December 29-31, 2025 

For campers in 1st through 5th grades. 

Bundle up and join us for three days of wintertime exploration! 

Meet the wildlife that live in Iowa's winter landscapes as we explore the trails at Macbride Nature Recreation Area. Campers will learn how to track animals in the snow, investigate the different ways animals hibernate and build wildlife viewing blinds. Other activities will include outdoor cooking, shelter building (maybe with snow!), and winter seed sowing. 

Drop off and pick up for this camp program will be inside at the Athletics Hall of Fame:
2425 Prairie Meadow Dr, 
Iowa City, IA. 
Drop off: 7:45 - 8:25AM 
Pick up: 4:00 - 4:15PM 
*No Late Stay available for this camp. 

We offer a tiered pricing system. Our mission is to make camp accessible to all families. Please select the option that best fits your family.

Join us this Spring Break to witness the world wake up from winter! Springtime is the perfect season to get back on the trail for more outdoor adventures. We will explore the creek looking for critters, hike to the shoreline to see migrating birds, work the fresh earth in the garden, and visit the Iowa Raptor Project to greet the raptors as they awake from the slow winter season. 

March 15 - 22, 2026 
*For campers in 1st through 5th grades.

Peregrine Trips are a capstone experience for Wildlife campers ready to take their outdoor exploration to the next level. Designed for high school–aged adventurers, these week-long expeditions take campers across Iowa to explore some of the state’s most beautiful and diverse natural areas. Each trip teaches campers the skills and knowledge to enjoy Iowa’s outdoors while thinking like a conservationist.

All experience levels are welcome! No Wildlife Camps experience required. Peregrine Trips may include hiking 3-5 miles per day and carrying gear up to 30lbs in a backpack. Campers and staff will be primarily in a “backcountry” setting, away from toilets and running water. Campers are expected to carry all necessary items into campsites not accessible by vehicles. This includes all personal belongings as well as portions of group items to be divided up upon arrival at camp (tent parts, food, etc.). Campers will assist in setting up camp, cooking, and other tasks as part of this program. Peregrine trips are meant to challenge campers with new experiences.

Yellow River State Forest Trip – Spring Weekend
Friday, April 24 (No School Day) – Sunday, April 26
*For campers entering 9th - 10th grades

Drop off and pick up for this camp program will be at Macbride Nature Recreation Area: 
3799 Raptor Ridge Rd. Solon, IA 52333 
Drop off: 9 a.m. 
Pick up: 3 p.m. 

Limited capacity is available!

Start your adventures at Wildlife Camps with Beak Brigade. This is an introductory half-day camp for our youngest naturalists. Campers will experience a little bit of everything that nature can teach us while developing the skills needed to spend the day exploring outdoors. From foxes to frogs, songbirds to spiders, we will discover wildlife big and small along the trails at Macbride Nature Recreation Area. 

Campers can sign up for one week of Beak Brigade. 

This camp is available during the following weeks: 

• Week 7: July 27-31
• Week 8: August 3-7 

*For campers age 4 & 5

Session 1

Frogs, fish, turtles, and toads, oh my! Dive into the underwater world of Lake Macbride at Harrier Camp Session 1. In this session, campers will have up-close encounters with water-based animals by learning how to spot lakeshore tracks, catching critters with nets, and fishing from the dock. Campers may return home muddy, wet, and happy!

Campers can sign up for one week of Harrier Camp Session 1.

This camp is available during the following weeks:

• Week 1: June 15 - 19
• Week 2: June 22 - 26
• Week 3: June 29 - July 2 (4-day camp)

Session 2

Pollinators may be small and easily overlooked, but their role in the world is incredibly important. In Harrier Camp Session 2, campers will learn all about the plants and pollinators of Iowa. Activities in Harrier Camp Session 2 will include catching butterflies, gardening, making seed paper, and tasting edible plants. These campers are guaranteed to be busy bees each day! 

Campers can sign up for one week of Harrier Camp Session 2. 

This camp is available during the following weeks: 

• Week 4: July 6 - 10
• Week 5: July 13 - 17
• Week 6: July 20 - 24 

*Harrier Camp is for campers entering 1st and 2nd grades in fall 2026.

Session 1

Get your hands dirty at Chickadee Camp Session 1! Campers will have hands-on experiences with dirt, mud, sand, and soil to learn all about the earth beneath their feet. Activities will include garden time to study the soil, up-close experiences with decomposers, shoreline expeditions to sift through sand and rocks, mud kitchen creations, and more!

Campers can sign up for one week of Chickadee Camp Session 1.

This camp is available during the following weeks:

• Week 1: June 15 - 19
• Week 2: June 22 - 26
• Week 3: June 29 - July 2 (4-day camp)

Session 2

Dive into the starting stages of life at Chickadee Camp Session 2! From caterpillars to butterflies, seeds to saplings, larvae to dragonflies, these young campers will explore metamorphoses through each stage of the life cycle. Session 2 will include seed sowing in the garden, examining tadpoles in shoreline pools, searching for insects in the prairie, fishing off the dock, and more exciting explorations.

Campers can sign up for one week of Chickadee Camp Session 2.

This camp is available during the following weeks:

• Week 4: July 6 - 10
• Week 5: July 13 - 17
• Week 6: July 20 - 24

*Chickadee Camp is for campers entering 1st and 2nd grades in fall 2026.

Session 1

Is your camper itchin’ to get out of the big city, eager to strike out on their own? Sign up for Eagle Camp Session 1, where they will work with their fellow Eagleville townspeople to create their own settlement away from the hustle and bustle of town. But what is a world without water? Campers will learn about water usage in their new settlement through world-building, team challenges, and real-world water adventures. Activities in Session 1 will include fishing, paddleboarding on Lake Macbride, pond explorations, beaver dam building, and other engaging experiences! 

Campers can sign up for one week of Eagle Camp Session 1. 

This camp is available during the following weeks: 

• Week 1: June 15 - 19
• Week 2: June 22 - 26
• Week 3: June 29 - July 2 (4-day camp) 

Session 2 

Calling all water detectives! At Eagle Camp Session 2, there is a water quality mystery afoot, and we need all hands on deck to solve it. Something in the water is turning the townspeople green! Campers will be immersed in the mystery by interviewing camp characters, hiking the shoreline of the Iowa River, traversing Turkey Creek, catching critters at Spider Pond, kayaking on Lake Macbride, crafting water quality stories, and more! 

Campers can sign up for one week of Eagle Camp Session 2. 

This camp is available during the following weeks: 

• Week 4: July 6 - 10
• Week 5: July 13 - 17
• Week 6: July 20 - 24 

*Eagle Camp is for campers entering 3rd through 5th grades in fall 2026.

Session 1

Hungry for more fun at Wildlife Camps? At Falcon Camp Session 1, campers will forage, prepare, cook, and enjoy edible plants growing in Iowa. At Macbride Nature Recreation Area, campers can find a range of native plants in the prairie and woodlands, as well as seeded plants in the park’s garden. In addition to exploring the woodlands around them, campers will also kayak on Lake Macbride and construct bird nests from sticks. From foraged teas to mushrooms, berries, and more, campers are sure to leave having experienced a variety of tasty flavors from the wild!

Families may notify camp staff of any allergies or dietary restrictions to create accommodations.

Campers can sign up for one week of Falcon Camp Session 1.

This camp is available during the following weeks:

• Week 1: June 15 - 19
• Week 2: June 22 - 26
• Week 3: June 29 - July 2 (4-day camp) 

Session 2 

Deepen your appreciation for Iowa’s natural beauty and make your own nature-inspired artwork at Falcon Camp Session 2! Campers will spend a portion of each day exploring our state’s native ecosystems and the plants and animals that call them home. Activities will include canoeing, archery, birdwatching, and more. These explorations will cultivate inspiration for a week-long art project that each camper will plan, design, and create on their own! 

Campers can sign up for one week of Falcon Camp Session 2. 

This camp is available during the following weeks: 

• Week 4: July 6 - 10
• Week 5: July 13 - 17
• Week 6: July 20 - 24 

*Falcon Camp is for campers entering 3rd through 5th grades in fall 2026.

Session 1

Is your camper a natural-born storyteller? Hawk Camp Session 1 is the place for them! Through activities such as fire building, bird watching, canoeing on Lake Macbride, and more, campers will learn about the stories wildlife and wild spaces can teach us. After hearing tales from the trails, campers will have the opportunity to create their own wildlife narratives.

Campers can sign up for one week of Hawk Camp Session 1.

This camp is available during the following weeks:

• Week 1: June 15 - 19
• Week 2: June 22 - 26
• Week 3: June 29 - July 2 (4-day camp)

Session 2

Explore the intricate web of plants, animals, and decomposers that make their lives in the woodlands at Hawk Camp Session 2! Each day, campers will engage in hands-on activities such as paddleboarding, nest building, forest foraging, and more woodland wonderings. By the end of the week, they will be able to produce their very own representation of the forest food web with a game, skit, story, or artwork!

Campers can sign up for one week of Hawk Camp Session 2.

This camp is available during the following weeks:

• Week 4: July 6 - 10
• Week 5: July 13 - 17
• Week 6: July 20 - 24

*Hawk Camp is for campers entering 3rd through 5th grades in fall 2026.

Session 1

Get ready to navigate, explore, and design your own adventures at Osprey Camp Session 1! Campers will become modern-day treasure hunters as they learn the art of mapmaking and experience the thrill of geocaching. Campers will learn how to read the landscape of Macbride Nature Recreation Area using natural landmarks, compasses, and maps. Other activities will include exploring Turkey Creek, paddleboarding, and team-building challenges. By the end of the week, they will create their own orienteering routes and hunt for real-life geocaches!

Campers can sign up for one week of Osprey Camp Session 1.

This camp is available during the following weeks:

• Week 1: June 15 - 19
• Week 2: June 22 - 26
• Week 3: June 29 - July 2 (4-day camp)

Session 2

Set sail on a week of creating, engineering, and hands-on experimentation with Osprey Camp Session 2! Campers will spend part of each day planning, designing, and prototyping boats to be launched and tested on Lake Macbride by the end of the week. Through constructing these boats, campers will understand the delicate balance of water, wildlife, and the sustainable materials used. Additional activities will include shelter building, knot tying, and paddleboarding. These hands-on activities will utilize creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork, inspiring the next generation of engineers to protect lakes and waterways so they remain vibrant places for everyone to enjoy!

Campers can sign up for one week of Osprey Camp Session 2.

This camp is available during the following weeks:

• Week 4: July 6 - 10
• Week 5: July 13 - 17
• Week 6: July 20 - 24

*Osprey Camp is for campers entering 6th and 7th grades in fall 2026.

Experience the perfect blend of conservation and adventure at Owl Camp. Each week, campers

will dive into local environmental topics through hands-on activities, expert guidance, and

participation in meaningful conservation projects. They’ll collaborate with peers to create their own outreach initiatives and take field trips to nearby labs, parks, and wildlife areas tied to the week’s theme. Alongside conservation work, campers will embark on exciting outdoor adventures, trying new activities that immerse them in Iowa’s diverse natural habitats. Thursday will include an overnight campout at Macbride Nature Recreation Area.

Session 1 - Iowa’s Rivers, Lakes, and Watersheds + Canoeing 
Explore wetland wildlife, habitats, and Iowa’s water quality 

• Week 1: June 15 - 19
• Week 2: June 22 - 26 

Session 2 - Growing Food in Iowa + Archery and Atlatls 
Discover how food, farming, and ecosystems connect 

• Week 4: July 6 - 10
• Week 5: July 13 - 17 

Session 3 - Iowa’s Geology + Rock Climbing 
Uncover Iowa’s ancient past and the forces that shape the landscape 

• Week 6: July 20 - 24
• Week 7: July 27 - 31 

*Owl Camp is for campers entering 7th and 8th grades. 

Thursday Overnight Information: Thursday morning drop off will be at the same location & time as the rest of the week. There will be NO pickup Thursday afternoon. Campers & instructors will camp overnight in tents at Macbride Nature Recreation Area. 

Three meals are provided: Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast, & Friday lunch. Campers & instructors will cook each meal with camping stoves or over a fire outdoors. 

Pick up on Friday afternoon will be at the same location & time as the rest of the week. Campers will need to arrive Thursday morning with lunch & a snack for Thursday, clothes & toiletries for Friday, and a sleeping bag & pillow. A full packing list will be provided for campers and families after registration.

Peregrine Trips are a capstone experience for Wildlife campers ready to take their outdoor exploration to the next level. Designed for high school–aged adventurers, these week-long expeditions take campers across Iowa to explore some of the state’s most beautiful and diverse natural areas. Each trip teaches campers the skills and knowledge to enjoy Iowa’s outdoors while thinking like a conservationist.

All experience levels are welcome! No Wildlife Camps experience required.

Peregrine Trips may include hiking 3-5 miles per day and carrying gear up to 30lbs in a backpack. Campers and staff will be primarily in a “backcountry” setting, away from toilets and running water. Campers are expected to carry all necessary items into campsites not accessible by vehicles. This includes all personal belongings as well as portions of group items to be divided up among the group upon arrival at camp (tent parts, food, etc.). Campers will assist in setting up camp, cooking, and other tasks as part of this program. Peregrine trips are meant to challenge campers with new experiences.

Peregrine Trips 

Yellow River State Forest Trip - Week 2: June 22-26 
*For campers entering 9th - 10th grades 

Nestled between bluffs along the Paint Creek, campers will learn the basics of trout fishing in the cold, clear waters streams of Northeast Iowa. With 13 miles of backcountry trails, Yellow River State Forest is the perfect place for beginner backpackers. 

River Canoe Trip – Week 5: July 13-17 
*For campers entering 11th - 12th grades Spend a week paddling through the beautiful scenery of our state. Campers will enjoy 4 days and 4 nights canoeing and camping on the river, hopping out occasionally to explore the public lands and natural wonders around them. Along the way they will learn essential skills, techniques, and gear needed for successful paddling trips. 

River/Location TBD, depending on river flows. 

Yellow River State Forest Trip - Week 7: July 27-31 
*For campers entering 11th - 12th grades 

Nestled between bluffs along the Paint Creek, campers will learn the basics of trout fishing in the cold, clear waters streams of Northeast Iowa. With 13 miles of backcountry trails, Yellow River State Forest is the perfect place for beginner backpackers. 

Itinerary Subject to Change 
Peregrine Trip Itineraries and locations may change based on weather and environmental conditions. In cases of major changes to our plans, campers and families will be notified as each decision is made.

Leadership in the Wild

Kestrel Corps is a leadership development program that provides high school students going into 11th or 12th grade an opportunity to hone their outdoor leadership skills. Kestrel Corps aims to give our Kestrels opportunities to meaningfully engage and connect with the natural world and help our younger campers find those connections. Kestrels will work under the mentorship of the Kestrel Corps Coordinator and other professional educators to grow their skillset as conservation educators and budding naturalists. All Kestrel Corps participants are required to attend an orientation prior to camp starting.

No qualifications are required; however, this program is best suited for those who are interested in teaching and working with children. Kestrel Corps members are not directly responsible for the supervision of other program participants and will always work under the mentorship of our adult outdoor educators. 

Orientation: Thursday, June 11, 2026,
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

If you have a schedule conflict and are unable to attend the orientation, please contact Phoebe Yetley at coe-IWC@uiowa.edu. 

Sessions Offered – Kestrels can select up to 4 weeks out of the 9 weeks of programming to join us. 

• Week 1: June 15-19
• Week 2: June 22-26
• Week 3: June 29 - July 2 (4-day camp)
• Week 4: July 6-10
• Week 5: July 13-17
• Week 6: July 20-24
• Week 7: July 27-31
• Week 8: August 3-7
• Week 9: August 10-12 (3-day camp)

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

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! 

Camper Expectations
Campers are expected to be respectful to themselves, others, and nature. If a camper does not follow these guidelines, staff will communicate it to families. Staff will also notify families if a camper becomes ill or injured at camp. The Director reserves the right to dismiss any camper whose choices or conduct becomes detrimental to the program, others, or themselves. No refunds will be made for dismissed campers.

Attendance
In case of emergency or to notify us of an absence, please call our UI WILD office at 319-467-3287. Refunds will not be issued for missed days of camp.

Camp Activities
All camp activities are subject to change in the event weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances prevent safe participation in planned activities. Alternative activities will be prepared for these circumstances.

Registration will open on Monday, January 23, 2023 at 6 a.m.

Create an account to register for Iowa Wildlife Camps:

1. Go to our Registration Site.
2. Select New User or Log–In to your existing account.
3. If you are creating a new account, fill out all the required fields to create your account.
4. Once you are in your account you can take the following steps:
   • Select Add Person - this is where you should add the campers you will be registering this summer. You can add multiple people (campers) here.
   • Select Alternate Contacts - this is where you should add the contact information for additional emergency contacts.
   • Select Pick-Up Authorizations - this is where you should add the contact information for trusted adults that are approved to drop-off and pick-up your camper.
5. Explore session by selecting Reservations, then select Explore Sessions.
6. Sessions can be filtered by Session Name, Grade, and Dates. Select Filters to filter sessions.

Because we spend most, if not all, of our time in the outdoors you should come prepared for sun, rain and everything nature may bring. We recommend either wearing or bringing:

• 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

Please label all items!

• Campers should bring their own snack, lunch, and water bottle. Additional water will be provided. We’ve seen a reduction of non-recyclable waste generated at lunchtime. We would love to see this continue. If possible, avoid over-packaged products and bring reusable containers.
• We will follow a carry-in/carry-out policy.

Please label all items!

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

Owl Camp Weekly Schedule:

Monday – Welcome to Owl Camp at Macbride Nature Recreation Area 

Tuesday & Wednesday – Field Trips to local parks, labs, and wilderness areas to explore the conservation topic and adventure rec activity of that week 

Thursday – Create Outreach Projects at location determined by project needs (MNRA, the Lindquist Center) 

*Thursday Overnight – Campers will spend the night camping at Macbride Nature Recreation Area 

Friday – Outreach Project Presentations for Wildlife Camps campers at Macbride Nature Recreation Area 

*Thursday Overnight Campout Information 

Thursday morning drop off will be at the same location & time as the rest of the week. There will be NO pickup Thursday afternoon. Campers & instructors will camp overnight in tents at Macbride Nature Recreation Area. 

Three meals will be provided: Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast, & Friday lunch. Campers & instructors will cook each meal with camping stoves or over the fire outdoors. 

Pick up on Friday afternoon will be at the same location & time as the rest of the week. Campers will need to arrive Thursday morning with lunch & snack for Thursday, clothes & toiletries for Friday, and a sleeping bag & pillow. A full packing list will be provided for campers and families after registration.

Arrival and Departure Times 

• Check in (Sunday) at 4:30pm at Macbride Nature Recreation Area at the Social Center 
• Check out (Friday) at 3:00pm at Macbride Nature Recreation Area at the Social Center 

*Late Stay option available for Friday Check Out until 4:15pm 

Pre-Trip Meeting 
Campers and families are invited to a pre-trip meeting on the Wednesday before the trip. At the pre-trip meeting we will discuss details about the trip itinerary, meals, the packing list and instructions for packing, and get the chance to meet the instructors going on the trip. Campers will receive gear on Sunday at the beginning of their trip, but as available, campers can try on gear at the pre-trip meeting. See the gear list below to know what items will be provided. A packing list will be shared at time of registration. 

Camper Readiness – Physical Requirements 
Peregrine Trips may include hiking 3-5 miles per day, carrying gear up to 20lbs in a backpack, and/or paddling a canoe for up to 3 hours. Campers and staff will be primarily in a “backcountry” setting, away from toilets and running water. Campers are expected to carry all necessary items into campsites not accessible by vehicles. This includes all personal belongings as well as portions of group items to be divided up upon arrival at camp (tent parts, food, etc.). Campers will assist in setting up camp, cooking, and other tasks as part of this program. 

Itinerary Subject to Change 
Peregrine Trip Program itineraries and locations may change based on weather and environmental conditions. In cases of major changes to our plans, campers and families will be notified as each decision is made. 

• Provided Gear 
  Gear and supplies provided by Iowa Wildlife Camps includes: 
• Internal Frame Backpack (40-60l) with pack cover 
• Tent with rainfly 
• Camp stoves & cooking supplies 
• Food for all meals during the trip 
• Fishing gear (provided for Yellow River State Forest trip) 

Gear & supplies NOT provided by Iowa Wildlife Camps: 

• Sleeping Bag 
• Sleeping Pad 

For questions about the Peregrine Trip Programs, reach out to Phoebe Yetley at phoebe-yetley@uiowa.edu.