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

• ICNC is following CDC guidance and is not requiring masks indoors or outdoors for communities with Low or Medium level transmission.
• 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 ask children and staff to stay home when they are sick, ensuring the best possible experience for all.

We also anticipate that some of these procedures may 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.

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
• 2-3 reusable face masks that fit over the camper’s nose and mouth (optional)

Do NOT bring:

• Cell phone
• Pocket knife
• Valuables
• Electronic games

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.

June 6 – 8, 2023
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child (all levels)* $80, Non-Member Child $95
*Explore Membership options here!

We’ll have a blast exploring our animal friends from having fun with frogs and toads to crawling with creepy crawly insects, 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 5, 2023
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child (all levels)* $30, Non-Member Child $35
*Explore Membership options here!

Learn about our feathered friends in this camp that’s all about birds! Explore some of the many features that make birds special and unique while we practice our bird watching skills and take an up-close look at some bird artifacts.

July 6, 2023
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child (all levels)* $30, Non-Member Child $35
*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 7, 2023
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child (all levels)* $30, Non-Member Child $35
*Explore Membership options here!

Painted turtles, box turtles and more! Visit with some of these scaly and shelled critters and find out what makes these animals different from other animals, and from each other. We’ll also visit and learn about our wetland to search for some of the wild turtles that make their home there!

August 1-3, 2023
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child (all levels)* $80, Non-Member Child $95
*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 head into the woods on some of our adventures this week!

June 12 – 15, 2023
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Household Plus Member Child* $160, Child $185
*Explore Membership options here!

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!

August 7-10
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Household Plus Member Child* $160, Child $185
*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 26 – 29, 2023
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Household Plus Member Child* $160, Child $185
*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.

July 24 – 27, 2023
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Household Plus Member Child* $160, Child $185
*Explore Membership options here!

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!

June 20 – 21, 2023 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
June 22, 2023 8:30 AM drop off (overnight campout)
June 23, 2023 8:30 AM pick up

Cost: Household Plus Member Child* $180, Child $205
*Explore Membership options here!

Become a paleontologist for the week! Bring your imagination as we explore fossils of creatures that once swan 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 at the overnight campout.

August 15, 2023
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child (all levels)* $55; Non-Member Child $60
*Explore Membership options here!

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.

August 17, 2023
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child (all levels)* $55, Non-Member Child $60
*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!

July 17 – 19, 2023 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
July 20, 2023 8:30 AM drop off (overnight campout)
July 21, 2023 8:30 AM pick up

Cost: Household Plus Member Child* $210, Child $235
*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, canoeing, 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 canoe and visit Maquoketa State Park. 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 16, 2023
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child (all levels)* $55, Non-Member Child $60
*Explore Membership options here!

Water is essential to life and also provides us opportunities for fun and learning! We’ll visit and explore some of the water features at Indian Creek Nature Center, such as wetlands and stream habitats. We’ll also learn about how scientists (including citizen scientists) measure and monitor the quality of water habitats. Be ready to get wet and muddy!

August 4, 2023
5 – 8 PM

Cost: Member Child (all levels)* $30, Non-Member Child $35
*Explore Membership options here!

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!

July 7, 2023
5 – 8 PM

Cost: Member Child (all levels)* $30, Non-Member Child $35
*Explore Membership options here!

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 2, 2023
5 – 8 PM

Cost: Member Child (all levels)* $30, Non-Member Child $35
*Explore Membership options here!

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!