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Day Camps

 

Registration is now open!

All camps are currently full except for:

Owlets PM

Eco Warriors (Teen Camp)

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Did you miss registration for this year? Mark your calendar for next year!

Our registration opens early January each year.

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Please Note:

Our summer camps are designed to be a single registration camp.

While our themes change from week to week, our animal ambassadors and general structure for each week stay the same. Some campers find it repetitive to attend multiple weeks of camp. Registering for just one week of camp also allows more children to experience the joys of nature camp!

 

Engaging Nature Camps Near Columbus, Ohio

The Camp Experience for Kids 

Ohio Wildlife Center’s wildlife-based, summer nature camps offer unique experiences for getting up-close to wildlife and back to nature. Our rustic, climate controlled Bonner Barn on our education campus in Powell is the base camp for daily hands-on nature and wildlife adventures. Each day, your camper will explore parts of our private sanctuary, visit and learn about our permanent Animal Ambassadors, and what they can do to help wildlife in their own backyard. Your favorite explorer will create nature crafts, go on hikes, help with animal care and experience animal encounter with some of our 60+ Animal Ambassadors. Our Education Program Coordinator, Allison Sullivan, oversees the camp and her team of camp counselors are fully screened and trained in First Aid. Camper to counselor ratio 1:8.

Ohio Wildlife Center’s Day Camp is:

  • Registered by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services
  • An Ohio ACE Qualified Education Service Provider
  • A member of the American Camp Association

Refund Policy

Partial refunds for cancellations may be offered when requested with advanced notice. Partial refunds within 2 weeks of a camp are up to the discretion of the Education Manager. Refunds are subject to a cancellation fee.

Waitlists and Other Questions

Please email education@ohiowildlifecenter.org for any questions regarding camp.

Owlets Camp

Ages 3-5 | Fee: $160

Fur, Feathers and Scales!
  • (AM session FULL) Week 5 | July 1- July 3, 2024 (Monday-Wednesday)
  • (FULL) Week 7 | July 17- July 19, 2024 (Wednesday-Friday) *Morning session only*

Campers must be potty trained 

Your little camper will explore our furry, feathered and scaly wild neighbors! Each day we will focus on a different family of animals. They will also be meeting and caring for some of our animal ambassadors. All camps include fun outdoor exploration with trained camp staff, nature play, up close animal encounters, crafts, hikes and daily snacks.


Morning Session

9:00AM – 12:00PM 

Daily Drop Off: 8:45- 9:00AM
Daily Pick Up: 11:45AM- 12:00PM

Afternoon Session

1:00- 4:00PM

Daily Drop Off: 12:45- 1:00PM
Daily Pick Up: 3:45- 4:00PM

WildCare Jr. Camps

 Ages 6-8 | Fee: $325

 


Monday- Friday 9:00AM- 3:00PM with the option for late pick up until 5:00PM 

Daily Drop Off: 8:45- 9:00AM
Daily Pick Up: 2:45- 3:00PM


Variety Week (FULL)
  • Week 1 | June 3- June 7, 2024
  • Week 9 | July 29- August 2, 2024

If your child loves all aspects of wildlife, this week is for them! Join us for a variety of activities all based around our furry, scaly, and feathery friends. Your camper will be immersed in outdoor activities like hikes and group games. They explore their creative side while doing crafts, help our staff and volunteers care for our permanent animal ambassadors, all while enjoying being in the beauty of nature. All camps include up-close animal encounters, animal care instruction, crafts, hikes, fishing and daily snacks.


Outdoor Adventures (FULL)
  • Week 3 | June 17- June 21, 2024

This week is geared towards campers who love to do anything and everything outdoors! Your young wilderness explorer will hike our trails and creek their way through our property to explore the outdoors and learn what natural treasures are right here in their backyard. Sometimes getting your hands dirty is the best way to learn! All camps include up-close animal encounters, animal care instruction, crafts, hikes, fishing and daily snacks.


Wildly Creative (FULL)
  • Week 6 | July 8- July 12, 2024

Does your camper love to use their imagination while playing outside? During this week of camp we will take your budding explorer to the wild side— unlocking their creativity and connecting with nature in a hands-on way! Campers will spend time each day drawing, playing games, and creating wild memories. The best part is that our wild Animal Ambassadors will be their inspiration! All camps include up-close animal encounters, animal care instruction, crafts, hikes, fishing and daily snacks.


Monday- Friday 9:00AM- 3:00PM with the option for late pick up until 5:00PM 

Daily Drop Off: 8:45- 9:00AM
Daily Pick Up: 2:45- 3:00PM

WildCare Camps

 Ages 9-11 | Fee: $315

 


Monday- Friday 9:00AM- 3:00PM with the option for late pick up until 5:00PM 

Daily Drop Off: 8:45- 9:00AM
Daily Pick Up: 2:45- 3:00PM


Variety Week
  • (FULL) Week 2 | June 10- June 14

If your child loves all aspects of wildlife, this week is for them! Join us for a variety of activities all based around our furry, scaly, and feathery friends. Your camper will be immersed in outdoor activities like hikes and group games. They explore their creative side while doing crafts, help our staff and volunteers care for our permanent animal ambassadors, all while enjoying being in the beauty of nature. All camps include up-close animal encounters, animal care instruction, crafts, hikes, fishing and daily snacks.


Outdoor Adventures
  • (FULL) Week 4 | June 24- June 28, 2024

This week is geared towards campers who love to do anything and everything outdoors! Your young wilderness explorer will hike our trails and creek their way through our property to explore the outdoors and learn what natural treasures are right here in their backyard. Sometimes getting your hands dirty is the best way to learn! All camps include up-close animal encounters, animal care instruction, crafts, hikes, fishing and daily snacks.


Wildly Creative
  • (FULL) Week 8 | July 22- July 26, 2024

Does your camper love to use their imagination while playing outside? During this week of camp we will take your budding explorer to the wild side— unlocking their creativity and connecting with nature in a hands-on way! Campers will spend time each day drawing, playing games, and creating wild memories. The best part is that our wild Animal Ambassadors will be their inspiration! All camps include up-close animal encounters, animal care instruction, crafts, hikes, fishing and daily snacks.


Monday- Friday 9:00AM-3:00PM with the option for late pick up until 5:00PM

Daily Drop Off: 8:45- 9:00AM
Daily Pick Up: 2:45- 3:00PM

Wild Academy Camp

Ages 12-16 | Fee: $305

Eco Warriors- Wild Academy
  • Week 7 | July 15- July 19, 2024

Calling all teen eco-enthusiasts. Back by popular demand is a camp for young adults with a real interest in biology, nature and being outdoors. This special week focuses on developing your camper’s nature interest and helping them become eco leaders, promoting stewardship of our environment and taking on service learning projects. This is a great way for teens to reconnect with nature using art, exploration and observations. Special guest speakers with careers in wildlife, environment and biology will participate. All camps include up-close animal encounters, animal care instruction, crafts, hikes, fishing and snacks.


Monday- Friday 9:00AM- 3:00PM with the option for late pick up until 5:00PM

Daily Drop Off: 8:45-9:00AM
Daily Pick Up: 2:45-3:00PM
 

 

Financial Aid

Everyone is welcome at camp!

We are able to offer a discount on camp registration to families that qualify. We offer financial assistance for all weeks of Summer 2024 camp.

Please note that we have limited funding for financial assistance and are able to approve aid for one week of camp per camper. 

Click below to start your application, or contact Allison Sullivan at asullivan@ohiowildlifecenter.org for more details.

Registration is now open!

Please read the directions below prior to clicking the registration link

To register your camper:

  1. Click the link below and create a profile for each child you would like to register.
  2. Next, please select the “Registration” tab below each camper to complete registration for their desired week of camp. Please note registration is not confirmed until payment is made.
  3. Once registered, please complete all forms by the date listed for their camp.

If you appreciate the work we do for animals and the community, consider donating to Ohio Wildlife Center today.

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