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Summer Camps

FEB 18, 2025

Discover nature with our summer day camps for youth!

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

Registration for 2025 Summer Day Camps will open Tuesday, March 25 at 9:00 AM. 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 9:00 AM on March 25.

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 22 & 23 or July 29 & 30

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) July 8 & 9 or July 15 & 16

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 17 & 18 or June 24 & 25

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.

One session: June 4 & 5

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

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 15+ 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 10-12, 2025 

Location: Sand Ridge State Forest, Illinois

Ages: 13-17

Cost: $50

Registration 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 Wednesday, May 28 from 5:00-7:00 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 8-10, 2025 

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

Ages: 12-14 Cost: $50

Registration 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 23 from 1:00-3:00 PM at the Hurstville Interpretive Center. 

Click here to sign up for the Youth Paddling Trip. 

 

 

 

And here is one for the Adults!!

Adult Paddling Trip

Calling all adults - join Dubuque & Jackson County Naturalists for a paddling trip on the Mississippi River! We'll be paddling down the river aboard 14-foot Voyageur canoes. Learn more about paddling, camping, cooking over a stove, and other outdoor skills. 

Trip Dates: Tues-Thurs August 12-14, 2025

Location: Mississippi River / Eastern Iowa

Ages: 18 and older

Mandatory Pre-Trip Meeting: Tuesday, August 5 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Swiss Valley Nature Center

Cost: $50

Participants will need to complete this google form to register. We are accepting participants on a first-come-first-served basis. Once you complete the google form, we will email you a medical form to complete and return with payment.

Send payment to Friends of JCC Attn: Jess Wagner 18670 63rd Street, Maquoketa, Iowa 52060. Make checks payable to Friends of JCC. 

Participants must be 18 years of age or older and be able to:
- paddle a canoe 3+ hours each day
- sleep in a tent on the ground (sleeping pad optional- you have to fit it in your pack!)
- work well with others, be respectful of everyone in the group

Water bags, tents, group gear, canoes, paddles, life jackets, and other equipment provided. A packing list will be provided. You will be responsible for bringing your own personal gear and clothing. 

 

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.