Summer Camp

Summer camp is where lifelong memories are made. Carpenter Nature Center offers a variety of summer camp opportunities for youth ages 5 to 17, including plant & animal encounters, fishing, canoeing, and more.

Campers will learn to foster an appreciation for the natural world
while making friends.

See what summer fun awaits your child by scrolling below!

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN

 

Register Online:

Complete our Online Camp Registration
powered by Stripe and PayPal.

**Please note that registrations made through this form can only be completed when online payment is made. If you prefer to pay by cash or check, please consider calling or mailing in your registration.

 

Register by Mail or Phone:

To drop off or mail-in your registration,
please print and complete
our Summer Camp Registration Form 1.3.23


Completed forms and payment should be mailed to:

Carpenter Nature Center
12805 St. Croix Trail S.
Hastings, MN 55033

 
Registrations will be accepted up to one week prior 
to that camp if there is a spot available.

If a camp you want to register for is full, please call
to be added to our waitlist and discuss further options.

The CNC main office number is (651)-437-4359.
  • ‘Friends of CNC’
    • Families and their children are eligible for camp discounts if they are current “Friends of CNC” at the “Family” level or above.
  • Deadline
    • Space is limited and camps will fill, register early! Registrations will be accepted up to 1 week prior to program if space is available.
  • Staff
    • CNC camps are staffed by professional naturalists (First Aid/CPR certified) and CNC interns who strive to include all children in quality hands-on nature oriented activities.
  • Activities
    • All campers will be encouraged to take part in all activities including crafts, games, nature hikes, snacks, etc. Please inform CNC immediately if your child has any condition or allergies which may prevent them from taking part in all camp activities so we may plan accordingly.
  • Health & Permission Forms
    • Prior to camp, CNC will mail a checklist of items to bring, health forms, and any applicable permission forms (for off-site activities). Forms are due the week prior to the first day of camp.
  • Weather Policy
    • A great deal can be learned about nature in a rain shower, so programs will not be cancelled due to rain. If weather conditions are severe, activities may be altered or postponed if necessary. Adults will be notified if program changes will arise when your child is in the care of CNC staff.
  • Cancellation Policy
    • Full refund will be given if cancellations are made at least 2 weeks prior to camp. No refund will be given after that date.

Please contact the day camp coordinator via email or call (651)-437-4359 for more information.

Program Director
Mayme Johnson
mayme@carpenternaturecenter.org
Phone: 651-437-4359

Updated 1/1/2023

At Carpenter Nature Center, our first priority is to keep our campers and staff safe. CNC continues to monitor COVID-19 levels to determine summer camp procedures. Per the CDC “many people in the United States have some protection, or immunity, against COVID-19 due to vaccination, previous infection, or both. This immunity combine with the availability of tests and treatments, has greatly reduced the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 for many people. At the same time some people – such as those who are older, are immunocompromised, have certain disabilities, or have certain underlying health conditions – continue to be at higher risk for serious illness.”

Staff and campers may choose to wear a mask at any time.

  • Children should stay home if they or a household member are not feeling well. If they come down with any COVID-19 or any other virus symptoms during the day they will be separated from the group and the parents will be contacted.

Due to the unpredictability of the virus, we reserve the right to cancel camps if needed and will refund any prepaid program fees. We will keep up to date on the health and wellness recommendations throughout the summer and will adjust our plans accordingly. Thank you.

Please contact Program Coordinator, Mayme Johnson, with any questions by emailing Mayme@CarpenterNatureCenter.org or by calling (651)-437-4359.

2023 Summer Camp Offerings

Fishing Fun

Single half-day adventures for children ages 6-11.

Join CNC naturalists to go fishing in the St. Croix River from our dock. Bring your own rod and reel if you have one or use one provided. Please let us know ahead of time your child will need a fishing pole. Most of the time will be spent at the river so please be prepared with a water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, and appropriate clothing.

Dates: June 21 (FULL)

            June 28

            July 26

Time: 1:00pm-3:30 pm

Program Fee: $40 per child or $30 per child for ‘Friends of CNC’ per session.

Nature Nuts *FULL*

A week-long day camp for children ages 5 & 6. 

Make crafts, play games, and explore CNC’s  trails everyday as we learn about the many plants and animals that make their home at CNC.  Participants must bring their own snacks, and families are invited to a picnic on Friday at noon.

Dates: June 19-23

Times: 9:00 am—12:00 pm

Program Fee: $130 per child or $110 per child for ‘Friends of CNC’.

Pioneers *FULL*

A week-long day camp for children ages 7 & 8.

Make crafts, play games, and explore CNC’s  trails everyday as we learn about the many plants and animals that make their home at CNC.  Participants must bring their own snacks, and families are invited to a picnic on Friday at noon.

Dates: June 26-30

Times: 9:00 am—12:00 pm

Program Fee: $130 per child or $120 per child for ‘Friends of CNC’.

Explorers *FULL*

A week-long day camp for children ages 9-11.

Explore nature with us as we hike, create projects, meet friends, and visit the beach nearly every day. Participants should bring their own bag lunches, snacks, and a water bottle.  On Thursday campers will pack up for a canoe adventure at a nearby lake and camp-out at CNC Thursday night through Friday morning.  Families are invited to a picnic on Friday at noon.

Dates: July 17 – 21

Times: Mon—Wed 9:00 am—4:00 pm, Thurs 9:00 am—Fri 12:00 pm

Program Fee: $205 per child or $185 per child for ‘Friends of CNC’.

Outdoor Skills

A three-day camp specialized to foster an interest in nature for youth ages 10 and older.

Have fun while trying a variety of outdoor skills including shelter and fire building, orienteering, fishing, archery, and more!

Dates: July 11 – 13

Times: 9:00 am— 4:00 pm

Program Fee: $120 per child or $100 per child for ‘Friends of CNC’.

*Namekagon Canoe Trip

A three-day camp specialized to foster an interest in nature for youth ages 12 – 15.

Join CNC naturalists for a three day/two night canoe trip on the Namekagon and St Croix Rivers.  We’ll canoe about 17 miles and camp along these rivers. Canoes, paddles, food, cooking equipment, tents, transportation, and PFDs are supplied. Canoeing experience not required.

*To ensure all of our campers have the opportunity to join, please register for only one canoe trip per child.

Dates: August 1 – 3

Times: Tues 9:00 am— Thurs 4:30 pm

Program Fee: $295 per child or $275 per child for ‘Friends of CNC.’

*BWCA Canoe Trip

A four-day, three-night camp for youth ages 13 – 17.

Embrace the beauty and splendor of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) in the Superior National Forest. The naturalist-led trip will include canoeing, portaging, and camping while learning & following “leave no trace” practices. Campers will experience untouched terrain, a variety of flora & fauna, and the many sounds of nature in this designated wilderness area. A pre-trip meeting at CNC with naturalists will go over how to pack your bag for the trip with a list of items to bring. Canoes, paddles, food, cooking equipment, tents, transportation, and PFDs are supplied. Prior experience is preferred, but not required. Pick up and drop off at CNC MN Campus. Thanks to a very generous donor we are able to offer the BWCA trip at a reasonable price and are able to offer scholarship assistance if needed.

*To ensure all of our campers have the opportunity to join, please register for only one canoe trip per child.

Dates: August 8 – 11

Times: Tuesday drop off 7:00 a.m. – Friday evening pick up

Program Fee: $395 per child or $375 per child for ‘Friends of CNC’.