Registration for Summer 2023 is OPEN! Click Here to register!

Fresh air, muddy feet and new friends are all part of what makes our Nature Day Camp so special!

For over 28 years, children have come to Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve in Gladstone, where 170 acres of forests, meadows, streams and a pond invite young explorers outdoors. Our camp is tech-free, so campers and counselors are fully present and interactive!

Each day at Nature Day Camp is a magical experience. Structured and unstructured play time allow children to interact on their own terms with nature. Curiosity and wonder abound, and our activities, crafts, games and storytelling provide positive outdoor experiences and memories that last a lifetime!

2023 Summer Camp Schedule:

The Basics

• We offer week-long day camps in June, July and August for children ages 3 to 17, including a program for High School Students called Watershed University.
• Our friendly and experienced camp counselors are First Aid and CPR certified.
• Campers should dress for outdoor play and bring a change of clothes (including a bathing suit), a nut-free lunch and snack, and a reusable water bottle. Bug spray and sunscreen should be applied at home, and tick checks performed at home at the end of each day.
• Camp is held rain or shine! We have plenty of indoor education space, but kids should be sure to bring a raincoat and boots for outdoor fun on rainy days.
• Your online registration form includes emergency contact and allergy information for each camper.
• Need-Based Scholarships are available, click here for an application
• Junior Counselors are needed each session. A great way for teens to earn community service hours and have fun! Please contact us to find out more information. Camp alumni are encouraged to apply!

Our Summer Programs Include…

Honey Bees (Ages 3 to 4)

10:00 am to 2:00 pm*

Bring your little one to Fairview Farm for a day full of fun nature games, stories and crafts.  We buzz all over Fairview Farm, exploring nature and making new discoveries each day!

*Note new timing for 2023! 10 am to 2 pm aligns with our other camps, making drop off and pick up easier for families with multiple children. Please contact Lauren for additional drop off/pick up options if this timing does not work for your child.

Red Squirrels (Ages 5 to 6)

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Discover the exciting mysteries of nature:  Who lives where?  Who eats what?  What’s hidden high and low?  Campers learn the secrets of the woods, fields and streams through adventures, stories and games.  Wild-crafts, storytelling, games and scavenger hunts open up even more explorations!

Tree Frogs (Ages 7 to 10)

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Adventure is waiting!  Learn about the birds and animals living in the woods and fields of Fairview Farm, and investigate the creatures living in the pond.  Explore nature with hikes, games, wild-craft projects, storytelling and more.

Drawing in Nature Art Camp (Ages 11-14)

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Using the flora and fauna of Fairview Farm as inspiration, campers in this session will hone their creative skills using various media including pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, watercolor, batik and more. Each day includes warm up, exploring, new techniques and plenty of space and time for campers to get their creative minds flowing!  Most materials will be provided, a short list of items for campers to bring will be provided one month prior to camp.

It is worth your time to enter the wild. In the wild, the brain is working at full capacity, mapping out the next step while rapidly assessing the risk. The body is constantly making adjustments, adapting to the slick rock or the unstable surface. Nature time isn’t just for leisure. It is for building robust brains and agile bodies. It is for emotional development and for bringing respite and delight. It is for the whole child.

-Ginny Yurich.