Summer Nature Camps Near You: Lakeland + Polk County
Your child will get to explore the great outdoors at these nature-based summer camps and outdoor camps. Learn about plants, wildlife, nature, survival skills, and much more as kids use their imagination and get dirty at these nature camps near you.
Please check directly with camp organizers for the most up-to-date details. All information on our website is for informational purposes only and each listing includes a link directly to the source.
For a complete list of summer camps in Lakeland, Polk County, and Central Florida, check out our full Summer Camp Guide.
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Our Summer Camp Guide contains both sponsored and free listings. The inclusion of a camp does not constitute an endorsement, this guide is for informational purposes only. Don’t see your summer camp listed here? Use the + Add Listing button below to add a basic listing, or Click here to inquire about upgrading to a Featured Camp Listing. Just need to make a change? Use our Contact Us form.
Use the 3 bars on the top left to filter by location, age, and more. Use the map at the bottom to find Nature + Outdoor Camps near me.
At WonderHere, we believe childhood is something to be cherished, preserved, and enjoyed. Our summer camps will leave your children FILLED with wonder. This is our TENTH year of summer camp, and we have fun down to a science. Each week, children will experience hands-on activities, exposure to new hobbies and skills, weekly movie day and water day, and team competitions. Campers will get to interact with nature and farm animals. And daily free play, of course! Summer themes include Jedi Training, Shark Week, Dragon Training, K-Pop, Pokemon, Christmas in July, and more.
Additional Summer Camp Options: WonderHeroes Summer Camp specially designed for children with varying needs, and a Summer Camp DAY PASS on Mondays – visit camp website to learn more
Weekly Sessions from June 1 – July 29, 2026
8am – 3:30pm
Elementary Camp – Ages 5-12 | Minis Camp – Ages 4-5
Enroll now in a summer kids fishing camp and learn boat safety, fishing techniques and enjoy bass fishing on the Chain of Lakes in Winter Haven. This hands-on camp also includes education regarding fishing with different types of bait, seeing different animal species in their habitat and even stopping in the sandbar to take a swim and cool off.
The goals of the camp are to take each camper and improve their knowledge and their skills as they relate to freshwater fishing. The instructors make sure each camper improves their abilities whether they are a beginner or a veteran fisherman.
Spots are limited, reserve your week now!!!
Weekly Sessions from May 27 – July 17, 2025
Mon-Thurs 8am-noon
Age 6 & up
Camp Gilead is a year-round Christian Camp and Retreat Center that has served central Florida since 1938! We exist to glorify God by creating an atmosphere for individuals to evaluate their relationship with Christ and be challenged to make decisions resulting in changed lives.
It is a safe place filled with opportunities to be challenged both physically and spiritually while making lifelong friends. In fact, many return year after year because they cannot bear the thought of a summer without being a part of the action at camp, seeing their friends, and being spiritually refreshed.
Each child’s health and safety are top concerns. All activities are under the direction of trained Christian staff who live in cabins with campers. Trained first-aid personnel and certified lifeguards are also on duty.
Varies by camp – visit website for details. Overnight camps begin on Sunday afternoons and end on Friday. Commuter Camps run Monday – Friday.
Overnight Camp is Sunday 4pm – Friday 3:30pm
Check camp website for Commuter Camp hours
K-12th Grade – ages vary by week
Welcome to summertime fun at the FSC Early Childhood Learning Lab summer safari for ages 3-8! Join us on a wild adventure as we visit faraway places and learn about a new animal every week. Activities include art/crafts, experiments, investigation, outside time, and more. Sign up for the week or the whole summer.
Weekly Sessions June 2 – 27 and July 7 – August 1, 2025
9am-3pm or 9am-12pm (full day and half day)
Before + After Care Available – 7:30am-5:15pm
Ages 3-8
June 2 – 27 and July 7 – Aug 1, 2025 – weekly sessions
8am – 5 pm. Curriculum runs from 9 am to 3 pm.
Campers are divided into 2 age groups for developmentally-appropriate programming.
-Watermelon Kids: Ages 4 and 5. Must be enrolled in Kindergarten for the 25-26 school year and turn 5 by Sept.1, 2025.
-Blinky’s Kids: Ages 6 to 9. Must have completed Kindergarten, first, second, or third grade in the 2024-25 school year.
Vary by Camp – see website
Vary by camp – visit website for details
6th – 12th Grade
2025 Dates
June 9 – 13: 4th/5th graders
June 16 – 20: 6th/7th graders
June 23 – 27: 8th/9th graders
July 7 – 11: 4th/5th graders
July 14 -18: 6th/7th graders
10 AM to 3 PM
Rising 4th grade through rising 9th grade
June 9-13 – Precision Sports Camp | Grades 5-7
June 16-20 – Hooks & Hulls Camp | Grades 3-5
June 23-27 – Outdoor Adventure Camp | Grades 3-5
July 7-11 – Precision Sports Camp | Grades 6-9
July 14-18 – Hooks & Hulls Camp | Grades 6-9
July 21-25 – Outdoor Adventure Camp | Grades 6-9
8:30am – 4pm (3pm on Friday)
Grades 3-9 – varies by week
June 9-13, 16-20, 23-27
10am-3pm
5 & up
June 10-14 and June 17-21, 2024
9am – 12pm
7-9
June 30 – July 3, 2025
8:30am – 3pm
Ages 9-12
June 3 – June 27 – Weekly Sessions
9am – 12pm
4-10 years old