CincyNature Camp

CincyNature Camp

Back to Things to Do
Montage of images: hands stacked, girl in sleeping bag, smores over an open fire, and girl holding stick with marshmallow over fire.

CincyNature Summer Camp: Overnight Camp

Overnight Camp registration is now open!

Spots are filled on a first come, first served basis. Registrations take place online in our UltraCamp system.

Overnight Camp 

What happens in the forest after the sun goes down? Your adventure awaits as we rise to explore the wonders of Long Branch with our newfound friends. Make this the summer that you’ll never forget by joining us for an exclusive one-of-a-kind experience. Our adventures will include exploring the creek, making fires, tracking animals, hiking through the woods (both day and night!), stargazing in the fields to learn about the evening sky, and playing endless camp games! Oh, the tales you will tell of your wild treks as you gather ‘round the fire and toast with S’mores. We’ll teach you the basics of outdoor camping; no experience or additional supplies are necessary.

CincyNature summer camp offers two overnight camps: Wilderness Week with a Thursday overnight for children ages 7-13 and S'mores and More for teens ages 12-15. Both overnight camps will be held at our Long Branch Farm & Trails location in Goshen and will include a mix of day camp and overnight camp.

Click here to learn more about CincyNature Summer Camp.

Click here to learn more about CincyNature Spring Break Camp.

Wilderness Week with Thursday Overnight

Campers (ages 7-13, split into age-appropriate groups) become one with nature and learn the skills it takes to survive in the wilderness. We’ll explore the creeks for tracks and signs of animals, understand the importance of water, and discover natural materials that burn. Work with your new friends to build fires with and without a match, construct natural shelters for protection, and use tools to find your way across the land. Thursday, we’ll pitch our tents and prepare dinner over the fire before spending the night under the starry sky. After waking up and eating breakfast, put your new skills to the test during a survival team challenge! When learning about the outdoors and fire, safety and responsibility will be our priority. Campers will pack their lunch Monday-Thursday. Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast, and Friday lunch provided. The topics covered during the day will be the same as Wilderness Week without overnight camp.
 
*Note: this camp has a three days of day camp Monday-Wednesday from 9 am–3:30 pm followed by an overnight camp from Thursday at 9 am to Friday at 3:30 pm.

S'Mores & More: An Overnight Camp Adventure

Campers (ages 12-15) will bring their own lunch and drink on Tuesday. We’ll start with a day of team building as we prepare for our campout. Help plan your meals, clear your campsite, and get to know your groupmates before returning for two-and-a-half days and two nights of fun. We’ll pitch our tents and cook our meals over an open fire and a camp stove. We’ll provide campers with lunch and dinner on Wednesday, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Thursday, and a light breakfast on Friday. Campers will have access to restrooms for this camp, as well as a permanent shelter in the event of severe weather. Campers will sleep in tents with no air conditioning.

*Note: this camp has a one-day day camp on Tuesday from 9 am–3:30 pm followed by an overnight camp from Wednesday at 9 am to Friday at 3:30 pm.

About:

What happens in the forest after the sun goes down? Your adventure awaits as we rise to explore the wonders of Long Branch with our newfound friends. Make this the summer that you’ll never forget by joining us for an exclusive one-of-a-kind experience. Our adventures will include exploring the creek, making fires, tracking animals, hiking through the woods (both day and night!), stargazing in the fields to learn about the evening sky, and playing endless camp games! Oh, the tales you will tell of your wild treks as you gather ‘round the fire and toast with S’mores. We’ll teach you the basics of outdoor camping; no experience or additional supplies are necessary.

CincyNature Camp Director

Kelly Steyer is the Youth Program Coordinator at Cincinnati Nature Center. Coming from a camp-loving background, Kelly is thrilled to be a part of CincyNature Camp! While studying Environmental and Plant Biology at Ohio University, she spent her summers at an overnight resident camp, Camp Wyandot, as a counselor and as a part of the Leadership Team.

FAQ:

How many counselors will be with my camper’s group?

Our overnight camp will have two highly-qualified counselors with a group of up to 16 campers. Additional Nature Center staff will be onsite throughout the duration of this one-of-a-kind experience.

Will there be showers?

No. We won’t have access to showers. However, there is running water outside the bathrooms where campers can wash off and freshen up.

Can my camper bring their own tent?

Yes. Campers can bring their own tent. We’ll provide shared tents for campers who do not bring their own. Up to four campers will sleep in the four-person tents provided. Cincinnati Nature Center is not responsible for any damage to personal belongings while your child is at camp. 

Will campers have privacy to change clothes?

Yes. Campers will take turns changing in their designated tents or change in private stalls in the restrooms.

My child has an allergy/dietary restriction. What will they be eating?

On Tuesday, the campers and counselors will bring their own lunches and plan their meals for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. We take allergies and dietary restrictions very seriously, so we’ll avoid those foods for the group. We can provide vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other options for those who request it during planning.

We ask that parents and caregivers add dietary restrictions to their camper’s health form. In the case where we are not able to accommodate a dietary restriction, we’ll reach out and ask that campers bring their own food. We have limited storage for refrigerated/ frozen food.

Will there be snacks throughout the day?

We’ll periodically provide snacks, such as granola bars and pretzels, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Can my child bring their own food?

Campers should bring their own lunch on Tuesday. After campers return for the overnight portion of the week, we request that they do not bring their own food due to food allergy precautions, limited food storage, and pest prevention.

If your child has a dietary restriction that we are not able to accommodate, we’ll work with the parent/caregiver to store their personal food.

Can my child bring a phone?

No. Campers are not permitted to use cell phones at any of the CincyNature camps. In an increasingly virtual world, being tech-free during camp is essential for the development of campers. Keeping cell phones and smartwatches at home allows campers to develop their social skills with face-to-face communication and the practice of empathy. Without a cell phone, campers can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, stimulating an appreciation for it.

If a camper is seen using a phone, the Site Coordinator will put it in a safe space until pick-up time. If your child needs a phone for a health or safety reason, please indicate it on their health form and contact the Camp Director before the start of camp.

Can my child call me from camp? Can I call my child at camp?

Yes, the camp phone at Long Branch is available 24/7 during our overnight camp. However, there are many benefits to a contact-free stay at camp. When being separated from their caregivers, campers build independence and decision-making. Confidence and self-esteem are also boosted as they learn to work with peers and make new friends.

We understand the importance of knowing your child is safe and having fun, but request that contact with your child is made in emergencies only. If you are curious about how your child is doing, the Camp Director is happy to give you updates. You can reach the Camp Director at (513) 616-2496