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 predominantly spent outdoors. Campers will be in the woods and exploring the creeks. They should 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, March 2, at 10 a.m. Nonresident camp registration begins online Monday, March 9, 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.
2026 Camp Weeks:
Week 1: June 1 – 5, Hike & Seek 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
Let’s hit the trails, campers! This week will be full of hiking, scavenger hunts, classic camp games and learning about the camouflaged wildlife hiding on the trails.
Week 2: June 8 – 12, Water Wonders (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
This camp is sure to be a splash — from creek exploration to water games to learning about aquatic wildlife! Make sure to bring your creeking shoes for this adventure!
Week 3: June 15 – 18, Tracks & Scat (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
We’re on the lookout for the wildlife of Grant Park — and the signs they leave behind. Your camper will hike trails, learn about wildlife tracks, seek out fur and feathers and even identify scat! Along the way, we will play games that teach us about animal behavior. This week is for the blossoming zoologist!
Week 4: June 22 – 26, 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! Our campers will learn about nature, kindness and being a good neighbor from various guest speakers. Crafts and activities will focus on giving back! Your camper can look forward to team-building games, litter cleanup hikes and meeting community heroes this week.
Week 5: June 29 – July 2, All the Buzzzz! (Preschool Week) (No camp July 3)
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
The meadows are alive, and we get to explore them! Your camper will spend their week learning about flowers, meadow habitats and all things bugs. They will hike meadows, create floral crafts and admire the hardworking pollinators that are abuzz at Grant Park. Your camper will be one busy bee!
Week 6: July 6 – 10, 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! From searching for mythical creatures while hiking in the woods to building homes for fairies and gnomes, your camper will bring imagination to the forefront of their camp experience.
Week 7: July 13 – 17, 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 7 full-day campers will meet at Oak Grove Park on one of their camp days to fish, participate in archery, and for their grand competition!
Week 8: July 20 – 24, The Creek Before Time (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
We’re diving back in time for this camp! Let’s explore prehistoric animals through creeking adventures, fossil exploration, guest speakers and dinosaur-themed activities. We’ll end the week learning about our living ‘dinosaurs’ right here at Grant Park — our scaly and terrific reptiles.
Week 9: July 27 – 31, Camp Conservation (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
This week will be focused on being responsible stewards. Campers will learn to be conservation superstars at home and in the parks, complete projects and crafts to help take care of the earth and wrap up the summer in style.
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. If you would like your child to walk home after camp, please contact us in advance to fill out the proper paperwork.
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 the 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.