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.

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!

• 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apply today using this scholarship form.

Andria Cossolotto, a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, came to Indian Creek Nature Center having previously been a naturalist in western Iowa. At ICNC, Andria leads school field trips and camps, helping to instill the love of nature in future generations. In her spare time, Andria works to help improve pollinator habitats and enjoys getting outdoors with her husband and two children whenever possible.

Emily Roediger is originally from Rochester, Minnesota. She graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with majors in Biology and Environmental Studies and minors in Geology and Music, and has an environmental education graduate certificate from Hamline University. She has over 4 years of experience with multiple environmental education organizations, and is excited to be at Indian Creek! Emily enjoys being outside whether she’s hiking and exploring new places, camping, playing tennis, bike riding, or even just sitting!

Caden Dorrance is a student at the University of Iowa. He is currently majoring in Environmental Science and pursuing a certificate in sustainability and Museum Studies. Caden is an avid birder and loves sharing that passion with others. He encourages others to go out into nature and enjoy it just as much as he has been able to do. 

When he’s not at Indian Creek Nature Center, Caden can be found working at Old Macdonald’s Farm and volunteering with the Iowa Raptor Project. He also loves to draw and uses nature and animals to inspire his work. 

Caden’s love for birds and nature started at a young age, while assisting with bird banding on his birthday. Caden was able to release a downy woodpecker- a memorable moment he has carried with him throughout his life. He hopes to spread the wonders of nature to kids and shape their futures in positive ways – just as nature has shaped his.

Louise Funk is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and is currently attending the University of Iowa, studying history with a minor in social justice on the secondary education path. Louise’s favorite things to do during the summer include going camping with her friends, early morning walks, and exploring new places. As a summer naturalist, she is most looking forward to getting outside and making new memories!

Riley Long just completed her second year at the University of Iowa. She is studying Environmental Bioscience and pursuing a minor in Spanish. In her spare time, Riley loves to be outside – whether that is going on hikes or reading a book. 

Riley is so excited for the opportunity to educate young people about the environment and to help encourage kids to enjoy and appreciate nature’s beauty!

June 10 – 12, 2025 (3 days)
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child $90, Non-Member Child $115
*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 8, 2025
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60
*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 9, 2025
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60
*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 10, 2025
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60
*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 12 – 14, 2025 (3 days)
8:30 – 11:30 AM

Cost: Member Child $90, Non-Member Child $115
*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 wander through the woods on some of our adventures this week!

August 15, 2025
5:00 – 8:00 PM

Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60
*Explore Membership options here!

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!

June 13, 2025

5:00 – 8:00 PM

Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60 (Dinner Provided)
*Explore Membership options here!

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!

July 15 – 18, 2025 (4 days)
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $175, Child $200
*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 4 – 7, 2025 (4 days)
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $175, Child $200
*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 6, 2025

5:00 – 8:00 PM

Cost: Member Child $35, Non-Member Child $60 (Dinner Provided)
*Explore Membership options here!

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!

June 30 – July 3, 2025 (4 days)
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $175, Child $200
*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!

July 28- 31, 2025 (4 days)
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $175, Child $200
*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.

June 5, 2025
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $60, Non-Member Child $85
*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 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.

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.

August 18, 2025
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $60; Non-Member Child $85
*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.

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
*Explore Membership options here!

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!

August 19, 2025
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cost: Member Child $60, Non-Member Child $85
*Explore Membership options here!

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.