Summer camp is where lifelong memories are made. There are camps for ages 5 to 15 on various topics from fishing, plant and animal encounters, canoeing, and more. Campers will learn to foster an appreciation for the natural world while making friends. See what summer fun opportunities await your child by scrolling below!
Register for Summer Camp!
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR SUMMER CAMP 2022!
Register Online:Complete our Online Camp Registration & Payment Form, 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.
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Register by Mail or Phone:To drop off or mail-in your registration, please print and complete our Printable Summer Camp Registration Form.
Carpenter Nature Center
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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 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
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
Covid-19 Precautions
Keeping summer campers, parents, and staff safe during Covid-19
Updated 12/15/2021
At Carpenter Nature Center, our first priority is to keep our campers and staff safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. Summer camps will be adapted as needed based on current Minnesota Department of Health guidelines.
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.
Please contact Program Coordinator, Mayme Johnson, with any questions by emailing Mayme@CarpenterNatureCenter.org or by calling (651)-437-4359.
Forms for Registered Campers
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 any of the day camps:
Participant Info Form 2022 and COVID 19 Screening Form
Please bring completed forms with you when dropping off campers, or email them to Mayme@Carpenternaturecenter.org.
2022 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, 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:
Wednesday, June 15
Wednesday, June 22
Wednesday, July 13
Thursday, July 14
Time: 1:00pm-3:30pm
Program Fee: $35 per child or $25 per child for “Friends of CNC” per session.
Nature Nuts
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 20 – 24
Times: 9:00 am—12:00 pm
Program Fee: $120 per child or $100 per child for “Friends of CNC”
Pioneers **FULL FOR 2022**
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: July 11 – 15
Times: 9:00 am—12:00 pm
Program Fee: $120 per child or $100 per child for “Friends of CNC”
Explorers
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 18 – 22
Times: Mon—Wed 9:00 am—4:00 pm, Thurs 9:00 am—Fri 12:00 pm
Program Fee: $195 per child or $175 per child for “Friends of CNC”
Outdoor Skills
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 28 – 30
Times: 9:00 am— 4:00 pm
Program Fee: $110 per child or $90 per child for “Friends of CNC”
Pathfinders
Week-long day camp on our WI Campus for ages 10 and older
Explore the connection between the environment and food production through a variety of hands-on field trip experiences. Walk through a dairy farm, see bison in the prairie, pick berries at an organic farm, and make your own pizza with veggies fresh from the garden all while learning about careers in the outdoors.
Dates: August 1-4
Times: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
*Program Fee: $99 per child
*Inquire about scholarships provided by an anonymous donor. Please call Mayme at (651)-437-4359 or by emailing mayme@carpenternaturecenter.org or fill out the Scholarship Application 2022 form and mail to 12805 Saint Croix Trail South, Hastings MN 55033.
Canoe Trip
Specialized camps designed 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.
Dates: July 26 – 28
Times: Tues 9:00 am— Thurs 4:30 pm
Program Fee: $275 per child or $250 per child for “Friends of CNC”
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
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