Summer Camp

Ashland attendees can register for Extended Camp before and after their camp session. During Extended Camp children can play, explore, and create with us! No single day options. No Extended Camp at DEEC, Abbott's, Coverdale, or off-site locations.

Times & Prices
Before Camp: 7:30 – 8:30 am, $30/week
After Camp: 3 – 6 pm, $60/week

Once registrations opens, you can register online by selecting the Extended Camp for the weeks you want on our Activities Calendar.

When You Can Register:

• Members: February 5 at 8 am
• Non-members: February 12 at 8 am

Become a Household Member to get 15% off each camp!

Technical assistance is available at 302.239.2334, Mon – Fri, 9am – 4pm.
Messages received outside of business hours will be responded to during business hours.

You may also register by downloading and sending us the printable registration form. Online registration is recommended - your camp may be full before your application is mailed and processed.

Get 15% off for every summer camp you purchase - become a Household Member or higher

3–4 year olds take part in Grown-Up-&-Me Summer Fun sessions that include sensory-based nature adventures, live animal presentations, visits to the Butterfly House, finding critters, harvesting produce from the farm, taking short nature walks, and much more!

4–5 year olds take part in half-day camp-like Summer Fun sessions that include sensory-based nature adventures, live animal presentations, visits to the Butterfly House, finding critters, harvesting produce from the farm, taking short nature walks, and much more!

5–6 year olds choose from full-day camps that feature dip netting, working with farm animals, water play, nature exploration, live animal presentations, playing in nature, catching insects and frogs, crafts, and short hikes. (Must have completed kindergarten.)

7–8 year olds take part in full-day camps that feature animal tracking, farm animal care, hay rides, water play, fort building, reptile and amphibian searches, short hikes, playing in water and mud, caring for animals, helping in the Butterfly House, and doing fun farm chores.

9–11 year olds are offered full-day camps that kick it up a notch. They can choose from outdoor adventures, learning survival skills, target sports, geocaching, camping, fossil hunting, canoeing, outdoor competitions, wizarding camp, horseback riding, collecting stream animals, fishing, nature photography, trips to nature preserves, and much more!

12–15 year olds love new experiences. That’s what they’ll find at full-day camps that feature outdoor and travel adventures. They’ll kayak, canoe, backpack, conduct wildlife surveys and habitat projects, learn how to grow organic produce, and participate in target sports.

14-17 year olds - Become a Summer Camp Counselor! Our counselors assist with camps and are high school students who love children and have an interest in nature, animals, and the outdoors. Become a Summer Camp Counselor »

To provide the best experience possible, campers must be the correct age indicated, for each camp, to participate. Age is determined as of JUNE 1st. Campers not the correct age will be canceled from the camp.

Financial assistance may be available for those needing assistance.

Learn about our financial assistance. To get started, contact Candy Farr, Database Administrator.

When searching camps on the Activities Calendar, you may see, after clicking on the camp, an alert saying the camp is full. In that alert, there is a link to fill out a form to get on the waitlist for that camp. Submit that form to get on our waitlist.

• Absence: If your child is not able to attend on a particular day, please let us know promptly so the camp is not delayed waiting for your child’s arrival. See the Parents Corner for contact information for your camp site.
• Non-Parent Pick-Up: Add authorized pick up people to your childs file during camp registration. After registration, authorized pick up people can be added through our front desk. IDs will be checked at pick up.
• Inclement Weather at Pick-Up: In case of heavy rain or thunderstorms please stay in your car until the storm abates. We will keep the campers in a safe, dry place during inclement weather and staff will then bring the campers out for pick up. Please note this may result in late pick up. Parents who cannot wait out the thunderstorm at pick up are welcome to pick up their child early before storms begin.
• Road Closures: During the summer, construction and road closures happen. We will do our best to alert you of these as we become aware of them. Updates will be posted on our website, Parents Corner, and the DelNature Facebook page.
• Lunch & Snacks: Campers should bring water, lunch and snacks. If refrigeration is needed, campers will be asked to use an “Igloo” or similar personal lunch box with a cold pack. Water bottles can be refilled at the water fountain.
• All allergies (food or other), emotional, physical and behavioral exceptionalities, restrictions, or medical needs must be listed on your child’s registration form, so that we can ensure they have a safe and quality camp experience. Bring any medications labeled and in a Ziploc bag when you drop off your child. Medications must be accompanied with a Parent Permission Form For Medication.
• Sick Policy: We ask parents to screen their child for illness before coming to camp each morning. If your child is showing any signs of illness, please keep them home. We will send children showing signs of illness home.
• Photo Release: By checking “yes” by photo release during registration, you are giving us the right to use photos/videos of your child to support our mission. We also reserve the right to use participant artwork to support our mission.
• Vaccinations: Dates of 2 MMR and 1 DPT shot are required at time of registration.
• Potty Training: Our staff are focused on providing safe and fun experiences for your children. Our camp facilities are not equipped for diaper changing.

Requests to withdraw from camp, made before June 1^st, will be honored with a full refund if we can fill your child’s spot, at the time of cancellation, with a child on the waiting list.  If we cannot fill the spot at the time of cancellation, a cancellation fee of $100 will be held.  Effective June 1^st, camp fees are non-refundable.

Transfers will be accommodated as available.  Two transfers, to another session, are permitted.  Any additional transfers will be charged at $35 administrative fee.

Get ready for camp! A week before your camp starts, check here for your camp letter.

Drop off begins 10 min. before the camp start time.

Pick up begins 10 min. before the camp end time.

What to Bring

(Make sure everything is marked with your camper’s name)

• Day pack with water bottle, snacks, and lunch – packs will be stored in a classroom during the day
• A change of clothes and shoes (shoes get wet, its best to have a dry pair to change in to)
• Non-aerosol Insect repellant and sunscreen
• Bathing suit and towel (Ashland and DEEC camps only)
• Medication (labeled and in original packaging w/instructions - see more info under "Medication" heading)

What to Wear

Clothes that can get muddy and worn in all kinds of weather.

• Hat
• Closed-toe shoes (old sneakers, or water shoes) – no flip flops or sandals
• Dress for the weather - we go outside if it is raining

For campers requiring medications at camp, parents must complete the medication administration form and turn it into the camp staff with the medication. Medication must be in the original container. For prescription medication, we must follow the dosage instructions on the prescription. For over-the-counter medications, dosage may not exceed the label instructions. The medication administration form can be found on the parent’s corner web page. Please send only enough medications for the week and be sure to pick up the bottle at the end of the camp session.

What to Pack:

• Lunch: Please pack in a waterproof container (like a dry bag)
• Water bottle
• Dry bag: We strongly suggest purchasing a 20 liter dry bag for your child to store and carry their lunch and belongings.
• Rain jacket if rain is in the forecast
• Towel
• Optional Life Jacket: We provide life jackets which we will properly fit to your child but your child can bring their own if they prefer
• Extra sunscreen/insect repellent

What to Wear:

• Bathing suit or clothes that can get wet and dirty
• Closed-toe water shoes or sneakers that can get wet and that stay on
• Kayak gloves or a pair of good fitting garden gloves are optional but they help prevent blisters and make hands more comfortable when paddling
• Hat (important for sun and insect protection)
• Sunglasses

What to Pack & Wear

• Wear closed-toe shoes
• Have hair tied back/braided and not hanging down loosely
• Avoid wearing shirts with flowing sleeves
• Bring 1-2 smaller plastic dishes with tight fitting lids for campers to take samples home for sharing

DelNature general policies »