Metroparks Camps
Any time of the year is prime time for adventure, building new skills, making memories and learning about the natural world around you. Whether it's kayaking at Blue Creek in the summer or exploring a winter wonderland at Oak Openings by snowshoe in winter, Metroparks offers opportunities for kids to connect with nature and get outside all year long.
For additional information or to register call 419-407-9700.
Payment and Cancellation Policy for Metroparks Programs and Camps - Payment is expected in full at the time the reservation is made, unless otherwise stated. In the event of a cancellation or illness, refunds are issued as follows. If the cancellation is received more than 30 days prior to the start of the camp session or program, a full refund will be issued. If the cancellation is received 15-30 days prior to camp session or program, 50 percent of the payment price will be refunded. If the notification is received less than 15 days in advance, no refund will be issued.
Registration for Winter and Spring Camps is currently open. Summer Camp registration opens 9 a.m. on Friday, February 27.
School’s Off, Parks On! Mini Camp:
Creepy Crawlies
Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall
Friday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $35
School may be closed for the day, but the parks are open! What better way to spend your day off than with fun, age-appropriate camp activities at the park? Activities include story time, crafts, experiments, nature strolls, and games. Daily snack included. So much of nature is what we don’t see right in front of us! What’s lurking beneath rocks and stones? What kinds of creatures hide in the prairie grasses? Explore the world of creepy crawlies and uncover the amazing decomposers that turn ‘yuck’ into nature’s recycling.
School’s Off, Parks On! Mini Camp:
Blast From the Past
Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Fallen Timbers Visitor Center
Monday, March 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $35
School may be closed for the day, but the parks are open! What better way to spend your day off than with fun, age-appropriate camp activities at the park? New this year: Each session of Spring Break Mini-Camp is a different adventure! Daily snack included. Step back in time with this history-themed mini-camp where we will learn about Native American life, play Indigenous games, build a wigwam, learn ancient spear-throwing techniques, and do some campfire cooking.
School’s Off, Parks On! Mini Camp:
Curious Critters and Mythical Metropark Beasts
Oak Openings Preserve, Oak Openings Lodge
Wednesday, April 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $35
School may be closed for the day, but the parks are open! What better way to spend your day off than with fun, age-appropriate camp activities at the park? New this year: Each session of Spring Break Mini-Camp is a different adventure! Daily snack included. Celebrate April fool’s day by exploring cryptozoology! Through games, activities and crafts unlock the mysteries and legends of Ohio’s cryptid critters that may (or may not) have existed. Will you be the camper to find evidence of Metroparks elusive Bigfoot?
School’s Off, Parks on! Mini Camp:
Wildlife Detectives
Pearson, Packer-Hammersmith Center
Monday, April 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $35
School may be closed for the day, but the parks are open! What better way to spend your day off than with fun, age-appropriate camp activities at the park? Activities include story time, crafts, experiments, nature strolls, and games. Daily snack included. Wildlife is all around us! Through games, activities and crafts campers will put their wildlife detective skills to the test and uncover nature clues to learn more about the animals that live in our parks.
Summer Camp Registrations Open, 9 a.m. on Friday, February 27.
Outdoor Explorers Camp (Ages 5 to 7)
Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall
Reservations Required, Fee: $190
Dig for fossils, paddle a canoe, hold a wiggly worm, and more at Outdoor Explorers Camp for children ages 5-7. Discover why Camp Rocks at Metroparks Toledo through immersive nature-based activities, including hands-on experiments, crafts, games, and outdoor skills. Camp will be held daily, with rainy-day program options if necessary. A daily snack is provided.
- Session 1 - Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Session 2 - Monday, June 22 through Friday, June 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Session 3 - Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Session 4 - Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Session 5 - Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Session 6 - Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
*Please note that all weeks of Outdoor Explorers camp consist of the same activities and content.
Survival Camp (Ages 8 to 12)
Oak Openings Preserve, Oak Openings Lodge
Reservations Required, Fee: $210
Food! Water! Shelter! Space! Do you know the basics needed to survive outdoors? Campers will work with nature to practice techniques and sharpen survival skills to feel at home in the globally unique Oak Openings wilderness during this exciting and active camp! The camp will be held daily, with rainy-day program options if necessary. Campers should pack a lunch and water bottle for each day. A daily snack will be provided.
Outdoor Adventurers (Ages 8 to 12)
Oak Openings Preserve, Oak Openings Lodge
Reservations Required, Fee: $225
Don’t take camp for granite! Camp Rocks! Dig deeper into the discovery northwest Ohio’s rare habitats and geology as we try exciting outdoor skills, such as archery, stand-up paddle boarding, and tree climbing. Campers will get to know themselves, new friends, and the environment through immersive nature-based activities, including nature hikes, wildlife viewing, crafts, games, and more! Camp will be held daily, with rainy-day program options if necessary. A daily snack is provided.
- Session 1 - Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Session 2 - Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Session 3 - Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Session 4 - Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Paddling Camp (Ages 8 to 12)
Blue Creek, Nona France Quarry
Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $210
Beat the heat and make a splash at this action-packed week-long camp! Build paddling techniques and teamwork skills as you learn the basics of canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in a safe and fun environment. Paddling Camp includes in-water activities so campers should be prepared to get wet. The camp will be held daily, with rainy day program options if necessary. A daily snack will be provided.
Mini Camp Options: Registrations Open, 9 a.m. on Friday, February 27.
Outdoor Adventurer (Ages 8 to 12)
Side Cut, Maumee Rotary Centennial Pavilion
Monday, June 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $50
A micro camp with MAJOR fun! This one-day camp will include introduce campers to canoeing, shelter building and rock climbing skills. Campers should bring a packed lunch and water bottle. A snack is provided with rainy-day program options if necessary.
Outdoor Adventurer (Ages 8 to 12)
Blue Creek, Nona France Quarry
Wednesday, July 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $50
A micro camp with MAJOR fun! This one-day camp will include introduce campers to kayaking, archery and fire building skills. Campers should bring a packed lunch and water bottle. A snack is provided with rainy-day program options if necessary.
Overnight Experiences: Registrations Now Open.
Family Backpacking 101: Moseley Trail (6-Miles, Ages 4 and up)
Secor, Secor Center parking lot
Saturday, September 5, 11 a.m. to Sunday, September 6, 11 a.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $35
Backpack your way through dynamic habitats of Secor Metropark, connect to the Moseley Trail, and spend the night camping at the serene Wiregrass Lake. This is the perfect backpacking experience for young explorers and families. Top off your evening with a magical stand-up paddleboarding experience on Wiregrass Lake.
Attendance at the pre-trip informational meeting is required (Tuesday, September 1st, 6:30-7:30 PM, Oak Openings Lodge). Children are welcome. We will check and fit gear, talk about the trip, and answer any questions.
We will be hiking up to 6 miles mostly on a smooth gravel trail with short distances on primitive dirt trails that may include rocks and roots. No backpacking experience necessary. All minors must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the trip.
During this overnight program, families have the option to stand up paddleboard at Wiregrass Lake. Children must be 8 or older to paddle a stand-up paddleboard by themselves. Children 4 or older can ride as a passenger with an adult.
