June 11: Hello, Little Blue

Learn about little blue as we hike the blue bird trail,

peek into a nest, meet Blue Bird Dave and enjoy a sweet

“tweet” treat. We’ll also craft our own little blue bird.

June 18: Backyard Camper

Snores, lores and s’mores – that’s what makes a great

camp out! We’ll go on a scavenger hunt, gather wood

for a fire, set up camp & fuel up with a s’more!

June 25: Mighty Spidey

Connect with your inner Mighty Spidey sense! Find out

what makes spiders so mighty – 8 legs, 8 eyes, the abil-

ity to spin webs and more. Meet our resident spider

Rosy and roll out your own webby craft. “Wrap up” the

morning with a spiderlicious snack!

July 9: Busy buzzy Bee

Get the buzz on honey bees! Learn all about how hive

jives and perfect your waggle dance as we play pollina-

tor. A sticky treat and an up-close encounter with our

meadow observation hive will top this sweet class.

July 23: Toadstool Town

There is fungus among us. Join us as we explore the

citizens of Toadstool Town! Create your own toadstool

to take home, play mushroom games and sample some

deliciously creative toadstools.

August 6: Gimme Shell-ter

Some animals need special “Shell-ters” to keep them

safe. Join us as we encounter turtles, snails and crayfish

to learn why they are all at home in a shell. A shell-

tacular snack and craft will round out our morning.

August 13: The Bugliest Bugs

In field and forest, we’ll go on a bug hunting adventure!

Test your net skills, play buggy games, devour a buggy

snack. We’ll learn all about what makes even the

‘bugliest’ bugs cool.

GOOD-NATURED KIDS for 3-4 year olds with a caregiver

Tuesdays, 9:30 – 11:00 am

June 11, 18, 25 July 9, 23 August 6, 13

Cost: $15, $12 members

Registration by phone is required. Call 507-328-3950.

Classes meet entirely outdoors.

Rain date is the following Thursday.

© Olive Juice Studios

Register Online at QHNC.org Priority Member Enrollment Feb 27—Mar 11 Open Enrollment March 12 ©

Summer

Nature Camp Quarry Hill Nature Center

Adventures for kids ages 4 & up

Register online at QHNC.org

Priority member begins Feb 27

Open Enrollment March 12

Quarry Hill Summer Nature

Camp is an adventure filled week of

natural science activities that foster

discovery, ignite learning, and inspire

action. Paddle across the pond, scale

the rock wall, dig deep into geology,

and recharge in the outdoors

alongside experienced group leaders

in 329 acres of forest, prairie, and

stream habitats.

REGISTRATION Details

Secure ONLINE registration at QHNC.org

Full payment is required at the time of registration. Mastercard & Visa are accepted online. Other payment methods can be arranged by contacting the Nature Center office.

A registration fee of $2.50 per camper will be added to the total camp fee.

Parents wishing to sign campers up for more than one session should look into the variety of classes within their child’s age group. Campers signing up for repeat sessions of camp will have similar activities, but new discoveries and experiences with each week. Please be aware that we do not provide supervision between sessions.

Friend requests can be made - both children must request each other to ensure placement in the same camp session.

Campers requiring supervision or aide beyond the Quarry Hill camp to staff ratio may need to provide a personal aide at their own expense.

HIGHLIGHTS

Camps are held Mon—Fri from 9—11:30 am or 12:30—3:00 pm

Camps are designed by professional environmental science educators and naturalists with your child's enjoyment and safety in mind.

Each camp is led by a camp staff and a youth leader assistant. Camper to staff ratio is 12:1 or less.

Camp staff is First Aid certified.

Each camper will receive a Summer Nature Camp T-shirt

Camps feature animal encounters and outdoor exploration.

All camps include a light snack.

Kayak Paddle Trip Fee $58, $48 members

Entering Grades 8 & above Discover SE Minnesota’s wild side from inside a kayak. Spend the day looking for bald eagles, turtles, great-blue herons and more as we paddle our kayaks down the river. Lunch (and maybe a little swimming) will be at the sand bar of our choice. Campers should bring a water bottle and lunch. In case of high water, area lakes will be explored instead.

Offered: July 2, 9:00—3:00

DAY TRIPS

Wild Caving Fee $58, $48 members

Entering Grades 7 & above

Are you ready to get muddy? Good! You provide a sense of adventure; we’ll provide the helmet and headlamp as we head underground. Stalactites and cave bacon await us in the wild cave as we walk and even belly crawl our way through it. We will start at Quarry Hill where we will learn about caves and southeast Minnesota geology, and then we’ll travel by Quarry Hill Critter coach to the wild cave.

Offered: July 1, 9:00—1:30

ENTERING GRADES 7 & ABOVE

Adventure Biker

Fee $168, $158 members

Explore the “wilder” side of Rochester by bike. Water and dry land adventures include fishing, canoeing, and fire starting. Bikers must provide a bike with at least 24” wheels and 3 speeds, sack lunch, water bottle, and helmet. To be up to the challenge, bikers should be able to sustain a bike speed to cover 1 mile in less than 6 minutes, and a daily distance of 10+ miles.

Offered: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

June 3-7 June 10-14 June 24-28 July 15-19 July 29-Aug 2 Aug 12-16

AB1 AB3 AB7 AB11 AB15 AB19

Cancellations: A full refund (less a $10 processing fee/per camper) will be given for registered campers if a replacement is available from a waiting list and Quarry Hill is notified at least 10 days prior to the start date of the registered camp session.

Without a replacement, a 75% refund will be given if the Nature Center is notified by May 1.

Campers withdrawing before the start of camp due to a medical emergency will receive a full refund (less a $10 processing fee/per camper) only if we are unable to place in a different session or they are unable to participate due to medical reasons.

Session Changes: Campers requesting a session change must call the Nature Center Office. Requests after May 1 will incur a $10 fee per change/per camper. Session change requests will only be considered if they are made 10 or more days before the start of your registered session.

Falconry and Raptors

Fee $108, $98 members

If you think hawks, owls and eagles are cool, spend the week learning about raptors and the ancient art of falconry! Learn from a licensed falconer and spend time outdoors working to trap and band wild red-tailed hawks and American Kestrels. Hands-on experience with Quarry Hill’s live raptors will help campers gain an appreciation for these powerful but graceful birds.

Offered: AM PM

June 3-7 June 10-14 July 29-Aug 2

Not offered FR3 FR15

FR2 Not offered Not offered

Teen Nature Photography

Fee $108, $98 members

Digging deeper into photography composition techniques, campers will hike to little known reaches of the park for unique photo opportunities. Each day of camp poses a new photographic challenge with opportunity for collaborative editing and review. Digital cameras, computers, and editing software is provided by Quarry Hill. Each camper will receive a 4GB USB drive for photo storage. Offered: AM PM

June 17-21 June 24-28 July 8-12 July 15-19 July 22-26 July 29-Aug 2

TNP5 Not offered Not offered TNP11 TNP13 Not offered

Not offered TNP8 TNP10 Not offered Not offered TNP16

Amazing Race

Fee $98, $88 members

On your mark, get set, GO! Campers will learn and practice navigating with a GPS, rock climbing, kayaking, fire starting and more. On Friday, campers will put their new skills to the test as they work as a team and try to finish Quarry Hill’s very own amazing race course!

Offered: AM PM

June 17-21 July 8-12 July 22-26 Aug 5-9

AR5 AR9 AR13 Not offered

Not offered AR10 Not offered AR18

Crazy Crayfish Fee $98, $88 members

If you like to get wet, don’t mind being pinched, and love to catch critters, this is your camp! Catch, learn how to handle, mark, and study crayfish at some of the local hot spots. Campers should be prepared to walk in water, use a dip net, and handle crayfish.

Offered AM PM

June 17-21 July 22-26

Not offered Not offered

CF6 CF14

Woodworking for Wildlife Fee $118, $108 members

Help local wildlife by building a variety of structures and feeders to take home to your backyard. Assemble pre-cut kits using hand tools. Throughout the week, we’ll go in search of birds, bugs and small mammals most likely to use and benefit from your work. Projects may include a wren/chickadee and bluebird nest boxes, a bumble bee bungalow, a toad abode, a mason bee apartment, and a hanging platform birdfeeder. Offered: AM PM

June 10-14 Not offered WW4

ENTERING GRADES 7 & ABOVE ENTERING GRADES 7 & ABOVE

PRESCHOOL

CAMPERS MUST BE 4 YRS OLD

BY START OF CAMP

Animal Discoveries

Fee $88, $78 members

Buzz! Quack! Croak! Caw! Learn about the unique features of five main animal groups: birds, reptiles, insects, amphibians, and mammals when we visit five different locations in the park. Test your eagle eyes, bug out, come out of your shell, and make new friends during daily camp activities that include a puppet show with Ollie the Opossum, nature songs, art activities, stories, and lots of outdoor experiences. Join us for a week of fun in the wild!

Offered: AM PM

June 17-21 June 24-28 July 8-12 July 15-19 July 22-26 July 29-Aug 2

AD5 AD7 AD9 AD11 AD13 AD15

Not Offered AD8 AD10 AD12 AD14 Not Offered

Scholarships: Friends of Quarry Hill

Nature Center is committed to serving campers from all economic backgrounds. Scholarships are available for summer nature camp. Scholarship terms: Families who qualify for the free/reduced school lunch program are eligible. A non-refundable fee of $20 is required to attend any camp with a regular fee of $100 or less (or ½ of the listed fee for camps over $100). Limit one scholarship per camper/per summer.

Please contact Quarry Hill Nature Center to apply for a scholarship. (507) 328-3950.

CAMPERS WILL BE OUTSIDE AND ARE

LIKELY TO GET WET AND/OR DIRTY.

DRESS FOR ADVENTURE AND

WEATHER. RAINGEAR, SUN AND

INSECT PROTECTION, AND OLD

SHOES ARE AWESOME!

ENTERING GRADES 1 & 2 ENTERING GRADES 3 & 4

Senses and Defenses

Fee $88, $78 members

Could you escape a spider’s web, outfox a fox, and blindly find a cricket in a dark cave? Find out as we put our senses and defenses to nature’s test. This camp is sure be a wild time as we use all our senses to explore the tricks animals use to survive in the wild. Excellent eyesight, creative camouflage, tongues that smell and stinky sprays are some of the animal adaptations we’ll explore. Each day will be a new adventure filled with plenty of time outdoors exploring and playing nature games that bring the senses into sharper focus.

Offered: AM PM

June 3-7 June 10-14 June 17-21 June 24-28 July 8-12 July 15-19

SD1 SD3 SD5 SD7 SD9 SD11

SD2 SD4 SD6 SD8 SD10 SD12

Pollinator Power

Fee $88, $78 members

We are abuzz with the awesome abilities (and responsibilities) of pollinators from honeybees to hummingbirds and butterflies to moths. Enjoy a daily hike to pollinator habitats to learn what makes them experts in their fields! Join fellow nature nuts in games that explore how pollinators do their greatest work, focus on an up close look at the microscopic and colorful world of pollen, make your own wildflower seed bomb, and visit the outdoor observation hive to see honeybees at work. Cap off the week with a pollination celebration, when together we will pledge to explore, conserve, and protect our pollinator habitats.

Offered: AM PM

July 22-26 July 29-Aug 2 Aug 5-9 Aug 12-16

PW13 PW15 PW17 PW19

PW14 PW16 PW18 Not offered

Catching Critters

Fee $88, $78 members

Dung beetles, monarchs, stink bugs, damselflies, wolf spiders—there are so many critters to catch and get to know! This week is filled with a variety of outdoor activities & hands-on discoveries in the world of creepy crawly invertebrates. Plus, campers will canoe, fish, hike and explore the cave.

Offered: AM PM

June 3-7 June 10-14 June 17-21 June 24-28 July 8-12 July 15-19 July 22-26 July 29-Aug 2 Aug 5-9 Aug 12-16

CC1 CC3 CC5 CC7 CC9 CC11 CC13 CC15 CC17 CC19

CC2 CC4 CC6 CC8 CC10 CC12 CC14 CC16 CC18 Not Offered

Archaeology Adventures

Fee $88, $78 members

Enjoy solving mysteries? Become one of our digging detectives uncovering clues to Quarry Hill’s historical past. Who once lived here? How did they use the land? What did they leave behind? Get ready for excavations, explorations, and plenty of downright dirty fun as we examine artifacts throughout the park!

Offered: AM PM

June 10-14 June 24-28 July 29-Aug 2 Aug 5-9 Aug 12-16

AA3 AA7 AA15 AA17 AA19

AA4 AA8 AA16 AA18 Not Offered

Hangin’ with the Birds

Fee $88, $78 members

This camp is for the birds… and for those who want to hang out and study their unique adaptations. Campers will learn how to safely capture, band, and release wild birds. The data gathered from those birds is submitted to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory which directly helps scientists with bird conservation! Campers test their ‘bird brains’ throughout the week with a variety of bird games and activities while also going rock climbing, canoeing, and fishing.

Offered: AM PM

June 3-7 June 10-14 June 17-21 June 24-28 July 8-12 July 15-19 July 22-26 July 29-Aug 2 Aug 5-9 Aug 12-16

HB1 HB3 HB5 HB7 HB9 HB11 HB13 HB15 HB17 HB19

HB2 HB4 HB6 HB8 HB10 HB12 HB14 HB16 HB18 Not Offered

Nature Art

Fee $88, $78 members

Have you ever used pine needles for a paintbrush or sand for paint? Be wildly creative when you let nature be your canvas! During this camp we will explore nature through art. Projects include making and using natural paintbrushes, crafting your very own walking stick, tree bark clay sculptures, sand art, and more. Join in to let your imagination run wild.

Offered: AM PM

June 17-21 July 8-12 July 15-19

NA5 Not offered NA11

Not offered NA10 Not offered

ENTERING GRADES 5 & 6

Nature Biker

Fee $108, $98 members

Exercise, fresh air, adventure! Ride on city bike trails to study animals and plants as we explore local waterways and other natural areas. Campers must provide a bike, helmet, water bottle, and be able to sustain a biking speed of 1 mile in 8 minutes and a daily distance of 5-10 miles.

Offered: AM PM

June 3-7 June 17-21 June 24-28 July 8-12 July 22– 26 Aug 5-9

NB1 NB5 Not offered NB9 NB13 NB17

Not offered NB6 NB8 NB10 NB14 Not offered

Nature Photography

Fee $108, $98 members

With camera in hand, venture to a unique location in the park each day! Campers will see nature through an all new lens when they photograph snakes, turtles, butterflies, flowers, moss, and fungus. Experiment with light during a slow shutter speed ’flashlight painting’ session in the cave. Campers learn the basic elements of photography and photo editing using digital cameras and laptops provided by Quarry Hill. Campers are provided with a 4G USB flash drive to take their photos home.

Offered: AM PM

June 10-14 June 17-21 June 24-28 July 8-12 July 15-19 July 22-26 July 29–Aug 2 Aug 5-9 Aug 12-16

NP3 Not offered NP7 NP9 Not offered Not offered NP15 NP17 NP19

NP4 NP6 Not offered Not offered NP12 NP14 Not offered NP18 Not offered