CURRENT HOURS: Programs by reservation only from November through April
Thank you for signing up for camp! We look forward to a great week experiencing new adventures, making memories, and meeting new friends.
Please read this handbook carefully. When registering for any day camp sessions, you will be asked to acknowledge that you have read and understand all the information contained herein. It will help your camper have a successful and enjoyable week. Share this information with anyone who will drop off or pick up your camper.
The Mission of Living History Farms Day Camp is to provide an inclusive camp that connects kids to history, science, and nature through fun and engaging experiences within the overall mission of the museum. Along the way, they will try new things and make new friends. Living History Farms is proud to have offered day camp experiences since 1975.
Day camp is active, engaging, fun, relaxing, educational, and so much more. Campers will participate in crafts, games, activities, nature walks, and activities at historic farms and buildings around the museum—and still have time to be creative and innovative. We work hard to make sure every camper can participate in every activity to the best of their ability.
If you have questions:
We promise to keep you informed.
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| Dan Jones Program Director (Education & Camp) | Lydia Best Camp Program Coordinator |
Murray Conference Center, 12234 Douglas Parkway, Urbandale
Drop-off times
Pick-up times
Check-in and check-out: Park in the designated area. Look for your flag color and walk your camper to their counselor. Those registered for early drop-off and late pick-up will need to walk in to the Murray Conference Center. For check-out, you must show a picture ID to pick up a camper. IDs will be checked every day. If a person who is not on our list or who has does not have an ID tries to pick up your camper, we will call you for authorization.
Running late? Call us at 515-278-5286. Our counselors are unable to stay with campers beyond 15 minutes past pickup time.
Need to pick up early? Notify us ahead of time by emailing daycamp@lhf.org or telling your counselor.
Campers have the best experience when they are with their camp group the whole time. Plus they don’t want to miss any of the exciting stuff that happens! But life happens. Other commitments (such as doctor appointments, unexpected athletic practice, leaving early for a family vacation, whatever) will come up from time to time.
Label all items with the camper’s name. Please be aware of peanut and nut allergies when packing snacks and lunches.
| Bring: | Do not bring: | |
*Lunches and snacks may not be shared among campers in case of food allergies. Refrigerators and microwaves are not available. Some camps may cook or make food, but campers should still bring lunches and snacks. All-day camps will have two snack times. |
*If you choose to send your camper with a cell phone/smart watch, it must always be kept in their backpack, except in emergencies. If we see a camper on their cell phone, we reserve the right to hold it until pick-up. |
Creek Walks: We recommend that you bring trash bags or old towels for the seats in your vehicle for the ride home! Changing areas are not provided. (Note: Some camps do not have a creek walk; check the website.)
Sunscreen and Bug Repellant: Please make sure that you have already applied sunscreen and bug repellant to your camper at drop-off. Camp staff are NOT allowed to apply lotion sunscreen or bug repellant to campers. Campers that need assistance applying sunscreen and bug repellant must bring a SPRAY form with them to camp each day. Those that bring lotion will be responsible for applying sunscreen and bug repellant themselves. Camp staff will assist with spray only.
Campers will get dirty. Please make sure your camper dresses appropriately and comfortably for outdoor activities. We will use paint, clay, and other art supplies. We cannot guarantee that everything will be washable.
Clothing should be appropriate. Advertisements for alcohol or cigarettes, profane or questionable language, and inappropriate images are not allowed.
Dress for weather. Rain or shine, snow, wind—we try to do as many outdoor activities as possible.
Kindergarten and 1st-grade campers should bring a change of clothes in case of a restroom accident.
Footwear: Living History Farms is an outdoor facility with uneven terrain including grass, forest, prairie, and wetlands. Paths may be muddy, snowy, or dirty. Campers will be in shops and farms with tools and animals.
Any items turned in during the week of camp will be kept at the Visitor Center. If you are missing something, please ask your counselor. At the end of the week, unclaimed items will be turned in to the Marketplace Museum Store in the Visitor Center. You can check with them during regular business hours. Unmarked items left at the end of camp will be donated to a charitable organization.
Lunch and snacks are not provided. Some camps may cook or make food, but we do not count these as snacks since these recipes may not turn out! We cannot guarantee that food we prepare will meet special dietary needs.
Camp is a high-energy activity! Please eat a good breakfast before coming to camp.
Please send a reasonable amount of food for your camper. Lunch and snack items must never be shared between campers in case of any food allergies.
Do NOT bring these items for lunch or snacks:
• Glass containers are prohibited for safety reasons.
• Items that must be refrigerated or heated in a microwave.
• We encourage you to be aware of peanut and nut allergies when packing snacks and lunches.
Food Allergies: We cannot guarantee an environment free from all allergens. Please disclose all food allergies during registration. To discuss concerns or to request special accommodations, email daycamp@lhf.org.
Museum mission: Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor history museum which educates and connects all peoples to the many stories of Midwestern rural heritage.
Camp mission: Living History Farms’ Day Camp Program lets campers of all abilities experience and connect to history, science, and the natural world, while developing lifelong interests and skills.
Museum vision: Cultivating our future by experiencing our past.
Camp vision: The day camp experience will help campers prepare for their future by experiencing and learning from the past.
Goals for each camper: Living History Farms’ Day Camp Program strives to:
Inclusion and diversity: Living History Farms Day Camp Program fosters an inclusive, respectful environment, which acknowledges and reinforces the dignity and uniqueness of all. We strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, ability, or status, can grow through their experiences at camp. Campers will engage with others of diverse backgrounds, getting the opportunity to meet new people and to make new friends. Outdoor experiences, activities, crafts, games, and visits to the various historic sites at Living History Farms will help all campers expand their horizons.
Read Living History Farms’ Visitor Code of Conduct.
Living History Farms is a Character Counts! organization.
Day camp is active, engaging, fun, relaxing, educational, and so much more. Campers will participate in crafts, games, activities, creek walks, nature explorations, activities at various historic farms and buildings around the museum, and still have time to be creative and innovative. We work very hard to make sure every camper can participate in every activity that week to the best of their ability.
Most campers will spend at least 75% of their time outside. They will enjoy the different environments Living History Farms has to offer, from the historic areas to forested areas to restored prairie to pollinator gardens to wetlands.
Illness: Please do not send your camper if they are feeling ill. If your camper falls ill while at camp, they will be isolated from the group, and you will be called. If your camper is injured while at camp (beyond a simple scrape, bump, cut, etc.), we will call you. If you do not answer, we will call the emergency number you provided.
Medication: Counselors are not authorized to dispense or monitor medication. However, they can remind campers to take medication. If your camper needs medication during the day, send only enough for that day. Medication must be in the original container with the camper’s name, and then be handed to the counselors, who will lock it up. Medication needed in an emergency (such as EpiPens and emergency inhalers) will be kept with the counselor.
Safety is our top priority. We make certain the camp environment is safe and maintained. Camp and museum staff work diligently to design an environment that always protects children’s health and safety. All activities are well-supervised and planned with your child’s safety given the utmost consideration.
Campers are privileged to have access to the many different areas of Living History Farms. This means they will come into contact with other guests. We recognize that Living History Farms is a public museum, and safety procedures are in place to ensure the safety and security of the campers when in public, non-camp areas.
Child-to staff-ratios: These ratios are set by the American Camp Association (ACA), which has accredited the Living History Farms Day Camp Program.
Emergency procedures: The museum has emergency procedures in place and regularly holds all-staff practice sessions. Camp staff are certified in first aid, CPR, and the use of an AED. Camp staff always carry a first aid kit.
Rules: Campers must understand that rules exist to keep them safe. Your help in reinforcing this message is greatly appreciated. Counselors will emphasize and explain the importance of safety rules for everyone, including the camper, others in the group, camp staff, and other guests at Living History Farms. Counselors will explain camp rules at the beginning of the week and will model and reinforce these throughout the week.
Restroom supervision: Campers will always be escorted to public restrooms. They will never be allowed to enter a restroom when it is occupied by museum guests. Camp staff will wait outside the restroom and only enter in emergencies. The “rule of three” is followed to ensure that a camper is never alone with a museum employee in a restroom.
Domesticated and other animals: This program involves locations where domesticated animals are present, including chickens, pigs, sheep, horses, and cattle. Even domesticated animals can be unpredictable. Campers should approach these animals only as directed and as supervised by staff.
Some camp activities also involve observing or encountering non-farm animals. Included in this category are activities such as fishing, examining pond water insects, and nature walks to observe animals and birds. Not every camp will do these activities.
During the summer, since campers are outside so much, we suggest you do a tick check at home after camp.
Our team: Camp staff includes the Program Director and the Program Coordinator. Counselors are often college students with interests in education, human development, history, science, the outdoors, recreation, or a similar field. Some are currently teaching. Every new staff member undergoes an application and interview process and must meet qualifications for the position. Every year, every staff member undergoes a criminal background check. Camp supervisors and counselors participate in training and professional development annually.
“Junior Counselors” are high school volunteers who are assisting with day camp. Many of them have been campers themselves. These volunteers also go through an application, interview, and training process. Their role includes assisting campers as needed by being an extra pair of hands and eyes and ears. They also are expected to follow and model all the camp appropriate behaviors.
Every one of us is worthy of respect and dignity. Behavioral guidelines are established with the goal of maintaining the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of each camper.
Your camper will hear the phrase “camp appropriate” many times. We encourage you to begin the discussion at home of what “camp appropriate” behavior is.
“Camp appropriate” behavior expectations include:
Camp staff and counselors work very hard to prevent challenging or disruptive behaviors through environmental design, schedules that meet the needs and abilities of campers, effective transitions, and engaging activities.
Positive and proactive behavior management: Camp and museum staff will model appropriate behavior and will assist campers as well. We recognize a camper’s positive behaviors in many ways, including:
Correcting inappropriate behavior: Camp staff will work hard to correct any inappropriate behaviors when they are small, before they have time to grow into something large.
When a counselor must correct a camper’s behavior, one or more of the following measures may be taken:
At pick-up, you will be notified of any behavior issue that arises during camp. If a serious situation arises, you will be contacted immediately.
Certain behaviors are not tolerated during camp, drawn from Living History Farms’ Code of Conduct:
We will make every effort to exhaust all avenues for addressing difficult behaviors. If problems continue and the safety or experience of other campers is at risk, you will be asked to pick up your camper for the day.
In rare cases, Living History Farms reserves the right to terminate registrations. Reasons for termination include but are not limited to:
Bullying: Bullying is not tolerated. Reports of bullying are taken very seriously. If we witness any such cases, parents/adult caregivers of both parties will be notified. Continued or severe bullying behavior can result in the bully being expelled from camp. Camp staff are trained to prevent bullying and to address it when it occurs.
Bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. (Definition from StopBullying.gov.)
Friends: Every effort has been made to put friends together when requested. However, when double sections of a camp are offered, and four or more friends have requested to be together, our policy it to split them between the two different sections. Part of the excitement of camp is making new friends.
Cancelation and Session Changes: Please see policy here.
Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50322, (515) 278-5286
— THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 PREMIER PARTNERS —
Ethel S. Abbott & Lienemann Foundations
Mary & Dale Andringa
BRAVO Greater Des Moines
Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust
Patty & Jim Cownie Charitable Trust
W.T. & Edna M. Dahl Trust
John Deere
Kemin Industries/Nelson Foundation/R.W. & Mary Nelson
Polk County
Todd & Connie Reuter
