2019 Summer Camps

  • Registration for camps will begin at 9 am on Friday, February 1, 2019
  • Members of the ODC Network will receive a 25% discount on all camps when they log-in during the registration process.
  • A child must be the age designated for a camp upon the first day of camp.
  • Parents or guardians must sign a waiver for their child(ren) upon registration. The on-line registration process will ask you to complete this as you register.
  • Once all slots are filled for a camp, a waiting list will be generated by our on-line registration system. Be sure to complete the registration even if it says a camp is full to ensure your child is added to the waiting list.
  • See the camp descriptions below to learn more and to reach our online registration. If you register for more than one camp or program, you can add items to your cart and pay all at once.
  • Please contact the office if you have any comments, questions, or concerns.

Refund/Cancellation Policy

100% refund 30 days before the camp start date

50% refund up to 14 days before the camp start date

0% refund 13 days or fewer of the camp start date

Wild About Critters (Session 1) | June 11-13

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: DeGraaf Nature Center

Age: 4-6 years old

Fee: $56 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

This camp is for your little ones who are wild about animals!  From turtles to frogs, to birds and fish, we will go on daily explorations with tools in hand to help us uncover what animals live at the DeGraaf Nature Center.

Introduction to Archery (Session 1) | June 11-13

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Outdoor Discovery Center

Ages: 10-16 years old

Fee: $76 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

In this three day camp, campers will be coached by a certified archery instructor to establish or reinforce good technique and form. Even if they have never shot before, this camp will help them learn the lifelong sport of archery. They will experience using a variety of tools from ancient atlatls to modern compound bows at the Outdoor Discovery Center archery range.

All materials will be provided for the camp.

Sorry, no bows from home may be used until inspected by our range officer.

Little Explorers (Session 1) | June 18-20

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Outdoor Discovery Center

Age: 4-6 years old

Fee: $56 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

Does your little one like to play in mud? Would they like to be an explorer for the day? In this camp we will do all that and more! We will spend our time outside listening to stories, creating crafts, hiking and explore different habitats.

Please bring a water bottle and a light snack.

Kayak Camp (Session 1) | June 18-20

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: First day at Hawthorne Pond (other days at local waterways)

Ages: 8-14 years old

Fee: $88 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

This three day Kayak Camp is designed for the young beginner paddler. The camp begins with an introduction to kayaking on a pond. Campers paddle these craft solo and develop skills that emphasize independence and self-reliance. Campers learn skills through a mix of instruction, demonstrations, games, and trips. The instructors demonstrate and discuss paddle strokes and techniques, rescue skills, and boating safety. The opportunity to explore local waterways from ponds to rivers makes this an exciting camp your child will not want to miss. Meet the first day at Hawthorn Pond.

All materials will be provided

Wildlife Explorers (Session 1) | June 18-20

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Outdoor Discovery Center

Age: 7-9 years old

Fee: $56 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

This camp is for kids crazy about wildlife. They will study a variety of animals native to Michigan and the habitats where they live on the ODC Nature Preserve. Kids will get to catch animals, identify them, and learn about their lives. We will discover animals both caught in the wild and from the Center’s captive animal collection during camp including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds.

Peak Into the Past | June 25-27

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: DeGraaf Nature Center and Outdoor Discovery Center

Age: 8-12 years old

Fee: $56 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

Take a peek into Michigan’s past with the Outdoor Discovery Center! We will explore a recreated Woodland Era Native American summer village. Try our hand at axe throwing and fire making with flint and steel like a 1700’s French Voyageur, and travel back to the 1800’s to explore a log cabin and discover how to work and play like a pioneer child. Kids will get hands-on with the past as many activities and games are planned.

Nature CSI (Session 1) | June 25-27

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Outdoor Discovery Center

Ages: 7-9 years old

Fee: $56 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

Does your camper think they have what it takes to uncover clues and get to the bottom of daily nature mysteries? In this camp we will study the evidence and gain a deeper understanding of nature in order to solve mysteries. It will get their hands dirty, bodies moving, and inspire curiosity about how the natural world works.

Yuckology | July 9-11

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: DeGraaf Nature Center

Ages: 7-9 years old

Fee: $56 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

Does your camper love things others would consider gross? Do they like to get super dirty? If so, this camp is for them! Campers will explore some of the strange, gruesome, ‘yucky’ things animals do to survive. Throughout the week campers will sift through the mud, dissect an owl pellet and play a variety of games that teach them about why animals do the icky things they do.

Kayak Camp (Session 2) | July 9-11

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: First day at Hawthorne Pond (other days at local waterways)

Ages: 8-14 years old

Fee: $88 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

This three day Kayak Camp is designed for the young beginner paddler. The camp begins with an introduction to kayaking on a pond. Campers paddle these craft solo and develop skills that emphasize independence and self-reliance. Campers learn skills through a mix of instruction, demonstrations, games, and trips. The instructors demonstrate and discuss paddle strokes and techniques, rescue skills, and boating safety. The opportunity to explore local waterways from ponds to rivers makes this an exciting camp your child will not want to miss. Meet the first day at Hawthorn Pond.

All materials will be provided

Outdoor Skills Camp | July 16-18

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Outdoor Discovery Center and other off-site locations

Ages: 10-16 years old

Fee: $60 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

Hone your outdoor skills at the ODC Nature Preserve and at other Holland area parks. While on daytime hikes, campers will learn to read a map, navigate, practice wilderness survival skills, build a fire and more! For two days, campers will need to be dropped off at an area park. Details will be shared on the first day of camp.

All materials will be included for this camp. No pocket knives, weapons or matches may be brought by participants.

Lights, Cameras, Animals (Session 1) | July 16-18

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Outdoor Discovery Center

Ages: 8-12 years old

Fee:  $60 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

Star in your own Nature TV episode! Campers will channel famous TV personalities such as the Wild Kratts and Jeff Corwin as they work their very own episode of “Lights Camera, Animals”. Campers will put their wild knowledge to use in an entertaining and educational video. You will be sent a copy of the final cut to share with family and friends.

All materials will be provided.

Introduction to Archery (Session 2) | July 23-25

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Outdoor Discovery Center

Ages: 10-16 years old

Fee: $76 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

In this three day camp, campers will be coached by a certified archery instructor to establish or reinforce good technique and form. Even if they have never shot before, this camp will help them learn the lifelong sport of archery. They will experience using a variety of tools from ancient atlatls to modern compound bows at the Outdoor Discovery Center archery range.

All materials will be provided for the camp.

Sorry, no bows from home may be used until inspected by our range officer.

Little Explorers (Session 2) | July 23-25

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Outdoor Discovery Center

Age: 4-6 years old

Fee: $56 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

Does your little one like to play in mud? Would they like to be an explorer for the day? In this camp we will do all that and more! We will spend our time outside listening to stories, creating crafts, hiking and explore different habitats.

Please bring a water bottle and a light snack.

Nature CSI (Session 2) | July 30-Aug 1

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: DeGraaf Nature Center

Ages: 7-9 years old

Fee: $56 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

Does your camper think they have what it takes to uncover clues and get to the bottom of daily nature mysteries? In this camp we will study the evidence and gain a deeper understanding of nature in order to solve mysteries. It will get their hands dirty, bodies moving, and inspire curiosity about how the natural world works.

Intermediate Kayak Camp | July 30-Aug 1

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Location: Holland area parks

Ages: 10-16 years old

Fee: $108 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

Campers who have already been through an Outdoor Discovery Center kayaking camp or who have experience paddling will enjoy this next level of kayaking! This camp will have the group visiting three different area kayaking sites each day including Macatawa and surrounding watersheds. Campers will solo paddle their boat all three days for 4-5 hours each day.  This camp will meet at the launch sites.

All materials provided though paddlers are welcome to bring their own paddle or vest.

Wild About Critters (Session 2) | August 6-8

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: DeGraaf Nature Center

Age: 4-6 years old

Fee: Fee: $56 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

This camp is for your little ones who are wild about animals!  From turtles to frogs, to birds and fish, we will go on daily explorations with tools in hand to help us uncover what animals live at the DeGraaf Nature Center.

Animals of ODC | August 6-8

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Outdoor Discovery Center

Ages: 7-9 years old

Fee: $56 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

This camp is for kids who love animals and want to learn what it means to take care of those that call the Outdoor Discovery Center home. Campers will have the opportunity to help care for the some of the animals at the ODC, learn about what each animal eats and their habitat needs.

Lights, Cameras, Animals (Session 2) | August 13-15

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Outdoor Discovery Center

Ages: 8-12 years old

Fee:  $60 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

Star in your own Nature TV episode! Campers will channel famous TV personalities such as the Wild Kratts and Jeff Corwin as they work their very own episode of “Lights Camera, Animals”. Campers will put their wild knowledge to use in an entertaining and educational video. You will be sent a copy of the final cut to share with family and friends.

All materials will be provided.

Intermediate Archery Camp | August 13-15

REGISTER ON-LINE

Time: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Outdoor Discovery Center

Ages: 10-16 years old

Fee: $76 Non-Members, 25% off for Members

This camp is for participants who have attended a previous archery camp at the Outdoor Discovery Center or have been through lessons with one of our staff. The camp is designed to build on the skills learned in the Introduction to Archery Camp and improve the archer’s shooting proficiency at greater distances and improve distance judgement.

All materials will be provided for the camp.

Sorry, no bows from home may be used until inspected by our range officer.