Young Naturalists Summer Day Camps
at Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve
A program of the Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society.
Young Naturalist Camp is a long-running, nature-based summer day camp that connects youth to the natural world through hands-on science, movement, and outdoor immersion experiences.
Held at the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve, we build ecological understanding, confidence, and curiosity while getting young people outside, off screens, and actively engaged with their environment.
For decades, Young Naturalist Camp has been a cornerstone summer experience for families in our region. Campers spend their days hiking trails, exploring water, discovering wildlife, building outdoor skills, and learning how ecosystems work, all through hands-on, age-appropriate activities.
A New Chapter for Young Naturalists
We are excited to introduce a refreshed vision for Young Naturalist Camps at the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve. This next chapter builds on the hands-on, exploratory spirit families love while strengthening the program for long-term sustainability and growth.
This year, we are proud to partner with Apple Blossom Village and the Headwaters Science Center to expand nature and science learning opportunities. By blending professional educators with the classic Spearhead camp experience, we’re creating meaningful, high-quality outdoor learning experiences for campers of all ages.
Camps are planned for June, July, and August, with four to five unique sessions this season. We’re grateful for your continued support and excited to grow this next chapter together!
Registration open!
Thank You to Our Young Naturalists Camp Sponsors
The Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve extends our sincere gratitude to the businesses, organizations, and individuals who support our Young Naturalists Camp.
Your generosity helps provide meaningful outdoor experiences that inspire curiosity, foster a connection with nature, and encourage the next generation of environmental stewards. Because of your support, children have the opportunity to explore forests, wetlands, wildlife, and the natural world through hands-on learning in a safe and welcoming environment.
Your investment in our community's youth is also an investment in the future of conservation. Together, we are helping young people develop a lifelong appreciation for nature and the knowledge to care for it.
Thank you for making the Young Naturalists Camp possible. We are proud to recognize and celebrate your partnership in creating lasting experiences for local children and families.
Thank you to:
Paul Bunyan Communications
Bemidji Lions Club
John S Pursell II
Northwoods Lumber
Join the Movement: Become a Young Naturalists Camps Sponsor
Sponsorship donations help fund the educators who make these programs possible, ensuring that young people across our region can continue to access meaningful, place-based learning experiences.
Why Young Naturalist Camp?
✔ Screen-free, outdoor immersion
✔ Clear educational goals and structure
✔ Proven, 40 years running community program
✔ Science-based, physically active learning
Who Comes to Camp?
Young Naturalists Camps serve youth entering:
Grades 2-12 (or equivalent age)
Camps are grouped by age to ensure developmentally appropriate activities
Designed for both first-time campers and returning participants
No prior outdoor experience is required, just curiosity and a willingness to explore.
What Campers Experience
Depending on age and session focus, campers may:
Explore forests, wetlands, and shoreline habitats
Learn wildlife and plant identification
Conduct simple ecological observations and experiments
Build outdoor and nature safety skills
Canoe and explore water systems (as appropriate)
Participate in nature-based games and creative projects
Activities are designed to be adaptable to the season, weather, and the interests of each group.
Our Educational Approach
Young Naturalist Camp is built on clear guideposts that shape every session:
Outdoor-first learning that prioritizes time outside in nature
Science-based exploration, grounded in observation, inquiry, and discovery
Physical activity integrated naturally through hiking, paddling, and exploration
Screen-free engagement that encourages focus, creativity, and connection
Community connection, linking youth to place, stewardship, and one another
Age-appropriate structure, with consistent goals and outcomes for each group
Each session balances freedom and fun with intentional learning outcomes, making the experience both joyful and meaningful.
Leadership & Staffing
Young Naturalist Camp is led by trained educators and naturalists who work within a shared program framework. Staff receive guidance, orientation, and program resources to ensure:
Professional, consistent delivery
Clear educational objectives
Safe, inclusive learning environments
This structure allows the program to remain strong and consistent over time, while being a welcoming and safe place for people of all ages.
Location
All camps take place at the beautiful, protected Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve, a natural landscape featuring:
Forests, wetlands, and shoreline
Miles of walking trails
Spearhead Lake access
Indoor and outdoor learning spaces
This setting allows campers to learn in a real, living ecosystem — a living classroom!
