Youth summer camp
2024 Summer Camp Registration Open Now!
!Attention Members!
To Receive Member Pricing for Camps, Enter your member discount code in the coupon code field at checkoutdI
Important Camp Information
- We have a new registration form, which is located below the camp descriptions.
- The grade ranges for camps are not restricted - for example, if your child just completed 2nd grade, but they want to go to a K-2nd camp and a 3rd-5th camp- they can.
- Camp t-shirts are available in sizes Youth Extra Small to Adult 2XL for $12. T-shirts must be preordered by May 20th.
- New this year: canvas drawstring backpacks are available for $10, they can be personalized with your camper's name for an extra $2. Backpacks must also be preordered by May 20th.
- Free Busing is available, however it is contingent on availability from United Community Action.
- We have scholarships available. The scholarship form is part of the registration form. Please email us with any questions!
- Registrations are due 3 days before camps.
- Payment is due before the first day of camp.
- Cancellations 1 week prior to camp will receive 100% refund. There will be no refunds for cancellations after that.
- Members receive a 10% discount on camps!
PreK Camp
Oh, the Nature You'll See
June 11th-13th
9:00 a.m. to noon
Cost: $70 non-members
Join the adventure at this Dr. Seuss inspired camp! We'll read nature stories by Dr. Seuss and learn all about what nature has to offer through hands-on activities. Come and see what there is to explore right in our own backyard!
K-2 Camps
Digging with Dinosaurs - Re-opened for Registration!
July 16th-19th
9:00 a.m. to noon
Cost: $80 non-members
Travel back in time with us as we visit the Mesozoic Era, also known as the Age of Dinosaurs! Become a time-traveling paleontologist as we learn what life was like 165 million years ago. Campers will learn about ancient animals, dig for fossils, and more!
Nature Olympics - Registration Closed
July 29th-30th
9:00 a.m. to noon
Cost: $60 non-members
This year, the Olympics aren’t just taking place in Paris. You can compete right here in Sparks Park! Campers will participate in activities based on real Olympic events while learning about the star athletes of the animal kingdom. Could you be the one to bring home the gold?
Whose Scat is That? - Registration Closed
K-3rd Grade
July 2nd
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $45 non-members
It’s something you don’t usually talk about in polite company, but we naturalists love to find in nature! There’s so much you can tell about an animal from their scat, and there’s so much of it out there to find. After all, everybody does it! We’ll give you the scoop on animal poop and teach campers how to identify an animal using only what they’ve, er, left behind.
3rd-6th Grade Camps
Prairie Survival
3rd-5th Grade
June 18th-21st
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $90 non-members
What if you woke up tomorrow to find that you no longer had electricity or running water? Would you have what it takes to survive in Minnesota’s harsh landscape? In this hands-on survival camp, we’ll learn all about the tried and true methods of the prairie-dwellers of the past, from the Native Americans who lived in harmony with this land to the pioneers who tried to tame it. We’ll also explore the many adaptations animals and plants have developed to survive in the sometimes hostile prairie habitat.
Get Your Game On!
3rd-5th Grade
July 10th-11th
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $70 non-members
In the age of technology, video games are more popular than ever! Video games and board games are ways we can immerse ourselves in worlds filled with challenges and creativity. Do you ever wonder what parts of these imaginary worlds are inspired by nature? From Mario to Battleship, campers will participate in activities based on popular games, and maybe even make some games of their own!
Earthly Elements - waitlist only
3rd-5th Grade
August 6th-7th
9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: $60 non-members
Earth, Water, Fire, Air. Learn how Earth’s elements shape the world around us and how we can harness them to thrive and survive! Dig in the soil, splash in Sparks Park, build a fire, and feel the prairie wind on our faces! Join us for an earthly fun time!
Galactic Travelers - waitlist only
4th-6th Grade
August 13th-15th
9:00 a.m. to noon
Cost: $75 non-members
Learn all about the amazing planets, moons, and stars in our galaxy! We’ll take a journey through our solar system and discover what lies beyond it in the Final Frontier. Campers will also go stargazing in our amazing Prairie Planetarium!
6th-8th Grade Camp
Camper Led - Cancelled
August 21st-22nd
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $80 non-members
Do you love being outside? We do too! That’s what this camp is all about. We’re letting you take the lead on this one and decide what activities you want to spend your time on. Maybe you want to add to your survival skills, make something with natural materials, or just have some outdoor fun! Whatever you decide to do, we’ll follow your lead.
Oh, the Nature You'll See
June 11th-13th
9:00 a.m. to noon
Cost: $70 non-members
Join the adventure at this Dr. Seuss inspired camp! We'll read nature stories by Dr. Seuss and learn all about what nature has to offer through hands-on activities. Come and see what there is to explore right in our own backyard!
K-2 Camps
Digging with Dinosaurs - Re-opened for Registration!
July 16th-19th
9:00 a.m. to noon
Cost: $80 non-members
Travel back in time with us as we visit the Mesozoic Era, also known as the Age of Dinosaurs! Become a time-traveling paleontologist as we learn what life was like 165 million years ago. Campers will learn about ancient animals, dig for fossils, and more!
Nature Olympics - Registration Closed
July 29th-30th
9:00 a.m. to noon
Cost: $60 non-members
This year, the Olympics aren’t just taking place in Paris. You can compete right here in Sparks Park! Campers will participate in activities based on real Olympic events while learning about the star athletes of the animal kingdom. Could you be the one to bring home the gold?
Whose Scat is That? - Registration Closed
K-3rd Grade
July 2nd
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $45 non-members
It’s something you don’t usually talk about in polite company, but we naturalists love to find in nature! There’s so much you can tell about an animal from their scat, and there’s so much of it out there to find. After all, everybody does it! We’ll give you the scoop on animal poop and teach campers how to identify an animal using only what they’ve, er, left behind.
3rd-6th Grade Camps
Prairie Survival
3rd-5th Grade
June 18th-21st
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $90 non-members
What if you woke up tomorrow to find that you no longer had electricity or running water? Would you have what it takes to survive in Minnesota’s harsh landscape? In this hands-on survival camp, we’ll learn all about the tried and true methods of the prairie-dwellers of the past, from the Native Americans who lived in harmony with this land to the pioneers who tried to tame it. We’ll also explore the many adaptations animals and plants have developed to survive in the sometimes hostile prairie habitat.
Get Your Game On!
3rd-5th Grade
July 10th-11th
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $70 non-members
In the age of technology, video games are more popular than ever! Video games and board games are ways we can immerse ourselves in worlds filled with challenges and creativity. Do you ever wonder what parts of these imaginary worlds are inspired by nature? From Mario to Battleship, campers will participate in activities based on popular games, and maybe even make some games of their own!
Earthly Elements - waitlist only
3rd-5th Grade
August 6th-7th
9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: $60 non-members
Earth, Water, Fire, Air. Learn how Earth’s elements shape the world around us and how we can harness them to thrive and survive! Dig in the soil, splash in Sparks Park, build a fire, and feel the prairie wind on our faces! Join us for an earthly fun time!
Galactic Travelers - waitlist only
4th-6th Grade
August 13th-15th
9:00 a.m. to noon
Cost: $75 non-members
Learn all about the amazing planets, moons, and stars in our galaxy! We’ll take a journey through our solar system and discover what lies beyond it in the Final Frontier. Campers will also go stargazing in our amazing Prairie Planetarium!
6th-8th Grade Camp
Camper Led - Cancelled
August 21st-22nd
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $80 non-members
Do you love being outside? We do too! That’s what this camp is all about. We’re letting you take the lead on this one and decide what activities you want to spend your time on. Maybe you want to add to your survival skills, make something with natural materials, or just have some outdoor fun! Whatever you decide to do, we’ll follow your lead.
Enjoy photos from our 2022 Summer Camps!