5th grade camps

For campers entering 5th grade in fall 2026

Iowa’s Natural Resources

Full day: 9am–4pm

Offered weeks 1, 8-10

Get creative with our natural resources to make food, art, and tools, just as generations of people have done throughout Iowa’s history. Create art, go fishing, and learn to appreciate Earth’s resources! Explore plants, animals, soil, wind, water, and the people who settled here to find out how they contributed to the growth of Iowa.

Activities subject to change. On creek day your camper will get wet and muddy. Bring a towel or plastic bag for the car.

America 250 (4-5th grades)

Full day: 9am–4pm

Offered weeks 1-10

It’s America’s 250th birthday as a country! Campers will explore 250 years of the “American Experience” and what that means.  They will learn about major birthday moments and history from its founding to now. Discover how America has grown and changed over time and learn about the people that made America home. At the end of the week, families are invited to see what their campers have learned as they share their thoughts and predictions for America’s future at the Birthday Party for America.

The Birthday Party for America takes place Friday at 3:15pm at the Learning Center, 11121 Hickman.

Activities subject to change. On creek day your camper will get wet and muddy. Bring a towel or plastic bag for the car.

Movers & Shakers (5-6th grades)

Full day: 9am–4pm

Offered week 4

As America celebrates 250 years, we reflect on what it means to be an American citizen. How have Americans participated in democracy throughout our history? Who has been included—and excluded? You’ll explore rural Americans’ role, from land purchases to voting to civic organizations to court cases. Throughout the week, you’ll prepare to re-create an election and a circuit court case for your family.

Don’t be late for court or to cast a vote! The family event takes place Friday at 3pm; arrive at 2:55 p.m. at the Learning Center, 11121 Hickman.

Activities subject to change. On creek day your camper will get wet and muddy. Bring a towel or plastic bag for the car.

Museum-ology (5-6th grades)

Full day: 9am–4pm

Offered week 5

Have you ever wondered who puts museum exhibits together? A curator, that’s who! If you love history or museums, this is the camp for you. You will see items from the museum’s collections that are rarely on exhibit. Discover how the museum cares for these objects and what we can learn from them. Along the way, you will find out what it takes to create a museum exhibit and design your own tabletop exhibit about America’s 250th anniversary. At the end of the week, show off your exhibit to your family in a Grand Exhibit Unveiling.

The Grand Exhibit Unveiling takes place Friday at 3:15pm at the Learning Center, 11121 Hickman.

Note:  This camp does not include a creek walk. 

Activities subject to change. 

America’s Birthdays (4-5th grades)

Full day: 9am–4pm

Offered week 11

America is celebrating 250 years in 2026! It’s not the first big birthday party America has had. How did America celebrate turning 50 years old as a nation? Or 100 or 150? 200? And how will we celebrate when America turns 300?

In this 3-day camp, you’ll learn about America’s past celebrations through crafts, games, and visits to historic sites. Then, take what you’ve learned and imagine what the future may hold.

On Wednesday, celebrate with a “250th Birthday Party for America.”

Activities subject to change. On creek day your camper will get wet and muddy. Bring a towel or plastic bag for the car.

Wait list

• If a camp session is full, you may ask to be placed on a wait list.
• Be sure to indicate the name of the camp(s) and the date(s) you want.

Group Requests

When we have multiple camps of the same grade level, we cannot guarantee your child will be placed with friends. However, we will make every effort to accommodate up to two requests. Please keep the following in mind:
• Campers must be registered for the same camp, in the same week, and be in the same grade.
• Camp is about making friends. When large groups of friends are together, other campers can feel left out. We will split requests larger than 3 friends.