It’s nearly camp time at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, when kids explore Cheyenne Bottoms’ plants and animals and their habitat. Camps for kids in first through sixth grades include nature-related crafts, games and investigative activities. Junior high campers will participate in hands-on activities, including boating safety, canoeing and engineering a solar panel.

“If weather allows, we always allow time for campers to explore the water habitat and the creatures that live there,” said Pam Martin, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism education specialist. “Camps emphasize hands-on learning.”

Past campers have set up trail cameras, constructed and baited crayfish traps, learned about dove banding, held fish races, constructed sample beaver dams and more, Martin said. 

There is a limited number of spaces and children must be pre-registered by June 19 for discovery camps and by July 6 for the junior high camp, allowing enough time to purchase supplies. Listed below is information about each camp. There is a $20 fee for each camp. CDC guidelines for summer camps will be followed and camps are subject to change, depending on COVID-19 conditions.

Discovery Camp I: July 7 and 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (children must have completed first, second or third grade)

Discovery Camp II: July 14 and 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (children must have completed fourth, fifth or sixth grade)

Junior High Nature Camp: July 21 – 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (children must have completed seventh, eighth or ninth grade) 

Call the toll-free telephone number 877-243-9268 to register.