Stay Connected!
Sign up for our newsletter to read about upcoming programs and the latest updates about Wildlife Camps. Click here to sign up!
Iowa Wildlife Camps combine conservation education with outdoor activities to offer hands-on learning experiences for kids in grades 1 through 12. Our week-long, project-based camps are designed to ignite curiosity about the natural world and foster environmental stewardship.
Camp Pricing
Camp Prices 2026
We offer tiered pricing! Tiered pricing allows families to select a fee, from provided options, that most aligns with their families’ budget. We ask that families use the honor system and choose the tier that they are able to afford.
All campers will receive the same high quality camp experience regardless of which tier is chosen. Each family’s cost for camp remains confidential.
Tier 1 - This price covers the direct cost of our program for your camper. It also contributes to costs that enhance your camper’s experience such as maintaining the spaces they will visit, providing funds needed to maintain and grow our program, and making camp more accessible to all families.
Tier 2 - This price most accurately reflects the direct cost of our program for your camper.
Tier 3 - This is our subsidized rate for families that find the full cost a bit out of their budget.
| CAMP PROGRAM | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
| Winter Camps: Snowy Owl Camp | $235 | $200 | $180 |
| Spring Camps: Vulture Camp | $335 | $285 | $235 |
1st & 2nd Grade Summer Day Camps: Harrier, Chickadee, and Avian Adventure | $345 | $295 | $245 |
3rd--7th Grade Summer Day Camps: Eagle, Falcon, Osprey, Talon Troupe, Raptor Rangers, and Winged Warriors | $335 | $295 | $235 |
| Owl Camp | $385 | $335 | $285 |
| Peregrine Trip | $650 | $600 | $550 |
| Kestrel Corps | $100 |
Payment Plans
At registration, you have the option to pay camp registration fees in full or select a payment plan. If you select the payment plan:
- 50% Payment at Registration: Half of the registration fees are due immediately upon signing up.
- Remaining 50% due by April 14, 2025: The second half of the payment is due by this date.
- Flexible Additional Payments: You can make extra payments at any time before April 15 by logging into your account and selecting "Make a Payment."
Automatic Payment on April 14: If the balance remains unpaid by April 15, the system will automatically deduct the remaining balance using the payment method provided during registration.
The last day to register using a payment plan is March 30, 2025.
Financial Assistance
To apply for financial assistance, complete the application found in your camp account. Families may apply for financial assistance for one session per child.
Financial Assistance Application
Additional financial assistance opportunities include:
Refunds
We know that plans can change, and we want to make the process as easy and fair as possible for our camp families. If you need to cancel your camper’s session, refunds are based on how far in advance you let us know. Please note that the $25 registration fee is non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from your refund.
- If you need to cancel within 48 hours of registering, we’ll issue a full refund of your payment, minus a $25 non-refundable registration fee.
- If you cancel eight weeks or more before the first day of camp, you’ll receive a 75% refund of your camp session fee, minus the $25 registration fee. Camp add-on fees (such as a transportation fee) will be fully refunded.
- If you cancel four weeks or more before the camp start date, you’ll receive a 50% refund of your camp session fee, minus the $25 registration fee. Camp add-on fees will also be fully refunded.
- If you cancel within four weeks of your camp session’s start date, we’re unable to provide a refund for the camp session fee or any camp add-on fees.
We appreciate your understanding — many of our camp costs are planned and committed well in advance of the summer season.
If you need to make changes to your add-on options (like your pick-up/drop-off location), you can do so up until the Wednesday before your camp session begins and receive a full refund for those changes. After Wednesday, we are unable to provide a refund.
Please note that refunds for add-on changes are processed manually, so you’ll need to reach out to us directly to request your refund.
To cancel a registration or adjust your camper’s add-ons, please contact our camp office by email (iwc-coe@uiowa.edu). Be sure to include your camper’s name, session dates, and the details of your request.
Camp Information and Policies
Drop-off and Pick-up
During camp registration, you will be asked to select a drop-off and pick-up location for each session. Please plan to use the same location for both drop-off and pick-up each day. If you need to make any changes, contact us at 319-467-3287 or via email at coe-IWC@uiowa.edu.
Macbride Nature Recreation Area Map
| Location | Times |
|---|---|
| Macbride Nature Recreation Area Falcon Shelter 2095 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE Solon, IA | Drop-off – 8:00 – 8:50 am Pick-Up – 3:30 – 4:15 pm |
| Iowa City Location Athletic Hall of Fame 2425 Prairie Meadow Dr, Iowa City, IA | Drop-off – 7:45 – 8:25 am Pick-Up – 4:00 – 4:15 pm Late-stay – 4:15 – 5:15 pm *Available for $50 per session |
Photo ID Requirement: A photo ID must be shown every day when picking up a camper. Camp staff will match the photo ID with the list of authorized pick-up people in your registration account. Please ensure your photo ID is shown to staff before taking your camper home each day.
Updating Authorized Pick-Up List: You can view or update the list of authorized pick-up people in your camp registration account. To add a new person, update the list directly in your registration account. If you need to add someone less than a week before camp starts, please email us at coe-iwc@uiowa.edu
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and secure check-out process!
Preparing for Camp
What to Wear
Because we spend most, if not all, of our time in the outdoors campers should come prepared for sun, rain and everything nature may bring! We recommend either wearing or packing:
- sunscreen
- T-shirts verses tank tops to prevent sunburned shoulders
- raincoat or poncho
- Proper shoes are important. This could be a pair of tennis shoes, hiking boots or sandals that stay on feet snugly and are designed for hiking and exploring outside.
What to Bring
- A backpack that campers can comfortably hike with and that fits the following:
- A snack, lunch, and reusable water bottle. Additional water will be provided.
- Sunscreen and bug spray (optional)
- If water-related activities are listed in the camp description, a towel and/or extra change of clothes
Please label all items!
Technology at Iowa Wildlife Camps
At Iowa Wildlife Camps, we strongly encourage campers to leave any technology that is not a designated learning aid at home. This includes cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, gaming devices, and other electronic gadgets. Our goal is to foster a deeper connection with nature, fellow campers, and the outdoor environment, free from the distractions of technology.
By leaving these items at home, campers can fully engage in camp activities, develop outdoor skills, and enjoy the unique experiences that the natural world offers. Additionally, this helps prevent loss or damage to personal devices, which the camp cannot be responsible for. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us create an enriching, unplugged environment for all campers.
Carry-In/Carry-Out at Camp
To help protect the natural beauty of the public park and maintain a clean, enjoyable environment for everyone, our camp follows a strict carry-in/carry-out policy. All campers and staff are required to take any items they bring into the park—such as food, drinks, and personal belongings—back out with them at the end of each day. This includes any trash or waste generated during camp activities.
Please use reusable containers whenever possible and dispose of any waste properly when you return home. There are no trash bins in the park, so we rely on everyone to do their part in keeping the area clean. Thank you for helping us preserve the park for future campers and visitors!
Inclement Weather
Iowa Wildlife Camps Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather, Iowa Wildlife Camps will move activities to indoor spaces on campus to ensure the safety of all participants. Transportation to these alternative locations will be provided by the camp, and once we have safely arrived at the indoor location, you will receive a notification confirming the move. Please note that drop-off and pick-up locations will remain the same, even if camp activities are relocated indoors.
All scheduled activities are subject to change if weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances prevent safe participation in outdoor events. Alternative indoor activities will be prepared in advance to accommodate these situations. The safety of our campers is our top priority, and we will adjust plans as needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable camp experience.
Dependent Care Receipts
You may print or digitally save a copy of your dependent care receipt by following these steps:
- Login to your account.
- Select the menu bar in the upper left side of your screen.
- Select My Account.
- Select Finances.
- Select Print a Statement.
- Select the year and print or save the document.
Our Federal Identification Number is 42-600-4813
News
Into the Wild
UI WILD Director Karen Allen reflects on her first six months on the job and shares her vision for the future of these popular outdoor programs that provide enriching teaching and learning experiences in nature.
School of the Wild, Wildlife Camps, and Iowa Raptor Project will continue
All College of Education UI WILD (Wildlife Instruction and Leadership Development) Programs – School of the Wild, Iowa Wildlife Camps, and the Iowa Raptor Project – will continue, even though the University of Iowa will not renew its lease for the Macbride Nature Recreation Area (MNRA) when it expires on July 1, 2029. All camps and programs will continue at their current locations through August 2026 and in new locations after that time. Click here to read more
Education through adventure
UI WILD provides children with accessible opportunities to create meaningful connections with nature and College of Education students with unique outdoor education experiences.
Contact Us
For questions about Wildlife Camps, reach out to us at COE-IWC@uiowa.edu or 319-467-3287.