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, 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!
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 waitlist, 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. Most camps include a mixture of outdoor and indoor activities throughout each day. Outdoor activities may take place both on and off trails and in a variety of weather conditions.
In case of extreme weather such as thunderstorms, extreme heat, or poor air quality, camp activities may move fully indoors as needed, so camps are rarely canceled due to weather.
Don’t forget to wear your sunscreen and bug spray, and get ready to get dirty!
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 impacts their participation in program activities be picked up promptly by a parent or guardian.
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 repellent (please apply before camp each day)
- Sturdy shoes & lightweight clothing (no flip-flops)
- Dress in clothes that can get dirty
- Hat and/or sunglasses
- Change of clothes (for all ages)
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.**
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.
Want to register a week early?
Become a Household Plus Member and qualify for early registration access and discounts!
Meet the
Creek Camp Staff
Thank you to our sponsors!
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
Description: 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!
Dates: June 9 thru 11, 2026 (3 days)
Time: 8:30-11:30am
Cost: Member $110; NonMember $135
Incredible Insects
Description: 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!
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Time: 8:30-11:30am
Cost: Member $42; NonMember $67
Digging Up Dinos
Description: 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.
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Time: 8:30-11:30am
Cost: Member $42; NonMember $67
Wild About Water
Description: 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!
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Time: 8:30-11:30am
Cost: Member $42; NonMember $67
Habitat Explorers
Description: 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!
Dates: August 11 thru 13, 2026 (3 days)
Time: 8:30-11:30am
Cost: Member $110; NonMember $135
Campout!
Description: 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!
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 5-8 PM
Drop off from 4:50-5:10 PM
Pick up from 7:50-8:10 PM
Limit: 15 campers
Cost: Member $42; NonMember $67 (Dinner provided)
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!
Description: 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!
Date: Friday, August 7, 2026 (single day)
Time: 5-8 PM
Drop off from 4:50-5:10 PM
Pick up from 7:50-8:10 PM
Limit: 15 campers
Cost: Member $42; NonMember $67(Dinner provided)
Nature Stories and Art
Description: 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!
Dates: July 6 thru 9, 2026 (4 days)
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Cost: Member $210; NonMember $235
Wild Animals
Description: 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!
Dates: August 3 thru 6, 2026 (4 days)
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Cost: Member $210; NonMember $235
2nd-3rd Grade
Evening Campout!
Description: 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!
Date: Thursday, June 4 (single day)
Time: 5-8 PM
Drop off from 4:50-5:10 PM and Pick up from 7:50-8:10 PM
Limit: 15 campers
Cost: Member $42; NonMember $67 (Dinner provided)
Nature Sampler
Description: 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!
Dates: June 29-July 2, 2026 (4 days)
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Cost: Member $210; NonMember $235
Finding Food Webs
Description: 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.
Dates: July 27 thru 30, 2026 (4 days)
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Cost: Member $210; NonMember $235
4th-5th Grade
Capacity: 12 campers
Classic Creek Camp
Description: 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.
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Cost: Member $70; NonMember $95
Rocking Out!
Description: 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 Thursday night at Indian Creek Nature Center.
Dates and Times: July 21 and 22, 8:30am – 3:30pm + overnight campout drop off July 23 from 8:30am to pick up July 24 at 8:30am
Cost: Member $235; NonMember $260
Dinner and breakfast are included with overnight camps
Creature Features and Myths
Description: 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.
Date: Monday, August 17, 2026
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Cost: Member $70; NonMember $95
6th-8th Grade
Capacity: 12 campers
Outdoor Adventures
Description: Are you an adventurous spirit who loves the outdoors? This camp is for you! Join us for a variety of outdoor pursuits, including hiking, survival skills, canoeing, 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 venture offsite for canoeing and also to visit Maquoketa State Park. We’ll end our week with an overnight campout on Thursday night at the Nature Center! Get ready for a week long adventure in the great outdoors!
Dates & Times: June 22 thru June 24, 8:30am – 3:30pm + overnight campout drop off June 25 from 8:30 am to pick up June 26 at 8:30am
Cost: Member $265; NonMember $290
Behind the Scenes with the Critters
Description: 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!
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Cost: Member $70; NonMember $95