2021 Summer Camp Season Highlights

There were days when it felt like the summer would never end, and other days when it just flew by. This year we did more summer camps than ever before, although with smaller groups, thanks to COVID. Never the less, our camps were all full and had waiting lists long enough to double each camp! What an awesome tribute!

I thought it would be great to give our readers a “wee smackerel” of highlights from this summer’s camps.

We started off in June, with a week of Little Heroes Camp. Campers who were 4 to 6 years old enjoyed mornings out on the trails learning about nature’s superheroes and the superpowers of many plants and animals. They received video messages from their favorite superheroes who empowered them to take action and be nature heroes! By planting seed bombs, sampling the creek to evaluate its health, and competing in our super field day, our campers displayed so much heroism that Humphrey (the camp dragon) congratulated them with their very own dragon scales.

Our heroes assembling to create their very own bat-cave.

Our heroes assembling to create their very own bat-cave.

listening to spiderman’s advice, our campers took to the prairie to look for insects and spiders.

listening to spiderman’s advice, our campers took to the prairie to look for insects and spiders.

We segued next into Amazing Adventures, where our 7- to 11-year-old campers had a new adventure each day. Monday was team building and trail exploration; Tuesday was a visit to Troll Hollow, where we discovered a gryphon had wreaked great havoc and driven the trolls out. In the ruins we found a map case and went in search of the Lost City of the Wood Elves. On Wednesday we formed teams that competed in The Great Nature Race. Thursday found us at the Funderburg Forest Preserve next door, where we played games, hiked the trails and played in the creek. Our final day was Pirate Day - arrrr! A week full of adventures for sure.

Amazing Adventurers cross a giant fallen tree during our Monday bushwhack - it was scary at first, but they were soon experts at it.

Amazing Adventurers cross a giant fallen tree during our Monday bushwhack - it was scary at first, but they were soon experts at it.

There was a competition for the Muddiest Team during our Amazing Nature Race.  Some campers really got into the spirit of things.

There was a competition for the Muddiest Team during our Amazing Nature Race. Some campers really got into the spirit of things.

Next we had our Little Creators Camp. With nature as our inspiration, our smallest campers spent many hours outdoors creating treasures to take home. We debuted new camp crafts like caterpillar friends, pressed-plant bookmarks, and extra magical wishing bottles. From frolicking through the prairie to stomping through the woods, we covered a lot of miles! Our campers took pride in adorning the dragon cage with their crafts, and Humphrey appreciated it so much that he gave them scales.

Creating forts builds teamwork and generates smiles

Creating forts builds teamwork and generates smiles

catching insects of every color, shape, and size inspired some fabulous art

catching insects of every color, shape, and size inspired some fabulous art

June wrapped up with a week of Peek-in-the-Creek, one of Severson Dells’ oldest camp offerings. We were once more with our 7- to 11-year-olds, and nearly every day we were in the creek, catching crayfish, building bridges, or going on pirate raids. PIC weeks always wrap up with a Creek Walk from our Dells to the next span of cliffs downstream.

Crayfish are always a huge draw for our campers.

Crayfish are always a huge draw for our campers.

Walking along the cliffs of the Dells is an awe-inspiring experience.

Walking along the cliffs of the Dells is an awe-inspiring experience.

Just before the 4th of July, we held not one, not two, but FOUR Grandparents Camps - half-day camps specifically designed for grandparents to spend quality time outside with their grandkids. Two sessions were in the creek, building boats and catching crayfish, while the other two were up in the grassland, catching insects and playing games. This is always one of our favorite camps because we love to see an appreciation for nature shared between generations.

wonder is a language that spans between generations.

wonder is a language that spans between generations.

looking under rocks and scooping up critters with grandma and grandpa is always the best!

looking under rocks and scooping up critters with grandma and grandpa is always the best!

As the hot days of July embraced us, we celebrated our own version of the Olympics with our Little Olympians Camp. Our 4- to 6-year-old campers learned about some of nature’s “athletic” champions and tested their own skills at hiking, climbing, jumping, and running. We learned how to be strong like beavers by building forts, fast like dragonflies by insect sweeping, and agile like frogs as we traversed through the creek. Our week finished with a Severson Olympics and a medal ceremony complete with dragon scale prizes.

Working on fine motor skills as we create olympic laurels for our medal ceremony

Working on fine motor skills as we create olympic laurels for our medal ceremony

Mimicking animal movements in a severson olympics relay

Mimicking animal movements in a severson olympics relay

Forest Fantasy Camp is another camper favorite. Modeled loosely after the world of Harry Potter, Dellwarts Camp of Forest Fantasy welcomes 8- to 12-year-olds to learn herbology, potions (we made a wicked plantain salve for treating cuts, scrapes, bruises and bug bites - it’s great stuff), care of magical creatures, astronomy, and more. Our gryphon hunt had to be cancelled due to a forecast of stormy weather, but we had a great time anyway, battling the Whomping Willow and creating our own Fabulous Beasts and Where to Find Them books.

Quidditch is hard to play if you can’t fly, so we came up with our own version:  Flottur Boll.   With three balls (one poangboll and two nobblers) and a “Wandering Wyvern,” our version was just as much fun and full of challenges.

Quidditch is hard to play if you can’t fly, so we came up with our own version: Flottur Boll. With three balls (one poangboll and two nobblers) and a “Wandering Wyvern,” our version was just as much fun and full of challenges.

Campers had to try and get past the Whomping Willow (Ryan) to reach the treasure Chest.

Campers had to try and get past the Whomping Willow (Ryan) to reach the treasure Chest.

A classic SDNC camp is Blazing Paddles, which is for our oldest campers (ages 12-16 years) who still love the outdoors. After a day learning basic canoe safety and paddling skills at Rock Cut State Park, we spent the rest of the week paddling different stretches of our regional rivers: the Sugar, the Pecatonica, and the Kishwaukee. Though the rivers were low, spirits were high all week as we played games, conquered teambuilding challenges, told stories, and laughed our ways down the rivers. Even a surprise storm mid-week couldn’t rain on our parade!

all smiles as we hide out under a bridge during a storm

all smiles as we hide out under a bridge during a storm

soaking up the sun as we play the “dead fish” game at rock cut.

soaking up the sun as we play the “dead fish” game at rock cut.

As July drew to a close, we were getting in touch with our inner cave persons during Call of the Wild Camp. Our 7- to 11-year-old campers were divided into two clans (Clan of the Cave Sloth and the Fierce Saber Tooth Tiger Clan), each with its own territory, which was (and likely still is) marked with a wind-powered alert system (glorified wind chimes) and guarded by tree spirits (look for clay faces on the trees). The clans competed in some activities, and worked together in others. We spent our last day at the Funderburg Forest Preserve, where we hiked, waded in the stream, and had a closing ceremony that included trading items we had made and enjoying s’mores.

The Clan of the Cave Sloth stand guard in their Territory, beneath their trespasser-scarer.

The Clan of the Cave Sloth stand guard in their Territory, beneath their trespasser-scarer.

Our ancient ancestors had to be able to throw spears accurately if they wanted meat, so just like them, we had to practice with moving targets.

Our ancient ancestors had to be able to throw spears accurately if they wanted meat, so just like them, we had to practice with moving targets.

Early August found us in our final little kids camp: Little Pirates. Our crew of campers learned how to work together as a team as we explored the forest, prairie, and creek together! Like any good sea-faring pirate, we made our own boats, treasure chests, and marshmallow blasters. We also experimented with the properties of water! On the last day, a real-life pirate (Rustyclaw Ruffbottom) sent us on a treasure hunt through the trails of Severson Dells to find a true chest full of treasure.

campers made boats from natural materials to sail hall creek with!

campers made boats from natural materials to sail hall creek with!

searching for crayfish in the creek is always a hit.

searching for crayfish in the creek is always a hit.

We then tried something new: a one-day summer camp for adults, which we called Kindred Spirits. We had a full complement of campers, ranging in age from mid-30s up to their 70s! What a wild group it was, and boy did we have fun. We did many traditional camp activities, from name and team building games, to playing in the creek.

Moving along the planks without dropping the ball can be a real challenge!

Moving along the planks without dropping the ball can be a real challenge!

After learning some basic knots, each camper made a Turk’s Head bracelet to take home.

After learning some basic knots, each camper made a Turk’s Head bracelet to take home.

Summer drew to a close with a final week of Peek-in-the-Creek. Tried and true activities, like crayfish catching, were on the the menu, but we also tried some new activities, such as letting the campers create their own treasure and treasure hunts! We had a visiting pirate on Pirate Day, and had to find some last minute indoor options when storms and heat advisories drove us indoors. We were so glad when the weather broke toward the end of the week - it made our Friday Creek Walk so wonderfully pleasant.

We had a visit on Pirate Day from Rusty-claw Roughbottom, a pirate who was exploring up from the Everglades.

We had a visit on Pirate Day from Rusty-claw Roughbottom, a pirate who was exploring up from the Everglades.

Another part of Pirate Day was having to break into a rival pirate crew’s fort - knocking down their tower with our marshmallow shooters.  Inside each tower was a map for buried treasure.  Here we see the jubilation of a crew who just succeeded in knocking down their rival’s tower.

Another part of Pirate Day was having to break into a rival pirate crew’s fort - knocking down their tower with our marshmallow shooters. Inside each tower was a map for buried treasure. Here we see the jubilation of a crew who just succeeded in knocking down their rival’s tower.

As we take a collective breath now that camp is over, we start to ruminate about Summer Camp 2022. What activities will we keep and which ones will we change? Is it time to retire Forest Fantasy or Call of the Wild? What would we replace it with? Do we add more options for older campers? Do we need additional adult and grandparent camps?

If you have children in your life who are the right age for our camps, but you missed getting them into one of our sessions this summer, keep in mind that summer camp registration is usually open in January. The sooner you can register, the more likely you are to get a spot. We hope that next summer we can return to larger numbers of campers in each session…but only time will tell.

Until then, the summer isn’t over yet - go on out and have your own adventures!


Thanks to Severson Dells my children have developed a love of the outdoors and confidence in their surroundings—they delight in sharing their nature knowledge when we go hiking as a family!
— Call of the Wild Parent

2020 Summer Camp Wraps Up

Whew!  What a summer it has been!  In May we still weren't sure that our summer camps would run, but by June 1st we had plans in place for modified camp sessions, with registrations limited to ten campers, and masks, social distancing, and disinfection practices in place.  We were ready to roll.

While campers and their parents/guardians may have been grateful that we were running camp, we were, too.  Being nature educators, it is difficult for us to spend all day every day staring at a computer - virtual learning can only get you so far.  School programs were cancelled this spring, so we were all itching to be out doing what we love:  sharing nature with others.  

We developed a hands-off sign-in/out routine (got to love technology) that involved scanning QR codes, and washing hands before entry. Masks were worn indoors, and everyone had their own spot in the classroom at least six feet from the next person.  However, we kept our indoor time to a minimum:  everyone had had enough of that during the previous three months!

The adaptability and resiliency of our campers amazed us. They were unfazed by our new camp policies and worked hard to keep camp safe for everyone. Even our 4 year old campers took great pride in wearing their masks correctly! We received feedback from parents and guardians that these simple but necessary precautions went a long way to reassure everyone.

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Once we got outside, it was time to run and jump and explore!  There were crayfish to catch, dragon scales to find, and games to play.  Our preschool age camps each had a theme this year:  Little Heroes, Little Creators, and Little Mysteries.  For the 7 to 11 year olds, we had two new camps (Call of the Wild and Amazing Adventures), as well as some old favorites (Peek in the Creek and Forest Fantasy).  Our Grandparents Camp was so popular that not only did we run our two regular sessions, we had to add a third!

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This summer we tried some new themes, like Pirate Day, and the Severson Dells Spy Academy. We even had a guest artist who came out one day to help us build a dragon in the woods (it’s not quite complete, but from a certain angle, you can see that it is a dragon).

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And then there was the mud. I think one of the best things to do is give kids permission to get muddy - and boy do they run with it!

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It wouldn’t be Severson Dells Summer Day Camp without Blazing Paddles! We welcomed back many familiar faces as well as some new ones. Everyone had a blast exploring and playing on the Sugar, Kish and Pecatonica Rivers. What did the campers take away? “A greater sense of confidence and belonging,” along with “He was really proud to have learned so much and paddled so far!”

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Although our adult camp, Kindred Spirits, had to be cancelled, we feel that overall this summer was spectacular! We are grateful to those families who trusted us with their children, and we are glad that we were able to send them home every day replete with outdoor adventures.

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We look forward to summer camps in 2021!

For our gallery of pictures, please click here.

Summer Camp is Under Way!

Our first day of summer camp was yesterday, and we certainly couldn’t have asked for a better day in the weather department. Sunny, blue sky, a cooling breeze, and temps in the 70s - low humidity. Perfect!

And what better way to celebrate camp and being outdoors than rolling down a grassy hill!

And the fun doesn’t end there!

We looked for frogs at the pond…

We looked for frogs at the pond…

We played at The Grove…

We played at The Grove…

We explored some rotting logs…

We explored some rotting logs…

Found several caterpillars…

Found several caterpillars…

And we created some forest spirits out of clay. They are in The Grove - see if you can find them!!!

And we created some forest spirits out of clay. They are in The Grove - see if you can find them!!!

We still have some camp openings if you think this is something your child would like to do.

  • Forest Fantasy Camp, June 24-28, for 8-12 year olds, is perfect for the camper who loves Harry Potter, the fantastical, and nature.

  • Peek in the Creek Camp, July 15-19, for 7-11 year olds, is a wet and wild time as we explore all aspects of Hall Creek.

  • Junior Biologist Camp, July 29-August 2, for 11-14 year olds, takes campers into a deeper look at the plants and animals that live at Severson Dells.