Overview
It’s a full-day program—each day is different and spent outside at a park.
Kids entering grades K-5 will be active and learning as they explore themes like pioneer life, hiking and climbing, what grows in the wild and more, tapping into creativity through nature-themed arts and crafts and playing sports and games. Kids stay active with swimming, group games and weekly field trips.
Location
Lake Elmo Park - South Pavilion
1515 Keats Ave N
Lake Elmo, MN 55042
Vehicle Permits are required for all vehicles entering the park, including vehicles belonging to registered campers.
- Daily Permit: $7
- First annual permit: $30 - Vehicle Permit Pass
- Second annual permit (for same household, must be purchased at same time as first): $20
Dates & Hours
For youth ages 5+ entering grades K – 5 in fall
June 9 – August 29, Monday – Friday (No program July 4)
Program Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Drop-off: 6:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Pick-up: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Field Trips
Exciting themes guide weekly activities and field trips to keep kids engaged and learning new things. Complete schedules will be available later this spring.
Nature Power Weekly Schedule
*This is the general schedule for field trips and swim days. A full schedule of planned field trips will be posted once they are confirmed.
- Mondays – Field Trip
- Tuesdays – On Site
- Wednesdays – Park & Swim day
- Thursdays – Field Trip
- Fridays – On Site
Cost
Customize your child’s summer to fit the needs of your family. Enroll your child for the whole summer, choose a few weeks, or mix it up even more with full and partial weeks.
Choose from 2- or 3-day options or combine for a full week of fun!
- $145 – Tuesday/Thursday
- $206 – Monday/Wednesday/Friday
- $289 – Monday-Friday
Administrative Fee – $50 per child, one-time fee, non-refundable. Weekly fee includes all field trip admissions, open swimming, program t-shirt and program supplies. All fees are per child, per week of attendance.
Weekly Themes
There’s always something fresh and new at Nature Power. Exciting themes guide the weekly activities to keep kids engaged and learning new things.
Please note: these are just a sample of the themes available during Nature Power. Actual themes for each week may vary and are subject to change.
June 9-13: School’s Out, Splash It Out – School is out, so it’s time to celebrate summer with wonderful weather and fun water games!
June 16-20: Serengeti Safari – Take a ride on our safari bus as we explore the animals that live in the Serengeti. We will make stops to see the elephants, visit the lion pride, and much more as we explore all that the region has to offer.
June 23-27: Weather Wonders – Reporting live from the YMCA - cloudy skies, thunderstorms and a potential tornado in the forecast! Get ready to explore, learn, and report on all of the different kinds of weather conditions of our climate.
June 30-July 3: Bonfire Bash – This week we will learn about the natural world and the outdoor experiences that Minnesota has to offer! Create campfire themed crafts and participate in camping games and activities.
July 7-11: Adventure on the High Sea – Kids will become Ocean Explorers as they embark on a week with fun, learning, and exciting sea-inspired activities. From treasure hunts to creating ocean art, each day will bring new discoveries about marine life, pirates, and the wonders of the deep blue sea.
July 14-18: Sports Galore – Get ready to jump, run, and play in the ultimate sports-filled summer adventure! Kids will have the chance to try new sports, build teamwork skills, and discover the joy of staying active while having a blast.
July 21-25: Inventor’s Lab – This week kids will dive into the world of innovation, engineering, and problem-solving. They'll have the chance to design their own inventions, build creative prototypes, and experiment with hands-on science projects.
July 28-August 1: Zen Explorers – Join us in the Zen Den. We’ll practice mindfulness exercises, play calming games, and explore fun activities like nature walks, storytelling, and arts & crafts. Kids will learn ways to relax their minds, manage big emotions, and feel more confident in themselves.
August 4-8: Can You Dig It? – As we embark on our quest to learn more about nature and plants in the world that we live on, throughout the week we are going to venture through our outdoors to explore. Come ready to learn about everything that our world has to offer outside in nature!
August 11-15: Walking with Dinosaurs – Have you ever wondered what the world was like 165 million years ago. Come join us as we explore Earths’ mightiest creatures through the age of dinosaurs.
August 18-22: Cosmic Crusaders – Blast off into space exploration! Learn about planet constellations and solar systems.
August 25-28: Minnesota Moments – All things Minnesota, but not necessarily on a stick. Explore our magnificent state by learning about the legends, leaders, and lakes that make our state great!