2017 Summer Camps

Weeklong Camps

• Summer Youth Horse Camps — Weekly camps for youth ages 8-17 include morning and afternoon sessions, with multiple skill levels offered. Registration for camps at the Riding Center opens in April.
• Teen Adventure Camp, June 26-30 — (ages 14-17) Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark: This is a week-long day camp for high school age kids in which we discover nature through kayaking, mountain biking, fly fishing, hiking, and more. Monday through Wednesday are day-long adventures that culminate in a camping trip held on Thursday night until Friday at 5 PM. Registration required.
• Teen Paddling, July 24-28 — (ages 14-17) Eastwood MetroPark: This is a weeklong day camp for high school age kids where we will canoe, Stand Up Paddleboard, and kayak on lakes and rivers around the Miami Valley. Once you register you will receive a detailed registration form that must be completed and returned prior to attending. Registration required. Fee: $140.

Three-Day Camps

Spend three days discovering a new or favorite MetroPark. Campers will be outside and active, trying new skills, experiencing activities like cooking, farm chores or gardening, and exploring nature.

• Park Adventures: Possum Creek, June 14-16 — (ages 7-10) Possum Creek MetroPark: Spend three days discovering a new or favorite MetroPark. Campers will be outside and active, trying new skills, experiencing activities like cooking, farm chores or gardening, and exploring nature. Drop-off: 8-9am. Pick- up:4-5pm. Actual program hours are 9 Am – 4 PM. Registration required. Fee: $90
• Park Adventures: Carriage Hill, July 10-12 — (ages 7-10) Carriage Hill MetroPark: Spend three days discovering a new or favorite MetroPark. Campers will be outside and active, trying new skills, experiencing activities like cooking, farm chores or gardening, and exploring nature.

Two-Day Camps

• Youth Kayaking Camp, July 18-19 — (ages 9-17) Eastwood MetroPark: This hands-on program will use instruction and games as we learn to kayak starting on the lake and move to the river on second day. Fee: $70

One-Day Camps

8 AM to 5 PM, unless otherwise noted.

• Adventures of Prairie Kids, June 12 — (Ages 7-10) Carriage Hill MetroPark: Get outside this summer and step back in time. Join us for a day long experience of what it was like to be a kid on the prairie. Try some historic chores and games. Afterwards, take a walk through an actual prairie and learn about its wild flowers and habitats. Drop-off: 8 – 9 AM. Pick- up:4-5 PM. Actual program hours are 9 AM – 4 PM. Registration required. Fee: $40
• Fantastic Beasts, June 13 —  (ages 7-10) Cox Arboretum MetroPark: Visit the real world of specific plants and animals in the park (as well as the make-believe world of fairies) and take what you’ve learned to create your own imaginary beast, complete with super powers.  A day of learning, creativity, and fun and even a contest at the end. Drop-off: 8 – 9 AM. Pick- up:4 – 5 PM. Actual program hours are 9 AM – 4 PM. Registration required. Fee: $40
• Conservation Kids Day Camp, June 19 — (ages 7-10) Cox Arboretum MetroPark: This day camp gives your child the opportunity to experience Conservation Kids from beginning to end! We will focus on insects and pollinators as we explore the prairie, plant some milkweed, all while learning about these fascinating creatures and how to excite others about them. Registration required. Fee: $40
• Adventures of Prairie Kids, July 13 — (ages 7-10) Carriage Hill MetroPark: Get outside this summer and step back in time. Join us for a day long experience of what it was like to be a kid on the prairie. Try some historic chores and games. Afterwards, take a walk through an actual prairie and learn about its wild flowers and habitats. Drop-off: 8 – 9 AM. Pick- up:4 – 5 PM. Actual program hours are 9 AM – 4 PM. Registration required. Fee: $40
• Fantastic Beasts, July 14 —  (ages 7-10) Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark: Visit the real world of specific plants and animals in the park (as well as the make-believe world of fairies) and take what you’ve learned to create your own imaginary beast, complete with super powers.  A day of learning, creativity, and fun and even a contest at the end. Drop-off: 8 – 9 AM. Pick- up:4 – 5 PM. Actual program hours are 9 AM – 4 PM. Registration required. Fee: $40
• Youth Fishing Camp, July 14 — (ages 9-13) Possum Creek MetroPark: Look no further if you want a fun day of spin cast and fly fishing! Learn about the gear, fish habitat, casting techniques, proper handling of fish, and then try and land the big one! Lots of fun angling activities and games packed into this one day camp! Drop-off: 8 – 9 AM. Pick- up:4 – 5 PM. Actual program hours are 9 AM – 4 PM. Registration required. Contact (937) 275-7275 for details. Fee: $40

Half-Day Camps

1 to 5 PM unless otherwise noted.

• Wild and Built: Teen Photography Bike Tour, June 23 — (ages 12-15) Riverscape MetroPark: Learn to compose striking photographs while touring the architecture of downtown Dayton and nature and parks along nearby recreation trails. Bring your camera (or phone) and your bicycle. If you do not have a bicycle, we can provide one for you. Weather Dependent.
• Youth Nature Explorers, July 19 — (ages 12-15) Possum Creek MetroPark: This day camp gives your child/teen the opportunity to experience nature hands-on! We will explore the habitats at Possum Creek, learn about the creatures that live there and help monitor their nesting boxes in the prairie. Fee: $20
• Fishing Camp, July 21 — (ages 12-17) Possum Creek MetroPark: We have packed lots of fun angling activities  into one afternoon! Learn about the gear, fish habitat, casting techniques, proper handling of fish, and then put all that knowledge into action by catching a fish at the pond! Registration required. Contact (937) 275-7275 for details. Fee: $20
• Teen Mountain Biking Camp, July 20 — (ages 14-17) MoMBA: This hands-on program will introduce skills for riding singletrack mountain bike trails. Topics covered include trail etiquette, body positioning, braking, shifting, and safety. Registration required. Fee: $20
• Youth Mountain Biking Camp, June 20 — (ages 9-13) MoMBA: This hands-on program will introduce skills for riding singletrack mountain bike trails. Topics covered include trail etiquette, braking, shifting, and safety. Bicycles and Helmets are required and can be provided. Weather Dependent.