Hidden Meadows Day Camp
The highlight of the summer, Hidden Meadows Day Camp encourages children ages 3 – 12 to learn about nature and enjoy the outdoors by exploring Grant Park, playing games and making new friends! Campers will be placed in groups of similarly aged children. They will be treated to guest speakers, special presentations and activities. All-day (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and half-day (9 a.m. to noon) options are available, as well as before and after care. Before care is available from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. After care is available from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Each day of camp is predominately spent outdoors. Campers will be in the woods and exploring the creeks. Campers should expect to wear clothing and shoes that can get wet and dirty.
All-day campers should bring a packed lunch that does not require refrigeration. All campers will receive a t-shirt during their first week. Snacks are provided, but campers should bring a filled water bottle every day. Camp is held rain or shine.
Resident camp registration begins online Monday, April 10 at 10 a.m. Nonresident camp registration begins online Monday, April 17 at 10 a.m. Phone registration will begin one day later.
Jump on the summer camp fast track! In an effort to improve your camp registration experience, we have created a way for you to fill out the required camp forms PRIOR to the first day of camp registration. This will make your camp registration go faster, and decrease the chance that your child will be placed on a camp waiting list.
2023 Camp Weeks:
Week 1: June 5 – 9, Camping 101 (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $75 residents, $85 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $150 residents, $170 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
Let’s start the summer off by learning how to be expert campers! Join us for a week exploring the ins and outs of Grant Park. Learn how to build a fire, pitch a tent, build forts and more!
Week 2: June 12 – 16, Creepy Crawlers (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $75 residents, $85 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $150 residents, $170 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
A week of all things bugs, insects and underground creepy crawlers. Campers will spend the week exploring Grant Park from the bug’s eye view! We will learn about the creepy crawlers that roam your parks and spend time learning new insect-themed games and making bug crafts.
Week 3: June 20 – 23, Pollinator Week (No camp June 19) (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $60 residents, $78 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $120 residents, $140 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
How much do you know about pollination? Your parks are full of flowers and unique pollinators. Campers will explore the park looking for signs of pollination and identify what pollinators are their favorite!
Week 4: June 26 – 30, Fantasy Week (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $75 residents, $85 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $150 residents, $170 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
We will use our imaginations and search for our favorite mythical creatures in the woods. Campers will learn all about the mythical creatures lurking in the parks and create homes for fairies, gnomes and more!
Week 5: July 3, 5 – 7, Little Critters (Preschool Week) (No camp July 4)
Ages 3 – 5, half-day only
Fee/half-day week: $60 residents, $78 nonresidents, $30 before care
Ages 5 – 12, full-day only
Fee/full-day week: $130 residents, $150 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
Little critters roam the trails of Grant Park. Some are cute, some love the water, and some critters are so small we might not see them! We will spend the week looking for little critters and will learn how they survive in such a big park! Our older campers will have the opportunity to participate in tree climbing and all campers will enjoy a visit from the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. The fee for these special experiences is included in this week’s camp fees.
Week 6: July 10 – 14, The Wonders of Water (Preschool Week)
Ages 3 – 5, half-day only
Fee/half-day week: $75 residents, $85 nonresidents, $30 before care
Ages 5 – 12, full-day only
Fee/full-day week: $160 residents, $180 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
We will spend the week learning all about the types of water that are at your parks, playing a variety of water games, and searching for unique creatures in the water. Campers will also get the chance to learn about and test the water quality around Grant Park.
Week 7: July 17 – 21, Crafting Nature (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $75 residents, $85 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $150 residents, $170 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
Nature houses so many wonderful resources. We will spend the week learning how we can use nature to make crafts! Campers will make a different craft to bring home and share each day. They will learn the benefits of each natural resource in their craft and how it helps support the ecosystem.
Week 8: July 24 – 28, Survivor (Field Trip Week) (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $85 residents, $95 nonresidents, $30 before care Fee/full-day week: $160 residents, $180 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
It will be a competition all week long! We will participate in nature trivia, animal identification games and much more! Teams will tie-dye team bandanas that they are invited to wear on the last day for the ultimate challenge! Full-day campers will go on a field trip to Oak Grove Park to learn about fishing and archery. The cost of the field trip is included.
Week 9: July 31 – August 4, Hidden Gems (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $75 residents, $85 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $150 residents, $170 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
Your parks are full of hidden gems! We will spend the week finding all the Grant Park gems! In order to find our hidden gems, we have to learn all about navigating the woods. We will learn tasks like hiking, orienteering, reading maps and trekking new terrain. On the last day, we will put our new knowledge to the test for a day full of adventure!
Additional Camp Information:
Staff
Many staff coordinators and counselors are college students pursuing a degree in parks and recreation or education, or they have previous experience in the field. Assistant counselors are at least 16 years of age and have experience working with children.
Inclement Weather
Camp is primarily an outdoor program and will be held rain or shine. The school buildings by Grant Park will serve as a meeting area and shelter for Hidden Meadows.
What to Wear
Dress your child in comfortable old clothes and closed-toe shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are prohibited due to poison ivy and other naturally occurring hazards. Please put your child’s name on all items brought to camp. Many pack an old pair of shoes to wear when visiting the creek.
What to Bring
Bring a water bottle to refill during the day. All-day campers should also bring a packed lunch that does not require refrigeration. Lunch should not include any peanuts or tree nuts.
Daily Sign-In & Sign-Out
We take strict precautions in accepting and releasing children from the program. Please inform counselors of any changes. Daily sign-in and sign-out is required.
Sunscreen & Insect Repellent
Counselors are not permitted to apply sunscreen or insect repellent. Campers can bring their own and reapply.
Medical Procedures & Emergencies
All counselors are trained in first aid and CPR and carry a first aid kit. Health history information is kept on site. In the event of a medical emergency, parents and 911 will be called. The child will be escorted to the hospital or released to the parents. If parents cannot be located, the emergency contact will be called. In the event of minor injury/illness, the child will be treated, an incident report will be completed, and parents will be notified at pickup.
Medication
Staff is permitted to perform only basic first aid. They are also authorized to dispense some types of prescription or nonprescription medication. Rule 5101:2-18-15 (4) 2 of the Ohio Administrative Code states that a child day camp shall set its own policy regarding whether to administer prescription or nonprescription medications. If your child requires medication during camp hours, you must complete additional required forms. If your child carries an epi-pen, complete additional required forms.
Discipline
Review our summer camp discipline process.
Registration Deadline
The last day to make registration changes is noon the Monday prior to your camper’s start date.
Cancellation Policy
If you should need to cancel your camp registration for any reason, please let us know 7 or more days in advance of the camp starting and we will process a full credit or refund. If you need to cancel less than 7 days prior to camp, please reach out to our office about your refund options.