School is OUT, and KNC Nature Camp is IN! Join the KNC Camp staff for a day of fun while school is out for Kalamazoo Public Schools. Each 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. Check out the dates and themes below.
Pre-K – Kindergarten (Ages 4-6): Half Day, 9 am – Noon
Fee: $36 KNC members/$40 non-members
Winter Tree ID
Wednesday, December 10, 9 am – Noon
Join us for a day of discovery as we explore trees in winter! Campers will learn how to spot different trees without their leaves through games, stories, crafts, and outdoor adventures.
Special Winter Break Camp!
Bird Houses & Winter Birds
Monday, December 22, 9 am – Noon
Campers will discover the world of birds stay through the winter and how they survive the cold! Together we’ll explore bird habitats, go on a winter bird walk, and even paint a gourd bird house to take home!
Special Winter Break Camp!
Cozy Critters
Tuesday, December 30, 9 am – Noon
What do animals do when it gets cold outside? Some take a long nap, some move really slowly, and some keep playing in the snow! At camp, we’ll pretend to be winter animals, make cozy animal homes, and learn how our critter friends stay safe and warm all winter long.
Tracks & Traces
Friday, January 23, 9 am – Noon
Let’s be animal detectives! We’ll look for tracks and clues in the snow or mud to see which animals have been walking around KNC. Make your own animal track to take home and play games to move like your favorite creatures. Let’s see what animals we can find!
Mammal Magic: Winter Edition
Monday, February 2, 9 am – Noon
Join us for a cozy winter adventure as we explore how mammals stay warm, survive, and thrive in the cold! Through hands-on activities, outdoor exploration, and playful learning, campers will discover the amazing superpowers furry animals use—like hibernation, camouflage, and winter adaptations. Get ready for a magical season of discovery, creativity, and wild winter fun!
Look ahead to the Spring Equinox: Hello, Spring!
Friday, February 27, 9 am – Noon
Little explorers will learn about the coming first day of spring. Children will look for signs of winter and notice if there are any signs of Spring on the horizon. We’ll warm up, in our imagination and creativity with sun crafts. Campers will learn that spring is a special time when the Earth wakes up, and everything begins to grow again.
Grades 1-5: Full Day, 9 am – 4 pm
Fee: $54 KNC members/$60 non-members
Winter Tree ID
Wednesday, December 10, 9 am – 4 pm
Even without their leaves, trees have amazing clues that tell us who they are! Campers will explore bark, buds, and branches to uncover the secrets of winter trees through hikes, games, and hands-on activities.
Special Winter Break Camp!
Bird Houses & Winter Birds
Monday, December 22, 9 am – 4 pm
Campers will discover the world of birds stay through the winter and how they survive the cold! Together we’ll explore bird habitats, go on a winter bird walk, and even paint a gourd bird house to take home!
Special Winter Break Camp!
Winter Survival
Tuesday, December 30, 9 am – 4 pm
Have you ever wondered how animals survive the cold winter months? Some animals curl up for a long winter’s nap, some slow way down, and others stay active all season long! Join us as we explore the amazing ways mammals and reptiles prepare for and survive winter. Through games, crafts, and outdoor adventures, you’ll learn the difference between hibernation and brumation, build your own animal hideouts, and discover which local critters are tough enough to make it through the snow and ice.
Tracks & Traces
Friday, January 23, 9 am – 4 pm
Join us for a fun fall day camp where we’ll put on our detective hats and get ready to explore! Campers will search for animal tracks and clues in the snow or mud to discover who’s been wandering through KNC. Make your track to take home and learn how animals leave behind signs that tell their stories. Who knows what secrets the woods will reveal?
Surviving the Snow: Mammal Style!
Monday, February 2, 9 am – 4 pm
Bundle up and step into the wild world of winter survival! Campers will explore how mammals stay warm, find food, and adapt to snowy habitats through hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and creative play. From tracking animal footprints to testing out winter survival strategies, kids will discover the clever ways furry creatures conquer the cold—mammal style!
Look ahead, Spring is Coming: Spring Equinox
Friday, February 27, 9 am – 4 pm
Students will explore how the Spring Equinox brings more daylight, warmer weather, new plant growth, and active wildlife. We’ll explore the ground to notice what signs of winter we see and if we can discover any signs that winter is breaking!