Galesburg Parks and Recreation Nature Programs

Galesburg Parks and Recreation Nature Programs include activities such as Nature at Night: Summer Family Fun Night, outdoor games, Second Saturdays: Fishing Fun, Nature Walks through the woods, Little Sprouts Art in Nature, Summer Nature Camps, and Kayak Nights. Children and teens can take part in mini camps such as Wiggly Worms, Adventure Seekers, and Junior Counselors, with activities that include making art projects using items found in nature, leading hikes, and presenting on a nature topic. Families and participants can also choose Kayak Nights with options to bring their own kayak or rent an adult or tandem kayak.

• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: One-time and weekly options, including Friday mini camps from June 12–July 24, 2026 (no camp July 3), and selected evening and Saturday sessions across summer 2026
• Price: Nature at Night: $5/person or $15 per family; Fishing Fun: free; Little Sprouts: $5; mini camps: $100–$115; Kayak Nights: $5–$30 per session

Galesburg Parks and Recreation's nature programs state that they are dedicated to inspiring a love and respect for nature in residents of all ages. The camp coordinator and leader is Rhonda Brady, who is referred to as the locally famous Butterfly Lady. Most nature programs are free or low-cost thanks to funding from personal donations, and volunteers are welcomed to share their knowledge and love of nature with others.

Mini camps have small group sizes of 1:5, and camp locations vary between Lincoln Park, Lake Storey, and Lakeside Nature Center. Campers receive a small snack during camp, and the camp price includes a camp t-shirt and daily snack. Junior Counselors assist Wiggly Worm campers, help lead hikes, assist other campers, and present on a nature topic on one camp day, and this program is described as providing a “real work” situation that teaches confidence, leadership, responsibility, and how to act as a positive role model.

For Second Saturdays: Fishing Fun, fishing equipment is available to share, or participants may bring their own, and anyone 17 and older must have a fishing license to fish, while those 16 and under do not need a license. This class is held outdoors with a Nature Walk through the woods, and participants are instructed to dress for the weather. Little Sprouts is held mostly outside at the Lakeside Nature Center Shelter, with an indoor option in poor weather, and families are instructed to dress for outdoor adventuring. For Kayak Nights, all ages are welcome, participants may bring their own kayak for the Bring Your Own Kayak option, anyone 17 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult, and each evening paddle session requires at least 5 registrants by the Thursday before or the session may be cancelled due to staffing, with account credit issued.

Last updated May 23, 2026.