TWIN CITIES 2026 NATURE & OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SUMMER CAMPS
If you have a kid who is begging to get outdoors in the summer, an outdoor adventure camp may be just the thing for them. They will learn new skills and have plenty of outdoor recreation and nature exploration time. Wilderness Adventures offers these 5 Benefits of an Outdoor Education. Another positive is that it wears them out so they can sleep better at night. We’ve listed our favorite Nature & Outdoor Adventure Camps in the Twin Cities. Please check out our Featured Listings – they make our 2026 Twin Cities Summer Camp Guide possible!
Panther Day Camp at Mounds Park Academy
Date: 06/08/2026 - 08/14/2026
Location: Mounds Park Academy, 2051 Larpenteur Ave E, Maplewood, MN, 55109Summer at MPA is filled with wonder, discovery, and joy. From the moment campers step on campus, they’re surrounded by opportunities to explore, create, and connect in meaningful ways. Each day is designed to spark curiosity, nurture friendships, and celebrate the spirit of learning that defines MPA—all within a safe, supportive, and fun environment. However your family designs your summer, it’s always an unforgettable experience at MPA. Panther Camp is a summer program that offers care throughout the summer.
The program’s goal is to provide campers with a high-quality, joyful, and engaging program in the context of a safe environment. These camp programs offer weekly activity themes that allow students to explore nature, science, art, and so much more. You can register for daily, half–day, and weekly Panther Camp options. Panther Camp is available 7:30 AM-5:30 PM and lunch is available for purchase. A robust selection of Summer Enrichment Programs offers students the opportunity to extend their learning through engaging classes in the arts, sciences, music, academics, athletics and so much more. The majority of the summer Enrichment Classes fall during two weeks in June, with other opportunities spread throughout the summer. Free extended day care is available before and after summer classes. Families are able to weave together a combination of Panther Camp and Enrichment Programs to craft the perfect summer experience. Ages 5-18. $75/day, with discounts for full weeks. Additional programs starting at $110 for a week of activities, sports, art, or STEM learning. Register for camp here.
White Bear Sailing School Summer Camp
Date: 06/08/2026 - 08/20/2026
Location: White Bear Sailing School, 56 Dellwood Ave, Dellwood, MN, 55110Our goal at the White Bear Sailing School is to introduce people of all ages to the lifelong sport of sailing by engaging in activities that foster the legacy, skills, and art of sailing through education, competition, and fun. We offer instruction for children, teens, and adults of all levels, from beginning sailing through advanced racing. US Sailing-certified instructors help create skilled and confident sailors who will respect others, care for their equipment, and be willing to help fellow sailors on and off the water. All of our students, whether their interest is in racing or cruising around for fun, emerge with an enhanced sense of self-reliance, knowledge of seamanship, and a solid foundation in the sport of sailing.
The White Bear Sailing School is an independent, 501c3 non-profit organization. We are located on the beautiful grounds of the White Bear Yacht Club, however, we are a separate entity, and membership there is not required for any of our sailing classes or race teams. Join us on the water! $300-$550/week. Register here.
Camp Fire MinnesotaÂ
Date: 06/14/2026 - 09/04/2026
Location: Camp Fire Minnesota, 3300 Tanadoona Drive, Excelsior, MN, 55331Camp Fire Minnesota is the perfect place for children to spend their summer. We are passionate about getting kids outside and creating a new community that they wouldn’t experience anywhere else.
Here you can be yourself, learn alongside friends and caring adults, and have fun in the outdoors! Each week of camp is filled with a wide range of outdoor and nature-based activities that build character, ignite wonder and curiosity, and fill the woods with laughter. Cost range is $440-$680/week. Register Here.
Pond Dakota Naturalist Camp
Date: 06/16/2026 - 08/13/2026
Location: Pond-Dakota Mission Park, 401 East 104th Street, Bloomington, MN , 55420Wilderness Survival Camp
Where:Â Pond Dakota Mission Park, 401 E. 104th St. (home of the historic Pond House)
Who:Â Youth ages 8 – 12
Fee:Â $90 Bloomington residents / $114 nonresidents
Registration: Sign up online at Webtrac
Forest Gnomes and Fairy Homes Camp
Where:Â Pond Dakota Mission Park, 401 E. 104th St. (home of the historic Pond House)
Who:Â Youth ages 7 – 10
Fee:Â $90 Bloomington residents / $114 nonresidents
Registration: Sign up online at Webtrac
Heart and Soul Girls Nature Camp
Date: 07/27/2026 - 08/21/2026
Location: Crosby Farm Regional Park, 2595 Crosby Farm Rd, Saint Paul, MN , 55116At Heart and Soul, we focus on supporting girls to develop positive images of themselves, their abilities and their connection to the outdoor world. Immersion in the outdoors will empower young girls to find their inner strength, listen to their intuition, express their creativity, and teach them to be land stewards.
$365.00/week. July 27th-31st, August 10th-14th, August 17th-21st. Register here.
Pangea Puppet Camp: The Journey of a Monarch Butterfly
Date: 07/28/2026 - 08/01/2026
Location: Pangea World Theater, 711 West Lake Street, Suite 101, Minneapolis, MN, 55408Did you know that a large number of monarch butterflies arrive in Minnesota in Spring and migrate to Mexico starting in Fall? Join us in this fun and hands-on camp as we learn more about their journey through puppetry! In this camp, students will learn about the life and caring for monarch butterflies through creating and performing with their own puppet. ​ ​
Life Skills students will learn:
- Team building
- Public speaking
- Leadership and confidence
- Working with diverse groups of peers.
Ages 7-12. Pay-As-You-Are-Able OR Full price/$430. Register here
TWIN CITIES SUMMER CAMPS – MINNEAPOLIS & ST PAUL
Northern Star Scouting Base Camp Summer Camp
Date: 06/08/2026 - 09/03/2026
Location: Base Camp, 6202 Bloomington Rd, Saint Paul, MN , 55111Camp Northern Star Discovery Day Camp offers a lineup of summer experiences including time spent at Base Camp engaging in activities such as archery, climbing, bouldering, hiking and orienteering. Discovery Day Camps are 5-day programs open to all youth in kindergarten through 6th grade. Cost is $305 per session. Registration begins January 12, 2026.
TWIN CITIES SUMMER CAMPS - NORTHEAST METRO
Camp Springbrook
Date: 06/02/2026 - 08/20/2026
Location: Springbrook Nature Center, 100 85th Ave NW, Fridley, MN, 55432Camp Springbrook is Springbrook Nature Center’s summer camp offering. Programs are full of adventures and learning in the natural environment. Half-day and full-day camps available for kids ages 4-14. Costs range from $80 half sessions to $275 for a 4-day Adventure Camp. Registration begins February 25, 2026; pre-registration available.
Washington County Parks Summer Camps
Date: 06/08/2026 - 08/13/2026
Location: Washington County Parks, Washington County, MinnesotaWashington County Parks summer camps are held at Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Cottage Grove Ravine Park. They include half-days of outdoor skills: 6 sessions for grades 1-3 and 4 sessions of full-day survivor camp for grades 4-6. $143-$225/week includes vehicle fee. Registration opens February 2, 2026.
Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center Summer Camp
Date: 06/10/2026 - 08/12/2026
Location: Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center, 3554 Kelvin Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN, 55042Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center offers nature-based camps for kids 5 and up on select Wednesdays. Sessions $100/camper.
Camp Ajawah
Date: 06/14/2026 - 08/07/2026
Location: Camp Ajawah, 21600 Zodiac Street NE, Wyoming, MN, 55092Camp Ajawah is a Christian faith-based camp that offers separate boys and girls sessions two-week sleep away camps encouraging creativity and activity. Themes: Arts, Active, Sports, Adventure, Nature and Outdoors. For youth ages 8-15. $750.
Tamarack Nature Center Summer Camp
Date: 06/22/2026 - 08/10/2026
Location: Tamarack Nature Center, 5287 Otter Lake Rd, White Bear Township, MN , 55110All summer camps at Tamarack Nature Center guarantee plenty of nature play, adventure and fun. Sessions offered for kids ages 5-12 are 4-day camps and one-day mini camps. Cost range is $132-$264.
TWIN CITIES SUMMER CAMPS - NORTHWEST METRO
Anoka County Parks Summer Day Camps
Date: 06/15/2026 - 08/27/2026
Location: Anoka County Parks, Twin Cities, MNAnoka County Parks offer day camps for ages 4-14. Get ready for adventure, friendship, and unforgettable memories in the great outdoors! $125-$230. Registration opens February 20.
Brooklyn Park Camp CAC
Date: 06/15/2026 - 08/06/2026
Location: Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center, 5600 85th Avenue N, Brooklyn Park, MN, 55443Brooklyn Park’s Community Activity Center offers summer day camps for kids ages 5-12 that include science, nature exploration, arts & crafts, games, clubs, active play, leadership and more. Choose from 15-16 or 31 camp days offered Mon-Thurs, 8:30am-5pm. Cost is $585-$1309 depending on residency.
Historic Eidem Farm Summer Camp
Date: 06/15/2026 - 08/13/2026
Location: Historic Eidem Farm, 4345 101st Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN, 55443Eidem Farm is a pleasant and educational setting for nature-based summer camp. Preschool & Critter Camps for ages 3-5, Farm Kids camp for ages 6-8. Cost is $72-$128.
Girl Scouts River Valleys Summer Camps
Date: 06/21/2026 - 08/07/2026
Location: Camp Elk River, 10775 237th Ave NW, Zimmerman, MN, 55398TWIN CITIES SUMMER CAMPS - SOUTHEAST METRO
Camp Carver
Date: 06/08/2026 - 08/10/2026
Location: Carver Lake Park, 3175 Century Ave S, Woodbury, MN, 55125Campers enjoy swimming and water fun, kayaking, team games, archery, nature exploration, fishing, and arts and crafts. Full day camps for kids ages 6-12. Cost is $168-$235.
Carpenter St Croix Valley Nature Center Summer Camp
Date: 06/15/2026 - 07/31/2026
Location: Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings, MN, 55033Kids ages 5-17 will get a chance to craft, play, and explore the trails of Carpenter-St Croix Valley Nature Center. Single day camps, week-long day camps and off-site canoe camps for tweens and teens available. You’ll want to act quickly as these some camps fill quickly. Registration begins January 5, 2026. Cost range is $40-$425 depending on camp and member status.
Dakota County Parks Summer Camps
Date: 06/15/2026 - 09/02/2026
Location: Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN, 55123Dakota County Parks summer camps are for youth ages 4-15 and cover nature topics like fishing, archery, mountain biking, wilderness survival and canoeing. $60-$225. Registration begins February 1, 2026.
Dodge Nature Center & Shepard Farm Summer Camps
Date: 06/15/2026 - 08/07/2026
Location: Dodge Nature Center, 365 Marie Ave, West St Paul, MN , 55118Dodge Nature Center & Shepard Farm offer 4-day summer camps (Monday-Thursday) for kids entering grades 1-8. For kids ages 3-5 Dodge’s preschool offers a summer session. Camp sessions offered mid-June through August (except July 4th week). $260. Registration lottery open January 12-19, 2026.
Windy Willow Farm Adventure Camp
Date: 06/23/2026 - 06/25/2026
Location: Windy Willow Farm, 9748 110th St E, Northfield, MN, 55057At Windy Willow Farm Adventure Camp, kids ages 5-7 learn about agriculture — from crops to animals — at a family-owned farm outside of Northfield, Minnesota. One session offered, 9am-2pm. Cost is $150 per first camper registered, $125 per additional sibling.
TWIN CITIES SUMMER CAMPS - SOUTHWEST METRO
Westwood Hills Nature Center Summer Camp
Date: 06/01/2026 - 08/31/2026 SEE TIMES
Location: Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W. Franklin Ave, St Louis Park, MN , 55416Westwood Hills Nature Center offers experiential, outdoor summer camps for kids preK-grade 6 with focuses including archery, forts, pond study, overnight camping, biking, Trail of Small Wonders Camp and more. Cost range is $45-$165 (some specialty camps have material fees).
Wood Lake Nature Center Summer Camps
Date: 06/08/2026 - 08/20/2026 SEE TIMES
Location: Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN, 55423Most nature camps at Wood Lake Nature Center are 3 days, with a couple week-long sessions for older grade school kids. Camps are designed for kids in preschool-grade 6. Sessions $45-$175.
Pond Dakota Naturalist Camp
Date: 06/16/2026 - 08/13/2026 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Pond-Dakota Mission Park, 401 East 104th Street, Bloomington, MN , 55420Wilderness Survival Camp
Where:Â Pond Dakota Mission Park, 401 E. 104th St. (home of the historic Pond House)
Who:Â Youth ages 8 – 12
Fee:Â $90 Bloomington residents / $114 nonresidents
Registration: Sign up online at Webtrac
Forest Gnomes and Fairy Homes Camp
Where:Â Pond Dakota Mission Park, 401 E. 104th St. (home of the historic Pond House)
Who:Â Youth ages 7 – 10
Fee:Â $90 Bloomington residents / $114 nonresidents
Registration: Sign up online at Webtrac
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Summer Camp
Date: 06/22/2026 - 08/20/2026 SEE TIMES
Location: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN , 55318The beautiful Minnesota Landscape Arboretum offers half-day mini camps to 4 day science-based, nature-inspired outdoor summer camps. Age categories: ages 5-7, ages 7-9, ages 9-11, ages 11-15. Camps listed January 12, 2026. Registration begins January 22, 2026. Cost range is $45-$375 depending on membership status.
Camp Kota
Date: 07/06/2026 - 07/31/2026 SEE TIMES
Location: East Bush Lake Park, 9098 E Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN, 55438NATURE ADVENTURE SUMMER CAMPS - MULTIPLE TWIN CITIES METRO-AREA LOCATIONS
YMCA Day & Overnight Camps
Date: 05/29/2026 - 08/16/2026
Location: YMCA Camp Locations, Camps in Minnesota, WisconsinThe YMCA offers co-ed, overnight, and day camp programming for kids aged 6-17. Â $177-$1840.
Three Rivers Parks Summer Camps
Date: 06/15/2026 - 08/27/2026
Location: Three Rivers Parks, Administrative Center, 3000 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MN, 55441Three Rivers Park District offers a full lineup of outdoor adventure programming with summer camp themes that cover sports, farming, science, nature and more at 15 park locations throughout the western half of the Twin Cities. Cost range is $75-$499.
NATURE ADVENTURE SUMMER CAMPS OUTSIDE THE TWIN CITIES METRO AREA
Farmers Union Youth Leadership Camps
Date: 06/22/2026 - 07/31/2026
Location: Union Lake Sarah Campground, 20049 Campground Road SE, Erskine, MN, 56535Sibley State Park, 800 Sibley Park Rd NE, New London, MN 56273
Farmers Union Youth Leadership Camps help young people become good citizens by planting the seeds of responsibility, leadership and cooperation in an environment where those qualities can grow and flourish. Day camps through full-week overnight camps. One week camps for ages 8-18 at two locations. $60-$250.
Tamahay Camp for Girls
Date: 06/22/2026 - 07/18/2026
Location: Tamahay Camp for Girls, 21566 County 84, On Island Lake, Akeley, MN, 56433Sleepaway Outdoor Camp is just for girls for ages 7-16. Camp length: Choose from 2 weeks or 4 weeks. $2200-$3800.
Camp Avanti Sleep-Away Camp
Date: 06/28/2026 - 07/03/2026
Location: Avanti Therapeutic Projects Camp Avanti, 8046 83rd St NW, Maple Lake, MN, 55358Camp Avanti is a unique overnight, summer camp program for individuals with sensory processing challenges. It combines an outdoor camp environment & culture with intensive occupational therapy using sensory integration treatment. $2700.
Wolf Ridge Summer Camps
Date: 06/29/2026 - 08/14/2026
Location: Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, 6282 Cranberry Road, Finland, MN, 55603Outdoor adventure camp focusing on environmental science, cultural history, environmental issues, personal grown & teamwork. Day camps through full-week overnight camps. Ages 6-17. $290-$1915.
Camp Kesem
Date: 08/02/2026 - 08/14/2026
Location: Koronis Ministries Christian Camp & Retreat Center, 15752 County Road 181, Paynesville, MN, 56362A free sleep-away camp with a fun, supportive environment for children affected by a parent or guardian’s cancer. Two one-week sessions – the first is sponsored by Hamline University and the second is sponsored by University of Minnesota. Kids 6-18. FREE.
Is your summer camp missing? We would love to include it in our 2026 Ultimate Twin Cities Summer Camp Guide. Basic inclusion is FREE and upgraded entries are very affordable. Sign up and learn how to be listed here.
This article contains paid and free submitted entries of summer camps. These camps have been collected as a convenience to parents seeking summer camp options and are for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Family Fun Twin Cities.