Nature Camp

NEW THIS YEAR!

Summer Camp Registration Opening in January

Contact Us

Camp Hours

Please note, times are different for Peeps, Overnight and Winter Vacation camps.

MONDAY - THURSDAY
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

FRIDAY
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

AFTER-CAMP*
After-Camp extends the camp day to 5:30 PM for additional fee.

*Not available all weeks or at all locations.

Nature Camp Registration Dates

  • December 4, 2024 - Registration Opens for Holiday and February Camps

  • January 15, 2025* - Registration Opens for 2025 Summer Camp season

*Dates and Rates will be available in December

Early Registration for VINS Members
  • January 14, 2025 - Registration Opens to VINS Members for 2025 Summer Camp season

Adventure and Discovery

The VINS Nature Camp mission is to help young people develop the life skills necessary to be a positive force for their community and the environment.

By exploring the diversity of nature’s living creatures and habitats, VINS Nature Camp nurtures each child's curiosity and helps them to build respectful, caring relationships with themselves, others, and the natural world.

Each day of camp is another opportunity for your child to join an exciting journey to reveal the wonders of the natural world.  Whether it is a hike through the woods, a closer look at an insect under the magnifying glass, a messy craft, or a group game that reinforces the value of teamwork; VINS Nature Camp programs are an invaluable and exciting learning experience for children.

VINS’ professional and highly trained staff, and unparalleled collection of resident raptors, ensures that your camper will have a unique and enriching summer camp experience.

Vacation Camps

Registration Open!

HOLIDAY NATURE CAMP 2024

Join VINS for an adventure this holiday season.

FEBRUARY NATURE CAMP 2025

Come explore the frozen world around us!

Questions about VINS Nature Camp?

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.

vnc-peeps-21

PEEPS

Ages 4-5 or Entering Kindergarten

Fledglings Fort

FLEDGLINGS

Children Entering Grades 1-3

Falcons on Target

FALCONS

Children Entering Grades 4-6

Eagles Age Group Photo

EAGLES

Children Entering Grades 6-8

Our Camp Values

At VINS Nature Camp, our core values inform all that we do from how we approach teaching and exploring the natural world, to how we interact with others.  Those core values are:

  • We recognize that curiosity and a love of learning are crucial to lifelong engagement.
  • We believe that every individual has a capacity for scientific thinking and ecological awareness.
  • We recognize the power of the individual to make a positive impact on the world.
  • We believe in treating human and non-human nature with the utmost respect.

By upholding these core values, VINS Nature Camp strives to create an environment where every camper, volunteer and staff member feels valued for who they are and what they bring to our community.  VINS is committed to ensuring that our camp program is free of harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, or any other category recognized by law.  We are committed to respecting the rights and dignity of all by providing training for our staff who in turn model this culture of inclusion with campers.

Support and Accommodations

VINS Nature Camp is committed to providing each camp participant with a safe, nurturing camp experience that accommodates individual needs, abilities, and learning styles.

We work to keep camp programs as accessible as possible given the limitations of our facilities, terrain, the scope of our staff training, and our camper-to-staff ratios.  Contact the Director of Nature Camp to discuss accommodations and support that VINS Nature Camp may be able to provide to support your camper in our unique camp environment.

[My daughter] loved the program and the counselors, and as a veteran of summer camps, I can say this is the most professionally run program around.

VINS Nature Camp Parent

My son was in two Eagles camps and had a wonderful time. He made friends (which is often difficult for him) and had some amazing successes! A sincere thank you to the staff for taking such great care of him and doing such a wonderful job with the programs.

Eagles Camp Parent

We love that [our child] is having fun learning all day but is still moving and spending most of the time outdoors.

VINS Nature Camp Parents

My child had an absolutely wonderful time at camp. I'm glad I pushed him out of his comfort zone to attend. The counselors were so great, he spoke very highly of them and said he'd go back again. His camp experience was a huge success.

Overnight Camp Parent

My son had an absolutely amazing time in the Survival Adventure camp this summer! It was the highlight of the summer for him.  The whole week was really beneficial and he learned so much.  I was very impressed with the topics and the staff were excellent.

VINS Nature Camp Parent

On the drive to camp each morning, [my son] talked with excitement about all that he learned the day before.  These last few years have been so unique for all of us.  Thank you for bringing a sense of wonder into the world of a child who has yet to have a school year without quarantine, masks, or lunchroom meals like the ones we once knew.

VINS Nature Camp Parent