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Summer Youth Programs
Our camps educate and entertain children entering Kindergarten through eighth grade for 1-10 weeks in the summer. We provide a fun and friendly environment where your children can take part in safe, high-quality activities led by a well-trained and knowledgeable staff across the NAU campus. Our enthusiastic camp leaders create engaging and non-traditional program opportunities that are sure to enhance your children’s summer, and are all grade and age appropriate. Please visit our camps section for more details!
Camp programs
Little Jacks Camp Accordion Open
The Little Jacks Camp is open to all youth five-years-old through those entering 5th grade. Campers must be at least five years of age by June 1st, no exceptions. Each day our campers will be led through various activities to keep them active, engaged, and enjoying their experience. Activities at camp may include:
- Experiential Education hosted by Outdoor Adventures staff
- Aquatics programming & Swimming supervised by certified lifeguards and camp counselors
- Rock Climbing at the Rec Center climbing wall
- Fun activities facilitated by summer camp counselors in a variety of facilities around campus
- Guest visits from our friends around Flagstaff!
- Field trips!
*All field trips, activities, visits and adventures are subject to change depending on the year and availability.
Explorer’s Camp Accordion Closed
The Explorers Camp is open to all youth entering 6th grade through 8th grade, and is limited to 20 campers each session. In addition to what the Little Jacks experience, the Explorers take things to the next level. Whether it be going on an excursion around Northern Arizona or participating in a Challenge Course program on campus, the Explorers will get a feel for outdoor education in addition to enjoying themselves at camp.
Past activities and adventures have included:
- Outdoor Adventures Challenge Course
- Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater
- Mountain Biking at Fort Tuthill
- Hiking West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon, Red Canyon, and Mount Elden
- Leave No Trace Outdoor Principles class
- Bike Maintenance Lessons
Camp information
Important dates Accordion Closed
See the timeline below for this year’s camp.
| Date | Info |
|---|---|
| 4/3/23 | Registration opens |
| 6/5 - 6/30 | Session I |
| 6/19 | *NO CAMP* due to observance of Juneteenth |
| 7/03-7/04 | *NO CAMP* due to University observance of Independence Day |
| 7/5-7/7 | Modified week 5 session |
| 7/10-8/4 | Session II |
Details Accordion Closed
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Who can attend? | Youth Ages 5-13 (Must by 5y/o by June 1st, no exceptions) |
| Options offered | Weekly or 4-week sessions; full day only |
| Camper:Counselor ratios | 8:1 (K-3rd grade), 10:1 (4th-8th grade) |
| Drop-off times | 7:15 am - 8:00 am |
| Regular Camp Hours | 8:00 am - 5:30 pm |
| Pick-up times | 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm |
| Late fees | $20 after 15 minute grace period |
| Location | HLC MAC Gym |
| Address | 824 S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff, AZ 86011 |
*Registration for camp is on a week-to-week basis; deadline to register each week is the Thursday BEFORE the week starts. You may register for multiple weeks at one time.
- We do not offer daily rates or pro-rating for any camp
- We do not provide discounts for multiple children attending
- Weekly enrollment is subject to available program space
Information session in May – date and time to be determined.
Price options (per child) Accordion Closed
| Eligibility | Individual weekly fee | Session I (6/5-6/30) | Session II (7/10-8/4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAU Employees/students | $275 | $995 | $1050 |
| Community Members | $300 | $1090 | $1150 |
Childcare statement Accordion Closed
PLEASE NOTE: Our camps are not a licensed childcare provider and do not have a Federal Tax ID! Please do not interpret our service as daycare or childcare. While our camp is designed as a service to current students at Northern Arizona University, we are also open to faculty/staff, alumni, and community members.
Registration & forms
Weekly capacity Accordion Open
Registration is limited. The Explorers Camp is limited to 30 campers each week. The Little Jacks Camp is limited to a total of 70 campers each week. Register as soon as possible to reserve your space.
Registration information Accordion Closed
Accepted forms of payment
- Credit Card
- Money Order
- Cashier’s Check (Personal Checks NOT accepted)
Registration options
In-person registration
-
- You must register in person at the Campus Recreation Front Desk. Payment is due at registration.
- Bring completed forms to the Rec Center Front Desk during operating hours.
Refund policy Accordion Open
All sales are considered final. There are no refunds, cancellations, or exchanges.
NAU Campus Recreation reserves the right to refuse admittance to or eject any person whose conduct is deemed to be disorderly without refunding any portion of their membership, program, or service purchase.
Cancellation policy Accordion Closed
In the event that a program is cancelled or rescheduled by NAU Campus Recreation due to unforeseen circumstances, customers are eligible for full refunds. Examples of such circumstances can include but are not limited to, inclement weather or other natural disasters, pandemic closures, low enrollment, etc.
However, in an effort to best serve our customers, Campus Recreation may also provide the option to transfer enrollment to a future program. This option will be explored on a case-by-case basis, and will be communicated to eligible customers. Any future program credit must be used within the same fiscal year.
Request for Exception Accordion Closed
The following form is to request an exception to NAU Campus Recreation policy regarding refunds. Refunds may be permitted at the discretion of Campus Recreation Staff under extenuating circumstances. You must provide a comprehensive explanation to be considered for a refund.
All communication regarding the refund request, including any financial implications and the final decision, will be provided via email within ten business days.
Approved refund requests are subject to a 20% administrative fee.
For purchases made by check or credit card, established University procedures are followed and processing may take 4-6 weeks. A check will be sent via mail.
FAQ
Below are some common questions to help you out with deciding on our camp!
Where do I need to drop off and pick up my child? Accordion Closed
Camp drop-off and pick-up will be near the front entrance of the HLC building in the MAC Gym (Multi-Activity Center) at the corner of Franklin and S. San Francisco Street. Temporary parking is available in the 15-minute loading zone outside the HLC building. Parents should not park in the accessible parking spots without the proper visible permits. Look for the A-Frame signs and banner directing you to the correct location. All parents/guardians, or authorized pick-ups must bring a photo ID every day in order to check out their child(ren).
What if someone not on the authorized list is picking up my child? Accordion Closed
Contact the Summer Camp Coordinator via e-mail to confirm the first and last name of the individual(s) needing to be added to your child’s authorized pick-up list. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail back by 3:00pm on the day the alternative individual picks up your child, please contact 928-523-1733 to confirm with a professional staff member.
What should my child wear to camp? Accordion Closed
Ensure your child wears comfortable, loose fitting clothes to camp each day. Closed-toed shoes are required, and absolutely no flip-flops. Your child will need to bring a swim suit and towel each day for the aquatics portion of camp. On field-trip days all campers are required to wear their camp t-shirt.
Should I pack food for my child or is it provided? Accordion Closed
Pack a small snack for the morning and afternoon along with a lunch each day for your child. We cannot provide food, refrigeration, or microwave, so please pack all food in an insulated lunch box and mark everything you bring with your child’s name. Absolutely no sharing of food is permitted among campers.
What else does my child need to bring? Accordion Closed
Make sure your child has a water bottle that they will be able to refill throughout the day and a bottle of sunscreen. It is highly recommended that campers come with sunscreen applied prior to camp! We suggest every child have a small backpack to keep all belongings together.
My child lost some of their belongings; is there a lost and found? Accordion Closed
We keep a lost and found bin by the doors every morning and afternoon during pick-up and drop-off. Please be sure to claim belongings quickly as the bin tends to fill up fast. Write your child’s name on all of their belongings prior to attending camp to prevent items from being left unclaimed.
What if I need to pick up my child early or drop them off late? Accordion Closed
For all early pick-ups or late drop-offs on non-field trip days, please bring your child to the Rec Center Front Desk. On field trip days, please email the Summer Camp Coordinator to ensure your child’s camp schedule around the field trip is adjusted. We will try to ensure your child can still attend the field trip, but in some cases that may not be possible.
What happens if I miss my child’s pick-up time? Accordion Closed
If you arrive past the scheduled pick-up time, There will be a 15 minute grace period (until 5:45pm) until a $20 fee will be charged.
Can my child’s counselor administer medication? Accordion Closed
Counselors are not permitted nor certified to administer medication for campers. Please give your child any and all medication prior to arriving at camp.
Can my child bring a cell phone/ other electronics to camp? Accordion Closed
Campers may bring cell phones as long as they are kept in their bags at all times and do not cause distraction during the day. Staff is permitted to confiscate any electronic device deemed a distraction to planned activities. All emergencies can be communicated directly to the Camp Coordinator (928-523-7687), to the Rec Center Front Desk (928-523-1733) or Rec Administrative Staff (928-523-1585). Campus Rec is also not responsible for any lost, broken, or stolen items.