Pottawattamie County Conservation

Summer Camp Programs - Nature themed summer camps based on age and experience levels

Pottawattamie County Conservation provides annual summer camps designed to develop a sense of wonder and lifelong connection with the natural world.

Summer is a time for adventure, a time to be outside, soaking the sun’s rays and playing outdoor games until it settles behind the horizon. For youth filled with curiosity and an urge to be outside, Pottawattamie County Conservation offers nature camps for all ages of outdoor explorers. Each year focuses on a new theme so that each summer campers can enjoy new activities and learning opportunities that help develop their curiosity, creativity, and sense of adventure.

Summer camp staff includes three full time professional environmental educators, as well as two education interns whose passion for nature and teaching children is contagious. With two highly trained adults per group of 8-16, camps provide personal attention and safety. Our camp leaders thrive in this close-knit setting as they help develop skills and environmental learning on a more personal basis with each child during their time spent at camp. Our camp culture is one in which every child is included, increasing childrens' confidence and independence.

Progressive levels of challenge and engagement with the natural world are built into the Pottawattamie County Conservation Education Program’s Summer Nature Camp experience. Camps are divided by age group and are offered at Hitchcock Nature Center and Arrowhead Park.

Hitchcock Nature Center Camp themes include:

KinderNature
Creature Feature
Plantastic
Insect Safari
For the Birds
Dig It
Club Wild
Adventure Out

Arrowhead Park Camp themes include:

Water Wonders
Aqua Adventures

-Camps at Hitchcock Nature Center-

KinderNature Camps - For children ages 3-5

“The HNC Summer Camps helped prepare (my grandson) for Kindergarten. (He) learned how to be more comfortable around kids, and found out that he has much more fun with others than by himself.
Your EE staff is great. Thank you!” –KinderNature Camp Grandparent
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Discovery Camps - For children entering 1st and 2nd grade

“(She) has learned to value nature and has relayed that to us in our own backyard. She also gets to be around other kids that she doesn't go to school with that value the same things she does. She also sees the great staff as people that she looks up to-great role models for her!” –Discovery Camp Parent

Explorers Camps - For children entering 3rd and 4th grade

“All of the hands-on, diverse experiences. Your staff is so positive and knowledgeable about nature and education.” –Explorers Camp Parent

Pathfinders Camps - For children entering 7th and 8th grade

“The relevance of the camp! Kids need to know about nature, how to conserve and protect nature, and the importance of it. Pott County Conservation EE Staff does a wonderful job with that!” –Pathfinders Camp Parent

-Camps at Arrowhead Park (same great EE staff!)-

Voyagers Camps - For children entering 5th and 6th grade

“I appreciate the combination of education and fun the kids have at camp. Thank you!”
–Voyagers Camp parent

2013 Camp Info - Registration begins March 25

To read about our Summer Camp Policies, click here.
To download a PDF with Frequently Asked Questions, click here.