collect plants or objects unless given permission by staff.
2. Treat all people, animals and plants with respect.
3. Remain on the trails and with your camp leader at all times.
4. Bullying will not be tolerated.

With its scholarship program, Indian Creek Nature Center is choosing to address overall barriers to increase access to outdoor education for children who otherwise might have less access to attend our camp programs. This is an equitable and inclusive approach.

Camp scholarships are only available for camps that have openings. Scholarships are not available or applicable to camps that are already full or have waitlists.

Apply today using this scholarship form.

Andria Cossolotto, a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, came to Indian Creek Nature Center having previously been a naturalist in western Iowa. At ICNC, Andria leads school field trips and camps, helping to instill the love of nature in future generations. In her spare time, Andria works to help improve pollinator habitats and enjoys getting outdoors with her husband and two children whenever possible.

Emily Roediger is originally from Rochester, Minnesota. She graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with majors in Biology and Environmental Studies and minors in Geology and Music, and has an environmental education graduate certificate from Hamline University. She has over 4 years of experience with multiple environmental education organizations, and is excited to be at Indian Creek! Emily enjoys being outside whether she’s hiking and exploring new places, camping, playing tennis, bike riding, or even just sitting!

Eliza Kautz is an Iowa native, who spent most of her growing-up years in the Cedar Rapids area. She is currently a junior at Dordt University in Sioux Center, pursuing a bachelor’s in secondary mathematics education. Her family has always placed an emphasis on enjoying and stewarding nature, so she is excited to take that to a professional level by joining the ICNC team this summer. Some of her loves are running, fishing, baking, hunting rocks, adopting plants, making music, and learning new things (podcasts are great!). She also loves meeting new people, so don’t be afraid to say hi!

Carson Saylor was born and raised in Iowa and completed a BFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2020. Since graduating, Carson has been drawn to environmental arts and education, and decided she could have the most influence in her home town. Carson completed her Iowa Master Naturalist certificate last summer and is active in the community through sustainable landscape design and creative projects. She is excited to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with campers this summer, creating a fun and engaging learning environment at Indian Creek!

Allie Hayes was born and raised in Cedar Rapids and has loved the Nature Center since she was little. She is currently studying at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa earning a degree in Environmental Studies and Law and Values. Allie has always had a passion for the environment and sharing all the wonderful things nature has to offer. She also enjoys camping, anything having to do with water and her dog Izzy.

June 4 – 6, 2024
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child $90, Non-Member Child $115
*Explore Membership options here!

We’ll have a blast exploring our animal friends from having fun with frogs and toads to flying around with birds, bats, and more! We’ll hop over to the pond to look and listen for frogs, toads and other animals, and search other areas for other animal homes and tracks too. We’ll even meet some animals up close!

July 30 – August 1, 2024
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child $90, Non-Member Child $115
*Explore Membership options here!

We’ll have fun visiting and exploring a variety of different habitats from the ponds to the prairies and the woods. We’ll walk into and through tall prairie grasses and flowers, head down to the pond to search for the plants and animals that make their homes in wet and sometimes muddy places, and wander through the woods on some of our adventures this week!

July 1, 2024
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60
*Explore Membership options here!

Search high and low through the tall prairie grasses and try your hand at sweep netting for creepy crawly insects. Get ready to move and explore, and maybe even get dirty as we search for these critters – incredible insects live in nearly every habitat we have!

July 2, 2024
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60
*Explore Membership options here!

Explore the world of prehistoric creatures that once walked, swam and flew through Iowa and other areas. Get into the dirt and mud to dig up your own fossil finds.

July 3, 2024
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60
*Explore Membership options here!

Do you like to play in the water? Join us as we explore and learn about some of the water features found at the Nature Center. We’ll also make sure to leave plenty of time for water play. Get ready to get wet, and maybe a little muddy too!

August 2, 2024
5:00 – 8:00 PM

Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60
*Explore Membership options here!

Capacity: 15 campers

Drop off from 4:50-5:10 PM and Pick up from 7:50-8:10 PM

Join us for a “campout” at the nature center! We’ll start the evening with fun and games, then have our dinners by the campfire before setting out for an outdoor adventure. Later we’ll reward ourselves with some s’mores and camp stories!

June 10 – 13, 2024
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $175, Child $200
*Explore Membership options here!

Isn’t the natural world inspiring? We’ll explore different stories of nature adventures as we play outside, explore different habitats, play games and get dirty along the way. We’ll also investigate different types of art created with and inspired by nature. Let’s get creative together as we make our own nature stories, adventures and art!

August 5 – 8, 2024
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $175, Child $200
*Explore Membership options here!

Be a part of the pack this week! Go wild and explore some of the animals that make The Nature Center their home. Throughout the week we’ll visit and explore a variety of locations and habitats from forests to wetlands, prairies and streams. Each day we will learn about some of the different types of animals that live here, and enjoy wild games and adventures along the way!

June 7, 2024

Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60
*Explore Membership options here!

Capacity: 15 campers

Drop off from 4:50-5:10 PM and Pick up from 7:50-8:10 PM

Join us for a “campout” at the nature center! We’ll start the evening with fun and games, then have our dinners by the campfire before setting out for an outdoor adventure. Later we’ll reward ourselves with some s’mores and camp stories!

Dinner provided.

July 22 – 25, 2024
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $175, Child $200
*Explore Membership options here!

How many critters can you find? Can you catch them all? (Catch and release, of course!) Let your imagination run wild as we search for all of the connections of the ecosystems at the Nature Center. Get ready to move — climbing hills, searching for water critters and crawling through the prairie are a few of many adventures we will take during this fun-filled camp.

June 17, 2024
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $60, Child $85
*Explore Membership options here!

Sample some of the plant and animal life that make their homes at the Nature Center as we explore some of the habitats and ecosystems found here together. We’ll also learn about some of the different connections between different parts of our ecosystems. Bring your sense of curiosity!

June 18, 2024
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $60, Child $85
*Explore Membership options here!

Description: We’ll try our hands at a variety of outdoor skills and recreation activities both individually and working together as a team such as: making fire without matches, orienteering with compasses and maps or foraging for wild edibles. Get ready for a day full of adventure!

June 20, 2024
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $60, Child $85
*Explore Membership options here!

Description: Water, water everywhere! We’ll explore the wonderful wetlands and other water habitats at the Nature Center. We’ll try to catch water bugs and frogs, play water games, go creek stomping, and more. Get ready to get wet and keep cool at this water themed camp!

June 21, 2024

Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60
*Explore Membership options here!

Capacity: 15 campers

Drop off from 4:50-5:10 PM and Pick up from 7:50-8:10 PM

Join us for a “campout” at the nature center! We’ll start the evening with fun and games, then have our dinners by the campfire before setting out for an outdoor adventure. Later we’ll reward ourselves with some s’mores and camp stories!

Dinner provided.

July 8 & 9, 2024 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
July 10, 2024 8:30 AM drop off (overnight campout)
July 11, 2024 8:30 AM pick up

Cost: Member Child $205, Child $230
*Explore Membership options here!

Do you like collecting rocks? Become a geologist for the week as we explore rocks and minerals around the Nature Center, Iowa and even space. We’ll also explore the ways water shapes our world, and take a field trip to Wapsipinicon State Park. We’ll end our time together with an overnight campout on Wednesday night at the Nature Center.

August 13, 2024
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $60; Non-Member Child $85
*Explore Membership options here!

We’ll explore the worlds and features of a variety of creatures large and small, real and imagined. We’ll discover the adaptations different creatures use to survive as we visit the different places they live and inhabit and meet them up close. We’ll share stories of creatures and myths and dig into some of our misconceptions about them.

August 15, 2024
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $60, Non-Member Child $85
*Explore Membership options here!

Whether you’re an old pro at camps or brand new, come join us for some of our favorite Nature Center camp activities. From creek stomping to playing Fox and Rabbit in the prairie, get an up-close look at the plants and animals that live here and explore the outdoors with friends old and new!

June 24, 25 & 26, 2024 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
June 27, 2024 8:30 AM drop off (overnight campout)
June 28, 2024 8:30 AM pick up

Cost: Member Child $230, Child $255
*Explore Membership options here!

Are you an adventurous spirit who loves the outdoors? This camp is for you! Join us for a variety of pursuits, including hiking, survival skills, spelunking and more! You’ll have plenty of time for building skills and enjoying time with new friends outside. Adventures will take place on campus, and we’ll venture offsite to visit Mines of Spain, Crystal Lakes Caves, and Pinicon Ridge. We’ll end our week with an overnight campout at Indian Creek Nature Center. Get ready for a week-long adventure in the great outdoors!

August 14, 2024
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $60, Non-Member Child $85
*Explore Membership options here!

Meet some of the educational critters that live at the Nature Center while you learn and help out with taking care of them. We’ll also spend time outside hiking and exploring. Get ready for some hands-on fun!