Nature Day Camps at the Schrader Center provide a safe and supportive environment for children to discover the wonders of nature. Our campers spend their days exploring and learning about our woods, meadows, streams and local habitats. We believe that a strong environmental ethic can best develop in children who learn to love being outdoors. Our camp builds the foundation for a lifetime of love and respect for the environment. And it’s fun!
Nature Investigators and Nature Explorers will swim at Oglebay Park’s outdoor pool on Monday, Wednesday & Friday and will be picked up at the pool entrance. Tuesday and Thursday pickup is at the Schrader Center. Cookouts will take place every Friday at the Schrader Center. Pre and post-care is available for Nature Investigators and Nature Explorers.
2026 Summer Day Camp Registration
2026 OI Summer Day Camps will be posted online February 9, 2026. OI members have priority access to register for camps during a special members-only registration period from 9am Monday, February 16 through Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Public registration opens at 9am February 18, 2026.
Online Registration Available: This year, we are pleased to announce online registration will again be available during our members-only registration period!
To gain registration access, you must be logged in to your online membership account. If you are unsure if you have an online membership account or need a refresher on how to access your account, please review the Accessing Your OI Online Account Instructions.
We strongly recommend that you log in to your account prior to registration opening day to ensure you have the correct login credentials and your membership is active and attached to your account.
If you’re having any issues accessing your account, we’re here to help. We want you to get the full value of your member benefits.
June 8-12, 2026: Pollinator Pals
Get up close and personal with pollinators that call West Virginia Home! Butterflies, beetles, & other critters that pollinate our garden are center stage in this fun camp. Design your own pollinator, get moving with our bee waggle dance, plant flowers, & more!
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Ages: entering kindergarten
Meets: 9am-3pm June 8-12
Begins: Monday, June 8
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
June 15-19, 2026: Puddle Jumpers
Cool off from the hot summer days with this fun water camp. Learn about the animals that live in the stream and pond by working together in our Aquatic Scavenger Hunt. Enjoy a week of water games and activities like “Drip, drip, SPLASH” and water relays. Meet the animals at the Schrader Center that love water too. Make sure you pack a swimsuit as we will be at the Splash Pad everyday!
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Ages: entering kindergarten
Meets: 9am-3pm June 15-19
Begins: Monday, June 15
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
June 22-26, 2026: Summertime Sprites – NEW!
Get ready to explore the forests like fairies, nymphs, and sprites! Learn about our mushrooms, flowers, and the inhabitants of our butterfly garden. Create your own magical wings, crown, and wand fit for any forest Prince or Princess. Get ready to take our homemade boats to the stream for a “boat mote race.”
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Ages: entering kindergarten
Meets: 9am-3pm June 22-26
Begins: Monday, June 22
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
June 8-12, 2026: Shipwrecked
Ahoy, Campers! Shipwrecked week is all about survival! Build shelters, start fires, find water, and identify edible plants. Create a pirate flag and wrap up with an epic capture the flag game!
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Ages: Entering grade 1 – entering grade 3
Meets: 9am-3pm June 8-12
Begins: Monday, June 8
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
June 15 – 19, 2026: Super-Humans
Join the movement to protect our planet. Plant native flowers, learn composting, and build bird feeders to take home. Create capes and masks from recycled materials. How will you use your powers to save the planet?
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Ages: Entering grade 1 – entering grade 3
Meets: 9am-3pm June 15-19
Begins: Monday, June 15
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
June 22-26, 2026: Ding, Dang, Dinosaurs!
Welcome to Prehistoric Park! Future paleontologists will create dinosaurs, explore prehistoric creatures and dig for fossils. A week of excavation and discovery awaits.
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Ages: Entering grade 1 – entering grade 3
Meets: 9am-3pm June 22-26
Begins: Monday, June 22
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
July 6-10, 2026: Myths & Mystery Files
Calling all gumshoes! Create a secret agent code name, gather daily clues, and solve a camp mystery while investigating cryptids like Bigfoot. Learn the truth behind some of the most famous myths. Real or fake? You be the judge.
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Ages: Entering grade 1 – entering grade 3
Meets: 9am-3pm July 6 – 10
Begins: Monday, July 6
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
July 6-10, 2026: Wizards and Wands
Enter the world of magic in this Harry Potter & DND inspired camp. Create nature potions, design wands, and cast spells on the camp “bad guy” trying to wreak havoc. Put your creativity to the test by designing your own companion and growing crystals.
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Ages: Entering grade 1 – entering grade 3
Meets: 9am-3pm July 6 – 10
Begins: Monday, July 6
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
July 13 – 17, 2026: Ants in Our Plants
Dig in the dirt, flip logs, and discover the bugs and creatures that live there. Create a bug, learn to press flowers, and explore our butterfly garden. Impress your family by learning to identify plants and animals found in our woods.
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Ages: Entering grade 1 – entering grade 3
Meets: 9am-3pm July 13-17
Begins: Monday, July 13
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
July 13-17, 2026: Catch ‘Em All
Create your own Pokémon character inspired by animals and nature. Learn about animal’s special powers (adaptations) that inspire the popular characters. Who will you catch in our real-life Pokémon-Go Scavenger Hunt! (cards allowed w/parental approval.)
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Ages: Entering grade 1 – entering grade 3
Meets: 9am-3pm July 13-17
Begins: Monday, July 13
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
July 20-24, 2026: Drip, Drip, Splash
Grab your boots & swimsuit and dive into a week of water fun! Explore the stream, discover critters, play water games, and enjoy cool experiments. Test your skills in Schrader Center’s H2Olympics. This camp will go to the pool everyday!
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Ages: Entering grade 1 – entering grade 3
Meets: 9am-3pm July 20 – 24
Begins: Monday, July 20
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
July 27-31, 2026: Exploring the Unexplored
Journey into the wonders of the unknown! Dive deep into the ocean and learn about the rarely seen creatures that live there. Blast off into space where we turn our classroom into an indoor planetarium! Craft a starry night sensory bag to take home.
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Ages: Entering grade 1 – entering grade 3
Meets: 9am-3pm July 27-31
Begins: Monday, July 27
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
July 27-31, 2026: Toad-ally Toadstools – NEW!
Find a quiet spot in the woods and have a toadstool seat. Designed for campers who prefer a calm, noncompetitive environment, this camp blends mindfulness, art, and nature through journaling, mud sculptures, and creating a shared fairy garden.
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Ages: Entering grade 1 – entering grade 3
Meets: 9am-3pm July 27-31
Begins: Monday, July 27
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
Aug. 3-7, 2026: Critter Crossing – NEW!
Uncover the excitement of Animal Crossing right here at camp! Dig-up fossils & compete in a lake scavenger hunt. Discover stars while we create our own constellation. See if you have a green thumb by growing your own plants and flowers.
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Ages: Entering grade 1 – entering grade 3
Meets: 9am-3pm Aug. 3-7
Begins: Monday, Aug. 3
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
August 3-7, 2026: Camp-ologist! – NEW!
Investigate Earth’s wonders by exploring a new “ologist” each day. Create a pet tornado, track animals, make a rain gauge, and earn daily stickers in your ologist journal as you become an “Awesome-ologist”.
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Ages: Entering grade 1 – entering grade 3
Meets: 9am-3pm Aug. 3-7
Begins: Monday, August 3
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
June 8-12, 2026: Camp Rotwood – NEW!
Campers will learn practical off-grid survival skills while in a zombie apocalypse-themed camp! Escape the Outbreak Maze & learn to ID Cordyceps, but don’t become patient zero! At Camp Rotwood, the sunrise is earned and every step deeper into the woods brings new secrets… and new dangers!
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Ages: Entering grade 4 – entering grade 7
Meets: 9am-3pm June 8-12
Begins: Monday, June 8
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
June 15-19, 2026: What’s the Buzz?
Celebrate our new butterfly enclosure by discovering West Virginia’s pollinators! Learn about raising Monarchs, meet our beekeeper, explore honeybee care, and enjoy unique honey activities while appreciating the importance of insects.
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Ages: Entering grade 4 – entering grade 7
Meets: 9am-3pm June 15-19
Begins: Monday, June 15
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
June 22-26, 2026: Survive & Thrive 2.0
Outwit, outplay, and outlast at SCHRADER SURVIVOR! Work in teams, pick your name, design your flag, and compete in our survivor challenges. Learn essential survival skills like tracking, fire building, and more.
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Ages: Entering grade 4 – entering grade 7
Meets: 9am-3pm June 22-26
Begins: Monday, June 22
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
July 6-10, 2026: Nature Spy Headquarters
This camp is a blend of mystery and teamwork. Participate in secret agent training with fingerprint dusting, code breaking, disguises and theme-based classified missions.
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Ages: Entering grade 4 – entering grade 7
Meets: 9am-3pm July 6 -10
Begins: Monday, June 6
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
July 20-24, 2026: Water Bout’ That
Ready, get wet, go! Dive into summer while exploring the world of water. Compete in our water Olympics, play baby-pool kickball, and learn about the aquatic critters that call our stream home!
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Ages: Entering grade 4 – entering grade 7
Meets: 9am-3pm July 20-24
Begins: Monday, July 20
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
July 27-31, 2026: Appalachian Folklore – NEW!
Folklore isn’t just told; it’s lived with this camp inspired by Appalachian folklore and cryptids. Craft protection charms or good luck tokens using items found in the natural world. Hear old superstitions and learn their meanings. Fact or fiction? You be the judge!
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Ages: Entering grade 4 – entering grade 7
Meets: 9am-3pm July 27-31
Begins: Monday, July 27
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
Aug. 3-7, 2026: Ruin Zone – NEW!
Controlled CHAOS! That’s how we describe this camp! Enter the “ruin zone” and test your creativity by destroying, gathering materials, and rebuilding things even cooler. Launch recycled items onto targets in our Catapult build & launch! Campers will smash, crash, and tear through destructive missions every day in this camp.
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Ages: Entering grade 4 – entering grade 7
Meets: 9am-3pm August 3-7
Begins: Monday, August 3
Duration: 5 days
Instructor(s): TBA
$180/$150 OI members
Please click on this link to complete your camper health and information forms: https://form.jotform.com/260204964999067
Forms must be completed and returned no later than June 1.
