Summer Camps
Registration
Registration closes 1 week 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.
Creek Camp 2022
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!
Know Before You Go
We anticipate the possibility of having some of the following safety precautions in place during summer months:
- Activities will be outdoors as much as possible.
- Children and staff are asked to stay home when they are sick.
- Basic health screenings will be conducted at drop off.
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
Total camp capacity maximum is 24 campers (adult to child ratio of 6 children per adult); 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. Some areas may remain closed and off limits throughout the summer due to storm damage, but we will still have plenty of room for fun and adventures! Camp activities will take place outdoors as much as possible. Indoor spaces are always reserved for each camp in case of thunderstorms or extreme heat, so camps are rarely canceled due to weather. Weather conditions may vary, so make sure your child is prepared with options appropriate for the forecasted conditions. Rainy days or hot weather will not cancel camps. Camp staff will encourage use of water bottles and monitor activity levels. Please apply sunscreen and bug repellant prior to camp each morning!
- 2-3 reusable face masks that fit over the camper’s nose and mouth
- 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
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.
Preschool Camps
Camp experiences for children ages 4-5 (must be potty trained) are drop-off only. Drop off between 8:20 – 8:40 AM and pick up from 11:20 AM – 11:40 AM. 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. Open to BOTH Creekside Forest School Students from the 2021-22 school year AND children that have not attended or enrolled in Creekside Forest School.
June 6 – 8, 2022
8:30 – 11:30 AM
Fee: M $80; NM $95
We’ll have a blast exploring our animal friends from having fun with frogs and toads to flying around with the 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 5, 2022
8:30 – 11:30 AM
Search high and low through the tall prairie grasses and look through the woods for creepy crawly insects. Get ready to move and explore as we search for critters — incredible insects live in nearly every habitat we have!
Fee: M $25; NM $30
July 6, 2022
8:30 – 11:30 AM
Fee: M $25; NM $30
Explore the worlds of prehistoric creatures that once walked, swam and flew through Iowa and other lands. Get into the dirt and mud to dig up your own fossil finds.
July 7, 2022
8:30 – 11:30 AM
Fee: M $25; NM $30
Turtles, lizards and snakes, and don’t forget fish! Visit with our scaly critters and find out what makes these animals different from others. We’ll visit and learn about our wetland and play games!
August 9-11, 2022
8:30 – 11:30 AM
Fee: M $80; NM $95
We’ll have fun visiting and exploring a variety of different habitats from the ponds, to the prairies, and the woods. Learn about the tall grasses and flowers that provide shelter, food, and space for animals while we play some camouflage games. We’ll also head down to the pond to collect water bugs and search in the woods for shapes and textures of leaves and bark.
K-3rd Grade 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.
June 13 – 16
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Isn’t the natural world inspiring? We’ll explore some of our favorite nature stories as we play outside. 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!
M $160*, NM $185
*Household Plus Members and above.
August 1-4
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Be a part of the pack this week! Go wild and explore the animals that make the Nature Center their homes. Each day we will visit different habitats and the animals that live there from forests to wetlands, prairies and streams. Enjoy wild games and adventures!
Fee: M $160*, NM $185
*Household Plus Members and above.
June 27 – 30
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
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.
Fee: M $160*, NM $185
*Household Plus Members and above.
July 18 – 21
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Nature offers a wide variety of topics and adventures to explore. Let’s search for plants and animals, practice our outdoor skills, get creative together and more! Wherever our adventures take us, we’ll be sure to leave room for lots of fun and spend plenty of time outdoors together!
Fee: M $160*, NM $185
*Household Plus Members and above.
4th-8th Grade 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.
June 21 & 22, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM + overnight campout drop off June 23 from 8:30am to pick up June 24th at 8:30 AM
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 the Nature Center.
Fee: M $175*, NM $200
*Household Plus Members and above.
August 18
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Whether you’re an old pro at camps or brand new, come and join us for some of our favorite Nature Center camp activities, from Creekstomping to playing Fox and Rabbit in the prairie, getting an up close look at the plants and animals that live here, or just exploring the outdoors together with friends old and new!
Fee: M $55; NM $60
July 25 – July 27, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM + overnight campout drop off July 28 from 8:30 AM to pick up July 29th at 8:30 AM
Are you an adventurous spirit? This camp is for the outdoor adventure enthusiast. Join us for a variety of outdoor pursuits, including hiking, survival skills, nature study 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!
Fee: M $200*; NM $225
*Household Plus Members and above.
August 16
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Do you like to move? Get ready for a full day of outdoor activity! We’ll hike and explore around the Nature Center trails and grounds as well as go beyond by biking and exploring along the Sac and Fox trail. Bring your own bike AND helmet.
Fee: M $55; NM $60
August 17
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
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!
Fee: M $55; NM $60
Evening “Campouts!”
Drop off between 4:50 – 5:10 PM and pick up from 7:50 – 8:10 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. All sessions are drop-off only. Dinner is provided.
August 12, 2022
Limit: 15 campers
Fee: M $25, NM $30
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 17
5:00 – 8:00 PM
Fee: M $25, NM $30
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 15
5:00 – 8:00 PM
Fee: M $25; NM $30
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!
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.