Welcome to Camp at the Kalamazoo Nature Center!

School’s Out: Nature Day Camps & Winter Camp

December 10, December 22 & December 30, 2025
January 23, February 2 & 27, 2026

School is OUT, and KNC Nature Camp is INJoin the KNC Camp staff for a day of fun while school is out for Kalamazoo Public SchoolsEach camp will offer hiking, outdoor adventure, arts and crafts, and visits from KNC animal ambassadors. Kids will meet at the Camp Barn for a day of fun and exploration in nature. Learn more & Register >

Summer Camp registration opens November 24!

Play outside with us while we step into fun adventures! Splash around in Nature’s Playground, explore the gravel pits and horse around with friends. Older campers will explore onsite at the Kalamazoo Nature Center with the chance for offsite adventures, team-building challenges, and more. We welcome kids of all abilities and will work closely with you to make sure your child has a great experience. 

See details on 2026 summer camps by age group:

Junior Naturalists Camp

JUNIOR NATURALISTS CAMP RUNS 9 AM–NOON or NOON-3 PM MONDAY–FRIDAY | SNACK INCLUDED
$175 MEMBER, $215 NON-MEMBER PER SESSION

Session 1: June 12-16 | Survival Olympics
Put animal adaptations to the test with games that have you moving–just like the animals do! Run, crawl, jump and dig to see which animal is the best! Meet a LIVE bird of prey and see if they win a gold medal. 

Session 2: June 19-23 | Paint with All the Colors of the Wind
How many colors can you find looking around you?  Use the stream to create beautiful art with watercolors as you become an artist with your friends at KNC. 

Session 3: June 26-30 | Tree Huggers
Build your love for the outdoors by learning about trees. Listen to a story at the Magic Tree, create your own tree, and use sticks to build a home for animals in the wild. Meet a LIVE animal that uses trees as it’s home. 

Session 4: July 10-14 | Oh, Mr. Golden Sun
Mr. Golden Sun please shine down on me! The sun gives power to us and the plants. Come learn how all things grow with the power from the sun. Let’s chase our shadows, and see who might be up high in the trees. 

Session 5: July 17-21 | Dinosaur Safari
Can you find the family members of ancient dinosaurs? Explore our Gravel Pits to search for fossils with your friends, getting messy in the Mud Pit and meet a LIVE modern day dinosaur. 

Session 6: July 24-28 | It’s A Buggy Bug World
The insect world has a life of its own. Learn about the tiny creatures that are walking around on the ground. How many can you find? Meet a live tarantula and other insects at KNC. 

Session 7: July 31- August 4 | Birds of a Feather
Discover the exciting world of the birds! Learn about birds songs, their favorite foods and, play camouflage where hummingbirds fly. Meet a LIVE bird that might live close to you. 

Session 8: August 7-11 | Wild Water
Explore the waters of Trout Run for the creatures that live under the surface. Get wet like a fish, under the showers of our nature playground, and messy in the muddy waters of the Mud Pit. Meet a LIVE animal that lives in and by the water! 

Junior Naturalists Camp: PreK-Kindergarten

If nature is your favorite playground, KNC Camp is the place to be! Explore fascinating habitats, learn about plants and animals, and practice fun outdoor skills. Sing songs, making crafts, and playing games with new friends. Each morning is packed with exciting activities planned by our caring counselors, and special themed activities each session adds even more adventure. Come ready to play, explore, and make new discoveries!

9 AM–NOON MONDAY–FRIDAY | SNACK INCLUDED | $220.50 MEMBER, $245 NON-MEMBER

Session 1: June 8-12 | Habitat Sweet Habitat   Discover who lives where, as you explore the different habitats at KNC! Meet a live wildlife neighbor and learn what makes a thriving “nature neighborhood”! 

Session 2: June 15-19 | Sense-sational Art  Use all your senses to create! Paint with your hands, listen to the songs of musical birds, and hike through the outdoors to discover every color of the rainbow. 

Session 3: June 22-26 | Scales N’ Slime   Summer is for catching frogs and searching for turtles, but there’s more to these creatures than scales and slime! Meet a LIVE turtle and discover all the amazing things that make reptiles and amphibians so special. 

Session 4: July 6-10 | Water World I  Make a splash this summer by exploring ponds, streams, and rivers! Play fun water games and meet aquatic critters to discover the untold stories of their wet and wild lifestyle.   

Session 5: July 13-17 | Growl, Stomp, Roar!  It’s time for dinosaurs! Travel back in time at the Gravel Pit and hunt for fossils. Meet a modern relative of the dinosaurs and uncover their scaly secrets! 

Session 6: July 20-24 | Bug Heroes!  The Glowbug Guardian! Monarch Marvels! Captain Crunch Ant! Who are these tiny superheroes? Get up close with live insects and go on a bug safari to find their unknown lairs.   

Session 7: July 27- 31 | Mini Survival  Campers discover simple outdoor skills, and how animals use adaptations to survive, explore nature, build shelters together, and learn to camouflage. 

Session 8: August 3-7 | Water World II  Cool off before school starts by exploring ponds, streams, and rivers! Play fun water games and meet aquatic critters to discover the untold stories of their wet and wild lifestyle. 

Session 9: August 10-14 | Junior Detectives  Campers become nature explorers! As detectives, we’ll look for animal tracks, peek into cozy habitats, and discover surprising things about plants and animals. Every discovery is a nature mystery! 

Junior Farmers Camp

Get down on the farm and explore trails, tractors, gardens, and more at DeLano Farms! Make art, play games, enjoy nature walks, and listen to stories with friends at KNC Camp. Discover the farm, prairie, pond, forest, and Visitor Center with caring and creative counselors. Each session features age-appropriate farm and nature activities, highlighting the changes the farm goes through during the growing season. Grow new friendships, learn about life on the farm, and have a blast! Tuesday and Thursday drop-off and pick-up will be at DeLano Farms. 
9 AM – NOON, MONDAY–FRIDAY at KNC Camp and DeLano Farms
SNACK INCLUDED
$220.50 MEMBER, $245 NON-MEMBER   

Session 4: July 6-10 | Junior Farmers- 9am to Noon
Session 6: July 20- 24 | Junior Farmers- 9am to Noon  

Nature’s Way Preschool Camps are located at Nature’s Way Preschool, 4442 Oakland Dr, Kalamazoo.  
Nature’s Way Preschool Alumni Camp is open to students who attended Nature’s Way Preschool and are entering grades kindergarten through fifth grade. Return to Nature’s Way Preschool to visit your favorite hiking spots and participate in your favorite NWP activities. The staff at NWP is excited to welcome you back for some fun in our woods!
Nature’s Way Preschool Camp runs 9:00 a.m. – Noon, Monday-Friday. Fee: $245/Member
Session 1: June 8 – 12, 2026
Session 2: June 15 – 19, 2026
Session 3: July 13 – 17, 2026
Session 4: July 20 – 24, 2026

Explorers Camp: Grades 1-3

Become a Nature Explorer! Spend the day outdoors discovering the wonders of prairies, forests, and wetlands. Play fun games with new friends and awesome counselors, get creative in the Camp Art Room, cool off at the Water Tower Sprinkler, and explore the Nature Play Area and KNC hiking trails. Each camp session also features special themed activities to spark curiosity and adventure—come ready to explore and play! 
9 AM–4 PM, MONDAY–FRIDAY | $288 MEMBER, $320 NON-MEMBER

 

Session 1: June 8-12 | Habitat Haven  Wetlands, prairies, forests—oh my! Hike KNC’s grounds to explore different habitats and discover which animals each call home. Build forts in the forest, catch bugs with nets in the prairie, and uncover the magic of nature all around you!   

Session 2: June 15-19 | Crafting Critters  Animals are artists, just like you! Build nests, make tracks and design webs to unleash your inner animal artist! 

Session 3: June 22-26 | Reptiles and Ribbits   If you think turtles are terrific and frogs are fun, hop on over! Take a hike to see which critters are out and about, then get an up-close look at KNC’s animal ambassadors to discover what makes each one unique. 

Session 4: July 6-10 | Let’s Splash   Calling for summer fun in the water! Dive into the world of water by exploring ponds, streams, rivers, and more. Learn to read the sky, uncover hidden sources of water, and meet fascinating aquatic animals along the way!  

Session 5: July 13-17 | Paleo-Sleuths  Become a dinosaur detective! Unearth fossil evidence and follow clues from Earth’s history to learn all about prehistoric animals. Meet a modern dino relative and see how they compare with their ancient ancestors.   

Session 6: July 20-24 | Insect Impossible   I spy with my little eye…insects! Play games that mimic bugs’ super skills and embark on a bug safari to find their hidden “hideouts.” Get up close with live insects and discover why these tiny creatures would make the best secret agents on Earth! 

Session 7: July 27- 31 | Adapting to Survive  Learn how to live in the woods from master survivalists—animals! Discover the special tools animals use to thrive outdoors, then try out your own outdoor skills, like building shelters, to see what works best in nature. 

Session 8: August 3-7 | Last Splash  Last call for summer fun! Dive into the world of water by exploring ponds, streams, rivers, and more. Learn to read the sky, uncover hidden sources of water, and meet fascinating aquatic animals along the way! 

Session 9: August 10-14 | Mystery in the Woods  Campers follow clues, investigate plants and animals, and solve little mysteries in the great outdoors! Uncover nature’s secrets. 

Wild Child Camp: Grades 4-5

What could be better than spending a full day exploring the coolest parts of KNC? Hike the trails and see where they lead, make new friends, and connect with our amazing counselors while living out your favorite adventures. Explore the DeLano Homestead, practice outdoor skills, shoot arrows at archery, create art, and cool off with water fun! Each camp session also features special themed activities to keep the excitement going—come ready to play, discover, and make memories!

9 AM–4 PM, MONDAY–FRIDAY | $288 MEMBER, $320 NON-MEMBER

Session 1: June 8-12 | Wild Homes  Get ready to dig into the wild world of habitats! From forests and fields to ponds and streams, campers will discover how plants and animals work together to make each habitat unique. We’ll explore what living things need to survive — and how we can help protect their homes. 

Session 2: June 15-19 | A Heart for Art   Does nature inspire you? Let KNC be your canvas! Whether you love to paint, draw, write, play music, or weave, this is the week for you. Use the sights, sounds, and colors of nature as your guide and watch your creativity soar! 

Session 3: June 22-26 | Cold-Blooded Creatures   Slither, hop, and crawl into the world of reptiles and amphibians! Campers will discover what makes these animals so unique as they explore habitats, compare scales and slime, and learn how cold-blooded creatures survive in different environments. Let’s uncover the secrets of these animals. 

Session 4: July 6-10 | Wade Right In    Get ready to splash and explore as we dive into the wonders of our most precious resource—water! Learn to fish, explore KNC’s ponds, streams, and rivers, study the pond ecosystem, and meet LIVE aquatic creatures up close. 

 Session 5: July 13-17 | Tracking History   It’s time to peek into the past to see the future! Begin with dinosaurs on a hike to the Gravel Pit, then discover other ancient animals. Follow the trail of history to learn how people have worked alongside animals and explore what these lessons mean for our future. 

 Session 6: July 20-24 | Buggy Site   Let’s search high and low for insects in KNC’s diverse habitats! Take part in a Citizen Science project by tracking sightings of Monarch Butterflies. Build a bug hotel to create a cozy home for insects near you. It’s sure to be a fun and buggy week! 

 Session 7: July 27- 31 | Wilderness Survival   Do you have what it takes to survive in the wild? Campers will learn real outdoor skills like building shelters, navigating using nature, and finding safe water sources—all while discovering how animals rely on their own survival strategies every day. Adventure, problem-solving, and nature exploration await! 

Session 8: August 3-7 | Wade Right in Again   Get ready to splash again and explore as we dive into the wonders of our most precious resource—water! Learn to fish, explore KNC’s ponds, streams, and rivers, study the pond ecosystem, and meet LIVE aquatic creatures up close. 

Session 9: August 10-14 | Eco Detectives   Become a detective of the outdoors! Follow animal tracks, explore different habitats, and solve nature’s mysteries. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your observation skills, uncover hidden clues, and make exciting discoveries about the plants and animals that call the outdoors home. 

Adventure Skills: 6th- 8th Grade   

Campers will build outdoor skills, learn to aim on the archery range, and leadership and teamwork experience through “low ropes” challenge initiatives, and KNC service projects when available. Each session also includes special themed activities to enhance the experience. Note: Participants should be able to carry a 30-pound pack, walk two miles each day, and learn to use backcountry bathroom techniques if facilities are unavailable. 

ADVENTURE SKILLS RUNS 9 AM–4PM, MONDAY–FRIDAY
$288 MEMBER, $320 NON-MEMBER   

   

Session 1: June 8-12 | Habitat Investigators  Step into the role of an ecologist as we uncover the science behind habitats and the species that call them home! Campers will explore how ecosystems function and investigate real-world environmental challenges. Together, we’ll learn how small changes can impact an entire habitat — and what we can do to protect these vital ecosystems. 

Session 2: June 15- 19 | Natural Artistry  You’ve drawn and painted—now it’s time to try something new! Make your own sculptures using materials from nature, experiment with clay, explore photography as a shutterbug, and discover creative mediums you might not expect. Practice the classics while letting your imagination run wild! 

Session 3: June 22-26 | Adaptations in Action  Take a closer look at the fascinating world of reptiles and amphibians! Campers will explore the science behind these cold-blooded species — from unique adaptations and life cycles to their vital roles in ecosystems.  We’ll investigate where they live, how they survive, and what we can do to protect them and their habitats.

Session 4: July 6-10 | In the Deep  Water is life! Go fishing at Source Pond, test water quality with fun experiments, and search for macroinvertebrates. Wade in Trout Run while painting with watercolors, then cool off with a splashy water war with friends. 

 Session 5: July 13-17 | Prehistoric World  Step back in time and uncover the secrets of Earth’s ancient past! Campers will explore how paleontologists study fossils to learn about dinosaurs and the ecosystems they once ruled. Dig for fossils and conduct scientific investigations. Get ready to think like a scientist and uncover the mysteries of the Mesozoic Era! 

 Session 6: July 20-24 | Bugged Out   Get ready to dig deeper into the world of insects! Explore KNC’s diverse habitats to uncover how bugs survive, adapt, and thrive. Contribute to real science by tracking Monarch Butterfly sightings as part of a community science project and designing your own bug hotel to support local pollinators. It’s a hands-on week of discovery that’s buzzing with adventure! 

Session 7: July 27–31 | Survival Master  Test your instincts and learn to thrive in the wild! Campers will dive into advanced outdoor survival skills—building shelters, purifying water, safely starting fires, and navigating with maps and natural clues. Along the way, discover how both people and animals adapt to survive in challenging environments. Adventure awaits! 

 Session 8: August 3-7 | In the Deep II  Water is life! Go fishing at Source Pond, test water quality with fun experiments, and search for macroinvertebrates. Wade in Trout Run while painting with watercolors, then cool off with a splashy water war with friends.  

Session 9: August 10-14 | Secrets of the Wild  Put on your detective hat and get ready to solve the mysteries of the natural world! Campers will investigate puzzling tracks, hidden habitats, and curious animal behaviors while honing their observation and critical thinking. Hunt for clues and uncover the secrets of forests, streams, and wildlife, learning how every piece of nature is connected. 

Neurodiversity Naturalists Camp: 7-10 years old  

This camp is designed to support campers with special needs, providing experiences that allow all children to learn, explore, and find joy in nature. Search for water creatures, draw, and identify insects along with the plants they depend on. Dig into the underground to discover grubs, slugs, and other soil-loving critters. 

Each day is filled with wonder, exploration, sensory-friendly play, nature art, hands-on activities, and learning how different aspects of the environment work together. Led by experienced staff, this camp maintains a 1:3 adult-to-child ratio to provide individualized attention. 

All youth are welcome to register for any KNC program. This session is specifically designed for children with unique learning needs. Questions are encouraged to help determine if this is the right fit. Please bring lunch if a snack is not enough. If your child prefers a smaller crowd, join the alternative Open House on Saturday, June 6th, 9–10 am. 

NEURODIVERSITY NATURALISTS CAMP RUNS 10 AM–1 PM, MONDAY–FRIDAY | SNACK INCLUDED   

$243 MEMBER, $270 NON-MEMBER   

Session 4: July 6-10 | Uniquely You   Each day follows the same schedule but has different activities based on the campers’ interests that register for the week.   

  

Neurodiversity Adventure Camp: Ages 11-15

This camp is designed to support campers with unique learning needs. Explore the wilderness with compass and mapping skills, uncover history in the rocks, journey through the solar system, and discover why we have seasons. Counselors will work closely with registered participants to select weekly themes, starting with these ideas. 

Led by experienced staff, this camp maintains a 1:3 adult-to-child ratio to ensure individualized attention. All youth are welcome to register for any camp program. Questions are encouraged to determine if this is the right fit. If your child prefers a smaller crowd, join the Open House alternative on Saturday, June 6th, from 9–10 am. 

 “NEURODIVERSITY ADVENTURE CAMP” RUNS 10 AM–1 PM, MONDAY–FRIDAY | SNACK INCLUDED   Please bring lunch if a snack is not enough for your child.  

$243 MEMBER, $270 NON-MEMBER  

Session 7: July 27-31 | Uniquely You   Each day follows the same schedule but has different activities based on the camper’s interests that register for the week. 

  

Contact Us

Tanequa Hampton
Camp Director
(269) 381-1574 ext 101

For Camp Registration Questions
Registrar
(269) 381-1574 ext 24

Financial Assistance: To apply for financial assistance, please complete our Financial Assistance Application >

KNC Camp accepts MI Tri-Share! Through MI Tri-Share, the cost of an employee’s child care is shared equally among the employer, the employee, and the State of Michigan with local coordination provided by MI Tri-Share regional facilitator hubs and a statewide administrative partner. Read more >

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Mark your calendars for year-round camp fun!