ParKids! for Summer Camps

Children enjoying a day of discovery at the park.

NPS Photo

Youth will have access to the historic dairy goat farm, garden, grounds, and 5 miles of hiking trails.

* Sandburg Home tours are not available for groups at this time.

Need to Know:

• ParKids! reservations are FREE and required for groups with a minimum of 10 persons and maximum of 40 persons per day.
  • Reservations are required to ensure multiple groups are not visiting on the same day.
• Advisory: Due to Front Lake bridge closure, all visitors and students will need to walk 0.7 miles to access education program spaces (15-20 minutes). This includes walking all supplies, like lunches, coolers, backpacks, etc…into the park. Transportation of supplies may be available. Please note assistance needs on your request form.
  • If you have a youth/adult with mobility or accessibility needs, please note that on the form.
  • Click here for a link to a trail map with the detour highlighted.
• Please submit a request form at least three weeks before your visit.
• ParKids! visits are only available Tues, Wednesday and Thursday (Rootabaga Plays) from June 14-July 6. And Wed, Thurs, Fri from July 12-August 4. Max of 40 persons per day.
  • Larger groups will need to request multiple days to accomodate all participants. Please note that on the request form.
  • Each group will be divided into rotations of no more than 15 persons each.
  • 10-30 persons = 2.5 hours
  • 30 - 40 persons = 3 hours
• Pre and post visit lesson plans are available for all age levels. Please visit https://www.nps.gov/carl/learn/education to find curriculum materials.

 

Find an available date!
Available Summer 2023 Dates are in green. Calendar will be updated weekly. Submit a request form.

Summer Park Kids Program Dates

June

Tues	Wed	Thur
4	5	6
11	12	13
18	19	20
25	26	27

July

Tues	Wed	Thur
2	3	4
9	10	11
16	17	18
23	24	25
30	31

August

Tues	Wed	Thur
		1
6	7	8
13	14	15
20	21	22
27	28	29

 

What does a ParKids! visit include?

Summer Play Series with the Vagabond School of the Drama present Carl Sandburg's Rootabaga Stories on Thur and Sat from June 15th - August 5 (no shows July 6 or 8) Groups who reserve on play days have the option of enjoying the plays. Groups may picnic at the amphitheatre after plays, and then do ranger guided program and barn visit.

Ranger guided programs: Enjoy learning about bugs and butterflies, history and artifacts, poetry and prose, and of course goat life at the farm!

Barn Visit: Visit historic Connemara Farms and descendents of Mrs. Sandburgs champion dairy goat herd.

Discovery Hike: Use you senses as you hike around the lake, woods, and historic area to make your own discoveries!

Rootabaga Ranger Badge: Complete a Jr. Ranger worksheet and redeem it at the Sandburg Home for a Jr. Ranger Rootabaga Badge.

Bookstore and Video: This is optional for small groups after the ranger program or as part of rotations if desired.