ALL SUMMER CAMPS ARE FULL FOR 2021
(Updated 3/24/21)
At Carpenter Nature Center, our first priority is to keep our campers and staff safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. We will be taking the necessary precautions and following health and safety guidelines from the CDC and MN Department of Health. Staff may need to alter the daily activities depending on the guidelines and recommendations at the time of the camps.
Please contact Mayme with any questions by emailing Mayme@CarpenterNatureCenter.org
Keeping Camp Safe
How is CNC keeping summer campers, parents, and staff safe during Covid-19?
We are taking the guidelines from the governor and the health organizations very seriously and our first priority is keeping everyone at camp safe. We will be enforcing the following procedures during CNC Summer Camps:
- Campers will be in small groups and will be outside as much as possible.
- Curbside drop off and pick up will happen in the circle drive by the Interpretive Center so there is no need for the parents to get out of the car.
- Prepayment of program fees will be encouraged so there is minimum contact during check-in.
- Children should stay home if they or a household member are not feeling well. If they come down with any symptoms during the day they will be separated from the group and the parents will be contacted.
- CNC staff will be required to wear face coverings and children will be encouraged to wear their face coverings.
- Each child should have their own backpack with supplies – face covering, water bottle, snack, bug spray and sunscreen. Children will not be sharing supplies and CNC equipment (insect nets, aquatic nets, etc.) will be sanitized before and after use.
- Children will be spread out, 6 feet apart, during activities as much as possible and guidelines will be followed to minimize contact with others.
- Hand washing and sanitizing will be done regularly throughout the day.
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.
Summer Camp Offerings 2021
ALL SUMMER CAMPS ARE FULL FOR 2021
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, maintaining social distancing in a small group. Bring your own rod and reel if you have one or use one provided. We will be sanitizing the equipment before and after each group and will not be sharing equipment while fishing. 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 16 (FULL for Summer 2021)
June 30 (FULL for Summer 2021)
July 7 (FULL for Summer 2021)
August 11 (FULL for Summer 2021)
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Program Fee: $35 per child or $25 per child for “Friends of CNC” per session.
Nature Nuts (FULL for Summer 2021)
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 14-18, 2021
Times: 9:00 am—12:00 pm
Program Fee: $105 per child or $95 per child for “Friends of CNC”
Pioneers (FULL for Summer 2021)
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 28– July 2, 2021
Times: 9:00 am—12:00 pm
Program Fee: $105 per child or $95 per child for “Friends of CNC”
Explorers (FULL for Summer 2021)
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 12-16, 2021
Times: Mon—Wed 9:00 am—4:00 pm, Thurs 9:00 am—Fri 12:00 pm
Program Fee: $189 per child or $179 per child for “Friends of CNC”
Outdoor Skills (FULL for Summer 2021)
Specialized camp designed 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: June 22-24, 2021
Times: 9:00 am— 4:00 pm
Program Fee: $119 per child or $109 per child for “Friends of CNC”
Canoe Trips (FULL for Summer 2021)
Specialized camps designed to foster an interest in nature for youth ages 12 and older
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.
Dates:
July 20-22
August 3-5
Times: Tues 9:00 am— Thurs 4:30 pm
Program Fee: $235 per child or $225 per child for “Friends of CNC”
Register For Camp
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
To register your child for CNC Summer Camp, download and complete our Summer Camp Registration Form for 2021.
Completed registration forms and payment should be mailed to:
Carpenter Nature Center
12805 St. Croix Trail S.
Hastings, MN 55033
Registrations will be accepted up to 1 week prior to camp, if space is still available.
“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, 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
Upon receipt of registration and payment, CNC will mail a checklist of items to bring, health forms, and any applicable permission forms (for off-site activities) prior to camp. 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
Info & Health Screening Forms
Carpenter Nature Center is taking extra steps to ensure the safety of participants and staff this summer. Please help us by filling out the following forms before coming to camp:
Please bring completed forms with you when dropping off campers, or email them to Mayme@Carpenternaturecenter.org.
Contact Us
Minnesota Campus
12805 St. Croix Trail S.
Hastings, MN 55033
Wisconsin Campus
300 East Cove Road
Hudson, WI 54016
P:(651) 437-4359
F:(651 438-2908
Latest Nature News
- Carpenter Nature Center adds first St. Croix antenna to wildlife-tracking networkOctober 20, 2020 - 3:17 pm
Insect MigrationSeptember 3, 2020 - 3:08 pm
Nature Poetry: May 2020 Contest Entries & WinnersJune 8, 2020 - 1:23 pm
Leave No Trace Principle 7: Be Considerate of Other VisitorsApril 26, 2020 - 9:00 am
Leave No Trace Principle 6: Respect WildlifeApril 25, 2020 - 9:00 am
Stay Connected
Upcoming Events
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Evening Exploration
July 28 @ 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm -
Family Spin Fishing with Trout Unlimited
July 31 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm -
Minnesota Campus Bird Hike
August 7 @ 8:00 am - 10:00 am