Nature Play Camp 2026

The Land Trust of North Alabama's Nature Play Camp offers elementary-aged children a refreshing week of unstructured outdoor exploration at Monte Sano Nature Preserve. Rather than following a rigid schedule of planned activities, this day camp embraces child-led discovery—letting young naturalists investigate water critters in Fagan Creek, search for fossils, practice map reading, and learn about animal tracks and adaptations. While staff lead group hikes and a few structured activities, much of each day belongs to the campers themselves, who might spend hours building forts, collecting nature treasures, or simply reading in the shade of the forest. Two separate week-long sessions run in June, each designed for specific age groups. The first week (June 8-12) welcomes children ages 6-8, with daily drop-off and pick-up at the Bankhead Trailhead starting at 9:00 AM and ending at 3:00 PM. The second week (June 15-19) serves ages 8-11 and includes longer hiking distances, with drop-off at Bankhead Trailhead but pick-up at the Cleermont Trailhead. Parents of 8-year-olds can choose whichever week best suits their child, though kids may only attend one session. Cost is $300 for Land Trust members and $375 for non-members, with each camp capped at 20 participants. Registration closes June 1, though late sign-ups may be accepted with advance notice. Pack your child's lunch and expect them to return happy, muddy, and full of stories about the magic of trees and whatever curiosities they discovered that day. Limited scholarships are available for families who need financial assistance.