Summer happens outside at Cincinnati Nature Center. Our award-winning camp blends nature, active play, and hands-on exploration to foster growth, connection, and long-lasting summer memories. Register early as camps fill up fast!
Website: https://cincynature.org/camps
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (513) 831-1711
Gender of Campers: All
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Hours: Vary by program
Ages: 3-15
Q&A with Cincinnati Nature Center
What makes Cincinnati Nature Center unique?
All camps at Cincinnati Nature Center are designed with the goal of providing fun, hands-on, educational experiences in nature for children ages 3 to 15 years. Our camps challenge kids to be active and creative while developing confidence and social skills in a natural setting. Our small camper to staff ratio allows for increased personalized attention for our campers. Our camp counselors make camps engaging and joyful for kids while promoting inclusiveness, safety, age-appropriateness, and passion for nature.
What activities are offered at Cincinnati Nature Center?
Activities include, but are not limited to, hiking, pond dipping, creek exploration, games, and creative expression in nature.
What is the camper-to-counselor ratio?
Varies by program, but we maintain a low camper to staff ratio.
How much time do the campers spend outside?
Campers are outdoors as much as possible, taking shelter from the sun, heat, or inclement weather as needed.
Does Cincinnati Nature Center provide lunch/snacks or do parents need to provide them?
Campers will need to bring lunch with them to camp.
What is the typical daily schedule for campers?
Varies by program.
How old are the counselors and how are they trained?
Camp counselors vary in age, and they know that camper safety is the first priority. Staff are trained in first aid and CPR prior at the start of camp. At Long Branch Farm & Trails, water safety protocol demands that campers and staff wear life jackets when canoeing and during more challenging stream hikes.
What accommodations are made for campers with special needs?
We’re committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all children. We work with families to provide reasonable accommodations that ensure every camper can participate safely and fully in our programs. Please contact us at [email protected] to set up a time to discuss your camper’s specific situation and how we can best support your family.
With such a wide range of ages. How will you maintain age-appropriate experiences for my camper?
Each camp has something special to offer to all children within the designated age range. Camps with a wide mixed-age audience are separated into smaller, age-appropriate groups to guarantee the best experience. Different formats are also offered, such as shorter days for our younger campers, and overnight experiences for older children eager for more time to explore in nature.
Is this an overnight camp?
Yes
Overnight Camp Questions
What does the camper’s living situation look like?
Campers can bring their own tent or share one of the tents provided for campers who do not bring their own. Up to four campers will sleep in the four-person tents provided.
How do parents and campers communicate?
The camp phone at Long Branch is available 24/7 during our overnight camp. However, there are many benefits from a contact-free stay at camp. When being separated from their caregivers, campers build independence and decision-making. Confidence and self-esteem are also boosted as they learn to work with peers and make new friends. We understand the importance of knowing your camper is safe and having
fun, but request that contact with your camper is made in emergencies only.
How does your camp handle homesickness?
Our camps are designed for kids to be active throughout the day, which helps to alleviate feelings of homesickness. Beyond that, our counselors are trained to help support campers in adjusting to camp, and of course caregivers can be contacted by phone, if needed.
What are the meals like at camp?
Campers should bring their own lunch for the day camp portion of the session and on the first day of their overnight:
• Wilderness Week: packed lunch Monday-Wednesday; meals provided for Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast, and Friday lunch.
• S’mores and More: packed lunch Tuesday and Wednesday; meals provided for Wednesday dinner, Thursday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Friday breakfast and lunch.
After campers return for the overnight portion of the week, we request that campers do not bring their own food due to food allergy precautions, limited food storage, and pest prevention. If there is a child with a dietary restriction that we are not able to accommodate, we’ll work with the he family/caregiver to store their child’s personal food.
We’ll periodically provide snacks, such as granola bars and pretzels, on days that extend into the night.
Can parents visit the camp?
Our well-trained counselors provide experiences that help increase your child’s confidence in an inclusive, age-appropriate environment. Little Acorns is the only camp at Cincinnati Nature Center in which a parent/guardian will attend with their camper.
What percentage of campers return every year?
Nearly half of our campers return the next year for more CincyNature Camp fun!
Is the schedule highly structured, or do kids have a lot of free choices?
Our camps are well planned, but there are also occasions for freedom of choice within a predetermined set of options.
Is transportation available to and from camp?
Transportation is not provided.
