Summer camps are offered during summer school break.
Each camp focuses on the incredible natural world and includes lessons, crafts or other activities, and a hike. We encourage kids to dress appropriate for the weather (usually hats and sunscreen) and to wear clothes that can get a bit dirty. We will be outside, after all!
Camps are one week long for three or seven hours a day. Descriptions, dates, times and fees will be listed under each weekly camp title. Please refer to the sections below for registration.
Camps are listed below by age range: 5, 6-7, 8-11, and 12-15. We can’t wait to have your child join us!
Come to Camp Prepared!
Please have your camper dress for the weather, wear footwear that covers the toes, sunscreen, and bring a hat when coming to camp. They should also bring water. Please make sure your camper has a healthy, filling breakfast before coming to camp to keep them energized during each camp day. Be sure to pack your camper a healthy snack for every day of camp. If they are enrolled in both a morning and an afternoon Half Day camp, or a Full Day camp, also pack them a hearty lunch daily.
Camp Structure
We are offering 8 weeks of summer camps this year. The first 4 weeks are 3-hour Half Day camps (week of June 13 to July 5) where you can enroll your child in an AM camp, a PM camp, or both for a fun-packed day! The second 4 weeks are 7-hour Full Day camps (week of July 11 to August 1)
Pre– and Post–Camp Care
We are now introducing the option to register your camper for pre– and post–camp care! For Half-Day camps, if you enroll your camper in only an AM camp, you can also enroll them in the 30-minute pre-camp care, the 1-hour post-camp care, or both! If you enroll your camper in only a PM camp, you can enroll them in the 1-hour pre-camp care. If you enroll your camper in both the AM and PM camps, you are required to register them in the 1-hour in between camp care (select the pre-camp care for the PM camp when registering online). If you enroll your camper in a Full-Day camp, you can also enroll them in the 30-minute pre-camp care (no post-camp care offered after 4 pm for either the Half Day or Full Day camps).
Special Summer Camp Activities
Some of our summer camps may include evening programs and/or local off-site trips. Please note that these activities are not guaranteed, but may happen depending on available staff support and planning. The camp leader will contact you at least one week before camp begins to provide details about activities in your camp, including location and appropriate attire for the activity. If you have questions or concerns regarding these special activities, please contact us at (916) 876-4918 or info@SacNatureCenter.net.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
A cancellation fee of 10% will apply to all cancellations made more than 14 days before the start of a camp. No refunds will be given if cancellation is 14 days or less before the camp. A rescheduling fee of $10 will apply for each camp change requested. A 24-hour notice to reschedule is required.
Covid-19 Safety Protocols
At this time, face coverings are strongly recommended and will be provided for campers upon request. EYNC staff will be wearing masks/face coverings while indoors and when social distancing is not possible, and safe distancing will be established among the campers when possible. Parents/guardians will be expected to sign a COVID-19 waiver each day to declare they do not have symptoms or have not been in recent contact with someone with symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.
In the event health mandates prevent us from leading in-person camps, camps will be ported to a virtual program via Zoom. Due to these unforeseen circumstances, there will be no price adjustments, though an alternate program will be available.
June 13-17
Camp 5 – Earth, Water, and Sky
9:00 am-12:00 pm
Five comes alive with this introductory nature camp for children who are five years old. We will learn about animals, plants, water, earth, and sky as we hike through the nature preserve, meet animal ambassadors, hear stories, sing songs, play games, and do arts and crafts projects.
3-Hour Half-Day Camps
June 13-17
| AM CAMP |
Aquatic Adventures (Ages 6-7) June 13-June 17 9:00 am-12:00 pm The underwater world is full of life and mystery. Get a closer look with us as we search for bugs, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals as we explore a world that seems almost alien to ours! Dive into the amazing world of ponds, streams, and rivers to discover the creatures that live below the surface. This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior to camp start date. |
| PM CAMP |
Incredible Invertebrates (Ages 6-7) June 13-June 17 1:00 pm-4:00 pm They creep, they crawl, and play a significant role in our ecosystem! Get up close and personal with a variety of different invertebrates and learn about how these spineless critters keep the food chain running smoothly. This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior to camp start date. |
June 20-24
| AM CAMP |
Awesome Adaptations (Ages 6-7) June 20-24 9:00 am-12:00 pm How do different animals survive in the wild? Some fly, some leap; some have excellent eyesight or a great sense of smell; others live in total darkness as they move through tunnels underground. We’ll explore amazing animal adaptations each day as we learn about the various animals that call our Nature Study Area home. |
| PM CAMP |
Folklore & Fairytales (Ages 6-7) June 20-24 1:00 pm-4:00 pm Join us on a week filled with heroes and tricksters! Learn about how animals have made their way into stories and lessons from cultures all over the globe. Along the way we’ll have the chance to meet some animal characters up close. * This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior camp start date. |
June 27-July 1
| AM CAMP |
Wildlife Neighbors (Ages 6-7) June 27-July 1 9:00 am-12:00 pm What kinds of animals live outside our back door? What do squirrels and birds like to eat? How can you help animals every day? Explore the forests and fields to find out what it takes to be a great neighbor to wildlife. * This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior camp start date. |
| PM CAMP |
Project Earth (Ages 6-7) June 27-July 1 1:00 pm-4:00 pm Join us for an epic adventure as we use our imagination to go back and time to learn how our planet evolved, what it’s made of, and the secrets it holds inside. Explore a variety of ecosystems, some of which can fit in the palm of your hand. Become one of Earth’s many champions as we learn how we can help make our world a better place for everyone, animals and humans alike! * This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior camp start date. |
July 5-8 (no camp on Mon Jul 4)
| AM CAMP |
Unusual Nature (Ages 6-7) July 5-8 9:00 am-12:00 pm Do lizards eat their own skin? Why are cockroaches super important? Whose scat is that? Discover a variety of animals often viewed as icky or gross, learn how to identify an animal based on their scat, and get up-close meetings with critters that creep and crawl. |
| PM CAMP |
Sun-Seeking Critters (Ages 6-7) June 13-June 17 1:00 pm-4:00 pm What is herpetology? How do you tell the difference between a reptile and an amphibian? Slither and hop into the world of these cold-blooded critters to learn how they survive, how they experience their five senses, and more! Meet some of our scaly and slimy friends and participate in games and crafts! |
7-Hour Full-Day Camps
July 11-15
| Full-Day Camp |
Woodland Wizards (Ages 6-11) July 11-July 15 9:00 am-4:00 pm There’s magic in the forest! How does a bird that’s never flown take flight? How do forests of mushrooms spring to life? How does the Monarch find its way to a home it’s never been to, or bobcats hunt without light? Unveil what kinds of spells are cast by animals and plants alike as we wander deep into this mysterious habitat and learn the magic of the woods. This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior to camp start date. |
July 18-22
| Full-Day Camp |
Happenin’ Habitats (Ages 6-7) July 18-July 22 9:00 am-4:00 pm Discover what it’s like to live in a bustling habitat as we explore a variety of fantastic habitats in the Nature Study Area. Adventure through forests, fields, and freshwater habitats to uncover different species of plants and animals that close these places home. This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior to camp start date. |
July 25-29
| Full-Day Camp |
Dwellers of the Dark (Ages 6-7) July 25-29 9:00 am-4:00 pm Did you know there are animals that are awake in the middle of the night? Learn more about these critters who rise when the sun goes down! Examine the mystifying world of nocturnal creatures and how they have adapted to survive in the dark. * This camp may have one evening day. More details to come a week prior camp start date. |
August 1-5
| Full-Day Camp |
Things with Wings (Ages 6&7) August 1-5 9:00 am-4:00 pm How does a bat take wing with no feathers? Does a flying squirrel actually fly? Learn about all the different things that fly, soar, and glide as we examine the science of flight! We’ll conduct some hands-on experiments and explore our Nature Study Area to catch a glimpse of birds, insects, seeds, and even people in the sky. |
3-Hour Half-Day Camps
June 13-17
| AM CAMP |
Space is Stellar! (Ages 8-11) June 13-17 9:00 am-12:00 pm To infinity and beyond! Launch into the wonderful and mysterious world of outer space. Explore the solar system and learn all about the benefits provided by the starry sky above us. It will be out of this world! * This camp may have one evening program. More details to come a week prior camp start date. |
| PM CAMP |
Engineering in Nature (Ages 8-11) June 13-17 1:00 pm-4:00 pm Human engineers draw a lot of inspiration from nature. Come tackle different engineering challenges with hands on games and experiments to find out how humans mimic nature to solve design problems! Each day will focus on a different theme as campers investigate nature engineers of water, earth, and air. * This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior camp start date. |
June 20-24
| AM CAMP |
Outdoor Adventures (Ages 8-11) June 20-24 | June 27-July 1 9:00 am-12:00 pm Our most popular camp fills quickly! Ready for an adventure? Then prepare to be outdoors and let the fun begin! You will spend two weeks enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, crafts, games, a night hike, and river rafting! Don’t miss out on the adventures you can have on the American River this summer! Due to the nature of this camp, campers and instructors will be in close proximity with frequency with or without masks. |
| PM CAMP |
Nature Crafts (Ages 8-11) June 20-24 1:00 pm-4:00 pm Let’s get crafty! Connect with the great outdoors by exploring some nature-themed art activities. Design a tree hotel, build your own animal masks, and make prints using the sun. It’ll be a picture-perfect time! |
June 27-July 1
| AM CAMP |
Outdoor Adventures (Ages 8-11) June 20-24 | June 27-July 1 9:00 am-12:00 pm Our most popular camp fills quickly! Ready for an adventure? Then prepare to be outdoors and let the fun begin! You will spend two weeks enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, crafts, games, a night hike, and river rafting! Don’t miss out on the adventures you can have on the American River this summer! |
| PM CAMP |
Nature Experiments June 27-July 1 1:00 pm-4:00 pm Explore nature through the power and wonder of science! Test the strength of an egg’s catenary arch, dissolve the hard shell of a chicken egg, create a human sundial, and more! Each day is packed with a variety of hands-on projects and experiments that is sure to amaze. |
July 5-8 (no camp on Mon Jul 4)
| AM CAMP |
Nifty Niches (Ages 8-11) July 5-July 8 9:00 am-12:00 pm How many habitats are in the Nature Study Area? From the smallest nooks and crannies to open fields and tall trees, there is so much diverse life to find. Discover new habitats in the Nature Study Area and learn about the incredible animals that occupy these niches! * This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior camp start date. |
| PM CAMP |
Fantastic Fliers (Ages 8-11) July 5-July 8 1:00 pm-4:00 pm Discover all things that can fly! Learn about birds, bats, and insects, and how they have adapted the amazing ability to soar through the air. Explore their anatomy, their bones (or no bones!), and how they survive in their habitat. * This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior camp start date. |
7-Hour Full-Day Camps
July 11-15
| Full-Day Camp |
Woodland Wizards (Ages 6-11) July 11-July 15 9:00 am-4:00 pm There’s magic in the forest! How does a bird that’s never flown take flight? How do forests of mushrooms spring to life? How does the Monarch find its way to a home it’s never been to, or bobcats hunt without light? Unveil what kinds of spells are cast by animals and plants alike as we wander deep into this mysterious habitat and learn the magic of the woods. |
July 18-22
| Full-Day Camp |
The Active Earth (Ages 8-11) July 18-July 22 9:00 am-4:00 pm Study the wonders of Earth Science at this week’s camp! Learn about extreme weather, powerful events such as volcanoes and earthquakes, as well as conduct exciting science experiments! * This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior camp start date. |
July 25-29
| Full-Day Camp |
Feathered Friends (Ages 8-11) July 25-July 29 9:00 am-4:00 pm How do raptors catch their prey? Why do some birds migrate? We’ll examine a different group of birds every day and discover fascinating facts about our feathered friends! Bring binoculars or borrow a pair of ours to get a closer look at the wild birds that live in our oak woodland. |
August 1-5
| Full-Day Camp |
Sensing Nature (Ages 8-11) August 1-5 9:00 am-4:00 pm Naturalists use a variety of t5ools to explore the natural world, but we rely most on the tools we are all born with – our senses! Dive into each of the 5 senses as we discover animals that taste through their feet, have built in radar, sense through infrared, and have eyes that contain 30,000 lenses! This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior to camp start date. |
7-Hour Full-Day Camps
July 11-15
| Full Day Camp |
Junior Zookeepers (12-15) July 11-15 9:00 am-4:00 pm Ever wondered what it takes to care for wild animals? Come discover through hands-on projects with our Animal Care team! As Junior Zookeepers, learn about husbandry, education, and enrichment for the native animal ambassadors at Effie Yeaw. * This camp may have one off-site day. More details to come a week prior camp start date. |