Jefferson Memorial Forest Summer Day Camps
Jefferson Memorial Forest, 11311 Mitchell Hill Road, Louisville, KY 40118
About
Jefferson Memorial Forest Summer Day Camps include activities such as archery, canoeing, hiking, using the forest’s zipline, and water games. Campers may use a map and compass, build a shelter, start a fire, find water, build a survival kit, explore a lake by canoe, play in a flowing creek, and hike through a forest to a winding stream.
• Ages: 7–12 years old
• Schedule: Multiple 4- and 5-day sessions offered in June and July, including Adventure Camp, Wilderness Survival Camp, and Water Wonders
• Price: Adventure Camp: $180 for the 4-day session and $225 for the 5-day session; Wilderness Survival Camp: $225 per 5-day session; Water Wonders: $225 per 5-day session; prices include all camp supplies and field trip admissions
Wilderness Louisville, Inc., founded in 2013 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is associated with these camps and states the mission “Nature is For Everyone: We are stewards of natural areas and champions of nature education, recreation, and youth. Our mission is to provide and sustain quality natural spaces in Louisville and ensure there is equitable access for the community.” Wilderness Louisville, Inc. works in partnership with the Louisville Metro Government’s Department of Parks and Recreation to promote the development, stewardship, and community awareness of public natural spaces and is the primary fundraising entity for West Louisville Outdoor Recreation and the JMF Master Plan. Jefferson Memorial Forest is described as the nation’s largest municipally-owned urban forest.
The leadership team connected with the program includes David Grissom (Program Manager), James “Matt” Douthitt (Recreation Supervisor), Jessica Kane (Parks & Recreation Administrator), John Studer (Land Management Parks Manager), Jade Glore (Land Management Supervisor), David Gootee (Horticultural Park Worker), Spencer Longacre (Forester I), Lavel White (Community Outreach Specialist), and Christa Weidner (Naturalist). Staff are described as highly trained and enthusiastic. Matt Douthitt has been certified as an American Canoe Association instructor since 2007 and is a Level 3 River Canoeing instructor, has been a Wilderness First Responder with the Wilderness Medicine Institute since 2009, is trained in Wilderness Risk Management with the National Outdoor Leadership School, and is trained in Level 4 Swift Water Rescue through the American Canoe Association. Jessica Kane is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), certified in environmental education, and certified in First Aid/CPR.
The camps have a counselor-to-camper ratio of 2 counselors for every 12 campers, and campers are grouped according to age. Campers take on the roles of naturalists, scientists, and adventurers, and those in Wilderness Survival Camp build their own survival kit to take home and earn emblems in each survival skill. Personal flotation devices are provided to each camper for canoe excursions and creek play day. Campers should be able to walk on trails, walk up and down hills, and traverse both flat and uneven ground, and should be prepared to be outdoors all day.
Registrations can be made over the phone or in person during business hours Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and summer camp registration is integrated with Metro Parks’ class registration system, WebTrac. All camps are subject to maximum and minimum enrollment requirements. If a camp is canceled by Louisville Parks, a full refund will be made, and refunds cannot be made due to weather.
The medication policy states that camp staff are not permitted to administer, handle, or store any form of medication, and campers must self-administer medication. Medications must remain with each participant and in their original container, and parents or guardians must sign the Metro Parks and Recreation Medication Policy and Acknowledgement Form prior to attendance.
Last updated February 25, 2026.
• Ages: 7–12 years old
• Schedule: Multiple 4- and 5-day sessions offered in June and July, including Adventure Camp, Wilderness Survival Camp, and Water Wonders
• Price: Adventure Camp: $180 for the 4-day session and $225 for the 5-day session; Wilderness Survival Camp: $225 per 5-day session; Water Wonders: $225 per 5-day session; prices include all camp supplies and field trip admissions
Wilderness Louisville, Inc., founded in 2013 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is associated with these camps and states the mission “Nature is For Everyone: We are stewards of natural areas and champions of nature education, recreation, and youth. Our mission is to provide and sustain quality natural spaces in Louisville and ensure there is equitable access for the community.” Wilderness Louisville, Inc. works in partnership with the Louisville Metro Government’s Department of Parks and Recreation to promote the development, stewardship, and community awareness of public natural spaces and is the primary fundraising entity for West Louisville Outdoor Recreation and the JMF Master Plan. Jefferson Memorial Forest is described as the nation’s largest municipally-owned urban forest.
The leadership team connected with the program includes David Grissom (Program Manager), James “Matt” Douthitt (Recreation Supervisor), Jessica Kane (Parks & Recreation Administrator), John Studer (Land Management Parks Manager), Jade Glore (Land Management Supervisor), David Gootee (Horticultural Park Worker), Spencer Longacre (Forester I), Lavel White (Community Outreach Specialist), and Christa Weidner (Naturalist). Staff are described as highly trained and enthusiastic. Matt Douthitt has been certified as an American Canoe Association instructor since 2007 and is a Level 3 River Canoeing instructor, has been a Wilderness First Responder with the Wilderness Medicine Institute since 2009, is trained in Wilderness Risk Management with the National Outdoor Leadership School, and is trained in Level 4 Swift Water Rescue through the American Canoe Association. Jessica Kane is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), certified in environmental education, and certified in First Aid/CPR.
The camps have a counselor-to-camper ratio of 2 counselors for every 12 campers, and campers are grouped according to age. Campers take on the roles of naturalists, scientists, and adventurers, and those in Wilderness Survival Camp build their own survival kit to take home and earn emblems in each survival skill. Personal flotation devices are provided to each camper for canoe excursions and creek play day. Campers should be able to walk on trails, walk up and down hills, and traverse both flat and uneven ground, and should be prepared to be outdoors all day.
Registrations can be made over the phone or in person during business hours Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and summer camp registration is integrated with Metro Parks’ class registration system, WebTrac. All camps are subject to maximum and minimum enrollment requirements. If a camp is canceled by Louisville Parks, a full refund will be made, and refunds cannot be made due to weather.
The medication policy states that camp staff are not permitted to administer, handle, or store any form of medication, and campers must self-administer medication. Medications must remain with each participant and in their original container, and parents or guardians must sign the Metro Parks and Recreation Medication Policy and Acknowledgement Form prior to attendance.
Last updated February 25, 2026.
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