We are looking forward to seeing you all this summer! Please see below for al of our summer camp offerings, including camps in a bag. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Eco-adventures/Nature Explorers/Wilderness Explorers
Patrick Ahasic
217-896-2455
[email protected]
Garden Adventures/Tiny Tot Garden Camp
Garden Adventures Day Camp
Tiny Tots Garden Camp
Marina Montez-Ellis
217-586-2612
Boredom Busters/Craft Camp/Four Elements Camp
Katie Snyder
Junior Golf/Junior Golf Lessons
David Sebestik
217-586-2183
Scholarships Available
Scholarships are available that cover half the cost of individual camps and open to all children. If you are interested in receiving a scholarship for your child(ren) please email Stacey at [email protected]
Craft Camp in the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden
Wednesdays, July 13-August 3, 10-11:30 a.m.
Discovery Garden/Museum of the Grand Prairie
Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve
Ages 6-10
Fee: $40 per child
Register at http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1525.
Do you love making crafts that connect with nature and history? Do you enjoy spending time outside? Then join us for this new camp where we will make crafts while we take in the beauty of our Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden!
July 13: Sand Area
Today we will hang out in the sand area of the botanical gardens, while we make crafts that use different kinds of sand as part of our materials.
July 20: Gazebo
There are so many beautiful flowers surrounding our gazebo! Today we will make crafts that feature flowers found in our gardens in the summer.
July 27: Nature Trail
Do you like the wilder side of nature? Today we will spend some time in our Nature Trail right next to the botanical gardens, and incorporate that side of nature into our crafting.
August 3: Pond
Who doesn’t love our pond and the iconic red bridge? Today we will work down by the pond as we create crafts that have to do with the plants and animals that live in and by the water.
Eco-adventures Day Camp
June 14-July 15 (no camp the week of June 28-July 1)
New This Year! Only 4 days instead of 6! Age 3*-Age 11
Fee: $30 per child
Choose one of the following:
1. Time: 10-11:30 a.m. or 1-2:30 p.m.**
2. Location and Day:
Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Homer Lake Forest Preserve;
Thursdays and Fridays: Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve
*Must be 3 years old by the first week of camp
** Afternoon programs limited to children age 3 to age 8
To register for Eco-adventures, visit https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/activity/search and search using the correct code below (or type in Eco-adventures for all offerings).
Homer Lake - Tuesday3-5 years old, 10-11:30am, 65336-8 years old, 10-11:30am, 65349-11 years old, 10-11:30am, 6535Homer Lake - Wednesday3-5 years old, 10-11:30am, 65366-8 years old, 10-11:30am, 65379-11 years old, 10-11:30am, 6538
3-5 years old, 1-2:30pm, 65396-8 years old, 1-2:30pm, 6540
Lake of the Woods - Thursday3-5 years old, 10-11:30am, 65286-8 years old, 10-11:30am, 65299-11 years old, 10-11:30am, 6530
3-5 years old, 1-2:30pm, 65316-8 years old, 1-2:30pm, 6532
Lake of the Woods - Friday3-5 years old, 10-11:30am, 65236-8 years old, 10-11:30am, 65249-11 years old, 10-11:30am, 6525
3-5 years old, 1-2:30pm, 65266-8 years old, 1-2:30pm, 6527
Eco-adventures day camp is nature-based camp that meets once a week for four weeks. Each day we have a different topic. See below for the list and descriptions of topics.
Week 1 (June 14-17): Amazing Pollinators
Take flight and get ready to explore the fascinating and necessary role of pollinators. Campers will learn about the awesome abilities of bees, beetles and butterflies as pollinators.
Week 2 (June 21-24): Animal Architects
Critters can build it better, stronger and faster. We’ll investigate how nature’s amazing builders create and design.
Week 3 (July 5-July 8): Wacky Science
Science is all around us! We will get messy and creative with hands-on experiments that may boom, bubble and more!
Week 4 (July 12-July 15): Nature Survivor
Channel your inner wilderness expert as we develop your outdoor living skills with exciting hands-on activities. We will learn skills that prepare you for all kinds of outdoor experiences.
Fire, Earth, Air and Water: The Four Elements Camp
Wednesdays, June 1-June 22, 10-11:30 a.m.
Museum of the Grand Prairie
Ages 9-11
Register at http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1523.
Want to learn how to build a fort and cook on a fire? How do things float on the air and water? Do things you may not get to do at home. Come join us for four Wednesday mornings in June, as we explore the four elements!
June 1: Fire
Who doesn’t like to eat? Want to learn to make a few simple campfire recipes? We’ll try out a few fun campfire recipes and eat to our heart’s content!
June 8: Earth
What would it be like to live in the woods? Learn about things that live and grow in the woods while making our own fort in the forest!
June 15: Air
What makes things fly? We will learn how to make things that fly and try them out!
June 22: Water
Do you like to play in the water? Today is all about water! We will play games, make boats that float and much, much more! Come ready to get wet!
Nature Explorers Preschool Program
June 8, 9:30-11 a.m.
Salt Fork Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve
Fee: $10 per child
Register at http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1548.
This program is designed for children 3-5 years old and one parent/guardian. Join a naturalist at the preserves to explore the outdoors. This program will be centered around the book A Tree For Me by Nancy Van Laan. We will do hands-on activities and a hike. Parent/guardian is required to attend with their children.
June 9, 9:30-11 a.m.
Elks Lake Pavilion, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve
Register at http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1549.
This program is designed for children 3-5 years old and one parent/guardian. Join a naturalist at the preserves to explore the outdoors. This program will be centered around the book Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose. We will do hands-on activities and a hike. Parent/guardian is required to attend with their children.
Wilderness Explorers
July 19, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Salt Fork Center Homer Lake Forest Preserve
Ages 6-12
Register at http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1545.
July 20, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Elks Lake Pavilion Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve
Register at http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1546.
July 21, 10 a.m.-12pm
Activity Center Middle Fork River Forest Preserve
Register at http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1547.
Investigate nature through woodland expeditions, scavenger hunts, and games! We’ll hike and explore our way through the preserve.
Junior Golf Camp
July 11-14
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Cost: $100 per junior
Limited to first 25 participants
To register contact: (217) 586-2183 or email [email protected]
The junior golf camp is for ages 10-17 and is a more hands-on and in-depth teaching of the game of golf, its rules and proper etiquette.
Junior Golf Clinics
Tuesday’s, June 7, 14, 21, 28
Lake of the Woods Golf Course
Ages 8-9: 1-1:55 p.m.
Ages 10-12: 2-2:55 p.m.
Ages 13-17: 3-3:55 p.m.
Get your youngsters involved in the wonderful world of golf. Our golf professionals and staff
will provide them with all the skills they need to enjoy the game of golf in this group setting.
Attendance is not mandatory. We understand that summer is a busy time. If your child can’t attend a session, there is no need to let us know, we do not expect perfect attendance.
Boredom Busters Camp in a Bag
July 11-15 (pick up of camp in a bag)
Pick up at Museum of the Grand Prairie
Ages 6-10, $10 per bag
Order at http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1526.
Do you wish your kids had lots of fun things to make and do that don’t involve screen time this summer, but you don’t have time to gather all the materials yourself? This Camp in a Bag might be just what you are looking for! In this bag you will find all the materials needed to complete fun activities focused around history and nature at home!
Registration is limited and closes July 5th or when full. Remote Campers will pick up Camp in a Bag the week of July 11-15 between the hours 1-5 at Museum of the Grand Prairie. Accompanying instructional videos will stream on Facebook, the week of July 18-22.
For more information on camps in a bag contact Katie at [email protected] or 217-586-3360.