We

LOVE

CAMP!

2015 Summer

Pottawattamie County

Conservation

Nature Camps

2015 KinderNature Preschool Camps

The KinderNature Preschool Day Camps at Hitchcock Nature Center are designed

for the following children: Age 3 Age 3 Age 3 Age 3 (third birthday must be on or before 5/1/15), Age 4 Age 4 Age 4 Age 4 & Age 5 Age 5 Age 5 Age 5 (who have not completed Kindergarten). All campers must be toilet trained.

Sorry adults and siblings, these sessions are just for campers ages 3 –5.

We offer two camp sessions per day: We offer two camp sessions per day: We offer two camp sessions per day: We offer two camp sessions per day: morning = 9:00 a.m. morning = 9:00 a.m. morning = 9:00 a.m. morning = 9:00 a.m. ---- 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. afternoon = 1:00 p.m. afternoon = 1:00 p.m. afternoon = 1:00 p.m. afternoon = 1:00 p.m. ---- 3:00 p.m.3:00 p.m.3:00 p.m.3:00 p.m.

These unique camps are full of hands-on learning, a story, craft, snack, and

outdoor exploration. Cost: $15.00 per camp Cost: $15.00 per camp Cost: $15.00 per camp Cost: $15.00 per camp

Registration begins March 30thRegistration begins March 30thRegistration begins March 30thRegistration begins March 30th. Registration is limited and on a first

come first served basis. Please only register your child

for one session per day.

Please contact Tina Popson, Education Program Manager, at ti-

na.popson@pottcounty.com or 712-328-5831 to register.

2015 Pottawattamie Conservation 2015 Pottawattamie Conservation 2015 Pottawattamie Conservation 2015 Pottawattamie Conservation Summer Nature CampsSummer Nature CampsSummer Nature CampsSummer Nature Camps

Welcome to a summer of exploration and enjoyment

in the outdoors. Our experienced, caring educators will nurture children's love of nature as kids engage in natural encounters, meet new friends and let their imaginations run wild at summer camp!

Camps run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and participants must bring a sack lunch each day. Cost of Discovery, Explorers, Voyagers and Pathfinders Camps = $75 per camper.

Parents may register campers beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 30th.Parents may register campers beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 30th.Parents may register campers beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 30th.Parents may register campers beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 30th. To register, please e-mail Tina Popson, Program Manager, at tina.popson@pottcounty.com or call her at 712.328.5831. Registration is limited and on a first come, first served basis. Please register participants for camp based on the grade they are entering in fall 2015.

Insect Safari Camp Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek, IA

Discovery Camp—entering 1st & 2nd June 16-18

Explorers Camp—entering 3rd & 4th June 23-25

*may also register for Habitat Detectives camp

Voyagers Camp—entering 5th & 6th June 9-11

*may also register for Wild Wetlands camp

Aqua Adventures Camp Arrowhead Park, Neola, IA

Club Wild Camp Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek, IA

Pathfinders Camp—entering 7th & 8th July 7-9

Registration begins Monday, March 30, 2015 at 8:00 a.m.

Visit our website: www.pottcoconservation.com

Voyagers Camp—entering 5th & 6th July 28-30

*may also register for Aqua Adventures camp

Wild Wetlands Camp Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek, IA

June 5: Hop To It: Frogs

June 19: Incredible Eggs

June 26: Go Fish Fun

July 10: Spacious Skies

July 24: Soaring Wings

July 31: Green Thumbs

2015 2015 2015 2015 KinderNature KinderNature KinderNature KinderNature Camp Dates Camp Dates Camp Dates Camp Dates & Themes:& Themes:& Themes:& Themes:

Habitat Detectives Camp Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek, IA

Discovery Camp—entering 1st & 2nd July 14-16

Explorers Camp—entering 3rd & 4th July 21-23

*may also register for Insect Safari camp

Our Camp Locations The Pottawattamie County Conservation Environmental Education mission is to promote

environmental literacy by building relationships between people and the natural world.

Arrowhead Park 29357 310th Street, Neola, IA 51559 712.485.2295

This park boasts a wealth of fishing, camping and outdoor recreational This park boasts a wealth of fishing, camping and outdoor recreational This park boasts a wealth of fishing, camping and outdoor recreational This park boasts a wealth of fishing, camping and outdoor recreational opportunities, including boating on the 14 acre lake.opportunities, including boating on the 14 acre lake.opportunities, including boating on the 14 acre lake.opportunities, including boating on the 14 acre lake.

Hitchcock Nature Center 27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, IA 51542 712.545.3283

Over 1,200 acres located in the heart of the globally significant Loess Hills Over 1,200 acres located in the heart of the globally significant Loess Hills Over 1,200 acres located in the heart of the globally significant Loess Hills Over 1,200 acres located in the heart of the globally significant Loess Hills with over 10 miles of hiking trails and vast wildlife diversity.with over 10 miles of hiking trails and vast wildlife diversity.with over 10 miles of hiking trails and vast wildlife diversity.with over 10 miles of hiking trails and vast wildlife diversity.

Our Qualified Camp Staff Our camp instructors come from a variety of backgrounds, some are professional, year round educators for Pottawattamie County Conservation, others are school teachers, naturalists, and masters and bachelor degree students in environmental studies or education. At least one teacher in each group is 21 or older (even though sometimes they don’t look it!) Many instructors come back year after year. Our camp leaders thrive on the joys and challenges of teaching about the amazing facets of nature through hands-on creative and fun activities in the summer setting. All instructors are background-checked and each group has at least one instructor trained in CPR and First Aid; all are excited to share outdoor experiences with your camper.

Insect Safari Discovery Camp

For kids entering 1st and 2nd grade

June 16-18, 2015 Hitchcock Nature Center

$75 per camper

Magnify your knowledge on this bug adventure as we explore the world of insects. Campers will learn entomology basics, catch and identify insects, and discover the buzz on bees. Let your imagination soar with insect crafts and games and find your way on a scavenger hunt filled with bug suckers, camouflage clues and insect goggles.

Habitat Detectives

Discovery Camp For kids entering 1st and 2nd grade

July 14-16, 2015

Hitchcock Nature Center

$75 per camper

Explore woodlands, prairie and wetlands as we

investigate the many habitats at Hitchcock. Learn

the meaning of Leave No Trace and what you can

do to keep habitats healthy. Campers will discover

tree mapping and food webs as well as search for

clues on a scavenger hunt through the Loess Hills.

Discovery in the Prairie

Hiking in Nature

Insect Safari Explorers Camp

For kids entering 3rd and 4th grade

June 23-25 2015 Hitchcock Nature Center

$75 per camper

Magnify your knowledge on this bug adventure as we explore the world of insects. Campers will learn entomology basics, catch and identify insects, and discover the buzz on bees. Let your imagination soar with insect crafts and games and find your way on a scavenger hunt filled with bug suckers, camouflage clues and insect goggles.

Habitat Detectives

Explorers Camp For kids entering 3rd and 4th grade

July 21-23, 2015

Hitchcock Nature Center

$75 per camper

Explore woodlands, prairie and wetlands as we

investigate the many habitats at Hitchcock. Learn

the meaning of Leave No Trace and what you can

do to keep habitats healthy. Campers will discover

tree mapping and food webs as well as search for

clues on a scavenger hunt through the Loess Hills.

Exploring with Bug Sucker

Birds-Eye Tower Views

Aqua Adventures Voyagers Camp

For youth entering 5th and 6th grade

June 9-11, 2015

Arrowhead Park

$75 per camper

Cool off this summer at this water-filled camp brimming with outdoor exploration and wetland discoveries. Campers will spend the week paddling Arrowhead Lake, searching the lakeshore, and trying to reel in the big catch. Camp culminates with a Nature-athalon and bubble games—try not to get soaked during spray tag!

Wild Wetlands

Voyagers Camp For youth entering 5th and 6th grade

July 28-30, 2015

Hitchcock Nature Center

$75 per camper

Dive into the world alongside the shore and find

out which plants and animals call the wetlands

their home. Spend time discovering the Hohneke

Ponds as we explore aquatic habitats. Camp

activities include hiking and wetland adventures

as well as sound mapping and water games.

The big catch!

Look what I found! Searching for macroinver tebrates

Ready to Paddle

Sound Mapping Hike

Don’t forget! Registration begins

March 30 at 8:00 a.m.

Call 712-328-5831 to sign up

The big climb

Club Wild Pathfinders Camp

For youth entering 7th and 8th grade

July 7-9, 2015

Hitchcock Nature Center $75 per camper

Craving more time in the outdoors? Wear your hiking shoes and sense of adventure as we traverse many of Hitchcock’s pristine and remote trails. Practice your archery skills and use GPS units on a geocaching treasure hunt. Camp activities also include crafts and games, learning to identify wildlife and plenty of hiking and exploration.

Bullseye

Geocaching Fun

See you this summer!

Check us out on Facebook: Hitchcock Nature Center

Arrowhead Park

KinderNature Preschool camps at Hitchcock Nature Center

are designed for children ages 3 (third birthday on or

before 5/1/15), 4 and 5 (who have not completed

Kindergarten).

KinderNature programs are designed to channel the

curious and creative forces constantly at work in our

youngest learners. These programs utilize storytelling and

hands-on activities, as well as outdoor exploration that

invites children to participate in the magic and wonder of

nature.

KinderNature Camps

Two camp sessions per day: 9:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.

1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.

$15 per camp

2015 Dates & Themes: Hop To it: frogs—June 5 Discover the sounds of frog calls as well as adaptations that help these wetland favorites, such as webbed feet and sticky tongues.

Incredible eggs—June 19 Examine the first home to animals and explore the differences between bird, reptile, and other eggs.

go fish fun—June 26 Make a splash as we learn about fish and their underwater world. Find out how they breathe and swim and try your hand at mini-fishing.

Spacious skies—July 10 Explore cloud shapes, changing moons and jump in the sunshine as we create constellations and discover the zoo in the sky.

Soaring wings—July 24 Discover the delights of winged things, including owls, bees & butterflies.

Green thumbs—July 31 Investigate the world of plants, including colorful flowers and delve into leaf fun.

We Love Camp!

Hands-On Adventures

Camp Registration & Policies

Refund Policy:Refund Policy:Refund Policy:Refund Policy: Camp Registration Fees are due within two weeks of the confirmed reservation. If a camper must cancel a reservation prior to the beginning of camp, they are required to notify the Pottawattamie County Conservation Education Staff immediately. A refund of the registration fee will be based upon the following schedule:

14 days (or more) notice.......................................50% refund 13-8 days notice..................................................................25% refund 7 days or less notice....................................................no refund

Refunds & Cancellations

How To Register Camp registration begins March 30th at 8:00 a.m. CST. Camp registration begins March 30th at 8:00 a.m. CST. Camp registration begins March 30th at 8:00 a.m. CST. Camp registration begins March 30th at 8:00 a.m. CST. On the day of registration beginning at 8:00 a.m. individuals may call Tina at 712.328.5831 or e-mail her at tina.popson@pottcounty.com to register a child. This process is on a first come, first served basis, so please be patient. We take registrations for nearly 200 children and each call or e-mail takes only a few minutes. If you get a busy signal when you call, try, try again. Please be prepared with your contact information & child’s t-shirt size.

May I register my child for more than one camp? May I register my child for more than one camp? May I register my child for more than one camp? May I register my child for more than one camp? Yes, for KinderNature preschool camps.Yes, for KinderNature preschool camps.Yes, for KinderNature preschool camps.Yes, for KinderNature preschool camps. We offer six KinderNature Camps throughout the summer & each explore a different nature theme. For each camp we offer a morning and afternoon session. You may register for multiple camps, but may only register for one session per day. All KinderNature Camps are held at Hitchcock Nature Center. Yes, for Discovery and Explorers Camps at Hitchcock Nature CenterYes, for Discovery and Explorers Camps at Hitchcock Nature CenterYes, for Discovery and Explorers Camps at Hitchcock Nature CenterYes, for Discovery and Explorers Camps at Hitchcock Nature Center. . . . We offer two different themes for Discovery and Explorers Camps—one for each age group in June and July. You may register your child for the June camp, the July camp, or BOTH camps. Yes, for Voyagers Camps at Arrowhead Park & Hitchcock Nature CenterYes, for Voyagers Camps at Arrowhead Park & Hitchcock Nature CenterYes, for Voyagers Camps at Arrowhead Park & Hitchcock Nature CenterYes, for Voyagers Camps at Arrowhead Park & Hitchcock Nature Center. . . . We offer two different themes for Voyagers Camps. You may register your child for the June camp at Arrowhead, the July camp at Hitchcock, or BOTH camps.

For Pathfinders Camps, we only offer one camp per summer for this age group. The Pathfinder For Pathfinders Camps, we only offer one camp per summer for this age group. The Pathfinder For Pathfinders Camps, we only offer one camp per summer for this age group. The Pathfinder For Pathfinders Camps, we only offer one camp per summer for this age group. The Pathfinder Camp is held in July at Hitchcock Nature Center. Camp is held in July at Hitchcock Nature Center. Camp is held in July at Hitchcock Nature Center. Camp is held in July at Hitchcock Nature Center.

May I attend camp with my child?May I attend camp with my child?May I attend camp with my child?May I attend camp with my child? We’re sorry, but all camps are designed for the appropriate ages and allow them time to bond with kids of their own age. The only adults allowed are Pottawattamie County Conservation staff educators.

What if my child has a special need?What if my child has a special need?What if my child has a special need?What if my child has a special need? Pottawattamie County Conservation Nature Camps try to accommodate all interested children. However, they are extremely active camps with a large number of transitions and sensory changes throughout the day. Children are expected to keep up and keep going. They must also be able to follow all directions, rules and expectations independently. Children must participate well with others and follow safety rules without adult prompts.

For certain special needs our camps are wonderful, for others it puts the child and the staff in uncomfortable and unsafe situations. We are responsible for the safety and well-being of all the campers and cannot allow one child to jeopardize that. Please call to discuss your child’s particular needs. If possible, be prepared to discuss any school service plans applicable to your child.

For complete camp policies, please visit our website www.pottcoconservation.com.

Thank you!