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Summer Nature Camps

The Preserve offers summer day camps for students ages 6-14. All camp sessions will include a blend of nature exploration, creative activities, and engaging games tied to the camp theme. We always aim to spend as much time outside as we can!

Camp details:

• Tuesday thru Thursday, 9 AM - 4 PM
• Cost: $150/ spot
• 27 spots available for each week
• Camper shirt included
• 2 snacks provided; camper brings lunch

Campers will be placed in small groups with peers of a similar age to allow our educators to provide age-appropriate content. Your family is welcome to join us for multiple weeks. To help us serve as many different kids as possible, please don't sign your child up for the same theme more than once.

Cancellation policy: Full refunds will be given to any cancellations made no less than 8 days before the start of the camp you are registered for. Cancellations (as well as any other inquiries) can be made by sending an email directly to Camp Director, Tom Hartzell at tom.hartzell@calvin.edu 

Camp dates

2026 dates & themes will be available by January 2026. Follow us on and for Preserve programming news.

Theme descriptions (2025)

All God’s Critters “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1) and that certainly includes the Preserve! In this camp, we’ll get to know the amazing diversity of God’s creatures who call the Preserve home. From microscopic to mammals, botanical to birds - we’ll learn what makes all these critters special. Campers will come home with their own Preserve field guide!

Water Wonder Water is all around us, and perhaps our most precious resource! In this camp, we’ll learn all about this incredible substance that is the basis for all life. We will experiment with its properties, discover how it moves around the earth, and investigate the life it contains. Campers will come home with their own wetland in a jar!

Natural Communities Everything in nature is connected in one way or another. Just as we rely on our neighbors, so do maples, muskrats, and mayflies! In this camp, we’ll discover the webs of connection that exist at the Preserve. We will spend time in all of our ecosystems - forests, wetlands, and native gardens. Campers will come home with their own “web of connections”!

Outside Art There’s no limit to the beauty and inspiration we find in nature! In this camp, we’ll spend our time creating art - inspired by nature, made of natural materials, and even existing within nature. Experimenting with different media, campers will paint, sculpt, draw, write, and more. Campers will create their own art gallery and have a chance to share it before bringing it home!

Nature Gamers ATTENTION MIDDLE SCHOOLERS: it’s game on at the Preserve! Exploring and learning about nature is great. Exploring and learning while playing games? That’s the dream. Ecosystem dynamics, survival, and teamwork are topics we’ll dig into through play. Campers will make and take home their own hacky sack

Other camps at Calvin

Many departments at Calvin offer a variety of summer camps for students ages 4-18 years old. Visit Camps at Calvin to find out more.