Click Here to Register For Summer Camps
Toddler Tracks for ages 2-3
These two-hour toddler camps are designed for young children and one caregiver. All camps will provide necessary materials. No meals are provided in these camps.
Mud Puppies
June 14th, 9 am - 11 am, Cost $30. Join us as we get our hands dirty with some good old fashioned mud fun. Find out why dirt is so important as we dig holes, find worms, make animal tracks, and hear stories about animals in burrows. Dress for the mess!
Little Campers
June 21st, 9am-11am. Cost $30.Time for an adventure in the great outdoors! Campers will go on a pretend mini “camping trip” as we explore the trails, play games, sing campfire songs, and make tasty treats.
Cats & Dogs
June 28th, 9am-11am, Cost $30.Do you like cats or dogs? At the Ogden Nature Center we like both! Come learn with us about the kittens and puppies in nature as we explore the wilder cousins of our furry pets.
Mud Puppies
July 12th, 9am-11am, Cost $30.Join us as we get our hands dirty with some good old fashioned mud fun. Find out why dirt is so important as we dig holes, find worms, make animal tracks, and hear stories about animals in burrows. Dress for the mess!
Splish, Splash, Splat
July 19th, 9am-11am, Cost $30.Prepare to get wet as we learn what floats, sinks and swims in water at the Nature Center. We’ll dip for bugs in the pond, find out what water does to a sand castle, and hear stories about the creatures that call water their home.
Nature’s Music
July 26th, 9am-11am, Cost $30.There’s music to be heard as we listen to the choir of whoops, whistles, and calls in nature. Create your own rhythms as we join along with nature’s melodies and explore the sounds of the world around us.
Splish, Splash, Splat
August 2nd, 9am-11am, Cost $30.Prepare to get wet as we learn what floats, sinks and swims in water at the Nature Center. We’ll dip for bugs in the pond, find out what water does to a sandcastle, and hear stories about the creatures that call water their home.
Fledglings Camps - for ages 4-6
These camps are designed for our 4-6 year old friends who are ready for their first camp experience away from their parents. Three hours in length provides the perfect opportunity for friends, fun, and learning. All camps will provide necessary materials.
Knee High Naturalists Fledglings - FULL for 5 & 6 Year Olds
July 8th-12th, 9am-12 noon, Cost $180.Introduce your child to science as we explore different naturalist areas fledgling style! Campers will spend the week learning to be bold little botanists, brilliant little biologists, clever little chemists, and more through fun crafts, games, and activities! This camp is a week-long commitment and cannot be scheduled for individual days.
Fables and Fairy Tales Fledglings
August 5th-9th, 9am-12 noon, Cost $180.Learn how nature and story combine in this magical camp that explores classic fairy tales and their animal counterparts. Sign up for the whole week or choose individual days.
Single-Day Camps for various ages
Crafts, games, adventures and challenges make these camps perfect for campers who can only squeeze in a single-day adventure. All camps will provide necessary materials. No meals are provided in these camps. Please pack your own lunches.
Fantastic Forts, ages 8-10 - FULL
June 10th, 8:30am-3:30pm, Cost $75.Lodges, nests, and dens are fine for critters, but what kind of home would you make if you lived outside? We’ll explore the kinds of homes animals make, and then get to the task of creating the perfect human shelter among the trees and trails of the Ogden Nature Center.
It’s All Fun and Games, ages 6-7 - FULL
June 11th, 9am-1pm, Cost $55.Active play is the order of the day as campers hide, chase, and plot strategies in a camp that revolves around old-fashioned outdoors games. Enjoy some old favorites and learn some new ones as you romp in the sunshine and compete for fun.
Under the Microscope, ages 10-12
June 12th, 8:30am-3:30pm, Cost $75.Creatures and critters that we can’t normally see are the focus of this adventure in which campers will explore the mini worlds of soil, plants, ponds, and more. Using microscopes and hand lenses, games and crafts, campers will learn more about the creatures we can’t see with the naked eye.
Crafting With Nature, ages 7-9 - FULL
June 13th, 8:30am-3:30pm, Cost $75.Creative campers will enjoy this full day of crafting with nature. Through mud painting, nature crowns, rock art, and more, campers will use what nature provides to make fun projects to take home.
Caring for Creatures, ages 11-13
June 14th, 8:30am-3:30pm, Cost $75. Snakes, salamanders and…Iguanas? All our critters need care. Help us feed, clean and care for our smaller critters and learn what animals in captivity need. Feed a frog, exercise a Desert Tortoise and clean a rabbit’s cage, in this day devoted to caring for creatures.
Eco Art, ages 6-7
July 22nd, 9am-1pmCost $55.Explore the beauty of nature! Campers will create crafts inspired by their surroundings while learning about the environment and the animals with whom we share our ecosystem.
Animal Investigators, ages 8-10 - FULL
July 22nd, 8:30am-3:30pm, Cost $75.Investigate the wild side of nature! From tracks to skulls to animal calls, spend the day as a scientist discovering signs of animals and learning to identify them.
Myths & Monsters, ages 10-12
July 23rd, 8:30am-3:30pm, Cost $75.Why do people all over the world tell stories about dragons? And how could something as big as Bigfoot stay hidden when cameras exist? Join us as we talk about how myths come to be, and how some have roots in nature.
Ready, Set, Grow!, ages 7-9
July 25th, 8:30am-3:30pm, Cost $75.Roll up your sleeves and get ready to do some gardening as we explore how plants grow. Harvest flowers and vegetables to discover where seeds come from, get your hands dirty as we investigate what lives underground in the soil, and learn about native plants that are found around the nature center. Join us in our Discovery Garden as we plant seeds, make crafts, and grow our gardening skills.
Space Camp, ages 8-10 - FULL
July 26th, 4pm-10pm. Cost $75. Discover the incredible worlds lurking in our galaxy with this afternoon camp dedicated to outer space! Build your own “rover” to survive a Mars drop test, learn about the planets in our solar system, and finish the night with a campfire dinner and stargazing while hearing stories about the constellations far above us.
Weeklong Camps
Creepy Crawly Critters, ages 7-9 - FULL
June 17th-21st, Cost $200.Join us for a week-long adventure discovering and investigating the flying, crawling, and slithering creatures that call ONC home. Play games and enjoy activities that help us understand and appreciate the creepy crawly critters all around us. Maybe you'll discover that some aren't so crawly, and others aren't as creepy as you thought. Monday-Thursday are regular camp days, Friday is a late night from 6-9:30.
Eco Extreme, ages 11-14 - FULL
June 24th-28th, Cost $200. Do you know what it takes to survive in the wild? Challenge yourself in the ultimate nature adventure. Learn how to read the landscape and prepare yourself for survival using basic first aid, fire starting, leadership, shelter-building, and more. Conquer these skills and put your knowledge to the test in an all-out, end of camp treasure hunt. Who will win in this wild adventure? Monday-Wednesday are regular camp days. The overnight portion starts at 6pm on Thursday and ends at 9am on Friday. No regularly scheduled camp on Thursday or Friday.
Wild Things, ages 10-12
July 15th-19th, Cost $200.From forests to fields the Ogden Nature Center is teeming with life. Spend some time this summer exploring all 152 acres. Observe pond life under microscopes, catch insects in the field and travel off the beaten path in search of secret spots. Learn about native plants and animals that call the nature center home. Meet some furry, feathery, and funny looking friends up-close as you investigate the wild side of the Ogden Nature Center. Monday-Wednesday are regular camp days. The overnight portion starts at 6pm on Thursday and ends at 9am on Friday. No regularly scheduled camp on Thursday or Friday.
Wildlife Detectives, ages 9-11
July 29th-August 2nd, Cost $200.Investigate the wild side of nature! Solve clues, decipher codes, and interpret maps as you spend the week exploring the mysterious world of animals. Nature crafts, animal games, hands-on investigation activities and an overnight campout make this an adventure you won’t want to miss. Monday-Wednesday are regular camp days. The overnight portion starts at 6pm on Thursday and ends at 9am on Friday. No regularly scheduled camp on Thursday or Friday.
Family Camp
Family Camp, for families, all ages. July 12th, $120 for family of up to 5, $10 for each additional family member.Join us on an adventure for the whole family. Pack your tent and enjoy a night under the stars at Ogden Nature Center’s Dumke Picnic Grove. Play games, make crafts, and learn about the creatures that run the night here at the nature center. Hot dog dinner and a cold breakfast will be provided.
Adult Camps, 21+
Date Night, ages 21+
June 14th, Cost $75 per couple (includes dinner).Bring your favorite person to snuggle with under the stars. The campfire program is for adults 21+. A fun evening complete with pudgy pie dinners, s’mores, an evening nature walk and to top it off, stargazing.
Art in Nature, 21+
July 26th, Cost $160. Get creative in nature with this day of exploring, sculpting, painting, and drawing. Campers ages 21 and older will work with local artists sculpting with clay, painting with acrylics, and using colored pencil, pencil, and pen to explore the natural world around them. Bring a water bottle and be ready to walk a little and create a lot.Bring your own lunch.
Volunteens
For ages 13-16. June 4th thru August 8th, Cost $60.9am -12pm (every Tuesday and Thursday)
Serve, learn and have fun with a unique program designed to get teens out of the house this summer. Participate in citizen science, habitat restoration, Nature Center projects and more, all while making friends and giving back to the community. Volunteens work on and off-site with Nature Center staff in a fun, friendly, supervised learning environment. Space is limited and admission is not guaranteed.
Camp Assistants for ages 12+
Do you enjoy being outdoors? Do you like working with children? Would you like to volunteer some of your time this summer? If so, the Ogden Nature Center is the place for YOU! Come join our camp assistant program and make some spectacular summer memories while giving service to your community.
Camp assistants must be at least 12 years old to assist with the Fledglings (ages 4-6) camp or Toddler Tracks (2-3). Extreme Eco Expedition assistants must be at least 16 years old. All other camp assistants must be at least 14 years old.
You’ll get on-the-job training which is great on college and job applications.... and a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Click here for the 2024 application. Applications are due by 5:00pm on April 19th, 2024. Please email completed applications to Meagan at or drop off in person at the Ogden Nature Center, 966 W 12th Street, Ogden, UT 84404.
Interviews will be held April 22nd-26th. Selected Camp Assistants will be notified by May 3rd. A mandatory training will be held for all selected Camp Assistants on Saturday, May 31st from 9:00am to 12:00pm in the education building.
Summer Camp Information
Special Needs
We welcome campers of all abilities. If your child has a medical condition or allergy that will impact their experience at camp, or the experience of others in the group, please be forthcoming with information to ensure a positive and successful experience. For campers that need special assistance, please notify staff prior to registering for camp. Parents are not allowed to stay with campers unless special permission is granted for children with special needs. Please call 801-621-7595 two weeks in advance to make arrangements. Background checks are required for any adult attending a camp with a child with special needs.
Photographs/video
Ogden Nature Center reserves the right to use any photos/video of campers to promote our programs unless otherwise notified in writing by parents.
Scholarships
We believe all children deserve the right to go to summer camp! We receive funding from generous donors who want kids to go to camp at the Ogden Nature Center. We do not require any financial documentation to apply for a scholarship. A limited number of scholarships are available for those needing assistance. Money awarded each summer depends on individual donor support. Please contact our education staff at for more information. To apply for a scholarship, download the 2024 application and return it to the Ogden Nature Center before April 12th at 5pm. Scholarships are only available to open summer camps and applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
Reservations and Cancellations
A $50 non-refundable deposit is required for the 3-day overnight, 4-day late-night , family camp, adult camps, and the full week Fledglings camp upon reservation.
A $10 non-refundable deposit is required for all single day camps, individual Fledglings camp days, and Toddler Tracks camps.
Requests for withdrawal two or more weeks prior to the scheduled program date will be honored except for the initial deposit, which will be withheld for administrative fees. Refunds will not be given for cancellations or no-shows within two weeks of the camp start date.
Please do not send your camper to camp if they are sick. Any cancellation for an illness will be honored (except for the initial deposit) if proof of a COVID positive test or a doctor’s note is provided.
ONC reserves the right to restrict enrollment/participation, in the event that participation in camp is deemed unsafe/unsuitable for a child by ONC, either for the safety/experience of the child or for the safety/experience of the staff/other campers. ONC reserves the right to cancel camps due to circumstances beyond our control including illness or low attendance. All fees will be refunded for canceled programs. All camps will be held rain or shine!
Ogden Nature Center Member Discount
All Ogden Nature Center members receive 10% off their total camp cost. Become a member here. Use Promo Code ONCMEMBER. Membership discount is not available for the Volunteen program. Please note that we do not accept membership cards for any other organizations to be used as a discount on Ogden Nature Center summer camps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do camps cost?
That depends on the camp, age of the child, length of the program and whether you are a Nature Center member. Use Promo Code ONCMEMBER. Please refer to our camp descriptions for more information.
Do you offer discounts for families sending more than one child to camp?
Due to rising cost of supplies and the effort to not raise summer camp tuition fees, we have discontinued the double camp discount. We do still offer a discount for Ogden Nature Center members.Use Promo Code ONCMEMBER. Become a member here.
What is the ratio of campers to counselors?
Our camper to staff ratio is 10:1 for all camps ages six and older. Fledglings and Toddler Tracks camps have 10:1 with a camp assistant in each age group.
Are the counselors qualified?
Counselors are trained naturalists with degrees in Education, Environmental Education, Ecological Teaching and Learning and Wildlife Biology with many years of experience teaching children. They are all first aid and CPR certified. Teacher Naturalists are full time Ogden Nature Center employees that work year-round in all aspects of our education programming.
My child is under the minimum required age for a camp, can my child enroll in that camp anyway?
Sorry, no. We do not allow campers to enroll in programs where they do not meet the minimum age or are over the maximum age requirement. Our programs and curriculum are designed with the age requirement in mind.
My child is 6 years old and enrolled in the Fledglings program. Will my child be grouped with 4-year-olds?
No. Our Fledglings camps are split by age, and each will have their own counselor. Each group completes the same activities but at an age-appropriate level of learning.
Are these drop-off camps or must I accompany my child?
All of our camp sessions, apart from Toddler Tracks (2-3 years) and Family Camp, are drop-off camps. Parents are not allowed to stay with their campers unless they have been given permission to attend for special needs students. These parents are required to complete a background check and wear proper identification. Please contact the education staff at 801-621-7595 if you are seeking special permission to attend camp with your child.
I would like to register my child for a Toddler Track program. I know that I must accompany my child, but can I bring along a younger sibling as well?
Sorry, no. We cannot accommodate siblings in our Toddler Tracks program. As the parent or adult guardian attending, you will be actively participating with your toddler. It is important that your attention be fully focused on your camper so that your child and the rest of the class will get the most out of this experience.
Are snacks or lunch provided for the day camps?
No. All snacks and lunches will need to be provided by the parent or adult guardian. We ask that you try and provide a nut-free lunch in case other campers have nut allergies.
Do you offer after-hours care?
Yes! After-camp service will be available for all 4-day and single-day adventure camps from 3:30 to 5:00pm. The cost is $15 a day. Please request after-hours care prior to the first day of camp to ensure a counselor is available. This service may not be available if requested at the start of camp.
When does registration begin?
We will begin taking reservations at 9am on March 1st.
How do I register?
To register, scroll through camps listed above and click on camp(s) you are interested in. If you need assistance, please call 801-621-7595 to speak with someone in our education department. A nonrefundable deposit is required for all camps.
Do Ogden Nature Center members get a discount?
Yes! Ogden Nature Center members at the family or grandparent level receive a discount rate on camp fees. Use Promo Code ONCMEMBER. Purchase a family membership here.
I am a member of Dinosaur Park/Tracy Aviary/Union Station/Zootah; do I get a discount on Ogden Nature Center Summer Camps?
Sorry, no. While your Dinosaur Park/Tracy Aviary/Union Station/Zootah membership can reciprocate admission into the Nature Center, it does not allow you all the same benefits of being a member of the Ogden Nature Center. Summer Camp discounts are only given to Ogden Nature Center members. Purchase a family membership here.
The camp that I am interested in is filled. Can I be placed on a wait list?
Yes. It does not cost anything to be placed on a wait list. If a space becomes available, you will be notified.
What is your cancellation policy?
Requests for withdrawal two or more weeks prior to the scheduled program date will be honored except for the initial deposit, which will be withheld for administrative fees. Withdrawals requested within two weeks of the scheduled program will only be honored if the slot can be filled from a waiting list. Deposits for all camps are not refundable.
Who can I contact if I have questions?