School Year Day Camps
School Year Day Camps
Make the most of your kids’ days off from school with Day Camps at Indian Creek Nature Center.
Parents can transform a day at home into hands-on science and nature experiences for their children. Once they’re dropped off, children will go on indoor and outdoor learning adventures with experienced ICNC educators. Children will spend their time out of school learning in a fun new way.
**Please check your school’s calendar to see which in-service days work for your child.
- Students need a sack lunch and snack
- Kids should be dressed for indoor and outdoor play
- Pre-registration is required
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.
Winter Break Day Camps
(Grades K thru 3rd)
Registration for 2024-2025 Winter Break Camps is now open.
Make the most of your child’s day off school!
Click below to register and find camp details.
Description: Explore the Nature Center in winter with hands-on activities, games and experiments both inside Amazing Space and outside on the trails and grounds. Day camps are open to all Kindergarteners through 3rd graders, and we will cover different topics and activities for each day so come for one or multiple days! (Monday’s topic is “Scales & Slime”, Tuesday is “Winter Wonderland”, Thursday is “Feathers and Fur” and Friday is “Winter Fun”.)
Fee: $50 members, $75 Non-Members
Date: Monday, December 30, 2024
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Drop Off from 8:45-9:00am, Pick up from 3:00-3:15pm
What to Bring: Lunch and snacks, water bottle, winter outdoor gear and clothing (coat, snowpants, boots, mittens, warm clothes, layers, etc.)
Description: Explore the Nature Center in winter with hands-on activities, games and experiments both inside Amazing Space and outside on the trails and grounds. Day camps are open to all Kindergarteners through 3rd graders, and we will cover different topics and activities for each day so come for one or multiple days! (Monday’s topic is “Scales & Slime”, Tuesday is “Winter Wonderland”, Thursday is “Feathers and Fur” and Friday is “Winter Fun”.)
Fee: $50 members, $75 Non-Members
Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Drop Off from 8:45-9:00am, Pick up from 3:00-3:15pm
What to Bring: Lunch and snacks, water bottle, winter outdoor gear and clothing (coat, snowpants, boots, mittens, warm clothes, layers, etc.)
Description: Explore the Nature Center in winter with hands-on activities, games and experiments both inside Amazing Space and outside on the trails and grounds. Day camps are open to all Kindergarteners through 3rd graders, and we will cover different topics and activities for each day so come for one or multiple days! (Monday’s topic is “Scales & Slime”, Tuesday is “Winter Wonderland”, Thursday is “Feathers and Fur” and Friday is “Winter Fun”.)
Fee: $50 members, $75 Non-Members
Date: Thursday, January 2, 2025
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Drop Off from 8:45-9:00am, Pick up from 3:00-3:15pm
What to Bring: Lunch and snacks, water bottle, winter outdoor gear and clothing (coat, snowpants, boots, mittens, warm clothes, layers, etc.)
Description: Explore the Nature Center in winter with hands-on activities, games and experiments both inside Amazing Space and outside on the trails and grounds. Day camps are open to all Kindergarteners through 3rd graders, and we will cover different topics and activities for each day so come for one or multiple days! (Monday’s topic is “Scales & Slime”, Tuesday is “Winter Wonderland”, Thursday is “Feathers and Fur” and Friday is “Winter Fun”.)
Fee: $50 members, $75 Non-Members
Date: Friday, January 3, 2025
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Drop Off from 8:45-9:00am, Pick up from 3:00-3:15pm
What to Bring: Lunch and snacks, water bottle, winter outdoor gear and clothing (coat, snowpants, boots, mittens, warm clothes, layers, etc.)
In-Service Day Camps
(Grades K thru 5)
Registration for 2025 is now open.
Make the most of your child’s day off school!
Click below to register and find camp details.
At “Mammals R Us” In-Service Day Camp students will get learn about mammals that call Iowa home and maybe even see one or two on a hike.
Fee: $55 Members, $75 Non-Members
Date: January 13, 2025
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Drop off / Pick up Times: 8:45 – 9:00 AM and 3:00 – 3:15 PM
Capacity: 12 students
At “Mammals R Us” In-Service Day Camp students will get learn about mammals that call Iowa home and maybe even see one or two on a hike.
Fee: $55 Members, $75 Non-Members
Date: January 17, 2025
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Drop off / Pick up Times: 8:45 – 9:00 AM and 3:00 – 3:15 PM
Capacity: 12 students
At “Winter Fun Day” In-Service Camp students will get to play games and enjoy time outdoors in nature.
Fee: $55 Members, $75 Non-Members
Date: February 10, 2025
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Drop off / Pick up Times: 8:45 – 9:00 AM and 3:00 – 3:15 PM
Capacity: 12 students
At “Outside the Lines (Crafts and Games)” In-Service Camp students will create one of a kind masterpieces and enjoy indoor and outdoor games and activities.
Fee: $55 Members, $75 Non-Members
Date: February 24, 2025
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Drop off / Pick up Times: 8:45 – 9:00 AM and 3:00 – 3:15 PM
Capacity: 12 students
At “Outside the Lines (Crafts and Games)” In-Service Camp students will create one of a kind masterpieces and enjoy indoor and outdoor games and activities.
Fee: $55 Members, $75 Non-Members
Date: February 28, 2025
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Drop off / Pick up Times: 8:45 – 9:00 AM and 3:00 – 3:15 PM
Capacity: 12 students
At “Dinosaur Day” In-Service Camp students will spend the day learning fun dinosaur facts and playing dino games.
Fee: $55 Members, $75 Non-Members
Date: March 31, 2025
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Drop off / Pick up Times: 8:45 – 9:00 AM and 3:00 – 3:15 PM
Capacity: 12 students
At “Out of This World (Solar System)” In-Service Day Camp students will have fun exploring differences between planets and participating in different solar system activities.
Fee: $55 Members, $75 Non-Members
Date: April 21, 2025
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Drop off / Pick up Times: 8:45 – 9:00 AM and 3:00 – 3:15 PM
Capacity: 12 students
At “REAL Bird” In-Service Day Camp students will have a chance to see a couple of live birds up close and enjoy bird activities and games.
Fee: $55 Members, $75 Non-Members
Date: May 2, 2025
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Drop off / Pick up Times: 8:45 – 9:00 AM and 3:00 – 3:15 PM
Capacity: 12 students
At “Splish Splash” In-Service Day Camp students will have fun exploring our wetlands and participating in water activities.
Fee: $55 Members, $75 Non-Members
Date: May 12, 2025
Location: Amazing Space (5300 Otis Rd SE)
Session Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Drop off / Pick up Times: 8:45 – 9:00 AM and 3:00 – 3:15 PM
Capacity: 12 students
FAQ
If your child meets the age requirements listed and you believe they are ready for extended periods of time outdoors with peers and children of other ages, we welcome their attendance. Child must be bathroom independent.
Weather conditions may vary throughout the day and season, so make sure your child is prepared with clothing options appropriate for the forecasted conditions. Please have your child bring or dress in layers. Activities may include running, movement games, and hikes both on and off trails so choose appropriate clothing and shoes.
Please refrain from bringing the following things: Cell phones or any other electronic device (assistive learning devices are welcome), pocket knives, valuables.
Here’s what you should pack:
- Backpack to keep track of personal belongings
- Wholesome lunch. Outdoor activities require lots of energy!
- Snack that child can open themselves
- Reusable water bottle
- Comfortable clothes
- Dress in layers (i.e. short sleeve shirt under a long sleeve shirt under a sweatshirt or fleece)
- Thick socks
- Poncho or rain jacket (in case of rain)
- Wind jacket and warm coat
- Closed toe shoes
- Rain boots or snow boots (depending on weather)
- Snow pants (for both cold and/or snowy weather)
- Extra change of clothes, socks and shoes (for all ages).
- Additionally, in winter: Warm hat, and mittens, scarf or neck warmer (in addition to personal face masks)
Currently, scholarships are not available for School Year Day Camps.
Members of the ICNC Education team with years of outdoor education experience will facilitate your child’s learning with the support of qualified volunteer Teacher Naturalists, many of whom are former teachers, retired professionals, or active community members.
As your child’s session nears, important details and reminders for your child’s session will be sent via email. Should a child be ill at arrival they will go back home, and if a child falls ill during the program they will be comfortably isolated until a responsible grown up arrives to get them.
Facilitators will carry hand sanitizer, first aid kids, and radios in their packs while out on the trails. At the beginning of each day and during activities our facilitators will constantly be mindful of safety while on the trails and outdoors. This might include being mindful of a patch of nettles near the trail, or a snapping turtle on the banks of the wetland. While plants and animals occasionally pose a safety issue, we think they are worth observing safely to provide for a teachable moment for children.
Thanks, we do have a ton of fun! This is a drop-off program for children only. We have a window of time to drop your child off (8:45 AM – 9:00 AM) and pick them up (3:00 PM – 3:15 PM) to allow for a smooth transition, if you or your child are anxious about being apart. If you think drop-off will be an emotional time for your child we might have some tips to help this go smoothly. Get in touch with us!
We also offer public programs for the whole family to enjoy! Click here to view our program calendar.