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Get Ready for a Summer of Fun in 2021

Posted on 1/22/2021
Registration for our 2021 Summer Nature Camps will open on March 1st!

Our Environmental Education team is hard at work planning another summer of amazing nature fun & we'd love to see you there! With a focus on outdoor learning & skills development the Pottawattamie Conservation Summer Nature Camps aim to develop a deep appreciation for the natural world that will continue to grow throughout our campers lives. With a focus on practical skills & outdoor safety our nature camps grow with the students & are a great way for young learners to gain confidence in the great outdoors. 

COVID-19 is shaping our everyday life in new ways & the outlook for summer 2021 is still a little hazy but we hope to be able to offer these high quality camps in a safe & fun manner. Currently all COVID precautions are tentative but we do anticipate continuing with a reduced number of campers & presenting these events primarily outdoors for safety. We will do our best to keep all guardians updated should additional precautions or restrictions become necessary & we will evaluate all refunds on a case by case basis so you can sign up early without concern. 

Online registration for all camps will open at 10:00 a.m. on March 1st but all current Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation members will receive early registration benefits as a thank you for your support. Summer camp registration for all PCF members will open at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22nd! Purchase your membership at any Pottawattamie Conservation park or online at www.pottawattamieconservationfoundation.com to access early registration!

Here is a full list of the fun we have planned in 2021. Please click the individual camp links for more information on any of our offerings & get ready to register on March 1st!

Wildlings Camp - For Students Age 3 to 5 

Our youngest learners will get to know the animals that call southwest Iowa home. With a new animal focus each day campers are sure to learn a lot about the natural world around them. All Wildlings camps are from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. & will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center. Cost is $15 per camper, per day & you may register for for as many Wildlings camps as you like.  

Rockin' Reptiles: Monday, August 2nd
Magnificent Mammals: Tuesday, August 3rd
Awesome Amphibians: Wednesday, August 4th
Impressive Insects: Thursday, August 5th
Brilliant Birds: Friday, August 6th

Wild Ones - For Students Entering 1st & 2nd Grade (Age 6 to 7)

Our 1st & 2nd grade learners will walk on the wild side during this immersive camp experience packed full of fort building, hiking, outdoor games, nature crafts, & more. Wild Ones is a three day camp & is offered twice at two locations. Camp will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day & campers are welcome to attend both camps. Cost is $75 per camper, per camp. 

Wild Ones at Hitchcock Nature Center: June 15th through 17th
Wild Ones at Arrowhead Park: July 13th - 15th

Wild Seekers - For Students Entering 3rd & 4th Grade (age 8 to 9)

Students entering 3rd & 4th Grade will discover news skills & explore the wild side of Iowa during this hands-on camp. Campers will enjoy beginning archery lessons, shelter building challenges, hiking, plant & animal identification, & nature crafts. Wild Seekers is a three day camp & is offered twice at two locations. Camp will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day & campers are welcome to attend both camps. Cost is $75 per camper, per camp. 

Wild Seekers at Hitchcock Nature Center: June 22nd - 24th
Wild Seekers at Arrowhead Park: July 20th - 22nd

Wild Wanderers - For Students Entering 5th & 6th Grade (age 10 to 11)

Students entering 5th & 6th grade will continue growing their outdoor survival skills through archery lessons, advanced shelter building, & fire building during this hands-on camp. Wild Wanderers is a three day camp & is offered twice at two locations. Camp will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day & campers are welcome to attend both camps. Cost is $75 per camper, per camp. 

Wild Wanderers at Hitchcock Nature Center: June 29th - July 1st
Wild Wanderers at Arrowhead Park: July 27th - 29th

Into the Wild - For Students Entering 7th, 8th, & 9th Grade (age 12 to 14)

Older students will put their outdoor skills to use during this three day outdoor adventure which includes a canoe trip on the West Nishnabotna River Water Trail & an overnight campout at Botna Bend Park.  This three day event begins with a refresher course on canoe skills and water safety at Arrowhead Park from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & follows up the next day as we set off on our overnight adventure. Cost is $100 per student.

Into the Wild at Arrowhead Park & Botna Bend Park: July 6th - 8th

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