Do your kids love wild animals? How about long summer days in the great outdoors, exploring open spaces and learning some science just for fun?  

For the 2012 year, the Ogden Nature Center is offering week-long day camps (with an overnighter under the stars), single day adventures, and a family campout for all ages.  We have a variety of camps designed for ages 2-16 with volunteer openings for teenage camp assistants. 

Camps

Full Week Adventures

$150 members / $185 non-members (includes camp T-shirt)

8:30am - 3:30 pm Mon-Wed & Thursday overnight

Thursday is an overnight program beginning at 6pm and ending Friday morning at 8am with dinner and breakfast provided. Tents and sleeping bags are available for children who do not own them. Tents are shared with same gender campers only.

Wildlife Detectives ( Ages 8-10) - June 11th-15th 

Investigate the wild side of nature! Solve clues, decipher codes and interpret maps as you spend the week exploring the mysterious world of animals. Nature crafts, animal games, hands-on investigation activities and an overnight campout make this an adventure you won’t want to mis^s.

X-treme Eco-Expedition (Ages 11-14) - June 18th-22nd

Think you know what it takes to survive in the wild? Challenge yourself in the ultimate nature adventure. Learn how to read nature and prepare yourself for survival using basic first aid, map reading, fire starting, leadership, tracking and shelter building skills learned along the way. Conquer the compass, and GPS and put your skills to the test in an all-out, end of camp treasure hunt. Who will win in this wild adventure?

 Stories of Utah's Past (Ages 9-11) - July 9th -13th

Join Ogden Nature Center for a weeklong summer camp version of our most popular school program “Living Close to the Land”. Spend the week learning about Utah’s first people and explore the ways in which they depended on each other and nature as they sought food, built shelters, created tools and celebrated their lives. Play games, sleep in a tipi and design your own drum as you re-discover Utah’s rich and inspiring history.

Creepy Crawly Critters (Ages 7-9) - July 30th - August 3rd

Would you like an up-close and personal encounter with the creepy crawly critters that are moving around the nature center? Join us for a weeklong adventure discovering and investigating the flying, crawling, and slithering creatures that call ONC home.  Become a nature spy as we dig through pond muck and search fields high and low for snakes, lizards, insects, spiders and more. Play games and enjoy activities that help us understand and appreciate the creepy crawly critters all around us.

Single Day Adventures

$30 members / $35 non-members

$6 for a camp T-shirt with registration

8:30am - 3:30 pm (after hours care available until 5pm)

Eco-Art (Ages 7-8) - July 2nd

Let nature be your nurturer and muse as you create art in an outdoor setting with a natural theme.  Enjoy replicating the natural world through drawing, painting, sculpture, and installations. Get outside and get inspired!

Wild and Rare (Ages 8-10) - July 3rd

Have you got a “wild” side? Explore the world of the rare, threatened and extinct animals through games, stories and crafts. Discover uncommon and extraordinary creatures, big and small as you learn and become a citizen scientist in this one-day adventure camp.

Growing Groceries (Ages 8-10) - July 25th

Dig down deep in the soil of the Nature Center's Discovery Garden to see what lives in a healthy underground community. Harvest and dissect flowers and fruits to experience hands-on where our food comes from. Then roll up your sleeves and prepare tasty foods fresh from the garden! Find out what it takes to build healthy kids-from the ground up!

A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Scientist (Ages 12-16) - August 13th

Cost: $40 members/ $45 non-members

Enjoy all the fun of camp along with real-world experience in this hands-on animal adventure. Get up close and personal with our resident animals as you learn what it takes to keep them happy and healthy. Try your hand at radio-tracking, food preparation and race your fellow campers in tying a proper falconers knot. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get a sneak peak at wildlife care usually only available for volunteers over the age of 18.

Earthworks (Ages 7-9) - August 15th

Nature is full of examples of mysterious, dangerous and beautiful phenomena. From extreme weather, to herd and hive hierarchies, campers will explore the processes and relationships that help keep our Earth teeming with life.

Fun For Fledglings (Ages 4-6)

Monday-Friday 9am to 12 noon

Pick one day or come for the whole week

$15/day or $70/week -members

$18/day or $85/week - non-members

(T-shirt is included with week-long registration fee or $6 for single day participants)

Animal Explorers - June 25th - 29th

Jump, crawl, run and climb your away around the Nature Center as we investigate animal movement. Discover what’s so special about tortoise toes, fish fins and the spring-loaded legs of the Mule Deer. Pick one day or stay for the whole week. Either way campers are sure to have a blast learning and moving like the animals.

Monday, June 25th - Diggers

Tuesday, June 26th - Swimmers

Wednesday, June 27th - Crawlers

Thursday, June 28th - Builders

Friday, June 29th - Jumpers

Wild Wings - July 16th-20th

From feathers and skin to flapping and gliding, birds, bugs and even some mammals are rulers of the sky. Pick one day or visit for the week, as campers explore the magic and mystery of flight.

Monday, July 16th - Bats & other nocturnal hunters

Tuesday, July 17th - Sweet Songbirds

Wednesday, July 18th - Bees, Butterflies and Dragonflies

Thursday, July 19th - Flying squirrels and other gliders

Friday, July 20th - Raptors

Fledgling Fire-side Adventure - July 6th - 6:30pm -8pm

Cost: $15 members/ $18 non-members

Knowing how much our Fledglings look forward to their first overnight stay at ONC, we created a late-night-for-littles! Who's getting up just as you are going to sleep? Plenty of plants and animals! Explore nighttime nature, roast marshmallows and sing songs around the campfire.

Toddler Tracks (Ages 2-3)

9-11am or 1-3pm (guardian must accompany toddlers)

$12 parent/child pair - members 

$15 parent/child pair - non-members

$6 for a camp T-shirt with registration

Toddler Track Series - all four Toddler Track classes, plus a T-shirt

$45 parent/child pair -members

$55 parent/child pair - non-members

Mudpuppies' - July 5th

Get your hands dirty with some good old fashion mud fun. Find out why dirt is so important as we dig holes, find worms, make animal track and hear stories about animals in burrows. Dress for the mess!

Trail Tales - July 6th

Cozy corners out-of-doors are the perfect places for sharing stories! Come walk with us on our trails as we make story stops at our favorite natural hidden spots! Strollers are encouraged for this activity.

Doo-Wap, Hop & Bop - July 26th

Come and dance with your little one as you learn about rhythms and movement in nature. Sway like the trees; slither, shake and shimmy along with nature’s finest dancers! Come prepared to move along to our own melodies as we rattle, rock and roll, Nature Center style!

Bugology- July 27th

Explore the wild world of insects with your little bug as you look through magnifying glasses and swing nets to explore our fields and ponds.  Flip over logs,, pick through tree bark and investigate the soil to find some of nature's tiniest  and most important creatures.

Family Camp - Songs, Skits, Stars & S'mores!  July 27th-28th

All Ages Welcome!

$45/ family of 4 -members

$50/ family of 4 - non members

$5 each additional family member

Camp under the stars with your family at the Ogden Nature Center's Dumke Picnic Grove. Take a guided hike through the center and learn about the nocturnal creatures that inhabit the preserve at night. Songs, skits and s'mores will cap off the evening before you slumber under the stars. We will provide the entertainment, drinks, s’mores and breakfast. Bring your own tent, sleeping bags, mess kit and a picnic dinner. Space is limited and registration is required.

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do camps cost?

That depends on the camp, age of the child, length of the program and whether or not you are a Nature Center member. Fees range from $15 to $185. Please refer to our camp descriptions for more information.

Do you offer discounts for families sending more than one child to camp?

Yes! We offer discounts for sibling and for signing up for more than one camp this season.  A 20% discount will be given on one camp to families with 2 or more children enrolled in weeklong camps or one child enrolled in 2 or more weeklong camps. A 10% discount will be given on one camp to families with 2 or more children enrolled in single day adventure or week-long fledgling camp or one child enrolled in 2 or more day camps. Sorry, we will not be able to offer double discounts or discounts on toddler tracks, family camp or the Fledgling Fire-side Adventure.

Do you offer scholarships?

A limited number of scholarships may be available for those needing assistance. The number and amount of scholarship money awarded each summer depends on individual donor support. Please contact Stefanie Miller at 801-621-7595 for information on available scholarships or fill out the scholarship application and return it to the Nature Center by 5pm on May 25^th.

What is the ratio of campers to counselors?

Our camper to staff ratio is 10:1 at most.

Are your counselors qualified?

Our counselors are trained naturalist with degrees in Education, Environmental Education, Ecological teaching and Learning, Wildlife Biology and Botany with many year of experience teaching children. They are all first aid and CPR certified.

How many children are in each session?

That depends on the camp. Some camps such as A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Specialist have a smaller number of campers (8 campers max) because of the equipment and activities in that program.

My child is under the minimum required age for a camp, can s/he enroll in that camp anyway?

Sorry, no. We do not allow campers to enroll in programs were they do not meet the minimum age or are over the maximum age requirement. Our programs and curriculum are designed with the age requirement in mind.

My child is 6 years old and enrolled in the Fledgling program. Will s/he be grouped with 4 year olds?

No. Our fledgling camps are split by age and each have their own counselor. Each group completes the same activities but at an age appropriate level of learning.

Are these drop-off camps or must I accompany my child?

All of our camp sessions, with the exception of Toddler Tracks (2-3 years), are drop-off camps.

I’d like to register my child for a Toddler Track program. I know that I have to accompany him/her, but can I bring along a younger sibling as well?

Sorry, no. We cannot accommodate siblings in our Toddler Tracks program. As the parent or adult guardian attending, you will be actively participating with your toddler. It is important that your attention be fully focused on your camper so that he/she will get the most out of this experience.

My child is enrolled in a weeklong camp; can I attend the overnight with them?

Sorry, no. We do not allow any adults other than our counselors to attend our weeklong or single day adventure camps.

My child is enrolled in a weeklong camp; do I need pack a meal? 

No. The Ogden Nature Center will provide dinner, dessert and breakfast to campers attending the overnight campout. 

Are snacks or lunch provided for the day camps?

No. All snacks and lunches will need to be provided by the parent or adult guardian. We ask that you try and provide a peanut free lunch in case other campers have peanut allergies.

My child is enrolled in a weeklong camp, is the overnight portion of the camp a requirement? Is there a discount if we don’t attend the overnight portion?

No, the overnight portion of the camp is not a requirement. We understand that some campers may not participate; however the fees for the camp remain the same. If your camper is not able to participate in the overnight portion we encourage you to drop them off for the evening campfire program (5pm to 9:30pm).

Do you offer after-hours care?

Yes! After-camp service will be available for all weeklong and single day adventure camps from 3:30 to 5:00pm. The cost is $8 a day or $20 for three days. Please request after-hours care at the time of reservation to ensure a counselor is available. This service may not be available if requested at the start of camp.

When does registration begin?

We will begin taking reservations on February 6^th.

How do I register?

Registrations may be completed over the phone or in person. Please call 801-621-7595 to speak with someone in our education department. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required for all weeklong camps. A 10% deposit is required for all single day adventures. Due to the high demand for enrollment all other camps including Toddler Tracks, Fledglings and Family Camp, must be paid in full at the time of reservation.

I called to make a reservation but couldn’t reach a member of the education team and I’m concerned that my child will not get into camp. Will someone get back with me regarding my registration?

Yes. If you are directed to an answering machine, please leave a detailed message with your name, phone number and the camps you are interested in. Our education staff is typically teaching students everyday between 9am and 2:30pm but will return calls in the order they were received.

Do Ogden Nature Center members get a discount?

Yes! Ogden Nature center members at the family or grandparent level receive a discount rate on camp fees. The cost of a family membership is $45 and can be purchased when you register for camp.

I am a member of Dinosaur Park/Tracy Aviary/Union Station; do I get a discount on Ogden Nature Center summer camps?

Sorry, no. While your Dinosaur Park/Tracy Aviary/Union Station membership can reciprocate admission into the Nature Center, it does not allow you all the same benefits of being a member of the Ogden Nature Center. Summer camp discounts are only given to Ogden Nature Center members.

The camp that I am interested in is filled. Can I be placed on a wait list?

Yes.  It does not cost anything to be placed on a wait list. If a space becomes available, you will be notified by phone.

What is your cancellation policy?

Requests for withdrawal three or more weeks prior to the scheduled program date will be honored except for the initial deposit, which will be withheld for administrative fees. Withdrawals requested within three weeks of the scheduled program will only be honored if the slot can be filled from a waiting list.  Withdrawals requested at any time for Fledglings & Toddler Tracks will only be honored if someone on a wait list can fill the space.