Summer camps

River Bend's day camp programs are for children who enjoy exploring the outdoors. Creative hands-on activities, games and art are age appropriate to encourage learning about nature while having fun. Camps are directed by experienced environmental educators and staffed by trained, dedicated naturalists. Pre-registration and payment are required. Space is limited to maintain a small child-naturalist ratio. For a complete Summer Day Camp brochure and costs, or for more information, please call River Bend Nature Center at 507.332.7151 or e-mail Elaine for info.

Scholarships Available!!! (contact Elaine Loranz for information)

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You should have a copy of the brochure (download) for important information and camp details
Return to this page as often as needed to select a new camp
If needed, renew your membership or become a member online as well to get membership rates!
Your membership must be current at the time camp starts to use the member rate
If a camp you seek is not listed or crossed out, it is full - contact Elaine for info
Receive instant email confirmation of your registration and payment. In the unlikely event that a camp filled just prior to your enrollment, we will notify you as soon as possible.
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Register for camp! (updated March 1, 2010 ) Camp sessions missing or shown crossed out (~~example~~) are closed. Email Elaine for waiting list info. Status can change daily! Note that registration does not take place until payment is made Cancellation information: Refund less a $20 fee will be given if the cancellation is more than fourteen (14) days prior to the camp start date. If less than 14 days, refund less a $20 fee will be given only if we can fill the space. If we must cancel a camp session, you will receive a full refund. Email Elaine for more information. Partners Scholarship information: River Bend’s Partners Scholarship Program is available for families who want to attend our programs but cannot afford to pay the entire program fee. The scholarship funds are made available through the generous support of individuals and businesses in the area. Download application and information form. Other helpful links Membership Page \| Public Programs \| Home School Programs
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You can become a member right now! If not yet a member, join today to receive membership discount on these camps and other benefits. Visit our membership page for additional options or for more information. If desired, feel free to make an additional donation. Your membership must be current on the day camp starts to use the member rate!	Select Membership level: Basic Family - $35 Basic Business - $50 Advocate - $100 Patron - $250 Founder - $500 Please increase my membership by:
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Tadpoles - Walkers ages 1-2 Bring your toddler to River Bend to begin the lifelong adventure of exploring nature. Session 1 June 21, 23, and 25 (Mon., Wed., Fri.) 9-10am Cost: $30 members / $45 non-members	Tadpoles Registration Select one members- $30 non-member- $45 Child's name Child's age at date of camp Any special needs? Quantity:
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Goslings - Age 3-4 Peekin' and Sneakin': Get ready to look for all the little things around the nature center. We'll peek under things and try to sneak up on things to see what we can discover. Children may attend on their own or be accompanied by an adult. Snack provided. Session 1A June 15-18 (Tuesday-Friday) 9am-12pm Session 1C July 20-23 (Tuesday-Friday) 9am-12pm Session 1E August 10-13 (Tuesday-Friday) 9am-12pm Animal Adventures: Join us to find ut about reptiles, mammals, birds, and insects as we explore to discover where and how they live. Children may attend on their own or be accompanied by an adult. Snack provided. Session 2A June 29-July 2 (Tuesday-Friday) 9am-12pm Session 2C July 27-30 (Tuesday-Friday) 9am-12pm Cost: $65 members / $80 non-members	Goslings Registration Select one member- $65 non-member- $80 Select session Child's name Child's age at date of camp Any special needs? Quantity:
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Puddle Jumpers - Ages 5-6 Wet-n-Wild – Prepare to be wet as we splash our way near and far to discover and encounter the critters that make their homes in the wettest corners of the nature center. Snack provided. Session 1A June 15-18 (Tuesday-Friday) 9-12pm Session 1C July 20-23 (Tuesday-Friday) 9-12pm Session 1D July 20-23 (Tuesday-Friday) 1-4pm Session 1E August 10-13 (Tuesday-Friday) 9-12pm Amazing Animals - Join the adventure as we search for animals and what makes them different from each other. We'll explore the forest, prairie, and wetlands to discover where and how they live. Snack provided. Session 2A June 29-July 2 (Tuesday-Friday) 9-12pm Session 2B June 29-July 2 (Tuesday-Friday) 1-4pm Session 2C July 27-30 (Tuesday-Friday) 9-12pm Session 2D July 27-30 (Tuesday-Friday) 1-4pm Session 2E August 17-20 (Tuesday-Friday) 9-12pm Cost: $65 members / $80 non-members	Puddle Jumpers Registration Select one member- $65 non-member- $80 Select session Child's name Child's age at date of camp Any special needs? Quantity:
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Water Tigers - Ages 7-9 Exploring Ponds and Puddles – Search and explore River Bend for the plants and animals that live in, on, or around our many wetlands. We will seek out creatures hidden in the marsh and find out what lives at the bottom of the ponds. Snack provided. Session 1A June 15-18 (Tuesday-Friday) 9-12pm Session 1C July 20-23 (Tuesday-Friday) 9-12pm Session 1D July 20-23 (Tuesday-Friday) 1-4pm Session 1E August 10-13 (Tuesday-Friday) 9-12pm Animals Antics – Find out what makes squirrels chatter, deer stomp, and woodpeckers drum. We will head out on the trails to search the far reaches of the nature center and watch animals in action. Snack provided. Session 2A June 29-July 2 (Tuesday-Friday) 9-12pm Session 2B June 29-July 2 (Tuesday-Friday) 1-4pm Session 2C July 27-30 (Tuesday-Friday) 9-12pm Session 2D July 27-30 (Tuesday-Friday) 1-4pm Session 2E August 17-20 (Tuesday-Friday) 9-12pm Cost: $65 members / $80 non-members	Water Tigers Registration Select one member- $65 non-member- $80 Select session Child's name Child's age at date of camp Any special needs? Quantity:
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Overnight Weekend - Ages 9-12 Night Quest – What is out and about at River Bend at night? Be one of the lucky ones to discover River Bend after hours. Have fun sleeping over in the Interpretive Center and exploring the grounds by day and night. Activities include night hiking, star gazing, and search for animals. Share your adventure with your family during lunch on Saturday at 11am. Included dinner Friday and breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Session 1 June 11-12 (Friday & Saturday) 9am Friday-12pm Saturday Cost: $85 for members / $100 for non-members	Overnight Weekend Registration Select One Member- $85 Nonmember- $100 Child's Name Child's Age Any special needs? Quantity:
Junior Naturalists - Ages 10-12 North Shore Explore – While camping at Gooseberry Falls State Park we will visit lighthouses, waterfalls, and breath-taking views. Hiking, biking, canoeing, and camp fires will provide plenty of fun. Maximum enrollment limited to 12. Monday will be spent at RBNC planning and gathering equipment. We will leave for camping 9am Tuesday and return by 4pm on Friday. Bring a lunch Monday and Tuesday. Meals during the trip, transportation, camping fees, and activity fees included. Session 1 July 12-16 (Monday-Friday) 9am-4pm Cost: $225 for members / $245 for non-members	Junior Naturalist Registration Select one member- $225 non-member- $245 Child's name Child's age at date of camp Any special needs? Quantity:
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Camp Assistants Camp - Ages 13 - 17 Interested in gaining experience working with young children? Join us for this camp and you'll learn natural history, group management, programming, and much more. This camp is free in exchange for you committing one or more weeks of your time to be an assistant at our summer camps this year. Please call for an application. Free Session 1 June 14-18 (Monday-Friday) 9am-3pm	Camp Assistants Registration Child's name Child's age Quantity:
Teen Camp - Ages 13-16 Cascade River Escapade - Join us for camping at Cascade River State Park along the picturesque north shore of Lake Superior. Activities will include hiking, canoeing, swimming, animal watching, and star gazing. Bring a lunch Monday and Tuesday. Maximum enrollment limited to 10. Monday will be spent at RBNC planning and gathering equipment. We leave for camping 9am Tuesday and return by 4pm on Friday. Meals during the trip, transportation, camping fees, and activity fees included. Session 1 June 28-July 2 (Monday-Friday) 9am-4pm Cost: $250 members / $270 non-members	Teen Camp Registration Select one member- $250 non-member- $270 Child's name Child's age at date of camp Any special needs? Quantity:
Saturday Family Camp Wonders of Water – There are ponds, a river, a waterfall, and puddles at River Bend and we'll explore them all to discover what lives in and around them. All ages welcome! No cost for children under 2. Camp 1 June 19 (Saturday) 10am-4pm Cost: $18 members / $23 non-members Incredible Insects – Insects jump, hop, fly, crawl, and swim. Join us to search high and low for all the insects that abound in the forest, prairie, and ponds. All ages welcome! No cost for children under 2. Camp 2 July 17 (Saturday) 10am-4pm Cost: $18 members / $23 non-members Predators and Prey – Using amazing adaptations, predators and prey are in a constant state of battle of survival. Discover the sometimes sneaky ways predators try to find prey and how prey avoids becoing somethings lunch. All ages welcome! No cost for children under 2. Camp 3 July 31 (Saturday) 10am-4pm Cost: $18 members / $23 non-members	Saturday Family Camp Registration Select one Member- $18 Nonmember- $23 Select one Name(s) of the adult(s) attending Name & age of all children attending Any special needs? Total in Family:
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Nature Explorers Camp 1 Hunt and Prowl Ages 6-10 Get ready to investigate the hunting and stalking that occurs every day at the nature center. Discover how hunting animals search out and catch food to survive in the wild. Bring a lunch. Snack provided. Session 1 June 22-25 (Tuesday-Friday) 9am-4pm Cost: $95 for members / $110 for non-members	Nature Explorers Camp 1 Registration Select one member- $95 non-member- $110 Child's name Child's age at date of camp Tuesday Early or Late Wednesday Early or Late Thursday Early or Late Friday Early or Late Any special needs? Quantity:
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Nature Explorers Camp 2 Kids in the Wild Ages 6-9 Don't miss this unique camp! Under the guidance of leaders, campers will explore and learn all about the nature center in child-directed experiences. A morning may be spent investigating the river. Insects could be the topic for the whole day. It all depends on the interests of the campers. Each day will be full of adventure, fun, and discovery using all the tools and resources of the nature center. Bring a lunch. Snack provided. Session 2 July 13-16 (Tuesday-Friday) 9am-4pm Cost: $95 for members / $110 for non-members	Nature Explorers Camp 2 Registration Select one member- $95 non-member- $110 Child's name Child's age at date of camp Tuesday Early or Late Wednesday Early or Late Thursday Early or Late Friday Early or Late Any special needs? Quantity:
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Nature Explorers Camp 3 Nature Sleuths Ages 6-12 Each day will have a mystery to investigate and solve. You'll need all your wits and cunning to to unlock the answers and gain your reward. Get ready for challenges and lots of fun exploring and discovering. Bring a lunch. Snack provided. Session 3 August 3-6 (Tuesday-Friday) 9am-4pm Cost: $95 for members / $110 for non-members	Nature Explorers Camp 3 Registration Select one member- $95 non-member- $110 Child's name Child's age at date of camp Tuesday Early or Late Wednesday Early or Late Thursday Early or Late Friday Early or Late Any special needs? Quantity:
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Nature Explorers Camp 4 River Explorers Ages 8-10 You won't want to miss exploring nearby rivers and discovering some amazing things about them. We'll go canoeing on the Cannon River, tubing at Welch Village, exploring along the St. Croix, and take a paddle boat trip while investigating the mighty Mississippi. We'll travel in the RBNC van each day. Maximum 12. Bring a lunch. Snacks provided. Session 4 August 17-20 (Tuesday-Friday) 9am-4pm Cost: $150 for members / $165 for non-members	Nature Explorers Camp 4 Registration Choose one member- $150 non-member- $165 Child's name Child's age at date of camp Any special needs? Tuesday Early and Late Wednesday Early and Late Thursday Early and Late Friday Early and Late Quantity:
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(E-mail Elaine or call 507.332.7151 for waiting list or other info)

Summer Day Camps