Summer Day Camps

The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center has a wonderful group of junior and adult volunteers. We have many junior volunteers that assist with our camp program, most of which are former campers themselves. Junior volunteers must be at least 12 to help with camp program. All camp assistants go through a training before camps start. For more information on the volunteer program, contact Betty West, Volunteer Coordinator at 712-258-0838 or bwest@sioux-city.org.

What about volunteers?

We ask that you only register each child for one camp. If openings are still available after May 1, 2008 you may register for multiple camps.

Saturday, March 29, 2008 starting at 9:00 a.m. is the first day to register. Please see the Registration Information tab for details.

Campers that are 7 years and older must bring their own sack lunch with drink (please no red drinks). Please try to provide a healthy lunch in reusable containers instead of pre-packaged meals, like ‘Lunchables’. Campers typically eat between 11:30 a.m. and Noon at the picnic tables or amphitheater outside. If the weather is stormy, kids will eat inside the classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

We provide one snack with a drink (water or lemonade) to each group daily. We also take several breaks at the water fountains throughout the day. Campers may also bring their own water bottle if they like. A special snack is provided once a week.

Are snacks and water provided?

Is lunch provided? When and where do campers eat?

When can I register?

Can I register for more than one camp?

Theresa Kruid is a full-time staff naturalist and the camp director. Theresa started the camp program in 1997 and has more than fifteen years experience working with children in day camps. She loves experiencing and sharing nature with others. Chris Anderson is a full-time staff resource naturalist and will assist with the camps and sharing his knowledge and experience with outdoor skills. Dawn Snyder is the Education Director with the Nature Center and will also assist with camps when needed. She has over eighteen years experience in the field. We hire three summer naturalists that are college students or graduates interested in the environmental education field.  We carefully screen applicants and interview those  who have experience working with kids (previous camp experience, student teaching, volunteering, etc.). We also look for people who have that certain spark that makes them kid magnets. These seasonal staff participate in a intense training.

Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?

Campers should dress for the weather and in clothes that can get dirty as we will be outdoors much of the time and occasionally use paint with craft activities.  Sturdy walking shoes are required, no sandals or open toe shoes. Campers can also bring a water bottle, hat, raincoat or jacket, camera, binoculars, sunscreen, bug repellent. Each child is responsible for their own belongings. Please do not send video games, cell phones, or ipods, etc.

What do I need to wear and bring?

Our camps are divided into age groups just for this reason. We try hard to provide activities that oriented to your child’s age.

Are the activities age appropriate?

Due to allergies and sensitivity of some children’s skin, we ask that you apply these things at home before arriving to camp. Your campers may bring their own to camp for reapplication.

Are sunscreen and bug repellent provided?

If the weather is extremely hot, we take frequent breaks indoors to cool off and get drinks of water. If the weather turns rainy, we’ll still head outdoors in light rain. When we hear thunder or see lightning, staff are instructed to head indoors immediately. See Weather Procedures under the Policies tab for more details.

What about extreme weather?

We hand these out on the first day of camp. We try to all wear them on Fridays (last day of camp) also.

When do we receive our camp T-shirt?