Camp · Community/Rec Center · Ages 8–12 · $299/week
Directory · United States · Minnesota · Dayton
▌ Community/Rec Center · Ages 8–12

Junior Naturalist Camp

Baker Park Reserve · $299/week

Explore local ecosystems, identify plants and animals, and learn about conservation at Eastman Nature Center.

▌ Editor's read The Three Rivers Park District website loads successfully and details various summer camp offerings, including the Junior Naturalist Camp. The camp is a day program, focusing on nature exploration and outdoor activities. While specific details for 'Junior Naturalist Camp' are within the broader 'Summer Camps' section, the site indicates that all camp staff undergo background checks and are certified in CPR and First Aid. The Three Rivers Park District has a Google review rating of 4.7 stars based on over 1,000 reviews, indicating a generally positive public perception of the organization. The camp is not listed in the ACA directory. The owner type is municipal-parks, as it is operated by the Three Rivers Park District. Social media handles found are @threeriversparks on Instagram and ThreeRiversParks on Facebook.
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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 8–12

Junior Naturalist Camp sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right community/rec center fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Day camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
Not listed
Operator
Municipal parks department
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Community/Rec Center
  • Ages: 8–12
  • Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Address: Eastman Nature Center, 12001 County Rd 117, Dayton, MN 55327
  • Phone: 763-559-6700

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: outdoor

Frequently asked about Junior Naturalist Camp

What ages does Junior Naturalist Camp accept?
Junior Naturalist Camp is open to children ages 8–12. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Junior Naturalist Camp cost?
Junior Naturalist Camp publishes $299/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Junior Naturalist Camp's hours?
Junior Naturalist Camp runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m.. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Junior Naturalist Camp?
Junior Naturalist Camp is operated by the local parks department. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Junior Naturalist Camp provide lunch?
Junior Naturalist Camp does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does Junior Naturalist Camp compare to other community/rec center camps in Dayton?
Junior Naturalist Camp is one of 26 community/rec center camps in Dayton that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Junior Naturalist Camp with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Junior Naturalist Camp.