Iowa State Extension and Outreach Linn County 4-H offers quality summer day camps in our community. The day-long camps (9:00 am-3:00 pm) are educational, interactive, and sure to keep your child's attention. Registration begins in February for summer camps. Limited number of spots are available for each camp.

Registration fee is $30 per one day camp. Participants should bring a lunch for each camp day. Snacks and all activity supplies are included. We offer quality, affordable programs and don't want cost to be a barrier - financial assistance is available. Apply here

Registration deadline is 2 weeks prior to camp date. Many camp dates fill quickly so don't delay in signing up! 

Cancellation & Refund Policy: Please contact linn4h@iastate.edu if you need to cancel your program registration. A partial refund will be offered if cancellation is received more than 2 weeks prior to the program start date. Refund will be the camp cost - $5 processing fee. If cancellation is made less than 2 weeks before the program start date, no refund will be given. 

*4-H summer programs at the Hiawatha Public Library are mini-camps (3 hours). These camps are offered FREE OF CHARGE thanks to sponsorship from the Hiawatha Public Library. Participants must register with the link next to the camp date in the table below.

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If the camp you want to sign up for is closed, please add your name to the waiting list, and we'll contact you if openings occur.

For questions about camps, contact Linn County 4-H staff at linn4h@iastate.edu or 319-377-9839.

2023 Summer Day Camp Descriptions

Mini-Camps

Mini-camps are 1/2 day camps. To see what the theme of each mini-camp is see the descriptions below. These mini-camps are shorter versions of our full day camps.

Art Adventures (K-2nd graders)

Spend the day being creative with all kinds of art! We’ll make a mess as we explore art around the world. Use your imagination as we travel the world to learn about different art techniques and cultures. You’ll leave with some beautiful creations of your own as we explore painting, sculpture, slime, photography, and high-tech art. 

Chef Challenge (K-2nd graders)

You’re the chef for the day! Explore and practice basic kitchen skills, cooking techniques, and food safety as you make your own tasty creations! Participants will be encouraged to try new foods, make snacks, and practice using recipes. Fun team and individual challenges are incorporated throughout the day and each cooking activity is tied to a picture book to engage all learners.

Dr. Seuss' Spectacular STEM (K-2nd graders)

Join us for a Seuss-tastic day filled with whimsical hands-on activities inspired by beloved Dr. Seuss stories.  Create fizzy green eggs and ham, engineer a trap to catch Thing 1 & Thing 2, sprout seeds and learn to care for the earth like The Lorax, and make colorful works of art. Oh the places you’ll go on this action-packed one-day adventure! Participants will strengthen STEAM and literacy skills while having fun. 

Culinary Creations (3-5th graders)

Cook up kitchen confidence with hands-on lessons to strengthen participants’ culinary skills. We’ll be creative in a team cooking challenge, practice basic knife skills, try new recipes, and get inspired to eat more adventurously! Learn about the science used in cooking and baking including how yeast, gluten, and seasonings. The day will include lessons focused on kitchen safety and balanced meals as well. Prepare for a day full of tasty explorations!  

Outdoor Adventures (3-5th graders)

Explore the great outdoors at this fun day camp! Indoor and outdoor activities including fishing, nature exploration, teambuilding activities, hikes, crafts, scavenger hunt, campfire food, and more will make this a day you won’t want to miss. Enjoy time working as a team with new friends as well as individual activities all about nature and the outdoors. 

Zombie Survival (3-5th graders)

Join us for a crazy adventure of survival! Learn the basics of preparing for emergencies including how to cook and stay warm without attracting zombie attention, make a zombie survival bracelet, and how to treat zombie bites. Learn about natural disasters, wilderness survival, emergency preparedness techniques, teamwork, basic first aid, creating emergency kits & more! These skills would come in handy in case of any emergency – including a zombie apocalypse.  

On Their Own & OK (4-6th graders)

This is a workshop that helps build skills, maturity, and confidence in youth to safely stay home alone. Topics include: 

• Ideas for rules and a basic schedule for when your child is home alone.  
• Choosing and making basic, healthy foods on their own.  
• Knowing the procedure if someone comes to the door when you’re gone. 
• Management techniques for the ever-present squabbles that occur between siblings. 
• Handling emergencies such as weather, safety, and basic first aid.  

This workshop does not certify your child is ready to be home alone. Your child will have fun during this hands-on workshop & leave our workday with a family workbook to guide you through discussing expectations together.   

 

Babysitting Basics (5-9th graders)

The workshop will cover topics you need to know to have a successful babysitting experience and even business! We will cover responsibilities of a babysitter, what families expect, how to care for children of different ages, games and play ideas, basic first aid, safety and how to handle emergencies. A Babysitting Basics workbook, snacks, and the supplies to start a babysitting kit are included. This workshop does not certify you as a babysitter or in First Aid and CPR but should build confidence as you explore a babysitting role.    

Mystery Solved Mini-Camp

Explore forensic science and practice teamwork while solving a mystery at the Hiawatha Public Library!