Learn skills to be comfortable outdoors; we’ll build different kinds of forts, practice making fire in several ways and cook over the fire. Practice reading a map, explore the river and meet some forest animal neighbors. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Discover how to survive in the woods. Practice keeping a fire lit and build an emergency shelter. Learn to overcome obstacles in your path and hone your skills in off-trail games. Find your way through the woods with the Geocaching Challenge. This is a great sibling camp that can be divided into smaller groups by age.

 Extended care available for an additional $60; drop-off begins at 8:30 AM and pick-up ends at 5 PM. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Search for frogs, toads and turtles in their natural habitat. Explore the park, play games and feed animal ambassadors from the Gateway Center. Meet new friends, explore the environments that these critters inhabit and learn how these cool animals survive. Combine with Backyard Bugs Camp for four days of fun. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Spend four active days exploring the park and crafting unique and useful projects from natural materials responsibly gathered along the way. Campers will learn how to safely cut and carve using hand tools like knives and handsaws, and experiment with different processes including weaving with natural fibers and colors. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Young wizards and witches get ready to enter a world where things are not as they seem! Learn the secret arts of herbology, potions, mysterious creatures and more. Craft your own wand, play games and prepare for a wild ride of fantasy nature adventures while exploring our magical world.  

Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 AM and pick-up ends at 5 PM. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Does your child have a special adult in their life like a grandparent, aunt or friend? Together, they can share time in the woods learning about nature, meeting our animal ambassadors and building special memories.

This is designed for youth and an older adult—parents get to hear the stories later! Registration required by two weeks prior.

Does your child have a special adult in their life like a grandparent, aunt or friend? Together they can spend time learning about nature, meeting our animal ambassadors and building special memories. Designed for youth and an older adult—parents get to hear stories later!  

One day will be spent at the historic Grimm Farmhouse in Carver Park Reserve. Participants will travel over uneven ground in a variety of weather conditions. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Does your child have a special adult in their life like a grandparent, aunt or friend? Together, they can spend time in the woods learning about nature, meeting our animal ambassadors and building special memories.

This is designed for youth and an older adult. Parents or guardians get to hear the stories later! This is not a drop-off program. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Spend two nights in a rustic log cabin making memories with your grandchildren (up to eight people per cabin). Join naturalist-led activities such as rock climbing, pond exploration, campfire cooking and crafts, or spend time relaxing on your own.  

All meals included. Maximum three children per grandparent. This camp is for grandparents and grandkids—parents get time at home! Registration required by two weeks prior.

Become an expert in the grossest parts of nature! Eat bugs, cover yourself in mud and find the grossest smells. Learn how to identify different kinds of animal scat and even dissect a squirrel.

Extended care available for an additional $60; drop-off begins at 8:30 AM and pick-up ends at 5 PM. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Step into the past to experience early Minnesota as we explore the historic lifeways of the Dakota people. Paddle a canoe across the water, practice archery skills and help raise a traditional style tipi. Try your hand at fire-starting and traditional Dakota games. Learn Dakota words connected to the natural world and discover the cultural significance of many plants and animals.  

This camp is based out of Lowry Nature Center but includes an off-site visit with bus transportation to Shakopee to visit Hocokata Ti Cultural Center (Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community).  

Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 AM and pick-up ends at 5 PM. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Step into the past at the Grimm Farm Historic Site to learn about life on a 19th century farm. Learn about the children of the Grimm family while helping with household chores like laundry and rug beating. Help with farm chores as we grind corn and care for the animals. Churn butter and enjoy homemade ice cream as we discover the Grimm family’s contributions to Minnesota’s dairy industry.  

Each day of camp meets at the Grimm Farm Historic Site in Carver Park Reserve. Registration required by two weeks prior.