CAMP REGISTRATION HERE
It’s time to make summer plans for the kiddos! The Ogden Nature Center is offering a variety of summer camps for ages 2 through 12, plus a Volunteens Program for ages 13-16, and even some family and adult camps. All of the camps are age-specific.
Kids & teens will learn fascinating and important nature knowledge, and grow both minds and spirits! This is a wonderful opportunity to have fun, be gritty, get dirty, make friends, and of course... BE OUTSIDE!
Please view our Parent Manual for more information about Summer Camps.
Half Day Camps $60; Ages 6-7, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
June 11: Scaly Tales If you like things with scales and slime that slither all around (and sometimes hop), this camp is for you! Peek into the lives and adaptations of reptiles and amphibians through fun activities and games. You’ll even get to meet some of these special creatures up close and personal!
July 21: Eco Art Explore the beauty of nature! Campers will create crafts inspired by their surroundings while learning about the environment and the animals with whom we share our ecosystem.
July 23: ONC Animal Ambassadors Utah is home to an incredible range of wildlife. Ogden Nature Center hosts a number of native species both captive and wild. Come join us to learn about our desert and forest friends; how they live, what they eat, and how they interact with nature. Through live demonstrations of ONC’s animal ambassadors, campers will be able to gain an appreciation for these amazing animals and how they support their ecosystems and the Ogden Nature Center.
August 11: Totally Gross Nature can be totally gross. Together we’ll explore the sticky, slimy, and smelly side of nature through games, crafts, and hand-on exploration. Meet nature’s cleanup crew and how they get rid of waste, learn about the grossest living things on earth, and explore “gross” habitats around the nature center. Prepare to get your hands dirty and dress for a mess.
August 13: Magnificent Mammals What do you have in common with a whale or a wolf? You’re all mammals! Come explore the lives of cool Utah mammals by examining fur and footprints. You will be able to test your sense of smell, talk about mammal food chains, and make a fun craft to take home!
August 14: Animal All-Stars Did you know that you can see the world’s fastest animal here in Utah? Come learn all about the record-breaking animals that we can see in our own backyard. We’ll look at some of the smallest, biggest, fastest, and strongest animals that you might find around the state and even right here at the Ogden Nature Center.
Full Day Camps $80; Ages and times vary
Ages 7-9
June 11: Crafting With Nature (8:30am-3:30pm) Creative campers will enjoy this full day of arts and crafts. Through painting, clay creatures, nature crowns, and more campers will use what nature provides to make fun projects to take home.
July 17: Nocturnal Senses, LATE NIGHT CAMP (4pm-10pm) One dark and stormy night…these animals were right at home! In this late-night camp, we’ll learn all about the creatures that come out at night. We’ll find out how they’ve ditched light in favor of their four other senses—and how they can use other animals’ lack of sight to their advantage! Dinner is included.
July 20: Strange Nature (8:30am-3:30pm) Get ready to uncover the bizarre, the wild, and the downright strange wonders of nature! Ever wonder how an owl can turn its head 270 degrees without needing a chiropractor? Or why some creatures glow in the dark like they’re straight out of a sci-fi movie? And what’s the deal with blobfish? Are they really made of jelly, or is there more to the story? Join us for a week of mind-boggling discoveries as we dive into the wacky world of animal adaptations, unusual behaviors, and the strangest survival strategies in the wild.
Ages 8-10
June 8: Fantastic Forts (8:30am – 3:30pm) Lodges, nests, and dens are fine for critters, but what kind of home would you make if you lived outside? We’ll explore the kinds of homes animals make and then get to the task of creating the perfect human shelter among the trees and trails of the Ogden Nature Center.
August 12: Earth Works (8:30am-3:30pm) Together we will polish up our geology skills by learning about Earth’s crust. We will explore the rock cycle and how that shapes the world around us. We’ll learn why volcanoes explode and why the Earth, quakes. Join us for crafts, games, and treats as we discover why rocks rock!
Ages 9-11
June 9: Ecosystem Explorers (8:30am-3:30pm) Discover the exciting plants and animals that call Utah home! Join us for a day of meeting animals, hiking trails, and playing games as we explore some of the amazing ecosystems of Utah!
August 10: World of Insects (8:30am-3:30pm) Do you love exploring nature and finding bugs in the wild? Join us to learn all about what makes an insect an insect! From their body to their life cycle come and learn all about these critters through crafts, songs, and interactive activities.
Ages 10-12
June 10: Caring for Critter (8:30am-3:30pm) Do you dream of having your own pet? In this camp you’ll learn to care for animals ranging from mammals to reptiles to birds. You’ll reap the rewards of your hard work by getting to meet all the animals you care for!
July 23: Awesome Astronomers, LATE NIGHT CAMP (4pm-10pm) Get ready to discover the beauty above us as we learn about Earth’s atmosphere and sky. We’ll explore the day and night sky through experiments, crafts, and games. Dinner provided.
Ages 12-14
July 22: Mad Scientist Mystery (8:30am-3:30pm) A mad scientist is running rampant at the Ogden Nature Center! Working with your fellow campers, you’ll retrace the science criminal’s steps and stop the chaos. You’ll perform experiments, discover clues, point the finger at the suspect....and get rewarded with a tasty treat for a job well done!
Toddler Tracks Camps - $35; ages 2-3, select Fridays from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
These two hour programs are designed specifically for toddlers ages 2-3 years old and their chaperones, with fun, nature-based activities, stories, songs, and games. Meals are not provided.
June 12: Mud Puppies Mud is messy, exciting, and full of surprises! Join us in some mud fun, as we discover what’s hiding in the dirt and why it’s so important. Get ready to dig deep, create mud paintings, and splash around in mud-filled pools for an unforgettable adventure.
June 19: Sense-sational Nature Come explore nature with the five senses. You will be able to see, smell, touch, hear, and even taste nature. Join us for crafts, songs, and games all while using your senses!
June 26: Daring Dinos Travel back in time to learn more about the prehistoric beasts that once lived in Utah. Explore dinosaurs of all different shapes and sizes, create your very own fossil, dig for dinosaur bones, and meet dinosaur relatives!
July 17: Splish, Splash, Splat! Prepare to get wet as we learn what floats, sinks, and swims in water at the Nature Center. We’ll dip for bugs in the pond, find out what water does to a sandcastle, and hear stories about the creatures that call water their home.
July 31: Critter Communication Roar! Chirp! Meow! Join us to learn all about the different sounds that animals make to talk to each other in this fun-filled camp. We’ll play exciting games with animal sounds, make fun crafts together, and explore the nature center to hear real wild animals talking to each other.
August 14: Who’s Who? Whooooo’s there? Join us in learning all about owls, including native Utah owl species. We will play games, do a craft, and even have to opportunity to meet a real owl (and take a photo with it)
Week-long Camps; $230, ages vary
July 13-17: Mother Earth Mythology (9-11) Mon-Wed 8:30am-3:30pm, Thurs 5:30pm-Fri 9am In this weeklong camp we’ll study myths from ancient cultures about the sun, moon, stars, earthquakes, oceans, and the origin of the universe. Through stories, crafts, and games, we’ll learn about mythology in different cultures worldwide. Monday-Wednesday are regular camp days 8:30am – 3:30pm. The overnight portion starts at 5:30pm on Thursday and ends at 9am on Friday.
June 16-20: Eco Extreme (11-14) Tues-Thurs 8:30am-3:30pm, Fri 5:30pm-Sat 9am Do you know what it takes to survive in the wild? Challenge yourself in the ultimate nature adventure. Learn how to read the landscape and prepare yourself for survival using basic first aid, leadership, shelter-building, and more. Conquer these skills and put your knowledge to the test in an all-out, end of camp scavenger hunt. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are regular camp days. The overnight portion starts at 5:30pm on Friday and ends at 9am on Saturday.
June 22-26: Creepy Crawly Critter (7-9) Mon-Thurs 8:30am-3:30pm, Fri 5:30pm-10pm Discover the fantastic world of flying, crawling, and slithering creatures that we call creepy crawlies. Join us for a weeklong adventure of games and activities that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of “frightening” creatures. By the end, you may just find out that they’re not so scary at all. Monday through Thursday are regular camp days 8:30am – 3:30pm with a late night on Friday from 5:30pm – 10:00pm.
July 27-31: Wonderful Wildlife (10-12), Mon-Wed 8:30pm-3:30pm, Thurs 5:30pm-Fri 9am Do you love animals? Here is your chance to learn all about them, and even meet them up close. Spend a week at the Ogden Nature Center learning about birds, mammals and reptiles. Create your own nest box to take home and experience some animal handler training before holding a real snake! Monday-Wednesday are regular camp days 8:30am – 3:30pm. The overnight portion starts at 5:30pm on Thursday and ends at 9am on Friday.
Fledglings Camps $200 for agess 4-6, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
These camps are designed for our 4-6 year old friends who are ready for their first camp experience away from their parents. Three hours in length provides the perfect opportunity for friends, fun, and learning.
July 6-10: Kneehigh Naturalists Rocks, flowers, bugs, oh my! Come and learn how to be little scientists while exploring nature, making exciting crafts, and playing fun games, no lab coat necessary! Dive into the world of botany, biology, chemistry, ecology, and geology, all while having a blast at the Ogden Nature Center!
August 3 – 7: Sensory Explorers The sight of fluffy clouds, the smell of wildflowers, the sound of a songbird, nature is full of wonders that we experience with our senses. Together we will explore the sights, sounds, smells, even tastes and textures of nature. We will make crafts, eat tasty snacks, and explore the outdoors in new ways.
Family Camps $120 for up to 5 family members, $10 for each additional
July 10-11: Friday 6:00 pm - Saturday 9:00 am Cost $120 for up to 5 family members. $10 for each additional family member. Join us on an adventure for the whole family. Pack your tent and enjoy a night under the stars at Ogden Nature Center’s Dumke Picnic Grove. Play games, make crafts, and learn about the creatures that run the night here at the nature center. Hot dog dinner and a cold breakfast will be provided.
August 7-8: Friday 6:00 pm - Saturday 9:00 am Cost $120 for up to 5 family members. $10 for each additional family member. Join us on an adventure for the whole family. Pack your tent and enjoy a night under the stars at Ogden Nature Center’s Dumke Picnic Grove. Play games, make crafts, and learn about the creatures that run the night here at the nature center. Hot dog dinner and a cold breakfast will be provided.
Volunteens for ages 13-16
June 9- August 13, 9am - 12 Noon, every Tuesday & Thursday. Cost $60 Serve, learn and have fun with a unique program designed to get teens out of the house this summer. Participate in citizen science, habitat restoration, Nature Center projects and more, all while making friends and giving back to the community. Volunteens work on and off-site with Nature Center staff in a fun, friendly, supervised learning environment.
The Dirt and the Details!
Summer Camp Information
Camp check-in and check-out
All campers MUST be checked in and out daily by an approved parent or caregiver. This procedure ensures the safety of your child. Additional approved adults can be added to your digital registration form by calling 385-470-0036. This must be done BEFORE the day of your camp. If the person checking in or out is not on the approved list, we will not allow the camper to go with them until the main contact has been called and the person is confirmed.
We will not allow check-in any earlier than 15 minutes before the camp start time and check-out will not be any sooner than 5 minutes before camp end time (unless you have made arrangements with staff ahead of time).
Late check-in and early check-out
If you are late to check-in, please go to the Visitor Center and they will have a counselor come get your camper. If you know that you will be checking in late, please give us as much notice as possible. If you need to check out your camper early, please let us know by the morning of the camp when you check them in (earlier if possible) so we can have your camper ready for pick-up.
Late check-out is not permitted. Parents who arrive 10 minutes or later after check-out time will be charged a $1 per minute fee unless we have been notified ahead of time or a sufficient circumstance is given.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
Email
Special Needs
We welcome campers of all abilities. If your child has a medical condition or allergy that will impact their experience at camp, or the experience of others in the group, please be forthcoming with information to ensure a positive and successful experience. For campers that need special assistance, please notify staff prior to registering for camp. Parents are not allowed to stay with campers unless special permission is granted for children with special needs. Please call 385-470-0036 two weeks in advance to make arrangements. Background checks are required for any adult attending a camp with a child with special needs.
Photographs/video
Ogden Nature Center reserves the right to use any photos/video of campers to promote our programs unless otherwise notified in writing by parents.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE Closed - *Applications were due Friday, February 27th at 5 pm.
We believe all children deserve the right to go to summer camp! We receive funding from generous donors who want kids to go to camp at the Ogden Nature Center. We do not require any financial documentation to apply for a scholarship. A limited number of scholarships are available for those needing assistance. Money awarded each summer depends on individual donor support.
Question, please contact our education staff at
Reservations and Cancellations
- A $65 non-refundable deposit is required for the 3-day overnight, 4-day late-night, family camp, adult camps, and the full week Fledglings camp upon reservation.
- A $20 non-refundable deposit is required for all full-length single-day camps.
- A $10 non-refundable deposit is required for a single Fledglings camp day, Toddler Tracks camps, and half-day day camps.
- Requests for withdrawal two or more weeks before the scheduled program date will be honored except for the initial deposit, which will be withheld for administrative fees. Refunds will not be given for cancellations or no-shows within two weeks of the camp start date.
- Please do not send your camper to camp if they are sick. Any cancellation for an illness will be honored.
- ONC reserves the right to restrict enrollment/participation if participation in camp is deemed unsafe/unsuitable for a child by ONC, either for the safety/experience of the child or for the safety/experience of the staff/other campers. ONC reserves the right to cancel camps due to circumstances beyond our control including illness or low attendance. All fees will be refunded for canceled programs.
- All camps will be held rain or shine!
Ogden Nature Center Member Discount
All Ogden Nature Center members receive 10% off their total camp cost. Become a member here. Membership discount is not available for the Volunteen program. Please note that we do not accept membership cards for any other organizations to be used as a discount on Ogden Nature Center summer camps.
Volunteer Camp Assistant
The Ogden Nature Center is looking for enthusiastic and motivated volunteers to assist with our upcoming summer camp season. Camp assistants will work with our education team to set up camp, help with activities, and engage with campers of all ages. If you enjoy working with children, being outdoors, or are looking for opportunities to serve your community, join us this summer at the Ogden Nature Center.
Age Requirement: All camp assistants must be at least 12 years old to participate. For Full Day camps, assistants must be at least 14 years old. For Week-long Camps, and Evening Camps, assistants must be at least 16 years old.
Expectations Responsible for showing up to assigned camps in a timely manner and for staying for the entire scheduled time.Be attentive and complete given tasks.Must be comfortable working with children.Should be comfortable working outside, potentially in hot weather.
A short interview will be held for applicants before camp assistants are scheduled to go over camp expectations and schedule. This includes returning camp assistants. Training will be provided prior to the start of camp.
Applications are due May 8 at 11:59pm. Interviews will be held May 18-22. A mandatory training will be held Friday, June 5, 9am-12pm.
Please reach out to Meagan with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do camps cost?
That depends on the camp, age of the child, length of the program and whether you are a Nature Center member. Please refer to our camp descriptions for more information.
Do you offer discounts for families sending more than one child to camp?
Due to rising cost of supplies and the effort to not raise summer camp tuition fees, we have discontinued the double camp discount. We do still offer a discount for Ogden Nature Center members.
What is the ratio of campers to counselors?
Our camper to staff ratio is 10:1 along with two camp assistants for all camps ages six and older. Fledglings and Toddler Tracks camps have 10:1 with a camp assistant in each age group.
Are the counselors qualified?
Counselors are trained naturalists with degrees in Education, Environmental Education, and various STEM subjects with many years of experience teaching children. They are all first aid and CPR certified. Teacher Naturalists are full time Ogden Nature Center employees that work year-round in all aspects of our education programming.
My child is under the minimum required age for a camp, can my child enroll in that camp anyway?
Sorry, no. We do not allow campers to enroll in programs where 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 Fledglings program. Will my child be grouped with 4-year-olds?
No. Our Fledglings camps are split by age, and each will 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, apart from Toddler Tracks (2-3 years) and Family Camp, are drop-off camps. Parents are not allowed to stay with their campers unless they have been given permission to attend for special needs students. These parents are required to complete a background check and wear proper identification. Please contact the education director at 385-470-0036 if you are seeking special permission to attend camp with your child.
I would like to register my child for a Toddler Track program. I know that I must accompany my child, 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 your child and the rest of the class will get the most out of this experience.
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 nut-free lunch in case other campers have nut allergies.
Do you offer after-hours care?
Yes! After-camp service will be available for all 4-day and single-day adventure camps from 3:30 to 5 pm. The cost is $15 a day. Please request after-hours care prior to the first day of camp 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 at 9am on March 3rd.
How do I register?
To register, scroll through camps on the calendar and click on camp(s) you are interested in. If you need assistance, please call 385-470-0036 to speak with someone in our education department. A nonrefundable deposit is required for all camps.
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. Purchase a family membership here.
I am a member of Dinosaur Park/Tracy Aviary/Union Station/Zootah; do I get a discount on Ogden Nature Center Summer Camps?
Sorry, no. While your Dinosaur Park/Tracy Aviary/Union Station/Zootah 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. Purchase a family membership here.
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.
What is your cancellation policy?
Requests for withdrawal two or more weeks prior to the scheduled program date will be honored except for the initial deposit, which will be withheld for administrative fees. Refunds will not be given for cancellations or no-shows within two weeks of the camp start date. Deposits for all camps are not refundable.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
Email
