Beak Brigade – Burgeoning Explorers!

An introductory half-day wildlife camp for our youngest naturalist (ages 4&5), this three-day camp experience will be offered for a half-day morning session (9 am – 12 pm) or afternoon session (1pm - 4 pm) ). Campers will explore campus green spaces alongside experienced Iowa Wildlife Camp staff.

Drop-off and pick-up for this camp will be at the Athletics Hall of Fame, 2425 Prairie Meadow Dr, Iowa City, IA

Activities will include:

• Nature storytelling and songs
• Exploring Iowa’s Summer Songbirds
• Observing trees and leaves
• Outdoor Games

Sessions Offered:
      July 5 – 7 (3-day camp)

Avian Adventurers – Discover the Music

 Sessions Offered:

• July 5 – 7 (3-day camp)
• August 7 – 11

 Explore the songbirds of Iowa as we learn to identify birds, listen for their calls, and begin to interpret their songs. Nature will inspire us as we create music and play games!

 Activities will include:

• Bird Banding at MNRA
• Learning Bird Songs
• Playing Nature Made Musical Instruments
• Visiting the Iowa Raptor Project
•  Nest Building

Harrier 1 – Northern Harriers – A Nest Nestled in the Prairie

Sessions offered:

• June 19 – 23, 2023
• June 26 – 30, 2023
• July 10 – 14, 2023

Northern Harriers nest on the ground and need safe habitat cover to be successful. Harrier Campers will explore the many ways and places animals find homes in the wild.

Activities will include:

• Visiting the Iowa Raptor Project
• Exploring Bird Nests
• Bug and Butterfly Catching
• Finding Patterns with Nature Art
• Prairie Exploration

Harrier 2 – Northern Harriers – A Circus of Fun!

Sessions offered:

• July 17 – 21, 2023
• July 24 – 28, 2023
• July 31 – August 4, 2023

Northern Harriers are in the genus Circus! In this camp we will explore the colorful, exciting, and always entertaining elements of the natural world.

Activities will include:

• Creating Mud Art
• Fishing
• Visiting the Iowa Raptor Project
• Predicting the Weather by Reading Nature’s Signs
• Learning All About Beavers

Eagle 1 – Bald Eagles – Nomadic Exploration

Sessions offered:

• June 19 – 23, 2023
• June 26 – 30, 2023
• July 10 – 14, 2023

Bald Eagles spend the first four years of their lives in nomadic exploration, sometimes flying hundreds of miles a day. We will explore the territory of MNRA learning about what makes this land hospitable for the many Bald Eagles that nest nearby.

Activities will include:

• Canoeing on the Lake
• Canoeing on Spider Pond
• Pontoon Rides on Lake Macbride
• Fishing
• Herpetology at Prairie Pond
• Studying Water under Microscopes and with Chemical Tests

Eagle 2 – Bald Eagles – The Past and Future of Eagle Conservation

Sessions offered:

• July 17 – 21, 2023
• July 24 – 28, 2023
• July 31 – August 4, 2023

Bald Eagles have been threatened with extinction in the past. Today, their numbers are strong thanks to ongoing conservation efforts. In this camp, we will study the story of the majestic Bald Eagle and how to keep the wetlands and waterways they need for hunting healthy and abundant.

Activities will include:

• Paddleboarding
• Fishing
• Canoeing on Spider Pond
• Visiting the Fossil Gorge
• Hiking to the Spillway
• Visiting the Iowa Raptor Project

Falcon 1 – Peregrine Falcons – The Fastest Animal on Earth

Sessions offered:

• June 19 – 23, 2023
• June 26 – 30, 2023
• July 10 – 14, 2023

Peregrine falcons can dive at speeds over 200 miles per hour! In this camp we will explore the amazing adaptations of this fast flier and practice our own skills that help us survive (and thrive) in the wild.

Activities will include:

• Paddleboarding
• Archery
• Outdoor Cooking
• Fishing
• Animal Tracking
• Prairie Exploration

Falcon 2 – Merlins – They may be Small, but they are Fierce

Sessions offered:

• July 17 – 21, 2023
• July 24 – 28, 2023
• July 31 – August 4, 2023

Merlins are some of the world’s smallest raptors but they are still fierce predators adapting to life in towns and cities, stealing nests, and hunting in pairs. In this camp we will learn about how Merlins continue to survive in the wild against great odds.

Activities will include:

• Canoeing on Lake Macbride
• Archery
• Visiting the Iowa Raptor Project
• Prairie Exploration and Bioblitz
• Pontoon Rides
• Songbird Study

Hawk 1 – Red-Tailed Hawk – Eyes on Their Prize

Sessions offered:

• June 19 – 23, 2023
• June 26 – 30, 2023
• July 10 – 14, 2023

Red-Tailed Hawks have eyesight that is 8 times sharper than ours! In this camp we will practice seeing the woodlands more clearly through multi-sensory exploration and play in our woodland environments.

Activities will include:

• Paddleboarding
• Visiting the Iowa Raptor Project
• Disc Golf
• Fire Building
• Creek Exploration
• Woodland Exploration

Hawk 2 – Cooper’s Hawks – Dashing through the Woods

Sessions offered:

• July 17 – 21, 2023
• July 24 – 28, 2023
• July 31 – August 4, 2023

Cooper’s Hawks have long narrow tails that allow them to travel between woodland trees with ease and speed. In this camp we will practice navigating woodlands by learning about animal tracking, orienteering, camouflage, and more!

Activities will include:

• Paddleboarding
• Shelter building
• Bird Banding
• Disc Golf
• Fishing
• Outdoor Skills

Raptor Rangers – Seize the Summer!

Sessions Offered:

• July 5 – 7 (3-day camp)
• August 7 – 11

Spend a week diving into the study of Raptors in Iowa. Observe up close the raptors that live at the Iowa Raptor Project and search for raptors in the wild. Each day campers will investigate a different bird of prey, their habitats, and raptor conservation in Iowa.

Activities will include:

• Scouting for Osprey on Boat Rides at Lake Macbride
• Fishing (like an Eagle!)
• Visiting the Iowa Raptor Project
• Visiting the Natural History Museum

Talon Troupe – Put on a Show!

Sessions Offered:

• July 5 – 7 (3-day camp)
•  August 7 – 11

Calling all campers ready to share their talents or learn a new one. In Talon Troupe, campers will spend their mornings enjoying outdoor activities, and in the afternoons, campers will collaborate with other campers to create the Talon Show. Actors, singer/songwriters, magicians, dancers, and artists of all kinds are welcomed!

Activities will include:

• Canoeing on Spider Pond and Lake Macbride
• Archery
• Visiting the Iowa Raptor Project
• Creating and Performing the Talon Show

Winged Warriors – Roughing It in Iowa

Sessions Offered:

• July 5 – 7 (3-day camp)
• August 7 – 11

Tune in to your surroundings for a week of mastering outdoor skills. Campers will learn the technical skills of outdoor living as they build shelters, identify plants, and prepare their own food. Be ready to study the subtlety of nature and notice how we can use and preserve the natural resources around us.

Activities will include:

• Outdoor Cooking
• Atlatl
• Woodland Bioblitz
• Tool Making
• Fire Building
• Paddleboarding

Vulture Camp – Catching a Warm Breeze
For campers going into 1st through 6th grades.

Session Offered:

• Spring Break – March 13 – 17, 2023

Turkey Vultures can be seen soaring in “kettles” or groups in spiraling patterns catching thermal vents or warm air rising into the sky. In this Spring Break sessions, campers will search for Turkey Vultures returning to Iowa as we explore the dormant and hibernating wildlife of the Macbride Nature Recreation Area waking up and returning.

Activities will include:

• Indoor Science Inquiries
• Wetland Exploration
• Woodland Exploration
• Prairie Exploration

Owl Camp – Barred Owls – A Lifetime of Local Knowledge

Barred Owls tend to stay in one location rather than migrating. We will work to get to know the habitats and wildlife that call Iowa home on a deeper level. Campers will have the opportunity to choose a research question within the theme of each week.

Sessions Offered:

• June 19 – 23 and June 26 – 30 Birds of Prey – What can raptors tell us about evolution, adaptation, and the future of conservation?
• July 10 – 14 and July 17 – 21 Tree Talk – How do trees communicate and what stories do our oldest trees have to tell us?
• July 24 – 28 and July 31 – August 4 Ancient Seas – How do scientists uncover the stories of creatures of the past?

Activities will include:

• Canoeing Day Trip
• Paddleboarding
• Thursday Day Trip to a State Park
• Visiting the Natural History Museum
• Thursday overnight camp out at MNRA (Meals provided: Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast, Friday lunch)

Overnight Packing List:

• Raincoat/poncho

• Sunscreen

• Water bottle

• Clothes for stand-up paddle boarding

• Towel

• Change of clothes for Thursday 

• Change of clothes for Friday 

• Sleeping bag or blanket

• Pillow

• Sleeping pad (optional)

• PJs or sleeping clothes

• Flashlight or headlamp

• Book (optional)

• Medications (as needed) * Please let us know if your camper has any evening medications not listed on their medical information

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Other desired toiletries

Peregrinatio – “A Wandering” through Iowa

Offered: July 5 – 7, 2023

Spend three days in the wilds of the “Driftless Area” of northeast Iowa exploring Yellow River State Forest. Camp in secluded hike-in sites next to cold water streams that hold trout and other creatures. Campers will develop valuable outdoor skills and learn about the area's natural history as well as the flora and fauna that inhabit this unique portion of Iowa. This is a 3-day, 2-night camping experience. Meals will be provided.

Trip Description

Days will include hiking, up to 5 miles total per day. We will be primarily in a “backcountry” setting, away from toilets and running water. Campers will engage in conservation education and recreation activities including trout fishing and stream ecology, hiking Yellow River State Forest and Effigy Mounds, leadership development, and outdoor skills. 

Campers are expected to carry all necessary items into a hike-in campsite (approximately 2 miles). 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.

Packing List:

This list includes everything needed for this trip. If there are items you are unable to provide, please contact Phoebe Yetley at phoebe-yetley@uiowa.edu, and we will assist in finding necessary gear for your camper.

 Gear:

• Internal frame pack (40-60L) with pack cover
• Day pack (can be drawstring backpack)
• Packable sleeping bag (no pillow unless they are “camping” pillows) 
• Headlamp

Packing List:

• Closed toe hiking boots
• Synthetic pants x1
• Synthetic shorts x2
• Synthetic shirt x2
• Socks x3
• Underwear x3
• Pajamas
• Hat with visor
• Midlayer - Pullover or quarter zip
• Rain jacket
• Rain pants
• Water bottle 32oz x1
• Synthetic towel (car shammy is a good option) 
• Toiletries 
• Medications – please only pack prescribed medication and do not bring only what will be taken during the trip. 
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Bug spray 
• Identification cards – Driver's Permit, Student ID, or any other form of identification 
• Spending money for gas station stops – Maximum $20 

Optional:

• Swimsuit 
• Camera (not phone camera)
• Reading book
• Camp shoes
• Sunglasses 
• Fishing poles (Iowa Wildlife Camps will supply those who don’t bring their own)

Prohibited items:

• Phones and Electronics (including smart watches) – Peregrinatio provides an opportunity for campers to experience some of the best wildlife Iowa has to offer. We believe that this experience is better without technology. Iowa Wildlife Camps staff will have phones to contact families as needed and be sure to provide a safe technology-free experience. 
• Pocket knives/blades/multitools
• Saws
• Hatchets

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Locations:

1. Athletics Hall of Fame - 2425 Prairie Meadow Dr, Iowa City, IA

Drop-off:  7:45 - 8:25 am (Wednesday, July 5)

Pick-up:  4:00 - 4:15 pm (Friday, July 7)

2. Macbride Nature Recreation Area - Falcon Shelter 2095 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE Solon, IA

Drop-off:  8:00 - 8:50 am (Wednesday, July 5)

Pick-up:  3:30 - 4:15 pm (Friday, July 7)

3. Yellow River State Forest (Note - different Drop-Off and Pick-Up locations)

Yellow River State Forest Ranger Station - 729 State Forest Rd, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146

Drop-off: 12:00 - 12:30 pm (Wednesday, July 5)

Effigy Mounds Visitor Center – 151 IA-76, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146

Pick-up: 12:30 - 1:00 pm (Friday, July 7)

Kestrel Corps – Leadership in the Wild

Sessions Offered – High School Volunteers can choose up to 3 weeks to join us:

• June 19 – 23, 2023
• June 26 – 30, 2023
• July 5 – 7 (3-day camp)
• July 10 – 14, 2023
• July 17 – 21, 2023
• July 24 – 28, 2023
• July 31 – August 4, 2023
• August 7 – 11, 2023

Orientation – Thursday, June 15, 2023 – 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Camp pick-up and drop-off times and locations apply.
If you would like your youth to participate but they are unable to attend this orientation, please contact Ellen Carman at coe-IWC@uiowa.edu.

Cost: $150 (one-time fee)

The Kestrel Corps is a leadership development program that provides opportunities for high school students to develop their leadership skills. We are grateful to have young people so dedicated to our mission of raising awareness and appreciation for the natural world in our campers. We believe that this effort must continue for generations to come. In this spirit, our goal for the Kestrel Corps program is to provide diverse opportunities for each student to form meaningful connections with others and the natural world. Kestrels will work under the mentorship of the Kestrel Corps Coordinator and professional educators to develop their skills leading young people and sharing their passion for conservation. All Kestrels Corps members are required to attend an orientation. 

When you register for camp, you will be asked which drop-off and pick-up location you will utilize for each session. Please use the same location for drop-off and pick-up each day. If a change must be made contact us at 319-467-3287 or email coe-IWC@uiowa.edu.

Macbride Nature Recreation Area Map

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 am.

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