Ney Nature Center

Roll up your sleeves and prepare for the MESSIEST camp that Ney has to offer! Every day will be a new adventure in mud, rocks, and slime, and all things in the dirt. Extra clothes will be a must as we dig deep to learn about burrowing animals, fossils, gardening, and more.

Ever wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes at Ney? What does it take to work at a nature center? If you love animals, want to spend as much time outside as possible, and are looking for the chance to hone your leadership skills, this is the camp for you.

Ahoy ye scurvy dogs! Have you got what it takes to be a pirate? The Frog Pond Pirates are looking for new crew members. Come test your skills as we jump into nature. From identifying where to camp during our time on land to reading a map, you will need to understand nature to survive!

3.. 2.. 1…! We’re all clear to launch! In this New to Ney camp, we’ll be focusing on all things that can take flight. If it flies, floats, glides, or explodes, you can count on us to be right there to investigate.

Get ready to step back in time with us as each day of this hands-on camp will allow campers to experience what life was like in the past. The historic Ney homestead will serve as a backdrop for this unique camp experience.

Attention all adventurers! Ready for a bigger challenge? Join us for Outdoor Adventure II which includes all of the favorites from Outoor Adventure I like hammocking, hiking, and exploration, but gives campers the opportunity to venture further, and try out new skills such as cooking a meal over a campfire and testing your limits in the sky on Kerfoot’s 4-story high ropes course.

Calling all animal lovers! Spend the week discovering the fascinating wildlife that calls Minnesota home. Campers will meet our animal ambassadors, explore diverse habitats, and learn how creatures survive and thrive through games, art, and hands-on activities.

For the oldest Ney campers, this last of the Outdoor Adventure camp series is for those campers who love spending as much time outside as possible and who are looking for an opportunity to not only visit old favorites, but to discover brand new activities offered in no other Ney camp.

Navigate your way around the Ney Center as we learn about the science and art of wayfinding. We’ll create our own maps, and learn how to find our way using compasses, GPS, celestial bodies, and more.

Join us lakeside this summer as we take adventure to the beach! Fully offsite at Cedar Lake Farm in New Prague, campers will enjoy a variety of activities not typically available at Ney. Whether we’re swimming, kayaking the lake, or hanging out on the shore, this camp is the definition of fun in the sun.

Do you have a little one who loves to spend time outside? This half day camp is perfect for the smallest of explorers! Together we’ll enjoy the best of Ney and nature – wildlife, snacks, crafts, games, and more will help to guide the fun!

Ready to get the most out of a week on the lake? This fully offsite camp at Cedar Lake Farm in New Prague includes all of the favorite activities of Lakeside Adventure I such as swimming and kayaking, but with additional fun curated specifically for our oldest campers! We’ll enjoy cookouts, fishing off the dock, canoeing, and exploring the best that Cedar Lake Park Farm has to offer.

Experience Ney’s wild side and explore the park in a whole new way. Every day will bring a whole new excursion! Whether we’re hopping onto the wagon to reach the farthest points of the park, getting up close with pond wildlife, or trekking through oak savannah, our Ney Safari campers will have the opportunity to see for themselves the best parts of Ney.

Gear up for a week of excitement at Outdoor Adventure Camp! Campers will practice new skills like shelter and fire building, and exploring local ecosystems through hands-on activities. Perfect for young adventurers ready to connect with the great outdoors!

Do you have a little one who loves to spend time outside? This half day camp is perfect for the smallest of explorers! Together we’ll enjoy the best of Ney and nature – wildlife, snacks, crafts, games, and more will help to guide the fun!