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Summer Camps

FEB 20, 2026

Discover nature with our summer day camps!

Jackson County Conservation is excited to offer camps for area youth this summer!

Registration for 2026 Summer Day Camps will open Monday March 30 at Noon (12:00 PM).

All registration for camps is online. Camps are first-come-first-served for signup. 

Register for summer camps at https://3common.com/u/jacksoncountyconservation. Registration for all camps on this site will open at 12:00 PM (Noon) on March 30.  

Select the camp that matches the grade your child is currently in this school year. No exceptions!

 

Scholarships: Thanks to Friends of JCC, scholarships are available for youth that would otherwise not be able to attend camp because of the cost. To receive a scholarship for your child for camp, contact Jess Wagner at jwagner@jacksoncounty.iowa.gov before registering. You'll receive a code to register online for the reduced rate.

Refund Policy: Refunds will be issued if notification is given at least 21 days before the first day of camp. No refunds within 3 weeks of camp. We cannot refund the processing fees charged by 3common.com. If your child can't attend camp, please let us know as we usually have a waiting list for our camps and another child can fill that spot. Contact Jess Wagner at jwagner@jacksoncounty.iowa.gov regarding refunds.

Weather: Camp is held outdoors. Please dress for the weather. Wear old clothes that can get wet and dirty. Because camps are held outdoors, in the case of severe weather, camp will be cancelled. A decision will be made 45 minutes before the start of camp. 

What to bring: An email with this information will be sent to participants one week before camp. Youth will need to bring a lunch, snacks, reusable water bottle, and complete change of clothes and shoes in a backpack to camp each day. Other optional items to bring include, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and sunglasses. Leave all electronics at home. 

 

Explorer Day Camp

For youth that are currently in Kindergarten & 1st grade.

Offering 2 sessions (sign up for 1):  July 14 & 15  OR  July 21 & 22

Campers will have fun exploring nature and learning about wildlife through games and activities.

9:00-2:00 each day / At the Hurstville Interpretive Center / Cost: $30

 

Ranger Day Camp 

For youth that are currently in 2nd & 3rd grade.

Offering 2 sessions (sign up for 1):  June 30 & July 1  OR  July 7 & 8

Campers will have fun exploring nature and learning about wildlife through games and activities.

9:00-2:00 each day / At the Hurstville Interpretive Center / Cost: $30

 

Adventure Day Camp 

For youth currently in 4th & 5th grade

Offering 2 sessions (sign up for 1):  June 2 & 3  OR  June 9 & 10 

9:00-3:00 each day / Cost: $30

Youth will experience outdoor recreation opportunities at various parks in the area.

Start & end at the Hurstville Interpretive Center, transportation provided to various parks in the county.

 

Naturalist Day Camp

For youth currently in 6th, 7th, & 8th grade.

Offering 1 session: Overnight Camping Trip June 16-17 / $30

Offering 2 sessions (sign up for 1): Paddling on the Maquoketa River (9:00-3:00) June 23  OR  June 24 / $15

This camp is for older kids who are interested in learning more about outdoor recreation opportunities.

Start & end at the Hurstville Interpretive Center, transportation provided to various parks in the county.

 

 

Overnight Camps 

Overnight trips are a partnership with Clinton, Dubuque, & Jackson County Conservation departments. These trips are led by County Naturalists. 

 

Youth Backpacking Trip

Youth will hike 10+ miles on a 3-day/2-night backpacking trip. We will camp in tents, cook food using backpacking stoves, hike the trails carrying packs with all of our gear, and have fun immersing ourselves in the outdoors. This trip is for youth that want to experience an outdoor hiking and camping multi-day trip.  

Trip Dates: June 9-11, 2026

Location: Ice Age Trail, Wisconsin

Ages: 13-17

Cost: $50

Applications due by April 6. Youth will be notified if they have been selected to attend mid-April. Payment and a medical form will be required by May 2. 

Youth must attend a mandatory pre-trip meeting for the trip on Monday, June 1 from 3:00-5:00 PM at the Hurstville Interpretive Center. 

Click here to sign up for the Youth Backpacking Trip

 

Youth Paddling Trip

Youth will paddle canoes and kayaks on this 3-day/2-night paddling trip. We will camp in tents, cook food over stoves, paddle the river, and have fun immersing ourselves in the outdoors. This trip is for youth that want to experience an outdoor paddling and camping multi-day trip.  

Trip Dates: July 14-16, 2026

Location: Maquoketa River, Iowa (or other interior river in Eastern Iowa)

Ages: 12-14 

Cost: $50

Applications due by April 6. Youth will be notified if they have been selected to attend mid-April. Payment and a medical form will be required by May 30. 

Youth must attend a mandatory pre-trip meeting for the trip on Monday, July 6 from 3:00-5:00 PM at the Hurstville Interpretive Center. 

Click here to sign up for the Youth Paddling Trip

 

Questions about day camps and overnight trips can be sent to Jessica Wagner at jwagner@Jacksoncounty.iowa.gov or call Jackson County Conservation at (563) 652-3783.