Summer Camps
These day camps are designed to encourage hands-on learning through outdoor explorations, activities, games, crafts, and more. Camps will be led by naturalists. Campers are asked to bring a water bottle and sack lunch for day long camps. Prepackaged snacks will be provided.
Summer Camp Registration Opens - March 1, 2025 at 7am
Ages 6-7
Surf and Turf Camp
Session 1: June 17-18, 2025 - 9am-2pm
Session 2: July 30-31, 2025 - 9am-2pm
Embark on an unforgettable adventure where we explore the best of both worlds – land and lake! Campers will learn about the similarities and differences of each ecosystem and complete hands-on activities to immerse themselves in nature discovery.
- Fee: $80
- Registration deadline is June 3 and July 16
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting location: Jester Park, Shelter #3
Nature Explorers Camp
Session 1: June 9-12, 2025 - 9-11:30am
Session 2: August 5-8, 2025 - 9-11:30am
Explorations in nature…what could be better than that!?! Come and spend a week at Jester Park hiking, playing games, working on projects, and getting to be part of the nature that is all around us. From the animals to the plants, to the soils and the waters, this week will definitely be the best of the summer.
- Fee: $100
- Registration deadline is May 26 and July 22
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting location: Jester Park Nature Center
Wild Kratts Camp
Session 1: July 22-24, 2025 - 9-11:30 am
Session 2: July 22-24, 2025 - 1-3:30pm
Learn how different animals have adapted to survive in Iowa’s environment, catch prey or elude predators. We’ll head out on a mission to help an animal each day.
- Fee: $75
- Registration deadline is July 8
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting location: Jester Park Nature Center
Ages 8-9
Birds of a Feather
Session 1: June 26-27, 2025 - 9-11:30am
Session 2: July 15-16, 2025 - 9-11:30am
Take flight with two fun-filled mornings all about birds! Campers will dive into birdwatching, learn about local bird species, explore their habitats, and understand their unique behaviors through nature walks, games and crafts. Perfect for young bird enthusiasts!
- Fee: $50
- Registration deadline is June 12 and July 1
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting location: Jester Park Nature Center
Water Detectives
June 30-July 3, 2025 - 9-11:30am
Get ready to uncover the wonders of water as you become a Water Detective! Throughout the week, we will explore what makes freshwater so important for both plants and animals (including humans like us). We’ll investigate wetlands, ponds, creeks, and lakes as we discover how we can help to keep our waters clean.
- Fee: $100
- Registration deadline is June 6
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting location: Jester Park Nature Center
Spaceship Earth
Volcanoes, glaciers, ecosystems, black holes, and constellations. Learn about what makes planet Earth and the space around us so amazing. Be a part of an interstellar camp at Jester Park where we’ll investigate the awe-inspiring features that make us so lucky to call this place home.
- Fee: $100
- Registration deadline is June 24
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting Location: Jester Park Nature Center
Ologies
Session 1: June 23-27, 2025 - 9am-3:30pm
Session 2: August 4-8, 2025 - 9am-3:30pm
Join us on an exciting adventure to explore the natural world through the eyes of scientists! Our Ologies Summer Camp dives into the fascinating fields of study that help us understand the incredible world around us.
- Fee: $250
- Registration deadline is June 9 and July 21
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting location: Jester Park Nature Center
Wildlife Wonders
Session 1: June 11-13, 2025 - 9am-3:30pm
Session 2: July 23-25, 2025, 9am-3:30pm
At Wildlife Wonders Camp we’ll learn about the fascinating world of local wildlife, discovering incredible adaptations that help animals thrive in our state and all over the world!
- Fee: $150
- Registration deadline is May 28 and July 9
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting location: Jester Park Nature Center
Ages 10-11
Fishing Camp
This camp is all about fishing! We will spend time learning about different fish and how to catch them. We will try our luck at a couple different fishing spots in Polk County. Other activities will include knot tying, fish cleaning/cooking, and creek exploration.
- Fee: $100
- Registration deadline is June 3
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting Location: Jester Park Nature Center
Junior Naturalist Camp
Session 1: June 23-25, 2025 - 9am-3:30pm
Session 2: July 7-9, 2025 - 9am-3:30pm
Do you know a child who loves the outdoors? Campers will spend go fishing, canoeing, hiking, geocaching, building campfires and more while exploring the outdoors. On the last day of camp, campers will receive a badge and certificate. Bring a sack lunch and water bottle.
- Fee: $150
- Registration deadline is June 9 and June 30
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting location: Jester Park Nature Center
Stones and Bones
Session 1: June 30-July 2, 2025 - 9-11:30am
Session2: July 29-31, 2025 - 9-11:30am
Get ready to rock! We’ll be exploring rocks, minerals, and fossils through hands on activities, experiments, and digs.
- Fee: $75
- Registration deadline is June 16 and July 15
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting location: Jester Park Nature Center
Ages 12-16
River Rats
Session 1: June 12, 2025 - 9am-3:30pm
Session 2: July 10, 2025 - 9am-3:30pm
If you have a young experience paddler looking for a challenge, then this camp is for them. We will explore two different Central Iowa rivers and test their paddling skills. Not only will we paddle, we’ll also learn about river ethics, safety, geology, ecology, and take time to just play. Prior paddling experience required. Trips led by American Canoe/Kayak Certified and experienced instructors. All transportation, equipment and PFD’s provided. Trips may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
- Fee: $50
- Registration deadline is May 29 and June 26
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting Location: Jester Park, Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center
Shooting Camp
Session 1: June 16-17, 2025 - 9am-3:30pm
Session 2: July 14-15, 2025 - 9am-3:30pm
Session 3: August 11-12, 2025 - 9am-3:30pm
This camp will introduce participants to the lifelong sport of target shooting. We'll learn the basics of archery, air rifle and even throw Atlatls. The experience continues with a visit to the Butch Olofson Shooting Range where we'll practice our skills using .22 rifles and 20 gauge shotguns. All equipment, ammo, targets, ear and eye protection provided. All shooting activities led by certified trained range instructors.
- Fee: $100
- Registration deadline is June 2, June 30, July 28
- Limited to 10 campers
- Day 1 Meeting location: Jester Park Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center
- Day 2 Meeting location: Olofson Shooting Range, Polk City
Nature Art
Get creative in the outdoors! Campers will get to explore nature and find out how to use our natural resources to create a variety of art pieces to take home. From pressed flower bookmarks to pinch pots made from clay we find in a nearby creek, this camp is perfect for young artists that are passionate about nature.
- Fee: $100
- Registration deadline is July 9
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting location: Jester Park Nature Center
Night at the Nature Center Camp
A camping adventure awaits you as you experience the Jester Park Nature Center after dark! Fun games, a night hike, and making meals over the fire are all in store as you spend the night at the nature center. Bring a sleeping bag, a flashlight, and your sense of adventure.
- Fee: $100
- Registration deadline is June 26
- Limited to 12 campers
- Meeting Location: Jester Park Nature Center
Summer Camp Sidekick Volunteers
Whether you are a high school student seeking to fulfill Silver Cord hours, a college student seeking a graduation requirement, a teacher looking to give back during summer break, or a retiree seeking to rediscover the joys of summer camp - all are welcome to apply to be a Summer Camp Sidekick! Click here for more information.