Hidden Meadows Day Camp
The highlight of the summer, Hidden Meadows Day Camp encourages children ages 3 – 12 to learn about nature and enjoy the outdoors by exploring Grant Park, playing games and making new friends! Campers will be placed in groups of similarly aged children. They will be treated to guest speakers, special presentations and activities. All-day (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and half-day (9 a.m. to noon) options are available, as well as before and after care. Before care is available from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. After care is available from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Each day of camp is predominately spent outdoors. Campers will be in the woods and exploring the creeks. Campers should expect to wear clothing and shoes that can get wet and dirty.
All-day campers should bring a packed lunch that does not require refrigeration. All campers will receive a t-shirt during their first week. Campers should bring a filled water bottle every day. Camp is held rain or shine.
Resident camp registration begins online Monday, April 14 at 10 a.m. Nonresident camp registration begins online Monday, April 21 at 10 a.m. Phone registration will begin one day later.
Jump on the summer camp fast track! In an effort to improve your camp registration experience, we have created a way for you to fill out the required camp forms PRIOR to the first day of camp registration. This will make your camp registration go faster, and decrease the chance that your child will be placed on a camp waiting list.
2025 Camp Weeks:
Week 1: June 2 – 6, Happy Habitats (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $80 residents, $90 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $160 residents, $180 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
What’s a habitat? An animal home! Join us for a week of exploring habitats at Grant Park! From squirrels and owls to salamanders and snails, we will answer the question of ‘where do wild things live?’ Each day will feature hikes to different parts of Grant Park to explore forests, creeks, ponds, meadows, and even the leaf litter on the edge of the trails!
Week 2: June 9 – 13, Creeks, Ponds & Puddles (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $80 residents, $90 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $160 residents, $180 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
Start summer off with a splash! Learn all about creeks, play water-filled games, and go on adventures to, and sometimes even through, the water habitats of Grant Park! Bring your creek shoes for this adventure!
Week 3: June 16 – 18 & 20, Fast & Furious (No camp June 19) (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $64 residents, $74 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $128 residents, $148 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
This week is all about speed! We will learn about some of Ohio’s fastest animals, from the coyote to the peregrine falcon! We will also show off our own speed in your favorite camp games, relay races and hikes. Think you can keep up for this week of competitive, outdoor fun?
Week 4: June 23 – 27, Camp Community (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $80 residents, $90 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $160 residents, $180 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
Your parks are part of one awesome community! This week, our campers will learn about nature, kindness, and being a good neighbor from various guest speakers. Crafts and activities will focus on giving back! Team-building games, litter cleanup hikes and meeting community heroes are what your camper can look forward to this week.
Week 5: June 30 – July 3, Color Wonders (Preschool Week) (No camp July 4) (Ages 3 – 5, half-day only)
Fee/half-day week: $64 residents, $74 nonresidents, $30 before care
Ages 5 – 12, full-day only
Fee/full-day week: $128 residents, $148 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
This camp is about to get colorful! Join us for tie-dye, crafts, colorful guests, exploring colors in nature and more! Your camper’s creative side will bloom at this camp.
Week 6: July 7 – 11, Fantasy Week (Preschool Week) (Ages 3 – 5, half-day only)
Fee/half-day week: $80 residents, $90 nonresidents, $30 before care
Ages 5 – 12, full-day only
Fee/full-day week: $160 residents, $180 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
It’s fantastical out here! We will use our imaginations to search for our favorite mythical creatures in the woods. Campers will create homes for fairies and gnomes, learn about mythical creatures lurking in the parks, and bring imagination to the forefront of this camp.
Week 7: July 14 – 18, Camp Wildflower (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $80 residents, $90 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $160 residents, $180 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
Botanists are scientists who study plants, and your camper gets to become one this week. Learn about trees, plants, wildflowers, and the meadows and forests they call home. We will also learn about pollinators! All of your favorite camp games will be played along the way.
Week 8: July 21 – 25, Survivor (Field Trip Week) (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $80 residents, $90 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $160 residents, $180 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
It will be a competition all week long! Your camper will play their favorite camp games, tie-dye team bandanas, and join in friendly, outdoor competitive activities. Week 8 full-day campers will meet at Oak Grove Park one of their camp days to fish, participate in archery, and for their grand competition! Field trip fees are included in the cost of camp.
Week 9: July 28 – August 1, Nocturnal Wildlife (Ages 5 – 12)
Fee/half-day week: $80 residents, $90 nonresidents, $30 before care
Fee/full-day week: $160 residents, $180 nonresidents, $30 before and/or after care
WHOO do you think roams the park at night? This camp will be all about nocturnal wildlife! Games, activities, crafts and guest speakers will turn this day camp into a nocturnal novelty — no flashlight needed.
Additional Camp Information:
Staff
Many staff coordinators and counselors are college students pursuing a degree in parks and recreation or education, or they have previous experience in the field. Assistant counselors are at least 16 years of age and have experience working with children.
Inclement Weather
Camp is primarily an outdoor program and will be held rain or shine. The school buildings by Grant Park will serve as a meeting area and shelter for Hidden Meadows.
What to Wear
Dress your child in comfortable old clothes and closed-toe shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are prohibited due to poison ivy and other naturally occurring hazards. Please put your child’s name on all items brought to camp. Many pack an old pair of shoes to wear when visiting the creek.
What to Bring
Bring a water bottle to refill during the day. All-day campers should also bring a packed lunch that does not require refrigeration. Lunch should not include any peanuts or tree nuts.
Daily Sign-In & Sign-Out
We take strict precautions in accepting and releasing children from the program. Please inform counselors of any changes. Daily sign-in and sign-out is required.
Sunscreen & Insect Repellent
Counselors are not permitted to apply sunscreen or insect repellent. Campers can bring their own and reapply.
Medical Procedures & Emergencies
All counselors are trained in first aid and CPR and carry a first aid kit. Health history information is kept on-site. In the event of a medical emergency, parents and 911 will be called. The child will be escorted to the hospital or released to the parents. If parents cannot be located, the emergency contact will be called. In the event of minor injury/illness, the child will be treated, an incident report will be completed, and parents will be notified at pickup.
Medication
Staff is permitted to perform only basic first aid. They are also authorized to dispense some types of prescription or nonprescription medication. Rule 5101:2-18-15 (4) 2 of the Ohio Administrative Code states that a child day camp shall set its own policy regarding whether to administer prescription or nonprescription medications. If your child requires medication during camp hours, you must complete additional required forms. If your child carries an epi-pen, complete additional required forms.
Discipline
Review our summer camp discipline process.
Registration Deadline
The last day to make registration changes is noon the Monday prior to your camper’s start date.
Cancellation Policy
If a camp is canceled by the Park District, you will receive a full refund. If your child can no longer attend a camp, you may cancel seven days prior to the camp’s start date to receive a full refund as household credit or back to the original payment method. Cancellations made less than seven days prior to the camp’s start date will be offered a 50% household credit. Cancellations made during or after the camp are not eligible for a refund.
All participants must be independent in the six activities of daily living: using the restroom, eating, bathing, dressing, transferring (i.e. walking) and continence. If your child requires an accommodation to participate, please let us know when you register.