KWEC Summer Discovery Day Camps

Assorted Dates

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Dive into the exciting world of the Cheyenne Bottoms marsh. Campers who have completed 1st-6th grade and love solving problems, exploring, creating, building, and getting outside are in for a treat with our themed summer discovery camps! Each camp will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on the days offered. Campers can sign up for single camps or for all camps! Registration is required by calling 877-243-9268 or emailing amkern2@fhsu.edu. 

There is a $10 camp fee for each day to cover materials. Campers must provide their own lunch; a morning and afternoon snack will be provided. Campers who attend all five 1-day camps can attend the last 2-day camp for free!

Munching in the Marsh — Tuesday, July 8  

This food-themed camp will help campers understand how food and nature coexist by studying the marsh ecosystem’s role in the food cycle, foraging for edible plants, perfecting campfire recipes, and filleting and cooking a fish!

Marshland Masterpieces — Thursday, July 10  

This art-themed camp will have campers inspired by the nature of the wetland to write poetry, paint or sculpt marsh scenes, photograph flora and fauna, explore through music, and use natural materials to dye a bandana.

Marsh Flora — Monday, July 14  

Campers will delve deeper into the plant world of the wetland by dissecting flowers, studying photosynthesis in action, and developing an appreciation for pollinators. Campers will create seed bombs, potpourri, and plant a terrarium.

Marsh Fauna — Wednesday, July 16  

With wetlands being one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, there is a lot of marsh wildlife to explore! Campers will identify Cheyenne Bottoms birds, use iNaturalist for a bioblitz, dissect a wetland critter, and use construction tools to build a wooden birdhouse.

Marsh Splash Zone — Thursday July 24  

Led by the 4-H Water Ambassador team, campers should be prepared to get wet! From playing in the water to making scientific studies in the water, campers will get a full understanding of how water is essential to a wetland habitat. Campers will travel into Cheyenne Bottoms testing the water quality and looking for aquatic invertebrates.

Marsh Track Tales — Monday and Tuesday, July 28 and 29  

This two-day camp will allow campers to set live traps to check the next day. From mammal traps to crayfish traps, campers will be able to monitor how animals move through the marsh at night. They will also install trail cams to witness what happens while we are asleep!

Field Biology Day Camp: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Friday, July 25

Field Biology Day Camp is designed for older youth that have completed 7th-11th grades. This is a chance to get into the field and learn from experts in science careers. 

Registration is required by calling 877-243-9268 or emailing amkern2@fhsu.edu. There is a $10 camp fee, and campers must bring their own lunch. Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided. 

Immerse yourself in the flora and fauna of Cheyenne Bottoms, a wetland of international importance! Activities will include dove banding with Tom Bidrowski KDWP Migratory Game Bird Program Manager, participating in the citizen science Bumble Bee Atlas program, and a trip down to the Arkansas River to monitor the stream flow at the USGS monitoring station. The camp will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday July 25 at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.

WILD: Dissections: 10 - 11:30 a.m., Thursday, July 3 and Friday, Aug. 1

Join us for two exciting and educational WILD workshops where you’ll get hands-on experience dissecting a crayfish and a frog! These fun-filled sessions are perfect for budding biologists, curious minds, and anyone interested in exploring the fascinating world of anatomy.

What to Expect:

Introduction to Dissection: Learn the basics of dissection, including safety protocols and the tools you’ll be using.

Thursday July 3, 10-11:30 a.m. - Frog Dissection: Dive deeper into the world of amphibians by dissecting a frog. Examine its muscular system, internal organs, and understand how frogs breathe and move.

Friday Aug. 1, 10-11:30 a.m. - Crayfish Dissection: Discover the unique anatomy of crayfish, from their exoskeleton to their internal organs. You’ll get to explore their gills, heart, and digestive system, which includes a gastric mill found within the cardiac stomach.

Interactive Learning: Engage in discussions about the similarities and differences between crayfish and frogs, and how their anatomy helps them survive in their respective environments. We’ll also observe our live animal ambassador representatives.

Fun Facts: Enjoy interesting tidbits and trivia about crayfish and frogs that will make you appreciate these creatures even more.

Pre-registration and a $5 fee/specimen are required. You do not need to attend both workshops. Families will work together on one specimen. Please indicate how many members of your family will attend when you register. All dissection tools and specimens will be provided. Call 877-243-9268 or email amkern2@fhsu.edu to register. Registration for the July 3 Frog Dissection is due June 20. Registration for the Aug. 1 Crayfish Dissection is due July 18.

WILD is a program designed for school-aged kids and their families. The mission is to get kids outside and off screens.

Summer Drop-In Nature Crafts 1- 4 p.m., Friday, June 20, Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 11

Discover the joys of handmade art inspired by nature’s beauty. The Kansas Wetlands Education Center will offer three Drop-in Nature Craft workshops this summer. These come-and-go style activities will be held from 1-4 p.m. each day offered. No registration is required for these free programs. A short science lesson that fits the theme of the craft will help kids gain appreciation for the natural world.

Friday June 20 – Craft adorable felt bees, perfect for celebrating our buzzing pollinator friends.

Thursday July 3 – Design unique twig frames, combining natural materials with your own artistic flair. We’ll even print a picture of you with one of our ambassador animals to place into the frame!

Friday July 11 – Learn the art of macramé feathers, weaving and knotting techniques to create a stunning keychain.

KWEC Summer 2025 Get Outside Guide

Visit the Kansas Wetlands Education Center this summer between Friday, May 23 - Tuesday, Aug. 12 to pick up your free copy of KWEC’s Summer 2025 Get Outside Guide. This booklet includes more than a dozen suggested outdoor activities for you and your family. From do-it-yourself bird feeders to planting wildflower seeds for pollinators and monitoring the moon phases, there is a lot of fun to be had at KWEC, local parks, or your own backyard!