Conestee Nature Preserve Announces 2026 Conservation Summer Camp Dates

Conestee Nature Preserve has opened registration for its popular Conservation Summer Camp, inviting rising third through fifth graders to trade screen time for sunshine this season. The immersive week-long day camps are scheduled to return in June and July 2026, offering students a hands-on introduction to environmental science and wildlife protection.

The program will host two separate sessions this year, with Week One beginning Monday, June 22, and Week Two starting Monday, July 6. Each camp day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., providing a full day of exploration across the preserve’s 400 acres of wetlands, forests, and Reedy River shoreline.

The 2026 curriculum features a rotating schedule of daily themes designed to engage young naturalists in different aspects of the ecosystem. Participants will engage in wildlife tracking, birding excursions, and forestry health lessons, including demonstrations on controlled burns. The week also includes visits from local conservation professionals in fields such as wildlife rehabilitation and forestry research.

In addition to scientific study, the camp incorporates traditional summer activities to foster community among the campers. Highlights of the week include nature hikes, water-themed field days, laser tag, and games of gaga ball. At the conclusion of each session, campers will be officially inducted as members of the Conestee Conservation Club.

Registration for the program is currently open via the Conestee Nature Preserve website. The cost for the week-long session is $275 per child, with a discounted rate of $250 available for those who are active members of the Friends of the Preserve. Due to the limited group sizes of 15 to 20 students per age bracket, early registration is encouraged as sessions historically sell out quickly.

Parents are advised that the program is entirely outdoors, and students should come prepared with water bottles, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes for navigating the preserve’s trail system.