Summer Camps
The deadline to renew or join with a Family, Warbler, Kestrel, or Sandhill Society membership and receive access to 2025 early summer camp registration is Friday, February 28 at 5 pm. Your membership must be current at the time of registration in March (e.g. memberships that expire February 28, 2025 will not be valid for registration). Sandhill Society members will receive earliest registration access, and then Family, Warbler, and Kestrel will gain early access at the same time. Contact Janna Coulter (janna.coulter@usu.edu) to check the status of your membership.

2025 Registration Dates

Sandhill Society members Friday, March 14th at 9 am  
Kestrel, Warbler, and Family-level members  Monday, March 17th at 9 am  
General public Wednesday, March 19th at 9 am   

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 2025. 

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 2025.
  • 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 28th. 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, 2025 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 20th, July 4th, and July 24th & 25th. 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 2025.
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. 

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

Date Time Theme Cost
June 23-27 AM EcoExplorers $185.00
June 30-July 3 (no camp 7/4) AM Nitty Gritty Nature $150.00
July 7-11 AM Nature's Tales $185.00
July 21-23 (no camp 7/24 & 7/25) AM EcoExplorers $115.00
July 28-August 1 AM Nitty Gritty Nature $185.00
August 11-15
AM Nature's Tales $185.00

1st and 2nd

Date Time Theme Cost
June 16-19 (no camp 6/20) AM Outdoor Exploration $150.00
June 16-19 (no camp 6/20) PM Down to a Science $150.00
June 23-27 AM Creature Feature $185.00
June 23-27 PM Patterns of the Planet $185.00
June 30-July 3 (no camp 7/4) AM Outdoor Exploration $150.00
June 30-July 3 (no camp 7/4) PM Down to a Science $150.00
July 7-11 AM Fantastic Fliers $185.00
July 7-11 PM Earth's Elements $185.00
July 21-23 (no camp 7/24 & 7/25) AM Creature Feature $115.00
July 21-23 (no camp 7/24 & 7/25) PM Patterns of the Planet $115.00
July 28-August 1 AM Outdoor Exploration $185.00
July 28-August 1 PM Down to a Science $185.00
August 4-8 AM Fantastic Fliers $185.00
August 4-8 PM Earth's Elements $185.00
August 11-15 AM Creature Feature $185.00
August 11-15 PM Patterns of the Planet $185.00

3rd and 4th

Date Time Theme Cost
June 16-19 (no camp 6/20) AM Wetland Warriors $150.00
June 16-19 (no camp 6/20) PM STEMming from Nature $150.00
June 23-27 AM Uniquely Utah $185.00
June 23-27 PM Up in the Air $185.00
July 7-11 AM Birding Bonanza $185.00
July 7-11 PM Planet Protectors $185.00
July 14-18 AM Wetland Warriors $185.00
July 14-18 PM STEMming from Nature $185.00
July 21-23 (no camp 7/24 & 7/25) AM Uniquely Utah $115.00
July 21-23 (no camp 7/24 & 7/25) PM Up in the Air $115.00
August 4-8 AM Birding Bonanza $185.00
August 4-8 PM Planet Protectors $185.00
August 11-15 AM Uniquely Utah $185.00
August 11-15 PM Up in the Air $185.00

5th and 6th

Date Time Theme Cost
June 30-July 3 (no camp 7/4)  ALL Conservation Crew $320.00
July 14-18 ALL Watershed Explorers $400.00
July 28-August 1 ALL Alpine Adventures $400.00

7th and 8th

Date Time Theme Cost
   August 4-8                             ALL Counselors in Training $375.00

Camp Themes

Kindergarten

🔍 EcoExplorers

Come ready for exploration! In this camp, we’ll spend time both inside and out exploring the wetlands of the Swaner Preserve. Campers will try their hand at catching frogs and bugs, learn about the many mammals that call the Preserve home, and create some fun crafts to take home!

🪱 Nitty Gritty Nature

Prepare to dig into what’s underground! We’ll explore roots, worms, and mud in this hands-on and exciting session! We’ll leave no stone unturned as we examine what happens underneath our feet.   

📚 Nature's Tales

Book it to Swaner if you love listening to facts, folklore, 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!

1st and 2nd

☀️ Outdoor Exploration

You’ve searched high, you’ve searched low, and you’ve finally found it—the best summer camp for aspiring outdoor explorers! Join us for this fun session to explore the Swaner Preserve. Campers will explore the wetlands, take a dip in the stream, and learn all about nature through hands-on experiences.

🧪 Down to a Science

It 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!

🦊 Creature Feature

Are you 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.

🌍 Patterns of the Planet

Summer may be busy, but in this camp we’ll slow down to observe the changes and rhythm of nature. From life cycles to phenology, campers will put their scientific skills to the test to understand the ways that nature ebbs and flows throughout the year. 

🪺 Fantastic Fliers

Take your curiosity to new heights in this camp! From pollinators to planes, wings go above and beyond to serve a variety of purposes. Campers will soar high with their engineering and creative skills as we explore the aerodynamics of air crafts and discover how nature has taken flight with winged wildlife! 

🔥 Earth's Elements

Get ready to unearth the elements of our planet through experiments and engineering in this investigative camp. From ferocious fires to wondrous water, campers will discover the interactions of elements in the natural world. 

3rd and 4th

🐸 Wetland Warriors

Prepare 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! 

🌱 STEMming from Nature

Dive into the wild side of STEM as we explore how nature fuels innovation! Campers will tinker, create, and identify how STEM is an integral part of nature. Get ready for some hands-on fun when science, technology, engineering, and math meets the wonders of the natural world! 

🐝 Uniquely Utah

What in the heck is so special about Utah? We’re glad you asked! Utah is home to geological wonders, intriguing traditions (green jello, anyone?), rich history, and a plethora of natural phenomena. Campers will live life elevated through hands-on experiments, outdoor exploration, and art activities. You will not want to sluff this camp!  

🦋 Up in the Air

Get ready for curiosity to take flight as we investigate things that fly, flap, flutter, and sometimes fall! From airplanes to animals, campers will explore the science and forces that power flight. In this camp, the sky’s the limit and we’re ready to soar! 

🦆 Birding Bonanza

(Bird) calling all budding ornithologists! From hawks to owls, chickadees to robins, get ready to discover some of the finely feathered friends that call the Preserve home. Campers will hone in their binocular skills, make their own bird guide, and test their ears to see if they can identify birds by sound alone. This camp is sure to help your young birder fledge into a future ornithologist. 

🌎 Planet Protectors

Our changing planet needs you! As aspiring environmental stewards, we will discover ways to turn trash into treasure, design solutions to environmental issues, and learn how simple sustainability can be. Pledge to protect our planet today!   

5th and 6th

🥾 Conservation Crew

Grab your muck boots and work gloves – it's time to join the conservation crew! Discover the process behind conservation projects that protect our environment. Campers will identify local conservation projects, design realistic solutions, explore careers in conservation, and help out with a project on the Preserve that will leave them feeling like they’ve made a positive impact on the environment. 

🦫 Watershed Explorers

Go 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).

⛰️ Alpine Adventures

Calling all summits seekers and alpine enthusiasts! 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! 

7th and 8th

🌟 Counselors in Training

This program is designed for 7th and 8th graders who are interested in making the jump from camper to counselor. CITs will learn about the skills necessary to be a leader. You’ll get the opportunity to work with younger campers and show them just how excited you are about camps at Swaner! This camp includes two leadership focused field trips on Wednesday and Friday, as well as group activities each day. 

Early Camp Registration

Sandhill Society and Kestrel, Warbler, & Family members of the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter receive the benefit of early registration for summer camp 2025! Make sure your membership is current through March to qualify for 2025 early summer camp registration. The deadline to renew or join is 5:00 pm on February 28th, 2025. Any member registrations received 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 14th at 9 am
Kestrel, Warbler, and Family members   Monday, 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

Phone
435-649-1767

Events

View Full Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter Calendar
Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter logo