Discovery Camps are week-long opportunities for students entering grades 1-9 to get hands-on outdoor experiences while discovering the beauty and diversity of the natural world. Winneshiek County Conservation is excited to continue Discovery Camps into summer 2025. Each week, campers participate in courses designed to engage them in discovery-oriented learning while connecting to nature, gaining new skills, meeting new friends, and making lasting memories!
Registration Opens April 1st
Each camp day is 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m and is spent almost entirely outside. Campers can be dropped off between 8:30-9:00 a.m. and picked up between 3:30-4:00 p.m. At 9:00 a.m., camp starts with a group circle and preparations for the day. Then, campers break out into small groups for morning activities. Camps for 4th grade and older may transport students in 15-passenger vans to field trips around Winneshiek County. If your child should be in a car seat, please provide one on the first day of camp. From 12:00-1:00, campers gather back together for an hour lunch and then break out again into afternoon activities. Every summer, camp staff prepare different activities so that returning campers get a variety of outdoor experiences. Some of the campers' favorite traditions are kept from year-to-year.
Discovery Camps rules can be summed up into 1) Respect Nature, 2) Respect Others, and 3) Respect Yourself. Campers are expected to follow these rules throughout the camp week. Please help your camper prepare by talking with them about how they will act at camp in respectful ways toward nature, all other people, and themselves!
To get the most out of the experience and to respect the time of our staff, we recommend your child commits to attending the full week of camp. This experience, while fun and exciting, can also be tiring or overwhelming for some students. Please be aware of your child’s needs and abilities when determining if Discovery Camp is right for you. Students should dress in layers, bring a reusable water bottle, pack a lunch each day, and wear closed toed shoes appropriate for all-day, outdoor recreation.
More details about each camp will be communicated to parents and caretakers following the registration deadline. Email education@winneshiekwild.com with any questions.
- Four-Day Camp Weeks: In 2025, Discovery Camps will be four days, Monday-Thursday. Note that camps will not be held on Fridays to give camp staff a day to prepare for the following camp week. To reflect this change, the camp registration fee will be $120 this year, rather than $130. Scholarships are still available as needed.
- Grade Level Adjustments: You may notice that the grade levels for each camp have shifted slightly. Rather than just having 1st-2nd grades together the first week and then all 3rd-6th grades together the second week of camp, we have decided to make the camps more evenly sized with 1st-3rd grades and 4th-6th grades together.
- Junior Naturalist Awards: We are thrilled that once again campers who participate throughout the entire week of camp will receive their Junior Naturalist Award (a super cool wooden sticker!) through the Iowa Association of Naturalists!
- T-Shirt Sales: Get matching t-shirts for your whole family! Discovery Camp t-shirts feature a unique native species each year. One t-shirt is included for your student in the camp fee. Additional t-shirts will be available for purchase for $15 each. Order your shirts when you register and be sure to include any additional payment for shirts with the camp fee.
- Registration Information: When you begin the registration process you will need your insurance card, medical information for your child, and financial information if you plan to apply for a partial scholarship. Payment can be made by cash or check mailed to Winneshiek County Conservation at 2546 Lake Meyer Road, Fort Atkinson, IA 52144. There is not an option for online payment; we apologize for any inconvenience. Your student’s space is not reserved until payment is received and we have reached out to confirm via email or phone. Please allow 3-5 business days to process your payment and registration form.
- Google Forms Issues: You may be required to sign-in to Google to fill out the registration form. If you do not have a Google account, please email education@winneshiekwild.com what camp you want to register for and we can send you a PDF file of the registration form to fill out.
- Need-Based Scholarships: The camp fee helps cover camp expenses; however, it is our belief that any child wishing to come to Discovery Camps should be able to do so. Transportation issues and/or financial need should not limit your child’s opportunity. If your family is interested in carpooling with others, our office will assist you in finding families in your area who are also attending camp. Partial scholarships are available based on financial need; please complete the optional scholarship request as part of your student's registration form.
2025 Discovery Camp Offerings

Wild Wonderers
For campers entering 1st-3rd grades
- Camp Dates: June 9-12
- Camp Location: Whalen Cabin, Decorah
- Camp Fee: $120
Little ones are filled with such excitement about the natural world, and they carry with them a spirit of discovery! Campers will spend time learning and exploring the natural world through adventure hikes, nature games, crafts, and hands-on exploration activities to foster their wilderness awareness.

Adventurers
For campers entering 4th-6th grade
- Camp Dates: June 16-19
- Camp Location: Lake Meyer Campground
- Camp Fee: $120
Dig in the dirt, investigate interesting places, spy on bugs, explore the water, and rediscover roots. Campers will spend time learning and exploring the beauty and diversity of our environment as they hike, play adventure games, and explore the natural areas of Winneshiek County!

Explorers
For campers entering 7th-9th grades
- Camp Dates: June 23-26
- Camp Location: Lake Meyer Campground
- Camp Fee: $120
Explore the outdoor recreation opportunities of Lake Meyer Park & Campground! Campers will try their hands at kayaking, fishing, archery, shelter building, fire making, and more as they learn about our environment and meet the local heroes working to conserve our natural resources.