2025-2026 Nature Camps
Cancellation/Refund Policy
A cancellation fee of 10% will apply to all cancellations made more than 14 days before the start of a camp. No refunds will be given if cancellation is 14 days or less before the camp. A rescheduling fee of $10 will apply for each camp change requested. A 24-hour notice to reschedule is required.
​
Check Out our Fall Family Programming​
​
​
​
Winter Camp Registration Open Now!
To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.
Winter 2025 Camps
December 22nd 9am-12pm
Wildlife Watchers - Beavers
Ages 6-8 | Ages 9-11
Join us at Sailor Bar to explore beaver habitat! Although beavers are mostly nocturnal, they leave signs of their presence for us to find during the day. We will search for gnawed on trees, scat, tracks, and other signs of beaver activity.
Drop off and pick up at Sailor Bar in Fair Oaks.​​
​
December 23rd 9am-12pm
Wildlife Watchers - Birds
Ages 6-8 | Ages 9-11
​
Do you love to go birding? Sacramento Bar is a great place to see many species of birds! Grab your binoculars and get ready for an exciting birding adventure.
Drop off and pick up at Sacramento Bar in Fair Oaks.​
​
December 29th 9am-12pm
Wildlife Watchers - Otters
Ages 6-8 | Ages 9-11
​
One of the most elusive animals of the American River is the River Otter. Mostly active during sunrise and sunset, they often leave their crayfish and freshwater clam leftovers along the riverside. Let’s hike around Rossmoor Bar in search of river otter evidence!
Drop off and pick up at Rossmoor Bar in Rancho Cordova.
December 30th 9am-12pm
Wildlife Watchers - Salmon & Steelhead
Ages 6-8 | Ages 9-11
​​
Let’s catch the tail end of the salmon run! We will hike around the Nimbus Fish Hatchery in search of the fashionably late salmon who have taken the incredible journey from the ocean.
Drop off and pick up at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery in Gold River.
December 31st 9am-12pm
Wildlife Watchers - Winter Waterfowl
Ages 6-8 | Ages 9-11
​
Grab your binoculars to get a detailed look at the winter waterfowl of the American River Parkway! Either permanent or migratory, these elegant birds play a vital role in the parkway’s ecosystem.
Drop off and pick up at Lower Sunrise in Rancho Cordova.​
January 2nd 9am-12pm
Wildlife Watchers - Deer
Ages 6-8 | Ages 9-11
​
Did you know deer have a keen sense of hearing? As we use our quiet fox walk around the Nature Study Area, let’s count how many deer we see! How many bucks? How many does? The oak woodland is home to many of these amazing animals!
Drop off and pick up at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael.​
January 5th 9am-12pm
Wildlife Watchers - Coyotes
Ages 6-8 | Ages 9-11
​
There are coyotes all up and down the American River Parkway, and Ancil Hoffman Park is a popular place to see them! As we hike around the park and along the river, we will investigate signs of activity and hopefully see a coyote or two!
Drop off and pick up at Ancil Hoffman Park in Carmichael.
Summer 2025 Camps
June 16 - June 27 9am-12pm
Outdoor Adventures
Ages 8 - 11
Our most popular camp fills quickly! Ready for an adventure? Then prepare to be outdoors and let the fun begin! You will spend two weeks enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, crafts, games, a night hike, and river rafting! Don’t miss out on the adventures you can have on the American River this summer!
​
Camp includes at least one off-site camp day.
​
Camp includes one evening program.
​
June 23 - June 27 9am-12pm
Happenin' Habitats
Ages 6-8
​
Explore our forests and fields to find the animals that live here. Discover many different animal habitats and learn how each one meets animals’ needs. Join us on a new discovery as we learn about insects, mammals, birds, and much more!
​
​
June 30 - July 3 9am-12pm
Art in the Park
Age 6-11
​
Explore your creative journey with nature. Using keen observational skills, we’ll design artwork focusing on texture and form using collage, printing, papermaking, poetry, etc. On the last day invite your family for an art walk highlighting your creative ideas.
​
Please Note: NO camp on July 4th!
July 7 - July 11 9am-12pm
The Pond and Beyond
Ages 8-11
​​
Get ready to make a splash! This week at camp, we will be getting up close and personal to aquatic creatures with microscopes and magnifying glasses. Come learn about aquatic life in our pond and river as we discover the importance of water and the animals that live there.
This camp will have one off-site day.
July 7-11 9am-12pm
Wild Wetlands
Ages 6-8
​
Sink into the wild world of watery habitats and learn all about the critters that call them home! Learn all about the important role wetlands play in supporting a diverse variety of plants and animals and how they contribute to a healthy ecosystem. Explore the wetland habitat as we hike through the Nature Study Area and have a chance to meet an animal ambassador that thrives in our wild wetlands.
​
July 14 - July 18 9am-12pm
Nature-ology
Ages 8-11
​
Dive into nature this week with a different topic each day, from rocks to trees to animals. Daily walks and activities will activate our inner scientist, while games and art throughout the week will add an element of fun. We are all naturalists this week!
​
July 14 -18 9am-12pm
Woodland Tales
Ages 6-8
​
Lizards and birds and deer, oh my! Discover the sights, smells, and sounds of our furry, scaly, and feathered friends through the magic of storytelling. Use your senses and observation skills to explore our oak woodland in search of the incredible critters we read about and create new memories and stories of your own! Keep track of your discoveries in a nature journal (journals provided).
July 21- July 25 9am - 12pm
Junior Geologists
Ages 8-11
​
Explore the dynamic Earth we live on! Investigate how the interior of our planet and the atmosphere continually change the Earth’s surface. We will focus on volcanoes, rocks, erosion and more. Join us to discover what an amazing planet we have!
​
July 21- July 25 9am - 12pm
Earth Protectors
Ages 6-8
​
Become a hero to nature! Discover the fun and wonders of our local habitats while learning how you can be a protector of all wildlife. Meet an animal ambassador we care for and learn their stories, explore wild plants and animals in the Nature Study Area, and discover how your everyday choices can make you a nature steward!
​
July 28 - August 1 9am - 12pm
Radical Reptiles
Ages 8-11
​
​Slither into the world of our scaly friends and explore some of the habitats they call home! Learn about the wild adaptations of these cold-blooded critters and the unique ways they use their five senses to survive out in the wild. Keep an eye out for our reptilian neighbors as we explore the trails and meet some of our scaly ambassadors up close and personal!
​
July 28 - August 1 9am - 12pm
Sun-Seeking Critters
Ages 6-8
​
Slither, hop, and crawl into the world of cold-blooded animals to learn how these amazing creatures survive in the wild. Search the Nature Study Area for basking lizards, discover what lives in our pond through catch-and-release practices, and meet a variety of sun-seekers up close! This camp offers daily hikes, games, and crafts.
August 4 - August 8 9am - 12pm
Water Wizards
Ages 6-11
​
Join us as we explore the banks of the American River and discover the many animals that depend on it! Along the way we’ll learn the importance of keeping our waterways clean for generations to come. This camp will include a day of river cleanup (gloves provided), and an offsite day of catch-and-release aquatic studies at William B. Pond Recreational Area (life jackets and nets provided). Wrap up your summer at Effie Yeaw with some water fun!
​
August 4 - August 8 9am - 12pm
Wonderful Water
Age 5
​
Your camper will be fully engaged in nature as we explore different water environments. Come explore the pond and river and inspect the creatures that live there. Themed crafts, games, stories, songs, and simple experiments will help demonstrate how water impacts the world around us!
​