Ballard Nature Center

Summer Camp Registration
2026-04-28
Registration begins for our kids’ summer camps. See complete schedule on the summer camp page.

Winged Things
2026-06-02 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago)
For kids ages 6-8 years old. Birds, bats, and insects will be studied. We’ll even catch insects to examine up close.

Winged Things
2026-06-03 09:00 - 11:00
For kids ages 6-8 years old. Birds, bats, and insects will be studied. We’ll even catch insects for close up viewing.

Awesome Ants
2026-06-04 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-06-04 13:00 - 14:30
For kids ages 5-6 years old. They may be small, but they are mighty! Learn all about these interesting insects.

Ponds & Fish
2026-06-09 09:00 - 11:30, 2026-06-10 09:00 - 11:30, 2026-06-11 09:00 - 11:30
For kids ages 7-10. We’ll use nets to explore pond life up close and learn more about fish. Bring a pair of rubber boots or shoes that can get muddy/wet.

Dive into Pond Life
2026-06-12 09:00 - 10:30
For kids ages 10-12 years old. Catch creatures from the pond, use microscopes to observe them, and learn about aquatic food webs.

Colorful Chameleons
2026-06-16 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-06-16 13:00 - 14:30
For kids ages 5-6 years old. Learn about these fascinating reptiles and what colors they can turn and why.

Animal Engineers
2026-06-17 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-18 09:00 - 11:00
For kids ages 9-12 years old. Which animals are the best architects? We’ll have our own building challenge!

Secret Life of Bobcats
2026-06-23 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-23 13:00 - 15:00
For kids ages 6-8 years old. Learn about the elusive bobcat and its relatives.

Nature Powers
2026-06-24 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-25 09:00 - 11:00
For kids ages 7-9 years old. Learn about some of the most incredible animal adaptations, AKA superpowers.

Signs Left Behind
2026-07-01 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-07-02 09:00 - 11:00
For kids ages 8-11. Become nature detectives and learn how to read signs that animals leave behind, like tracks.

Scurrying Squirrels
2026-07-08 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-07-08 13:00 - 14:30
For kids ages 5-6. Learn all about these quick little creatures and their relatives.

Birds of Prey
2026-07-15 09:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-16 09:00 - 11:30
For kids ages 7-10. Whooo belongs in this group of special birds? We’ll find this out and much more.

Almost Campout
2026-07-17 18:00 - 20:30
For kids ages 8-11. Join us for yard games, a scavenger hunt, and a campfire meal of hot dogs & s’mores.

Kitchen Chemistry
2026-07-21 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-22 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-23 10:00 - 13:00
For kids ages 7-10. Explore science through fun, hands-on experiments! Bring a picnic lunch.

Pond Birds
2026-07-29 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-07-30 09:00 - 11:00
For kids ages 6-8. Duck are not the only birds that live and hunt at our ponds. We’ll learn about ducks and their feathered neighbors.

Loveable Otters
2026-07-31 09:00 - 11:00
For kids ages 8-11. Learn about these fun animals and paint an adorable otter picture.
