Who knew learning could be so much fun?
At Creek Camp, your child will be guided by naturalists as they explore the outdoors, learn about wildlife, enjoy unstructured play, practice outdoor skills, observe the wonder of nature and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Children will create memories while they learn, and even get a little dirty, too. Creek Camp will help foster in your child a connection to the outdoors that lasts a lifetime!
Details on 2026 Summer Camps will be available soon!
2026 Registration Dates
Priority Registration* opens
March 3 at 12:00 PM
*Household Plus Member level and above
General Registration opens
March 10 at 12:00 PM
Registration closes 48 hours prior to the first day of each camp or when the camp is full.
Please note: If you add a camper to a wait list, ICNC staff will contact you if a spot becomes available.
Know Before You Go
Times & Capacity
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; some camps have smaller capacities, as noted below.
Most camps typically spend the majority of the time divided into groups of around 12 campers with 2 adult staff/volunteers.
Locations
Most camp activities will take place on the Nature Center’s main campus, unless otherwise noted in the specific camp description. All camps include daily outdoor activities, which can be both on and off trails. 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!
What to Bring
- Backpack (to store personal items)
- Snacks
- Lunch (for full day campers)
- Reusable water bottle
- Rain jacket or poncho (in case of rain)
- Sunscreen & bug repellant (please apply before camp each day)
- Sturdy shoes & lightweight clothing (no flip-flops)
- Hat and/or sunglasses
- Change of clothes (for all ages)
Do NOT bring:
- Cell phone
- Pocket knife
- Valuables
- Electronic games
Sickness & Illness Protocols
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.
Behavior Expectations
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:
- 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.
- Treat all people, animals and plants with respect.
- Remain on the trails and with your camp leader at all times.
- Bullying will not be tolerated.
Disruptive, disrespectful or unsafe behavior will not be tolerated. Nature Center staff will request the child be picked up promptly by a parent or guardian.
Camp Scholarships
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.
**Please note that the scholarship application process is separate from camp registration and applying for a scholarship does not guarantee registration in any particular camp.**
Meet the
Creek Camp Staff
Want to register a week early?
Become a Household Plus Member and qualify for early registration access and discounts!
ICNC Cancellation Policy
To be eligible for a fee refund or transfer, ICNC requires a 48-hour advance notice for all cancellations. Eligible cancelled registrations can either be refunded or applied to another registration. All refunded registrations are charged an administrative processing fee of 10%. Only in cases of extreme weather or other extenuating circumstances will ICNC cancel a scheduled program. All programs cancelled by ICNC will receive a full refund.
Thank you to our sponsor!
Preschool Camps
- Ages 4-5
- Must be potty independent and able to use restroom without adult assistance
- Open to all children, including BOTH students from Creekside Forest School AND children that have not attended or enrolled in Creekside Forest School
- All sessions are drop off only
- Drop off between 8:20 – 8:40 AM
- Pick up from 11:20 – 11:40 AM
- Camps located at Amazing Space campus – 5300 Otis Road SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Animal Explorers (Waitlist)
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; some camps have smaller capacities, as noted below.
Most camps typically spend the majority of the time divided into groups of around 12 campers with 2 adult staff/volunteers.
All About Birds
Most camp activities will take place on the Nature Center’s main campus, unless otherwise noted in the specific camp description. All camps include daily outdoor activities, which can be both on and off trails. 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!
Digging Up Dinos (Waitlist)
- Backpack (to store personal items)
- Snacks
- Lunch (for full day campers)
- Reusable water bottle
- Rain jacket or poncho (in case of rain)
- Sunscreen & bug repellant (please apply before camp each day)
- Sturdy shoes & lightweight clothing (no flip-flops)
- Hat and/or sunglasses
- Change of clothes (for all ages)
Do NOT bring:
- Cell phone
- Pocket knife
- Valuables
- Electronic games
Totally Turtles (Waitlist)
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.
Habitat Explorers
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:
- 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.
- Treat all people, animals and plants with respect.
- Remain on the trails and with your camp leader at all times.
- Bullying will not be tolerated.
Disruptive, disrespectful or unsafe behavior will not be tolerated. Nature Center staff will request the child be picked up promptly by a parent or guardian.
Campout!
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.
**Please note that the scholarship application process is separate from camp registration and applying for a scholarship does not guarantee registration in any particular camp.**
Grade School Camps
Drop off is from 8:20 – 8:40 AM and pick up is from 3:20 – 3:40 PM. Drop-off and pick-up will take place at Indian Creek Nature Center’s Amazing Space building, located at 5300 Otis Road SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.
Please note: Campers must have completed the grade listed.
K-1st Grade
Evening Campout! (Waitlist)
June 13, 2025
5:00 – 8:00 PM
Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60 (Dinner Provided)
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!
Artful Antics (Waitlist)
July 15 – 18, 2025 (4 days)
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Cost: Member Child $175, Child $200
Isn’t the natural world inspiring? We’ll play with the colors of the woods, prairies and wetlands, play games and get dirty as we search for artistic inspiration! We’ll also investigate different types of art created with and inspired by nature. Let’s get creative together!
Wild Animals (Waitlist)
August 4 – 7, 2025 (4 days)
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Cost: Member Child $175, Child $200
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!
2nd-3rd Grade
Evening Campout!
June 6, 2025
5:00 – 8:00 PM
Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60 (Dinner Provided)
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!
Nature Sampler (Waitlist)
June 30 – July 3, 2025 (4 days)
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Cost: Member Child $175, Child $200
Nature offers us a wide variety of topics and adventures to explore together. Let’s search for plants and animals, practice our outdoor skills, get wet and muddy, and more! Wherever our adventures take us this week, we’ll be sure to leave room for lots of fun and spend plenty of time outdoors together!
Finding Food Webs (Waitlist)
July 28- 31, 2025 (4 days)
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Cost: Member Child $175, Child $200
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.
4th-5th Grade
Capacity: 12 campers
Dinner and breakfast are included with overnight camps.
Classic Creek Camp
June 5, 2025
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Cost: Member Child $60, Non-Member Child $85
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 getting an up-close look at the plants and animals that live here, explore the outdoors and have fun with friends old and new!
Bring closed toed shoes and clothes that can get wet for creek stomping.
Fossil Frenzy (Waitlist)
July 22 & 23, 2025 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
July 24, 2025 8:30 AM drop off (overnight campout)
July 25, 2025 8:30 AM pick up
Cost: Member Child $205, Child $230
*Explore Membership options here!
Become a paleontologist for the week! Bring your imagination as we explore fossils of creatures that once swam in the seas that covered Iowa and other areas. We’ll also explore some connections present day animals have to ancient fossils. We’ll take a field trip to the Devonian Fossil Gorge and end our time together with an overnight campout on Thursday night at Indian Creek Nature Center.
Dinner and breakfast are included with overnight camps.
Biking & Fishing Adventures (Waitlist)
August 18, 2025
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Cost: Member Child $60; Non-Member Child $85
Do you like to move? Get ready for a full day of outdoor activity! We’ll start by making our own fishing poles before heading out on our bikes to explore along the Sac and Fox Trail towards Prairie Park Fishery. We’ll try out the fishing poles we’ve just made there before heading back to the Nature Center. We’ll also explore some of the water habitats on campus (ICNC will provide fishing gear).
Bring your own bike AND helmet.
6th-8th Grade
Capacity: 12 campers
Dinner and breakfast are included with overnight camps.
Outdoor Adventures
June 23, 24 & 25, 2025 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
June 26, 2025 8:30 AM drop off (overnight campout)
June 27, 2025 8:30 AM pick up
Cost: Member Child $230, Child $255
Are you an adventurous spirit who loves the outdoors? This camp is for you! Join us for a variety of outdoor pursuits, including hiking, navigation & survival skills, and more. We’ll have plenty of time for building skills as well as enjoying our time together in the outdoors. We’ll have adventures at the Nature Center as well as visit Backbone and Palisades State Parks and end with an overnight campout on the last day at the Nature Center! Get ready for a week long adventure in the great outdoors!
One Last Summer Adventure
August 19, 2025
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Cost: Member Child $60, Non-Member Child $85
End your summer with one more day of camp at the Nature Center! We’ll spend time outside hiking & exploring and maybe even get wet as we explore water habitats and go creek stomping. Bring your sense of fun and adventure – who knows where the day will take us!
Bring closed toed shoes and clothes that can get wet for creek stomping.