Junior Naturalists Camp: Ages 4-6 / Pre-k – Kindergarten

If nature is your favorite playground, KNC Camp is the place to be! Discover interesting habitats, learn more about animals and plants, and practice outdoor skills. Sing songs, make crafts, and play games with new friends. Each morning is filled with activities planned by our caring counselors. The themes below describe additional activities we will add during that session of camp. Come prepared to play!
“JUNIOR NATURALISTS CAMP” RUNS 9 AM–NOON or NOON-3 PM MONDAY–FRIDAY | SNACK INCLUDED
$195 MEMBER, $220 NON-MEMBER PER SESSION

Learn more about each week’s themes below.

Register Here!

Contact Us

Tanequa Hampton
Camp Director
(269) 381-1574 ext 15

For Camp Questions
Guest Services (269) 381-1574 ext 0
Registrar (269) 381-1574 ext 24

Financial Assistance
We are grateful to a KNC donor community that believes all young people should have the chance to enjoy and learn from formative, summer experiences. Our donors make it possible for KNC to minimize financial barriers that would otherwise limit access to KNC Camp. If you would like to apply for financial assistance, please fill out the form during the Camp registration process. Contact the Registrar above with questions.

Learn More

Registration Details & Discounts

Refund & Cancellation Policy

Guardian Handbook

 

 

Session Themes

Session 1: June 13-17  |  No Place Like Home
Follow the leaf-covered trails to find out which animals call a fen, prairie or forest home! Meet a LIVE wildlife neighbor and learn more about the needs of animals.

Session 2: June 20-24  |  Better, Faster, Stronger
We all have special traits that make us unique! Animals also have traits that help them survive. Use your mind, speed and strength to help you work as a team to jump through hoops and run through obstacles. Meet a LIVE animal that uses their special traits to jump from one tree to the next.

Session 3: June 27 – July 1  |  Nature’s Rainbow
Nature is a masterpiece! Look for familiar shapes in different habitats, experiment with color blending and meet a live box turtle, whose shell designs serve as camouflage!

Session 4: July 11-15  |  Splish Splash
Nothing beats a hot summer day when you get to run, jump and splash in the water. Play water games, perform water experiments, and explore KNC’s different water habitats. Meet a LIVE animal that loves to be in water!

Session 5: July 18-22  |  If You Were a Dinosaur
If you were a dinosaur, would you stomp on two legs? Would you eat from the tallest trees? Explore our Gravel Pits to find out more about our friends from the past and meet a LIVE modern day dinosaur.

Session 6: July 25-29  |  Digging Dirt
Discover the magic of dirt! Roll logs, look for critter friends in the dirt, then explore the art of mud pies in our fantastic Mud Pit. Meet a live salamander who can show you the way underground.

Session 7: August 1-5  |  Claws & Scales & Tails, Oh My!
Discover some of the scaly creatures that slither along the slopes of KNC! Whether it’s turtles in the sun or snakes on the prowl, go on a Reptile Safari to learn more about these ancient survivors.

Session 8: August 8-12  |  Splish Splash II
So nice, we’re doing it twice! Nothing beats a hot summer day, when you get to run, jump and splash in the water. Play water games, perform water experiments and explore KNC’s different water habitats. Meet a LIVE animal that calls water their home!

NEW!
Neurodiversity Naturalist Camp: 5-8 years old

Session 2: June 20-24  |  Uniquely You

“NEURODIVERSITY NATURALIST CAMP” RUNS 10 AM–1 PM, MONDAY–FRIDAY
$195 MEMBER, $220 NON-MEMBER PER SESSION

Explore nature through your own lens. This camp is aimed at supporting the needs of our campers with special needs. KNC aims to provide experiences for all young ones to learn, experience, and find joy in nature. Each day will be filled with wonder, each day an exploration, sensory friendly play, nature art, hands on activities, and learnings of different aspect of our environment and how it works together. Animal habitats, geology, mapping, and getting to know our solar system are each topic for different days. This camp will be staffed by a trained teacher with a special education certification. Supporting counselors will receive additional training and allow for ratios of 1 adult to every 3 children. All youth are welcome to apply to every camp program we offer. We will work to meet the needs of your child in any session.