1 Tuesday & 2 Wednesday
Flowers & Frogs Preschool Camp
The first day we’ll learn about the parts of a flower and go on a flower color scavenger hunt through the woods and to the prairie, and then finish with the making of a flower frisbee. On the second day, we’ll hike to the wetland to look for frogs and then partake in water-filled activities. Campers will have to the chance to splash in water while they play “Lily Pad Toss”, “Frog Scoopin’ Boogie,” and “I’m a Hungry Tadpole.” Snacks will be provided, but please bring a reusable water bottle and a towel for the way home on Wednesday. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Oakwoods Nature Preserve
Discovery Center
9 AM–12 PM
Ages 4-5.
Click here to register for $20 per child by 9 AM on Monday, July 31.
To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Tuesday, July 25.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 16
7 Monday
Adventure Day Camp: Outer Space
Let’s explore the wonders of outer space. First, we will learn about different objects in space like stars, planets, and moons. We will create some fun things like a moon phase calendar calculator and a constellation craft. Then we will explore the size of our Solar System in a 1000-yard scale model. In the afternoon, we will go inside our portable planetarium to explore objects in the night sky. Then we will finish off our day learning about space travel and creating stomp rockets to play with. Snacks will be provided, but bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Oakwoods Nature Preserve
Discovery Center
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 6-12.
Click here to register with $20 per child by 9 AM on Friday, August 4.
To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Wednesday, August 2 and attend three of the August Adventure Day Camps.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 20
8 Tuesday
Adventure Day Camp: Beautiful Butterflies
Ohio has over 130 species of butterflies living within its borders. Our scale-winged beauties inspired camp will highlight ones we can see in our own parks. Which one is the most common? Which one is the biggest? Find out more about their life cycle and what they look like as caterpillars. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Riverbend Recreation Area
Meadows Activity Area
Shelter 6
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 6-12.
Click here to register with $20 per child by 9 AM on Wednesday, August 9.
To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Wednesday, August 2 and attend three of the August Adventure Day Camps.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 20
9 Wednesday
Adventure Day Camp: Galls Exploration
Have you ever seen those misshapen lumps on the twigs of an oak tree or other plants? Those are called galls, made by insects that have laid their eggs inside the leaves and stalks of plants. Children who attend camp will be exploring the woodland, prairies, wetlands, and trails looking for different kinds of galls. After finding a gall, they will journal what it looks like and where it was found, in order to identify who made it and what might be inside of the gall. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional. Campers will be crossing Aurand Run during their hike and should to bring an extra pair of closed-toed shoes that can get wet.
Oakwoods Nature Preserve
Discovery Center Porch
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 6-12.
Click here to register with $20 per child by 9 AM Tuesday, August 8.
To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Wednesday, August 2 and attend three of the August Adventure Day Camps.
Minimum: 4/Maximum 20
10 Thursday
Adventure Day Camp: Animals That Eat Dead Stuff
Animals live and animals die, but what happens to all those bodies? Scavengers eat carrion or dead animals. Examples of scavengers are turkey vultures, bald eagles, coyotes, Virginia opossums, and scarab beetles, to name a few. Learn what digestive adaptations these animals have to deal with such un-appetizing meals and why they eat them. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Riverbend Recreation Area
Meadows Activity Area
Shelter 6
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 6-12.
Click here to register with $20 per child by 9 AM on Wednesday, August 9.
To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Wednesday, August 2 and attend three of the August Adventure Day Camps.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 20
11 Friday
Adventure Day Camp: Nature CSI
Become a nature detective and learn to interpret signs in nature. First, learn how a detective solves mysteries and do some fun activities learning involving finger prints. Then learn how scientists solve mysteries in nature. We will learn about animal tracks and scat, create a plaster track, learn about animal skulls and teeth, dissect an owl pellet, and learn how to interpret other signs left by animals. In the afternoon, we will learn about tracking and practice our skills out on the trail. Finally, a crime has been committed at the Discovery Center. Use your knowledge from the day to solve the mystery and find the culprit. Snacks will be provided, but bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Oakwoods Nature Preserve
Discovery Center
9 AM–3 PM
Ages 6-12.
Click here to register with $20 per child by 9 AM on Thursday, August 10.
To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Wednesday, August 2 and attend three of the August Adventure Day Camps.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 20
12 Wednesday – 14 Friday
River, Forest & Field Camp
We will travel to different parks to visit a variety of habitat, including forest, field, and the Blanchard River. We will talk about some of the animals that live in those habitats, including non-game fish, snakes, and songbirds. Activities will include a stream study involving insects and fish, an insect study using sweep nets, canoeing and kayaking on the Blanchard River, and fishing. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional. Campers should bring an extra pair of closed-toed shoes that can get wet, an extra set of clothes, and a towel each day.
Wednesday – Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Discovery Center porch
Thursday – Riverbend Recreation Area, Meadows Activity Area, Shelter 6
Friday – Riverside Park, Waterfalls Pavilion
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 10-12.
Click here to register with $45 per child by 9 AM Tuesday, July 11.
To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Wednesday, July 5.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 16
17 Monday & 18 Tuesday
Photography Camp for Middle School Students
Discover the art of photography with this two-day camp. On our first day, we will focus on cameras and how they work, principles and techniques, and taking photographs. On our second day, we will explore the park, take photographs, and discuss ways to continue with photography as a hobby. At the end of camp, campers will select their favorite images to be displayed in the form of an online photo gallery on the Hancock Park District’s Facebook page. Campers can bring any type of digital camera, such as a point-and-shoot, compact digital, bridge, DSLR, mirrorless, phone, or tablet. All cameras must be able to upload photographs to a computer via a memory card, USB connection cord and/or Google Photos. Please bring any required equipment, such as charging cables, batteries, and memory cards with your camera. Snacks will be provided, but bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Riverbend Recreation Area
Meadows Activity Area
Brugeman Lodge
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 10-13.
Click here to register with $20 per child by 9 AM on Friday, July 14.
To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Monday, July 10.
Minimum: 4/ Maximum: 16
20 Thursday & 21 Friday
Photography Camp
Discover the art of photography with this two-day camp. On our first day, we will focus on cameras and how they work, principles and techniques, and taking photographs. On our second day, we will explore the park, take photographs, and discuss ways to continue with photography as a hobby. At the end of camp, campers will select their favorite images to be displayed in the form of an online photo gallery on the Hancock Park District’s Facebook page. Campers can bring any type of digital camera, such as a point-and-shoot, compact digital, bridge, DSLR, mirrorless, phone, or tablet. All cameras must be able to upload photographs to a computer via a memory card, USB connection cord and/or Google Photos. Please bring any required equipment, such as charging cables, batteries, and memory cards with your camera. Snacks will be provided, but bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Riverbend Recreation Area
Meadows Activity Area
Brugeman Lodge
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 14-17.
Click here to register with $20 per teen by 9 AM on Wednesday, July 19.
To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Monday, July 10.
Minimum: 4/ Maximum: 16
7 Wednesday – 9 Friday
In Your Backyard Camp
This camp will highlight birds, mammals, herps, arthropods, and plants – all found just outside your back door. Some of the animals will include rabbits and squirrels, cardinals and blue jays, toads and garter snakes, and praying mantises and ants. Let’s not forget about plants. We’ll explore dandelions, clover, and maple trees. Hiking through the woods and wetland will take place to see if the animals we are learning about can be found in the park. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sun screen are optional.
Oakwoods Nature Preserve
Discovery Center
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 7-9.
Click here to register with $36 per child by 9 AM on Tuesday, June 6.
To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Wednesday, May 31.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 20
13 Tuesday
Color My World Camp for Toddlers
Toddlers and their grown-up will have fun exploring and looking for colors that can be found in nature. Children will be exploring the Nature Play Area for things, such as a green leaf, brown tree, brown beetle, gray slug, and maybe a brown and white snake. After exploring, children will enjoy making a marble painting and a popsicle stick frame with all the different colors found in nature. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Oakwoods Nature Preserve
Discovery Center Porch
10 AM-12 PM or 1-3 PM
Ages 3-5 with an adult.
Click here to register with $10 per child by 9 AM on Monday, June 12.
Adults do not need to register.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 15
21 Wednesday
Learn How to Overnight Camp for High School Students
This camp is designed to teach high school students about activities that take place at an overnight campout: how to pitch a tent, build a safe campfire, plan and prepare a meal, and use and care for cast iron cooking pots. Students will prepare a campfire stew for lunch and fruit pizza for dessert. They will make a camp bucket to sit on and store their gear in. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Oakwoods Nature Preserve
Nature Play Area
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 14-16.
Click here to register with $20 per teen by 9 AM on Tuesday June 20.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 20
22 Thursday
Learn How to Overnight Camp for Middle School Students
This camp is designed to teach middle school students about activities that take place at an overnight campout: how to pitch a tent, build a safe campfire, plan and prepare a meal, and use and care for cast iron cooking pots. Students will prepare a campfire stew for lunch and fruit pizza for dessert. They will make a camp bucket to sit on and store their gear in. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Oakwoods Nature Preserve
Nature Play Area
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 10-13.
Click here to register with $20 per student by 9 AM on Wednesday, June 21.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 20
26 Monday
Adventure Day Camp: Trees and Me
Trees are an important part of our everyday life. Our focus will be on the parts of a tree, how we help each other survive, and animals that make trees their home, such as woodpeckers and flying squirrels. We will also identify a few native trees with unique bark characteristics, including the American Sycamore, Common Hackberry, and Shagbark Hickory. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sun screen are optional.
Aeraland Recreation Area
Shelter
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 6-12.
Click here to register with $20 per child by 9 AM on Friday, June 23. To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Wednesday, June 21 and attend three of the June Adventure Day Camps.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 20
27 Tuesday
Adventure Day Camp: Recycling Fun
Children will be taught the importance of the three R’s, reduce, reuse and recycle. Children will get to make a vest from farm feed bags, flowers from water bottles, bird feeder from milk jugs and a house from a cardboard box. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Riverbend Recreation Area
Brugeman Lodge
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 6-12.
Click here to register with $20 per child by 9 AM, Monday, June 26. To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Wednesday, June 21 and attend three of the June Adventure Day Camps.
Minimum: 4/ Maximum 20
28 Wednesday
Adventure Day Camp: Life Beneath the Surface
Life is all around us even if we cannot see it. We will explore life that lives under the soil, leaves, logs, and water. We will do some fun activities: play with worms, make a mole puppet, go for a hike, flip some logs, do some worm calling, and go stomping in the stream. Please bring closed-toed shoes and clothing that can get wet. Snacks will be provided, but bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Oakwoods Nature Preserve
Discovery Center
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 6-12.
Click here to register with $20 per child by 9 AM on Tuesday, June 27. To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Wednesday, June 21 and attend three of the June Adventure Day Camps.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 20
29 Thursday
Adventure Day Camp: Bird Pieces and Parts
Children will get hands-on and an up-close look at the different parts of birds, including wings, feet, skulls, feathers, and eggs. They will learn about the different type of feathers they have and the jobs they do, complete the bird-beak challenge, and go on a bird hike in the forest and wetland. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Oakwoods Nature Preserve
Discovery Center
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 6-12.
Click here to register with $20 per child by 9 AM on Wednesday, June 28.
To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Wednesday, June 21 and attend three of the June Adventure Day Camps.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 20
30 Friday
Adventure Day Camp: Outdoor Games and Activities
Let’s go outside and have fun playing in the park. We will play games on the Discovery Center lawn, go on a nature hike, build shelters in the Nature Play Area, and get wet by playing water games in the afternoon. Please bring a towel, and clothes that can get wet. Snacks will be provided, but bring a sack lunch and a reusable water bottle. Insect repellent and sunscreen are optional.
Oakwoods Nature Preserve
Discovery Center
9 AM-3 PM
Ages 6-12.
Click here to register with $20 per child by 9 AM on Thursday, June 29.
To receive a free t-shirt, campers must be registered by 9 AM on Wednesday, June 21 and attend three of the June Adventure Day Camps.
Minimum: 4/Maximum: 20