Ney Nature Center offers nature and adventure-themed summer camps for youth 4-14 years old. Each camp can accommodate up to 12 campers and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We provide scholarships for families that qualify, click here to learn more.
Has your child aged out of our summer camps? Encourage them to become a Junior Naturalist! These volunteers get all of the fun of summer camp, while building their resume and earning volunteer hours! We are looking for students in 10-12th grade as of May 2024, learn more by clicking here!
2024 Summer Camps
Join us for unforgettable summer adventures with camps designed to ignite creativity, foster friendships, and inspire the start of a lifelong appreciation for nature. Our diverse range of activities, from outdoor recreation and arts and crafts to team-building challenges, ensures that every camper finds something they love about camp. With thoughtfully crafted schedules and a nurturing environment, our summer camps promise an unforgettable experience filled with laughter, learning, and personal growth. Ages 4 to 14 as well as our brand new family and adult day camps
| Dates | Camp Name | Camp Ages |
|---|---|---|
| 07/15 – 07/18 | Dinosaur Camp (Half-Day) | 4-6 |
| 07/22 – 07/25 | Outdoor Explorers Camp Week 2 | 9-11 |
| 07/29 – 08/01 | Dinosaur Camp (Full Day) | 6-8 |
| 08/03 | Family Day Camp | All Ages |
| 08/10 | Adult Day Camp | 18+ |
Remaining Summer Camps
Please note, registration has closed for all camps except Family Day Camp & Adult Day Camp at this time.
Dinosaur Camp (Full-Day)
June 10th – 13th from 9am to 4pm
July 29th – August 1st from 9am to 4pm
Calling all dinosaur lovers! Spend the week learning more about the wide variety of dinosaurs and the habitats they would have called home, and learn what it is like to be a real paleontologist. Topics covered will include an overview of different kinds of dinosaurs and their adaptations, fossil examination, digging for bones, scavenger hunts, and more!
$140 members, $160 general public
Outdoor Explorers Camp
WEEK 1: June 17th – June 20th from 9am to 4pm
WEEK 2: July 22nd – July 25th from 9am to 4pm
Get ready to put on your explorer hat and try fun activities, including survival skills, archery, and kayaking on Frog Pond! This camp is designed for your camper to challenge themselves to try new things in a fun and friendly environment. Thursday morning, drop off will be at Kerfoot Canopy Tours to try their High Ropes Adventure Park! Pick-up will be back at Ney that afternoon. We will bus the campers back to Ney after their time at Kerfoot.
$160 members, $180 general public
Family Day Camp
August 3rd from 10am-3:30pm
All Ages
Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and join us for a fun-filled adventure at Family Camp! Nestled in 446 acres of wilderness, this day offers the perfect opportunity for families to bond, explore, and create lasting memories together. Please bring your own food; we will provide time for lunch & afternoon snacks. S’mores will be available at afternoon snack time! Please let us know about any limitations or allergies in the registration form. We recommend bringing sunscreen, bug spray, and dressing for the weather! All other equipment is provided.
Activities offered throughout the day to choose from:
- Archery (ages 9+ only)
- Kayaking on Frog Pond (ages 12+ only)
- Geocaching
- Wilderness Survival Skills
- Owls & Owl Pellet Dissection
- Furs, Tracks, & Skulls
- Pond Study
- Nature Crafts
$15/member, $20/non-member
Due to a lack of interest in our overnight Family Camp, this event has replaced it. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out!
Adult Day Camp
August 10th from 9am-12:30pm
You’re never too old for camp fun! Our naturalists will set up some of our most popular activities, and you can try out your favorites! Around 12pm, we will have a fire going and have supplies for lunch to cook over it, you can choose to stay for as long as you would like after that. Please let us know about any limitations or allergies in the registration form. We recommend bringing sunscreen, bug spray, and dressing for the weather!
Ages 18+
Activities offered:
- Archery
- Atl-Atl
- Ax Throwing
- Geocaching
- Orienteering
- Fire building
- Wilderness survival skills
$35 members, $40 general public
Youth Day Camp FAQs
What should my child bring to camp?
– Lunch & reusable water bottle (we provide an afternoon snack)
– Please apply insect repellent and sunscreen before your child arrives at camp. If your child needs help applying sunscreen, please send them with a spray-on sunscreen.
– Tennis shoes or sandals with a back strap (no flip flops)
– Clothes they can run around in and get dirty
Do you offer scholarships?
We do! Visit our scholarship page to learn more and apply.
How do I register?
Once registration opens for you (either member or general public), you can click the “Register Now” button, which will show up on this site. Click the camp(s) you want to register for and add them to your cart. Once you have checked out and paid for your registration, click the “Camp Forms” button at the top of this page to view and download the forms and send them to us at info@neycenter.org. We will send you a confirmation email once we have received and reviewed your forms.
Do you offer beforecare or aftercare?
We do not at this time, but you can drop off your child as early as 8:45am and pick them up as late as 4:15pm for full-day camps or 12:15 for half-day camps.
My child is too old or too young for your camps. Can I register them anyway?
Our camps are designed for the ages listed, so please get in touch with us if you are interested in registering your child who does not meet the age requirements. Some camps offer more flexibility than others. However, please always ask.
My child has accessibility needs. Can you accommodate them?
We will always do our best to accommodate all accessibility needs. Please contact us directly so we can work with your family to make this a great experience.
Is your question not answered here? Contact us directly via email or phone.
CAMP POLICIES
Cancellation Policy: We reserve the right to cancel a camp at any time if our staff or board deems it necessary for health or safety reasons. If Ney cancels prior to the beginning of camp, a full refund will be provided; if it is during the week, we will calculate a per-day refund.
If you cancel your registration 48 hours or more before the start of camp (before Saturday at 9am the weekend before), you can receive a 100% refund. If you cancel within 48 hours before the start of camp (Saturday 9am – Monday 9am), you can receive a 90% refund. If your child is sent home (ex. illness) or you cancel after the start of camp (after Monday at 9am), you will not receive a refund.
COVID-19 & Illness: We follow CDC guidelines for all our procedures. Please visit the MN Department of Health website for more information. If your camper is experiencing symptoms of ANY communicable illness, please stay home! We reserve the right to send your child home if they may be infectious. If you have questions, you can reach us by email or call us at 507-357-8580.
Camper Behavior: Ney Nature Center expects participants to listen to instructors and act respectfully toward everyone, including animals, equipment, and nature. We reserve the right to send a camper home without a refund in case of a physical altercation and/or if consistent misbehavior affects other participants’ experience or safety. This is a last resort, and we ask that you communicate any strategies needed for behavior on camp forms prior to the first day of camp.