*Check back in the spring for 2022 Summer Camp!*
GREAT BASIN NATURALISTS
Outdoor Learning Close to Home

Located in the beautiful Galena Creek Regional Park, nestled between Reno and Lake Tahoe, our day and residential camps open a portal to the wilder world. Through engaging, creative, educational, and hands-on nature activities, kids will discover the natural wonders of our local forests, creeks, lakes and ponds. All Great Basin Naturalists Staff are trained outdoor educators committed to providing a safe and fun learning experience for your campers.
Great Basin Naturalists Youth Exploration Camps promote participant's healthy cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development by creating positive outdoor memories and care for our planet!
Great Basin Naturalists...
Bringing out the explorer in every child.
Great Basin Naturalists Youth Exploration Camps promote participant's healthy cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development by creating positive outdoor memories and care for our planet!
Great Basin Naturalists...
Bringing out the explorer in every child.
S U M M E R E X P L O R A T I O N C A M P S
at Galena Creek
2021 Youth Day Camps
at Galena Creek Visitor Center
This summer, experience a portal to the wilder world….explore the Sierras, investigate the Great Basin, and get moving outside with hands-on, adventurous, outdoor exploration camps. Your child will experience, first hand, the beautiful Nevada environment just like the scientists do. Great Basin Naturalists at Galena summer camps provide quality outdoor experiences that emphasize environmental science and physical activity, foster creativity, and promote STEM education and environmental stewardship. Our staff is made up of enthusiastic outdoor educators who are trained and committed to providing your child with the coolest outdoor experiences that they’ll surely remember for a lifetime!
Great Basin Naturalists at Galena Exploration Camps are made possible through partnerships between Washoe County, the USDA Forest Service, and the Great Basin Institute .
2021 COVID-19 CAMP POLICIES
KEEPING YOUR CHILD, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY SAFE IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. THIS YEAR, CAMP MAY LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT, BUT THE GREAT BASIN NATURALSITS CAN DO DIFFERENT. WHAT WE CAN'T DO IS SUMMER WITHOUT CAMP WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH TO DETERMINE THE SAFEST WAY TO TO HOST CAMPS THIS YEAR. CHECK OUT THE NEW POLICIES BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Masks must be worn by staff and campers at all times (unless eat-ing or drinking)
14-day health screen prior to camp start-date
Daily health checks each day of camp
Entirely outdoor program
Small, non-mixing camp groups (no more than 12 children)
Social Distancing of 6ft. or more
Local Participants only—campers must live in one of the following Counties: Washoe, Storey, Carson City, El Dorado, Douglas, & Placer
With reduced capacity this year, registration will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis
at Galena Creek Visitor Center
This summer, experience a portal to the wilder world….explore the Sierras, investigate the Great Basin, and get moving outside with hands-on, adventurous, outdoor exploration camps. Your child will experience, first hand, the beautiful Nevada environment just like the scientists do. Great Basin Naturalists at Galena summer camps provide quality outdoor experiences that emphasize environmental science and physical activity, foster creativity, and promote STEM education and environmental stewardship. Our staff is made up of enthusiastic outdoor educators who are trained and committed to providing your child with the coolest outdoor experiences that they’ll surely remember for a lifetime!
Great Basin Naturalists at Galena Exploration Camps are made possible through partnerships between Washoe County, the USDA Forest Service, and the Great Basin Institute .
2021 COVID-19 CAMP POLICIES
KEEPING YOUR CHILD, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY SAFE IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. THIS YEAR, CAMP MAY LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT, BUT THE GREAT BASIN NATURALSITS CAN DO DIFFERENT. WHAT WE CAN'T DO IS SUMMER WITHOUT CAMP WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH TO DETERMINE THE SAFEST WAY TO TO HOST CAMPS THIS YEAR. CHECK OUT THE NEW POLICIES BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Masks must be worn by staff and campers at all times (unless eat-ing or drinking)
14-day health screen prior to camp start-date
Daily health checks each day of camp
Entirely outdoor program
Small, non-mixing camp groups (no more than 12 children)
Social Distancing of 6ft. or more
Local Participants only—campers must live in one of the following Counties: Washoe, Storey, Carson City, El Dorado, Douglas, & Placer
With reduced capacity this year, registration will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis
SUMMER 2021 CAMP SESSIONS
Wilderness Adventure (June 14-18)
Wilderness Adventure is the perfect GBN camp theme for those kiddos who just can't get enough of the outdoors! Campers will learn survival, orienteering, and first aid skills , build nature shelters, use compasses, identify Nevada plants and animals, practice Leave No Trace ethics, and more!
Animal Adaptations: Mammals (June 21-25)
Lions, coyotes, bears, oh YES! Animal Adaptations - Mammals week is the perfect opportunity for your explorer to discover the excitement of mountain and desert life for the mammals that call this home. Campers will learn about the different mammals we have here, their unique characteristics and adaptations, and their roles in the environment. Campers will consider the beautifully bold species we share our land with, and explore just how unique each organism really is.
Rock Jocks (June 28-July 2)
Rocks, minerals, fossils, geologic land formations, plate tectonics...these are just a few of the geologic topics we'll investigate further during Rock Jock's week. With gorgeous mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes all around us, campers will love learning about our geologically and culturally rich region and step into the roles of rock hounds, miners, and geologists!
We Mean Green (July 5-9)
We Mean Green is perfect for campers excited about conservation, sustainability, and preserving our planet for years to come. Campers will learn about some of the challenges our planet is facing, and explore the role humans can play in protecting the land and becoming an environmental steward! Let’s go green, together!
Water World Exploration (July 12-16)
Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake, the Truckee River…these are just a few of the many aquatic environments we have in Northern Nevada. Campers will 'get their feet wet' this week by exploring the wonderful world of water—performing experiments, examining the creatures living below the surface, and considering the important role water plays in geology, ecology, and everyday life on earth.
Ecosystem Extravaganza (July 19-23)
The Galena Creek Regional Park is home to many different ecosystems: pine forests, Great Basin Desert, Truckee River Watershed, just to name a few. Campers excited to learn the bigger picture of environmental science are invited to join us for ecosystem extravaganza week where we'll learn all about the fascinating plants and animals that call Northern NV home, the crazy connections between all living things, and the complex balance of the natural world.
Power of Plants (July 26-30)
Campers excited about plants will LOVE Power of Plants week. Combining outdoor adventures and exploration will lead campers to learn about the many beautiful plants found in the Galena Forest, and northern Nevada environments. Campers will identify common species, explore the unique adaptations of plants, and examine their importance.
Animal Adaptations: Bugs & Birds (August 2-6)
Grab your binoculars and your magnifying glasses, because we're going exploring! The second week of Animal Adaptations is perfect for animal lovers interested in insects and birds. Campers will join us to explore the VERY diverse variety and quantity of species, and their importance to us, and our planet.
Wilderness Adventure is the perfect GBN camp theme for those kiddos who just can't get enough of the outdoors! Campers will learn survival, orienteering, and first aid skills , build nature shelters, use compasses, identify Nevada plants and animals, practice Leave No Trace ethics, and more!
Animal Adaptations: Mammals (June 21-25)
Lions, coyotes, bears, oh YES! Animal Adaptations - Mammals week is the perfect opportunity for your explorer to discover the excitement of mountain and desert life for the mammals that call this home. Campers will learn about the different mammals we have here, their unique characteristics and adaptations, and their roles in the environment. Campers will consider the beautifully bold species we share our land with, and explore just how unique each organism really is.
Rock Jocks (June 28-July 2)
Rocks, minerals, fossils, geologic land formations, plate tectonics...these are just a few of the geologic topics we'll investigate further during Rock Jock's week. With gorgeous mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes all around us, campers will love learning about our geologically and culturally rich region and step into the roles of rock hounds, miners, and geologists!
We Mean Green (July 5-9)
We Mean Green is perfect for campers excited about conservation, sustainability, and preserving our planet for years to come. Campers will learn about some of the challenges our planet is facing, and explore the role humans can play in protecting the land and becoming an environmental steward! Let’s go green, together!
Water World Exploration (July 12-16)
Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake, the Truckee River…these are just a few of the many aquatic environments we have in Northern Nevada. Campers will 'get their feet wet' this week by exploring the wonderful world of water—performing experiments, examining the creatures living below the surface, and considering the important role water plays in geology, ecology, and everyday life on earth.
Ecosystem Extravaganza (July 19-23)
The Galena Creek Regional Park is home to many different ecosystems: pine forests, Great Basin Desert, Truckee River Watershed, just to name a few. Campers excited to learn the bigger picture of environmental science are invited to join us for ecosystem extravaganza week where we'll learn all about the fascinating plants and animals that call Northern NV home, the crazy connections between all living things, and the complex balance of the natural world.
Power of Plants (July 26-30)
Campers excited about plants will LOVE Power of Plants week. Combining outdoor adventures and exploration will lead campers to learn about the many beautiful plants found in the Galena Forest, and northern Nevada environments. Campers will identify common species, explore the unique adaptations of plants, and examine their importance.
Animal Adaptations: Bugs & Birds (August 2-6)
Grab your binoculars and your magnifying glasses, because we're going exploring! The second week of Animal Adaptations is perfect for animal lovers interested in insects and birds. Campers will join us to explore the VERY diverse variety and quantity of species, and their importance to us, and our planet.
2021 GENERAL CAMP NOTES
Due to COVID-19 safety measures, we will not be able to offer the following programs in 2021: Residential Camps, ‘Field Biology for Teens’ Camps, Counselor-in-Training/Culinary Teen Internships. We thank you for your understanding and look forward to resuming these programs in 2022.
- ALL 2021 CAMP SESSIONS WILL BE HELD AT THE GALENA CREEK VISITOR CENTER AND ON GALENA CREEK REGIONAL PARK TRAILS.
- THE COST PER WEEK OF CAMP IS $237. THANKS TO GENEROUS GRANT FUNDING FROM THE NELL J. REDFIELD FOUNDATION, FULL AND PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE.
- ALL PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED FOR LOCAL YOUTH, BETWEEN THE AGES OF 8 AND 12.
Due to COVID-19 safety measures, we will not be able to offer the following programs in 2021: Residential Camps, ‘Field Biology for Teens’ Camps, Counselor-in-Training/Culinary Teen Internships. We thank you for your understanding and look forward to resuming these programs in 2022.

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2021 CAMP REGISTRATION
HOW TO REGISTER
Great Basin Naturalists has partnered with CampDoc.com to better serve our campers and staff. CampDoc.com offers online registration and an electronic health record system for camps. You can now register your camper and complete their health information all in one place. Once you sign up for a CampDoc.com account, you will be able to register your camper and make payments online. Afterwards, you will receive more information on how to complete your camper’s health profile. We’re excited to let you know that your camper’s health information will save from year-to-year, so once you complete it in CampDoc.com this season, you won’t have to start from scratch next year.
Scholarships are Available for all Camp Programs!
We want all kids to be able to attend our camps programs as we believe money should not be a barrier for environmental education! If your camper is interested in attending a program, but the cost of camp is beyond what you can pay, please fill out a scholarship application and email it to visitorcenter@thegreatbasininstitute.org.
Funds for camp scholarships are generously provided by the Nell J. Redfield Foundation.
Funds for camp scholarships are generously provided by the Nell J. Redfield Foundation.
2021 SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
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Summer Camp 2018 |
Fall Camp 2017 |
Summer Camp 2017 |
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