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
Once you have checked out and paid for your registration, you can then click the “Camp Forms” button below to view and download the forms to send to us at info@neycenter.org. This is not necessary for Family Camp! Once we have received and looked over your forms, we will send you a confirmation email. Please fill out one form per child.
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 and our brand new family camp!
| Dates | Camp Name | Camp Ages |
|---|---|---|
| 06/10 – 06/13 | Time Travelers Camp | 12-14 |
| 06/17 – 06/20 | Outdoor Explorers Camp Week 1 | 9-11 |
| 06/24 – 06/27 | Creative Critters Camp | 6-8 |
| 06/24 – 06/27 | Pirate Camp | 9-11 |
| 07/08 – 07/12 | Ultimate Adventure Camp | 12-14 |
| 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 |
| 08/09 – 08/10 | Family Camp (Overnight)* | All Ages |
*More information on family camp coming soon!
Camp for 4-6 year olds
Dinosaur Camp (Half-Day)
July 15th – July 18th from 9am to 12pm
Calling all dinosaur lovers! Spend the week learning more about the wide variety of dinosaurs, 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!
$70 members, $90 general public
Camp for 6-8 year olds
Creative Critters Camp
June 24th – June 27th from 9am to 4pm
“Creative Critters” is designed to unleash your child’s imagination! Through engaging lessons on the different animals in the park and many, many crafts, campers will explore the outdoors through the lens of creativity. With creative moments for all, from splatter paint to nature journaling, clay, and everything in between, we will top off the week with an art show for your family to enjoy all of the camper art from the week!
$140 members, $160 general public
Dinosaur Camp (Full-Day)
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
Camp for 9-11 year olds
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
Pirate Camp
June 24th – June 27th from 9am to 4pm
Ahoy ye scurvy dogs! Have you got what it takes to be a pirate? The Frog Pond Pirates are looking for new crew members. Come test your skills as we jump into nature. From identifying where to camp during our time on land to reading a map, you will need to understand nature to survive! We will hunt for treasure, learn to navigate, and raid a rival pirate base. Adventure awaits!
$140 members, $160 general public
Camp for 12-14 year olds
Time Travelers Camp
June 10th – June 13th from 9am to 4pm
Join Ney staff as we travel through history! Starting in the time of the dinosaurs and working our way forward, campers will learn about how the local landscape has changed over time, the people who have lived here, and how their way of life has changed throughout history. End in the present day as we learn the skills to be properly prepared for outdoor adventures with modern technology.
$140 members, $160 general public
Ultimate Adventure Camp
July 8th – July 12th from 9am-4pm (optional overnight on July 11th)
Take adventure to the next level by surviving a week “lost in the woods”! We will level up our skills in archery, wilderness survival, and more, including trying kayaking on Lake Washington. Finally, we will challenge ourselves on the last big step of the journey: Zip-Lining at Kerfoot Canopy Tours! We will celebrate with an overnight at camp with lots of fun night activities.
PLEASE NOTE: Drop off & Pickup on Wednesday, July 10th at Lake Washington. Drop off at Kerfoot Canopy Tours on Thursday, July 11th with an optional overnight camp out or pick-up at Ney that day. Pick-up for our overnight campers will be at 9am on Friday, July 12th.
$200 members, $220 general public
Family Camp
August 9th at 3pm to August 10th at 2pm
Embark on an unforgettable family adventure at our Family Camp, where education meets excitement! Immerse yourselves in the great outdoors with many hands-on educational programs, from mastering outdoor survival skills to exploring the wonders of astronomy and wildlife tracking. Join us for one night of camping at Ney (see the Family Camp Information Page for more details) and two half-days of park exploration through our engaging programs and activities, led by Ney Naturalists.
A few programs to look forward to:
- Archery
- Geocaching for S’mores
- Campfire Cooking 101
- Homesteading & candlemaking
- and more!
Want to learn more? Check out our Family Camp Information Page.
For a family of 3 people or less: $100/members, $120/non-members
For every additional family member: $15
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 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, you can receive a 100% refund. If you cancel within 48 hours of the start of camp, you will receive a 90% refund. If your child is sent home (ex. illness) or you cancel after the start of camp, you will not receive a refund.
COVID-19 & Illness: We are currently following CDC guidelines for all of our procedures. Please visit the MN Department of Health website for more information. If your camper is experiencing symptoms of any communicable disease, 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’ or staff’s experience or safety.