River Bend Nature Center Summer Camps

River Bend Nature Center Summer Camps offers Meadowlarks, Herons, and Adventure Is Out There Camps. Meadowlarks includes two-day camps such as Dinosaurs, The Buzz on Pollinators, Nature Art, Forts & Fires, Explorers, and Animal Camp. Herons includes two-day camps such as Archery and Atlatls and Bushcraft, and Adventure Is Out There Camps travel offsite in a 15-passenger van to various destinations.

Programs

• Meadowlarks — Entering Kindergarten - 2nd Grade in Fall 2026 · $35–$60 per session · Two-day summer camps. Campers can bring lunch and snacks, or opt in to free breakfast and lunch. Limited space; first-come, first-served.
• Herons — Entering 3rd - 5th Grade in Fall 2026 · $35–$60 per session · Two-day summer camps. Campers can bring lunch and snacks, or opt in to free breakfast and lunch. Limited space; first-come, first-served.
• Adventure Is Out There Camps — Entering 3rd-5th Grade or 6th-9th Grade in Fall 2026 · $60–$85 per session · Camps travel offsite in a 15-passenger van to various destinations. Campers can bring lunch and snacks, or opt in to free breakfast and lunch. Limited space; first-come, first-served.
• Combined Meadowlarks & Herons — Entering Kindergarten - 5th Grade in Fall 2026 · No combined camps this summer.
• Rotary Family Camp — Youth and their adults · Designed for youth and their adults to participate in camp activities together. Camp runs 10am-4pm. These programs are free, but pre-registration is required.

At a glance

• Ages: 5–14 years old
• Price range: $35–$85 per session
• General schedule: Summer camps are offered for children entering Kindergarten through 9th grade. River Bend Summer Camps are named by age group (K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-9th) and run from 9:00am - 4:00pm. Adventure Is Out There Camps run from 8:30am - 4:00pm. Rotary Family Camp runs 10am-4pm.
• Facility hours: Building hours: Monday 8 AM - 7 PM; Tuesday - Friday 8 AM - 4 PM; Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM.

About the provider

River Bend Nature Center was founded in 1978. Its mission is to help people discover, enjoy, understand and preserve the incredible natural world that surrounds us all. In partnership with Faribault Public Schools and Sodexo Food Service, the program provides free breakfast and lunch for all summer camps.

Each camp has limited space and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional forms may be required for off-site organizations. RBNC staff reserve the right to send a participant home if they are displaying symptoms of a contagious illness.

Last updated November 4, 2026.