2026 Registration Dates |
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| Sandhill Society members | Friday, March 13th at 9 am |
| Kestrel, Warbler, and Family-level members | Tuesday, March 17th at 9 am |
| General public | Thursday, March 19th at 9 am |
If the camp you are interested in is sold out, use the button below to join the waitlist.
Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter’s educational camp programs will inspire and fascinate your child through exploration and discovery about the natural world. Swaner offers summer camps for rising Kindergarten through 8th grade students. Campers should be enrolled based on what grade they will enter in Fall 2026.
In addition to providing camps for K-8th graders, Swaner also provides leadership opportunities for teens entering 9th through 12th grades. Swaner is looking for enthusiastic, motivated, fun teens to help with summer camps. For more information on how to become a camp counselor, visit the camp counselor webpage.
Make Sure to Read Before Registering
- Each camp is designed for the grade level specified. Youth should be enrolled in a camp for the grade they will enter in Fall 2026.
- Children are not allowed to move up or down in grade level as camps are created to be developmentally appropriate for the specified age group.
- Youth may be enrolled in AM and PM sessions for a full day camp experience. If you sign your child up for both the AM and PM sessions during a week of camp, there will be a supervised lunch hour provided. Please send your child with a sack lunch that does not require heating. There are no full day options for kindergarten camps.
- Campers cannot be enrolled in the same camp theme more than once per summer. The curriculum is repeated each time a camp is taught.
- To receive Sandhill Society or Family membership early registration access, you must purchase your membership by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 27th. Any member registrations received after this time will be ineligible for early registration. You must have a current membership at the time of registration (e.g. memberships that expire February 28th, 2026 will not be valid for registration). Email janna.coulter@usu.edu to check your membership status. Thank you for understanding!
- Summer Holidays: There is no camp on June 19th, July 3rd, and July 24th. Please keep this in mind when you register for camp. Shorter weeks of camp are reflected in camp cost.
- At least one week prior the camp, you will receive an email with a guardian letter, detailed agenda for the camp, camper waiver, packing list, and directions to Swaner to help prepare your child and yourself for a successful week! Please provide an email address you check frequently to ensure you receive this orientation packet. It is also important that you check your junk/clutter folder to make sure the orientation information doesn’t land there.
Camp Calendar with Dates & Prices
Please enroll your child based upon what grade they will enter in Fall 2026
For a full day experience, enroll your child in both the AM and PM sessions of camp. A supervised lunch and play time will be provided.
Review the camp theme descriptions below to ensure you are enrolling your child in a topic they are interested in. All camps include structured indoor and outdoor activities, but the amount of time will vary based on what the theme is.
AM = 9:00 am to 12:00 pm PM = 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm ALL DAY = 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Kindergarten |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Theme | Cost |
| June 22-26 | AM | EcoExplorers | $185.00 |
| June 29-July 2 (no camp 7/3) | AM | Nature's Tales | $150.00 |
| July 6-10 | AM | Wet & Wild | $185.00 |
| July 20-23 (no camp 7/24) | AM | EcoExplorers | $150.00 |
| July 27-31 | AM | Nature's Tales | $185.00 |
| August 10-14 | AM | Wet & Wild | $185.00 |
1st and 2nd |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Theme | Cost |
| June 15-18 (no camp 6/19) | AM | Outdoor Exploration | $150.00 |
| June 15-18 (no camp 6/19) | PM | Down to a Science | $150.00 |
| June 22-26 | AM | Ecology Investigators | $185.00 |
| June 22-26 | PM | Creature Feature | $185.00 |
| June 29-July 2 (no camp 7/3) | AM | Outdoor Exploration | $150.00 |
| June 29-July 2 (no camp 7/3) | PM | Down to a Science | $150.00 |
| July 6-10 | AM | Disgusting Discoveries | $185.00 |
| July 6-10 | PM | Extreme Environments | $185.00 |
| July 20-23 (no camp 7/24) | AM | Ecology Investigators | $150.00 |
| July 20-23 (no camp 7/24) | PM | Creature Feature | $150.00 |
| July 27-31 | AM | Disgusting Discoveries | $185.00 |
| July 27-31 | PM | Extreme Environments | $185.00 |
| August 3-7 | AM | Outdoor Exploration | $185.00 |
| August 3-7 | PM | Down to a Science | $185.00 |
| August 10-14 | AM | Disgusting Discoveries | $185.00 |
| August 10-14 | PM | Extreme Environments | $185.00 |
3rd and 4th |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Theme | Cost |
| June 15-18 (no camp 6/19) | AM | Wetland Warriors | $150.00 |
| June 15-18 (no camp 6/19) | PM | Ready to Rock | $150.00 |
| June 22-26 | AM | Wildly Prepared | $185.00 |
| June 22-26 | PM | Nocturnal Nature | $185.00 |
| July 6-10 | AM | Junior Naturalists | $185.00 |
| July 6-10 | PM | Wasatch Wonders | $185.00 |
| July 13-17 | AM | Wetland Warriors | $185.00 |
| July 13-17 | PM | Ready to Rock | $185.00 |
| July 20-23 (no camp 7/24) | AM | Wildly Prepared | $150.00 |
| July 20-23 (no camp 7/24) | PM | Nocturnal Nature | $150.00 |
| August 3-7 | AM | Wetland Warriors | $185.00 |
| August 3-7 | PM | Ready to Rock | $185.00 |
| August 10-14 | AM | Junior Naturalists | $185.00 |
| August 10-14 | PM | Wasatch Wonders | $185.00 |
5th and 6th |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Theme | Cost |
| June 28-July 2 (no camp 7/3) SOLD OUT | ALL | Alpine Adventures | $320.00 |
| July 13-17 SOLD OUT | ALL | Watershed Explorers | $400.00 |
| July 27-31 SOLD OUT | ALL | Sustainability Squad | $400.00 |
7th and 8th |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Theme | Cost |
| August 3-7 | ALL | Counselors in Training | $400.00 |
Camp Themes
Kindergarten |
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🔍 EcoExplorersCome ready to earn the title of "explorer”! Campers will try their hand at catching frogs and bugs, learn about the many mammals that call the Preserve home, and create some nature-inspired crafts to commemorate their adventures! |
📚 Nature's TalesBook it to Swaner if you love listening to folklore, facts, and everything in between! With the help of daily storybooks, campers will learn how to nurture nature through hands-on activities and art projects. Your camper is sure to come home with stories of their own! |
🐟 Wet & WildAre you ready to make a splash? Campers will get messy in the mud, investigate the weather, and become an o-fish-cial expert on aquatic life as we explore the important role water plays in the natural world. We can't wait to dive in! |
1st and 2nd |
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☀️ Outdoor ExplorationWhat exactly makes the wetlands wonderful? Join this session to find out! Campers will explore on the Preserve wetlands, take a dip in the stream, and learn more about the Swaner Preserve through hands-on experiences. |
🧪 Down to a ScienceIt all boils down to this – this camp is for curious scientists who like to experiment! Campers will engage in scientific and engineering processes as they explore natural phenomena around them. Be sure to pack your lab goggles and come prepared to discover the nature of science! |
🍃 Ecology InvestigatorsNature is full of evidence—if you know how to look! By tracking animal signs, zooming in on tiny details, and using real science tools, campers will uncover what nature’s clues can tell us. Campers will think like scientists as they observe, investigate, and piece together the natural world! |
🦊 Creature FeatureIdentify as an aspiring animal expert? Whale, look no further! From snails to snakes, beavers to bugs, and rabbits to raptors, no critter will be left behind. Through hands-on activities and special guest visitors, campers will meet some of our regional residents and learn more about how they make their homes on the Preserve. |
🪱 Disgusting DiscoveriesWarning: this camp is delightfully gross! Get ready to ooze, squish, and ewww your way through the messier side of nature. Campers will investigate stomach-turning surprises while discovering how these “gross” things actually play important roles in ecosystems. It’s science that might be a little foul but a whole lot of fun! |
🚀 Extreme EnvironmentsWhat does it take to survive our planet's most extreme environments? Join this other-worldly camp to investigate the last unexplored frontiers on Earth and beyond. Campers will train like an astronaut, investigate adaptations of deep-sea dwellers, and more as we marvel at the mysteries of our planet. |
3rd and 4th |
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🐸 Wetland WarriorsPrepare to get your feet wet as we explore rivers, ponds, and the wetland habitat found on the Swaner Preserve. Campers will search for frogs, investigate aquatic invertebrates, and more in this outdoor-focused camp. Things are sure to get a little wet and wild! |
💎 Ready to RockGet ready for a rockin’ good time! This camp digs deep into the fascinating world of geology. Campers will explore rocks and minerals, travel back to the age of dinosaurs, and get down to the bedrock of things. This camp is full of gneiss discoveries! |
⛺ Wildly PreparedThis is “knot” your average survival camp! Campers will explore the Preserve while learning foundational wilderness preparedness skills. Participants will practice navigation, knot tying, basic shelter design, gear awareness, and other hands-on skills, building confidence and problem-solving skills for safe and comfortable future outdoor adventures. |
🦉 Nocturnal NatureLearning is about to become a little brighter as we investigate what nature is up to after hours. Campers will explore the benefits of staying up late, find solutions to light pollution, and more in this night-focused camp. Make sure you don’t hit snooze on registering! |
🐞 Junior NaturalistDiscover what it takes to be a naturalist as we slow down and connect with nature all around us! Using scientific tools and a nature journal to record questions and observations, campers will learn what it takes to be a naturalist and the different ways nature can be studied, collected, protected, and enjoyed. |
🫎 Wasatch WondersThere’s no place like home and that’s especially true here in the Wasatch Mountains! Join this session to discover what makes our local mountain range unique. From fantastic flora and fauna to spectacular ski resorts, get ready to investigate what’s happening in our neck of the woods! |
5th and 6th
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⛰️ Alpine AdventuresCalling all summits seekers and mountain movers! Join us to explore the geology, ecology, and history of Utah’s diverse forest and alpine environments. Campers will explore how Utah’s mountains and canyons formed, identify local flora and fauna, and learn about how mountains have shaped our culture. This camp is sure to be a peak experience of the summer!
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🦫 Watershed ExplorersGo ahead and dive in—the water’s fine! Prepare for an adventure filled week as we explore our local watershed! Campers will head to the Uinta Mountains, then go with the flow until we make it all the way to the Great Salt Lake. Get ready to test and collect water quality data, visit numerous sites in our watershed, and learn about where our water comes from (and where it goes after we flush). |
🌏 Sustainability SquadCalling all environmental activists, stewards, and those curious about how we treat Earth to help keep our planet green and clean! Come explore the land and people of Summit County to learn about land, food, water, air, and energy. From understanding where our trash goes during a landfill tour to learning about local foods, campers will become the change they wish to see in the world! |
7th and 8th |
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🌟 Counselors in TrainingReady to level up from camper to camp counselor? This leadership-focused camp helps 7th and 8th graders build confidence, responsibility, and teamwork skills. CITs will work alongside staff, assist with younger campers, and practice what it takes to be a great role model. This camp includes two leadership focused field trip days, as well as group activities each day. |
Early Camp Registration
Sandhill Society and Kestrel-, Warbler-, & Family-level members of the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter receive the benefit of early registration for summer camp 2026! Make sure your membership is current through March to qualify for 2026 early summer camp registration. The deadline to renew or join is 5:00 pm on February 27th, 2026. Any memberships purchased after this time will not be eligible for early registration access. This allows Swaner staff time to process new memberships and to ensure adequate time to share early registration instructions. Email janna.coulter@usu.edu to check your membership status.
Thank you for understanding!
Eligible members will receive an email with an early access code about one week prior registration opening via email. If you feel that you mistakenly did not receive the early access code, please contact Katherine Veeder at (435)797-8942 or katherine.veeder@usu.edu. Early access codes are intended only for Sandhill Society and Kestrel-, Warbler-, & Family-level members.
Please do not share codes with friends or extended family members. Any registrations made using early access code without a current eligible membership will be cancelled without notice, and you will lose your spot. You may not register children who are not your dependents during early registration.
| Sandhill Society members | Friday, March 13th at 9 am |
|---|---|
| Kestrel, Warbler, and Family-level members | Tuesday, March 17th at 9 am |
Camp Financial Aid
Tuition waivers are available on a first come, first served basis. To apply for a tuition waiver, please fill out an online application. You will receive an update about your application within 1 week of receipt. If you have any questions, please contact Katherine Veeder at (435)797-8942 or katherine.veeder@usu.edu.
Camp Cancellation & Refunds
If you cancel more than 2 weeks before the first day of camp, you will be refunded, less a $30 administrative fee per camp/camper. If you cancel two weeks or less before the first day of camp, you will receive a refund (minus the $30 fee mentioned above) only if your spot can be filled from the waitlist. If your spot cannot be filled, you will not receive a refund. No refunds are given for days missed during camp. Camp registrations are nontransferable.
Please pay very close attention when registering for summer camp. There are multiple camps each week for different aged youth. When registering, please make sure to select the camp with the correct date, age range, and time for your child. Cancellations due to registration errors are subject to the standard cancellation policy.
Opportunities for High School Students
In addition to providing camps for K-8th graders, Swaner also provides leadership opportunities for teens entering 9th through 12th grades. Swaner is looking for enthusiastic, motivated, fun teens to help with summer camps. For more information on how to become a camp counselor, visit the camp counselor webpage.
Contact Information
Name: Katherine Veeder
Position: Director of Education
E-mail: katherine.veeder@usu.edu
Phone: 435-797-8942
Location, Hours & Contact
Physical & Mailing Address
1258 Center Drive
Park City, Utah 84098
EcoCenter Hours
Wednesday – Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm
Email
swanerecocenter@usu.edu
Phone
435-649-1767
