Wildwood Park Summer Day Camps (Harrisburg)
⏳ Registration Opens Monday, January 5, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Wildwood Park’s wildly popular summer day camps fill quickly, with limited space available for each age group. Families are encouraged to mark their calendars and be ready to register when enrollment opens.
Hosted at the Olewine Nature Center, Wildwood Park Summer Day Camps offer immersive, hands-on outdoor experiences where kids explore nature, science, wildlife, and environmental stewardship in one of Central PA’s most beloved natural spaces.
Important things to know:
- Campers must be the listed age by the start of their camp week (no exceptions).
- Please register for only one week per child. Camp content repeats.
- Daily drop-off and pick-up by a parent or guardian is required.
- Campers must bring their own lunch.
- Registration information is collected at checkout.
- Families will receive a detailed email about their camp week approximately two weeks before camp begins.
View full camp details and register on the Wildwood Park website
Sprouts Day Camp (Ages 4–5)
Sprouts ages 4 and 5 will discover nature through hands-on activities designed just for curious little explorers. Campers will spend the day outdoors enjoying discovery and sensory walks, stories, simple crafts, and playful learning experiences.
Through guided exploration of Wildwood Park’s wetlands, Sprouts will learn about the birds, plants, and natural habitats that make this area so special. Activities are intentionally paced and age-appropriate, offering a gentle introduction to outdoor learning in a supportive environment.
Details:
- Ages: 4–5
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (session dependent)
- Cost: $60 per participant
- Capacity: Limited to 16 campers
- Chaperones: Not required to stay with campers
2026 Sessions:
- June 16 – June 18 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
- June 30 – July 2 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Nature Explorers Day Camp (Ages 6–8) FULL
Young explorers ages 6 to 8 will dive into the natural world through hands-on discovery, outdoor investigation, and up-close experiences with live animals. Each day focuses on a new topic, including native trees, mammals, amphibians, insects, and wetlands.
Campers will investigate aquatic life in Paxton Creek, use microscopes and binoculars, and participate in nature-themed crafts and activities designed to spark curiosity and confidence.
Details:
- Ages: 6–8
- Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Cost: $180 per participant
- Capacity: Limited to 20 campers
2026 Sessions:
- Week 1: July 6 – July 10
- Week 2: July 20 – July 24
- Week 3: August 3 – August 7
Junior Naturalist Day Camp (Ages 9–11) FULL
Junior Naturalists ages 9 to 11 will explore Wildwood Park’s diverse habitats while learning species identification, natural history, and environmental science. Topics include plants, insects, birds, tracks and scat, and life beneath the water.
Campers will enjoy hiking, journaling and sketching, flower pressing, binocular use, and a live animal presentation. The week also includes exploration beyond Wildwood with a visit to Detweiler Park.
Details:
- Ages: 9–11
- Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Cost: $180 per participant
- Capacity: Limited to 20 campers
2026 Sessions:
- Week 1: June 22 – June 26
- Week 2: July 13 – July 17
Outdoor Week (Ages 12–14) FULL
Outdoor Week is designed for older campers ready to go deeper into wilderness exploration and survival skills. Each day includes hiking, teamwork challenges, and hands-on learning focused on real-world outdoor skills.
Activities may include fire building, wild edibles, water filtration, navigation skills, and initiative-based group challenges. The week also features an off-site experience and a tandem kayaking trip on the Susquehanna River.
Details:
- Ages: 12–14
- Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Cost: $180 per participant
- Capacity: Limited to 18 campers
2026 Session:
- July 27 – July 31
Financial Assistance Available
Limited scholarship funding may be available for families in need of financial assistance. Inquiries must be submitted between January 5, 2026 and March 25, 2026.
All inquiries should be emailed to slenker@dauphincounty.gov and must include:
- Parent/guardian name
- Phone number and email
- Camper name and age
- Camp(s) of interest
Scholarship funding is provided by the Appalachian Audubon Society.
Visit Wildwood Park Summer Day Camps for full details and registration
