Summer Nature Camps
Camp Registration starts February 6th at 6am!
New for 2023:
- Our scholarship protocol has changed! Because of the high volume of early registrations, request for scholarships is available ahead of camp registration opening. This will allow families awarded scholarships to register online on the first day of camp registration. See the Camp Overview tab for more information.
- Our regular day camps will run Monday thru Thursday for ages 6-12.
- We will have more Tuesday - Thursday half day camps for children ages 4 and 5. Check out the Preschool Camp tab below!
- We will have adventure camp for children ages 10-14. Campers will be dropped off at Springbrook Nature center but will then travel offsite to various adventures around the Metro area.
- We need Junior leaders! We are looking for camp loving 13-17 year-olds to take a leadership role in summer camp.
- Camp Overview
- Junior Leaders
- Half Day Camp themes (ages 4-5)
- Camp Themes (ages 6-14)
- Camp Handbook
- Camp Flyer
2023 Day Camps!
Do you want to play where the wetland things are? Maybe you want quest like the days of old, go on a legendary quest, or even discover the truth behind some fantastical beasts! Join us this summer as we delve into nature for adventure and imagination!
Our small group day camps run from 9am-3:45pm weekly June 6th - August 24th for children ages 5-12 (Adventure camp for ages 10-14). Check out our Camp Themes for exact dates, themes, and ages.
Scholarships:
Due to the high number of scholarship requests we are no longer able to accept any additional requests for scholarships. Families who have requested scholarships should receive an email by January 16th to let them know if we are able to grant them a scholarship.
Thanks to our Springbrook Nature Center Foundation, we are able to offer camp scholarships to families who express a need. We can offer one camp week per summer per child. (While funds last)
Submitting this request does not guarantee granting of scholarship funds. Being awarded scholarship funds does not guarantee enrollment in our summer camp program.
For more information, please call the Nature Center at 763.572.3588
Do you have a child ages 13-17 that loves camp?
We need Junior Leaders for our 2023 Camps!
Our Junior leader program is a way for children ages 13-17 to take a volunteer leadership role during summer camp.
Junior leader applications will be accepted through May 1st 2023. Fill out the Junior Leader Application and email to Dina.Cyrus@fridleymn.gov
Half Day Camp Themes
Camps for ages 4-5 run Tuesday - Thursday, 9 am - 11:30 pm.
Children must be completely bathroom independent to attend.
Scholarship funds are limited to One camp per child per summer while funds are available regardless of the camp fee.
Camp Classics (June 6-8 & August 22-24)
Do you remember the summer camp of old? We’ll play in the woods, sit by the fire, get on the water, and build friendships. Let’s get back to basics in this camp.
Fridley Resident Fee: $60
Non Resident Fee: $75
Wetlands and Wild Things (June 26-29)
This week we’ll explore our wetlands while getting our toes in the water and our hands in the mud, even getting up close to some of the animals that call them home.
Fridley Resident Fee: $60
Non Resident Fee: $75
Animal Explorers (July 11-13)
We'll explore the wetlands, woods, and prairies of Springbrook to discover what animals live here and how they find food, water, and shelter.
Fridley Resident Fee: $60
Non Resident Fee: $75
Woodlands and Wild Things (July 25-27)
This week is all about running wild in the woods and the animals that do just that! Do you want to climb a tree like a squirrel or follow a deer through the forest? Then come play where the woodland things are!
Fridley Resident Fee: $60
Non Resident Fee: $75
Wild Child (August 8-10)
We’ll be running around the woods, climbing trees, inventing games, building forts and embracing the wild side of childhood.
Fridley Resident Fee: $60
Non Resident Fee: $75
Camp Themes
Unless otherwise stated, Camps for ages 6-10 run Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 3:45 pm.
Camp sections are divided into age groups 6-7, 8-9, and 10-12. Adventure camp runs the first Wednesday - Friday in July for Ages 10-14.
Scholarship funds are limited to One camp per child per summer while funds are available regardless of the camp fee.
Camp Classics (June 12-15 & August 14-17)
Do you remember the summer camp of old? We’ll play in the woods, sit by the fire, get on the water, and build friendships. Let’s get back to basics in this camp.
Fridley Resident Fee: $180
Non Resident Fee: $200
Wild Child (June 19-22 & August 7-10)
We’ll be running around the woods, climbing trees, inventing games, building forts and embracing the wild side of childhood.
Fridley Resident Fee: $180
Non Resident Fee: $200
Wetlands and Wild Things (June 26-29)
This week we’ll explore our wetlands while getting our toes in the water and our hands in the mud, even getting up close to some of the animals that call them home.
Fridley Resident Fee: $180
Non Resident Fee: $200
Adventure Camp * (Ages 10-14) July 5-7
Camp Springbrook is hitting the road! We'll find adventure outside the boundaries of Springbrook. We'll bike along the Mississippi River, run with the wolves at the Wildlife Science Center, dive in the lake, and reach new heights at Vertical Endeavors. No Really! We'll fit a full week of adventure into this three day camp. This is also a chance for those who have aged out of summer camp to jump back into the fun.
Fridley Resident Fee: $250
Non Resident Fee: $270
Beast Lore * (Ages 6-9) July 5-7
Explore and search for the creatures that catch our imagination. Real, Imagined, and Not yet found. Will you discover all of Springbrook's secrets in this three day camp?
Fridley Resident Fee: $135
Non Resident Fee: $150
Bushcraft Camp (July 10-13)
There is a fine art to not perishing in the woods. We'll practice some of the lost skills that people used to find food, shelter, fire, and fun!
Fridley Resident Fee: $180
Non Resident Fee: $200
Epic Eras Camp (July 17-20)
We're going back in time! We'll travel to four different epic eras to see how people lived and played! Maybe you'll find a hidden talent or discover a new hobby!
Fridley Resident Fee: $180
Non Resident Fee: $200
Woodlands and Wild Things (July 24-27)
This week is all about running wild in the woods and the animals that do just that! Do you want to climb a tree like a squirrel or track a deer through the brush? Then come play where the woodland things are!
Fridley Resident Fee: $180
Non Resident Fee: $200
Week of Campcraft (July 31- August 3)
Calling all quest seekers! Create your character, level them up through side quest challenges and work as a team to conquer a park-sized dungeon in this RPG style camp.
Fridley Resident Fee: $180
Non Resident Fee: $200
View our 2023 Summer Camp policies in our Camp Handbook and Half-Day Handbook
Camp Drop Off and Pick Up Time
Full Day camps (ages 6-14)
Camp Springbrook runs most weeks Monday—Thursday, 9 am—3:45 pm **Please note, we do have a camp the week of the 4th of July run Wednesday –Friday. Please adhere to the posted drop off and pick up times. Our staff will be getting activities ready for your camper before 8:50, and will be preparing for the following day after 3:45pm. If you need to pick your child up before the camp day is over, please let the office know before 10 am. We will make sure your camper is close to the building at the time you specify.
Drop Off Time: 8:50 - 9:00 am
Pick Up Time: 3:30 - 3:45 pm
Half Day camps (ages 4 & 5)
Camp Springbrook runs Tuesday—Thursday, 9 am—11:30 am. Please adhere to the posted drop off and pick up times. Our staff will be getting activities ready for your camper before 8:50, and will be preparing for the following day after 11:30pm. If you need to pick your child up before the camp day is over, please let the office or naturalist know at drop off. We will make sure your camper is close to the building at the time you specify.
Drop Off Time: 8:50 - 9:00 am
Pick Up Time: 11:30 am
Sign In and Sign Out:
Sign In and Sign Out will happen with your child’s naturalist, usually at the patio doors of their classroom. Please follow signs and check in with the staff. There will be a daily sign in and sign out form. We value your child’s safety, and want to make sure that they are going home with the right person. For that reason, we will require a photo ID at pick-up.
What to Bring to Camp (Label all items with first and last name)
- Back Pack
- Lunch and snacks
- Water Bottle
- hat
- Complete change of clothes
- Plastic bag for dirty clothing
- Light jacket/ sweatshirt
- Towel
- Bug Spray
- Sunscreen
What NOT to Bring to Camp
- Valuables Electronic Devices
- Toys Multitools
- Pocket knives
- Weapons
- New school clothes (they won’t look new after camp)
Typical Schedule at Camp Springbrook
Each day at Camp Springbrook will be different, but we realize that children do well in environments in which they can count on some kind of consistency. So, we have a loose schedule set up for the summer.
Full Day Camps
8:50—9:00 Camper Arrival/Quiet Activities
9:00—12:00 Morning Activities
12:00—1:00 Lunch and Free Play
1:00—3:30 Afternoon Activities
3:30—3:45 Camp Closing and “Cabin Time”
Half-Day Camps
9:00 Arrival/Quiet Activities
9:15 Circle Time & Activity
10:15 Snack & Activity
11:30 Quiet Activities and Pick up
We will send home notes with your camper when there is something special coming up that you will need to prepare for. In addition, we encourage you to chat with your child’s camp naturalist to get the daily scoop and a notice about what is coming up in the future.