Discovery Day Camp & Camp Invention

Full week of Day Camp

Discovery Day Camp is a week long program (5 days) that is open to all youth in Kindergarten through 6th grade. Each day will be filled with activities such as swimming, hiking, climbing, archery, STEM activities, outdoor skills, crafts, and more! All of the activities will be age appropriate and guided by our well trained and enthusiastic staff. With multiple sessions offered at a variety of locations you are sure to find something that will fit your busy schedule! Activities vary by location.

Camp Invention is a new program offered at Base Camp in 2023! Camp Invention is a week long program (5 days) that is open to all youth in Kindergarten through 6th grade that focuses on STEM activities. Let us help your curious kids turn into innovative thinkers! This program is perfect for those looking for multiple options at on location, running with the same time schedule and location as Discovery Day Camp.

Some Activities You'll Do

GaGa Ball

Enter the Octagon with your friends and try and be the last to survive the round!

Crafts

Crafty things to do at our camps

STEM

STEM activities can be anything that gets your unit thinking scientifically about a project.

BB Gun Shooting

Take aim at a target and nail the bullseye with a BB gun

Knots and Lashings

Use one of our knot/lashing kits to learn the basics of this outdoor skill.

Pedal Carts

All the fun of go-karts combined with biking at camp!

Nature Trail

Day or night, our nature trails make your hike even more exciting.

Hiking

Hiking at camp is a fantastic way to enjoy the environment.

Bounce Pillow

It's like a giant bouncy house that's built into the ground.

Fire Building Techniques

Start and stop a fire the right way.

Archery

Take up a bow and fire a few arrows toward the bullseye

Maps and Compass

Map and compass is a key skill if you plan to do any backpacking

Bouldering

Bouldering provides challenging horizontal routes for climbers that like the unique challenge of going sideways instead of up and down.

Camp Store

Get yourself a camp souvenir or pick up something you may have forgotten at home.

Climbing

We have climbing structures at four locations, providing physical and mental challenges to campers of all ages

Animals

Get a chance to see some pretty cool animals in the wild

Restrooms and Showers

Indoor Restrooms

Restroom facilities include a flush toilet and a sink.

Indoor Showers

Shower buildings can be either locker room style with individual shower stalls or single room showers with a locking door.

Outdoor Latrines

You can expect to see latrines near every campsite and program area. Latrines are stocked with toilet paper and a hand washing stations (either hand sanitizer or a sink with soap).

Internet and Cell Phones

Internet accessibility and cell phone coverage is limited at all of our camp properties. Participants will be asked to keep cell phones and other electronic devices in their backpacks during the day.

Camp Store

The camp store is stocked with small convenience items, snacks, apparel, souvenirs and patches. Cash, check and credit cards ($5 minimum) are accepted. The store will be open during the lunch hour each day. Pocket knives will not be sold to anyone under the age of 18 without permission from their parent or legal guardian.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

STEM activities
Swimming/Boating (Phillippo and Kiwanis only)
Crafts
Outdoor Skills

SCHEDULE

9:00 am Camper Drop Off and Health Screening
9:15 am - 11:30 am Morning Activities
11:30 - 12:00 pm Lunch (bring your own lunch)
12:00 pm - 3:15 pm Afternoon Activities
2:00 Snack/Rest Time
2:15 pm - Afternoon Activities Continued
4:00 pm - Camper Pickup

During the day, participants will be in divided into small groups by grade level. This allows us to provide age appropriate activities for all of our campers. Exact schedule varies by location.

LOCATION SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES

Base Camp (Team Building Center): Rock Climbing

Phillippo Scout Reservation: BB Guns, Pedal Carts, Pool

Kiwanis Scout Camp: BB Guns, Pedal Carts, Pool

Camp Invention

Schedule: Like Discovery Day Camp, we will operate from 9AM-4PM.

Location: Base Camp (Leadership Center); 6202 Bloomington Rd, Fort Snelling, MN

Program: A twist on Discovery Day Camp, we will focus in on STEM based activities for your curious kids. During the day, participants will be in divided into small groups by grade level. This allows us to provide age appropriate activities for all of our campers.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

Discovery Day Camp and Camp Invention are open to all youth (boys and girls) entering Kindergarten through 6th grade.

DO PARENTS HAVE TO ATTEND?

Discovery Day Camp and Camp Invention are drop-off programs run by qualified and trained staff. Our staff ratios meet our supervision requirements. Parents are not part of the Day Camp programs.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

2023 Fees

Day Camp Fee: $250
Camp Invention Fee: $275

IS THERE FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?

Yes! We think that every camper should have an opportunity to attend Summer Camp and we do not want cost to hold anyone back from this experience. If you are in need, please complete the form linked in the "Related Articles" section on the right-hand side (or below on mobile devices) to receive up to 50% of the youth cost covered.

WHEN IS CAMP?

Sessions will be offered starting mid June and running until September. See the Register tab for this years dates and locations!

Is bussing available to/from camp?

Our Phillippo Camp location (Cannon Falls, MN) will be offering a bussing option in 2023 from Lakeville and Northfield for an additional $50/week.

Northfield: Pick up (8:35am) Drop Off (4:25pm) at Northfield City Hall, 801 Washington Street, 8th Street end of Parking Lot.
Lakeville: Pickup (8:00am) Drop off (5:00pm) at Hosanna Church – Lakeville, 9600 163rd St W in the East Lot.

Camp T-Shirt Order

Order a camp t-shirt online by the deadlines below and we'll have it ready for you at camp! There are multiple designs and colors, so you'll be able to find something that catches your eye.

Deadlines:

Order by May 21st and receive the shirt at camps starting June 8th or later.
Order by June 25th and receive the shirt at camps starting July 13th or later.
Order by July 23rd and receive the shirt at camps starting August 10th or later.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

We recommend that each youth participant brings a back pack each day with the following items:

Swim Suit (for water activities at all locations)
Towel
Sun screen
Bug spray
Hat or sunglasses
Snack
Any medications that they might need (tell staff about these at check in)
Rain jacket
Bag lunch

Every day, participants should have closed toed shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather. They will be spending a majority of the day outdoors so it is important that they are dressed properly.

WHAT FORMS DO I NEED TO BRING?

Each participant must have parts A and B completed of the Health Form. Additionally each youth participant who would like to participate in shooting sports activities must have a completed Shooting Sports Waiver. Both of these forms can be found in the FORMS section of this page.

Additionally for 2023, participants must fill out and bring the "2023 Participant Day Camp Waiver". This form will be made available to participants before their camp date.

Forms will be turned into the staff at check in on Monday morning. If you do not have them completed, you will be asked to fill them out once you arrive.

If you are attending multiple sessions of Discovery Day Camp, you may use the same forms each time.

FOOD SERVICE

Please bring a bag lunch each day.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT CHECK IN

On the first day (Monday) please be prepared to turn in a completed Health Form, Particpant Day Camp Waiver, and Shooting Sports Waiver. Make sure you have an emergency contact listed on the Health Form and if anyone else plans to drop off or pick up your child during the week, their names and phone numbers need to be listed as authorized persons.

If your child needs to take any medications during the day please inform the staff.

IS THERE EARLY DROP OFF / LATE PICK UP OPTIONS?

All locations offer early and late drop off. See the parent guide for more details.

SWIMMING QUALIFICATIONS

Our swimming areas are supervised by staff who are certified lifeguards and trained in CPR and First Aid. All participants will be required to stay in the shallow (learner) section unless they are able to pass a swimming test. Those that can pass with lifeguard approval will be allowed to move into the deep end.

Life jackets and flotation toys will be provided upon request. If may also send personal life jackets or flotation devices for you child to use if you wish.

FIRST AID & ONSITE MEDICAL STAFF

Each camp property has at least 50% of their staff trained in First Aid and CPR. In addition to that, they have a designated staff member to respond to any injuries or other medical situations that might happen while at camp. If something happens that will require a trip to a clinic or hospital, emergency contacts will be called immediately.

Ready to register? Select the register button for the property you would like to attend and you will be redirected to our online registration site! If you would like assistance or are experiencing problems with the registration process, please contact Customer Service 612-261-2300.

Discovery Day Camp at Base Camp