Days and Times: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. from June 15 to August 21, 2026 (Except there will be no Sapling Camp July 13-17)
Meeting Location: Lower City Park, Iowa City
Group size: 20 children with three Taproot teachers and a Junior Leader
Tuition: $440
Kids sign up for one or more weeks and tuition is $440/week
Sapling Camp is a rich, nature-filled experience for children, guided by excellent, kind teachers and surrounded by friendly kids in an atmosphere of Unconditional Positive Regard.
Saplings endeavor on a 5-day odyssey of nature, friendship, and adventure around Iowa City and further afield. Each day we visit one or two destinations—Turkey Creek, Harvest Preserve, Kent Park, Scattergood Farm, and others—for fishing, swimming, archery, tree-climbing, running games, mindful observation, ephemeral art, forest yoga, and general nature love.
On Thursdays, we will alternate longer field trips to Maquoketa Caves State Park, Backbone State Park, and possibly a new spot this summer yet to be determined. Each week’s planned long trip destination will be determined later based on weather, group dynamics, and other factors.
Kids bring a water bottle with a carrying sling, snacks, and a hearty lunch each day, along with some other stuff:
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weather-appropriate clothing for playing outside
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shoes that can get soaked–sneakers, keens, crocs, etc.
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a change of clothing
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sun hat
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swimsuit and swim shirt
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towel
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NON SPRAY sunscreen
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Bug repellent
Some other details:
Water is the best camp drink for Taproot Kids, with pure fruit juice or your family’s milk choice as a lunchtime treat. Soda pop, sports drinks, and the like do not have a place at Taproot.
Sapling Campers wear PFDs in deep water, regardless of swimming abilities.
Sapling Camp travels in the “Beluga” bus. This vehicle has lap seatbelts, and we don’t use boosters in the Beluga.
Label everything! This will make it much more likely your child’s belongings will make it home with them.