Nature Camps

Nature Camps

Nature camps are a chance for kids and youth to engage with animals and the environment, explore nature, and have fun doing it!

Full-day camps run during school breaks: winter, spring, and summer.

Camps may include transportation between Whitehorse and the Preserve daily. You will find transportation information in your camp’s description.

 

Register Here

Winter Break Camps

Join us to explore Winter Snow Survival from learning from the experts: Yukon’s animals! Campers will join Preserve staff to get out in the cold to see how Yukon Wildlife Preserve’s amazing animals manage to survive a frozen winter.

This year we are offering each day for purchase individually, to best support campers with complex holiday plans. You can book a single day or any combination.

Camps run:

  • December 23
  • December 27
  • December 30
  • December 31

PD Day and School Holiday Camps

Join us on days when school is not in session for a single day of camp! Each day has a different theme, based on the changing seasons, but will always involve chances to get outside and meet some of the Preserve’s residents!

Camps are available for ages 6-8 and 9-12.

Camps run:

  • 2025 (now available for registration):
    • January 20
    • February 21
    • April 21
    • May 5

    March Break Camps

    Join us to explore our Spring Snow Survival camp and, back for a second year, Arts and Crafts and Snow camp! Camps run both weeks of March Break for ages 6-8 and 9-12.

    Week 1:

    • Ages 6-8: Arts and Crafts and Snow
    • Ages 9-12: Spring Snow Survival

    Week 2:

    • Ages 6-8: Spring Snow Survival
    • Ages 9-12: Arts and Crafts and Snow

     

    Camp Transportation Changes

    For those who have attended Nature Camps in the past, please note that the way we run transportation from Whitehorse to Yukon Wildlife Preserve changed in February 2024.

    Pick-up and drop-off for most camps is available at Selkirk Elementary School, Takhini Elementary School, Jack Hulland Elementary School, and the front gate of the Preserve.

    While the exact pick-up and drop-off times vary by season and location, campers will generall be picked-up between 8:15 and 9:00am, depending on location, and returned between 3:00 and 3:45pm.

    When booking a camp, make sure you select one of the new transportation options!

     

    Summer Nature Camp 2025

    Registration for Summer Nature Camp 2025 opens on Tuesday, January 7 at 12:30pm.

    AfterCamp is available as a camp add-on every week this summer and runs until 5:00pm daily.

    Week 1 – June 16

    • Outdoor Explorers 1 – Ages 6-7
    • Animal Care 1 – Ages 6-8
    • Animal Care 2 – Ages 9-12

    Week 2 – June 23

    • Animal Care 1 – Ages 6-8
    • Wilderness Skills – Ages 9-12

    Week 3 – June 30

    • Animal Care 1 – Ages 6-8
    • Art in Nature 1 – Ages 6-8
    • Animal Care 2 – Ages 9-12

    Week 4 – July 7

    • Animal Care 1 – Ages 6-8
    • Wilderness Skills – Ages 9-12

    Week 5 – July 14

    • Animal Care 1 – Ages 6-8
    • Outdoor Explorers 2 – Ages 8-10
    • Animal Care 2 – Agest 9-12

    Week 6 – July 21

    • Outdoor Explorers 1 – Ages 6-7
    • Animal Care 1 – Ages 6-8
    • Art in Nature 2 – Agest 9-12

    Week 7 – July 28

    • Animal Care 1 – Ages 6-8
    • Art in Nature 1 – Ages 6-8
    • Animal Care 2 – Agest 9-12

    Week 8 – August 4

    • Animal Care 1 – Ages 6-8
    • Outdoor Explorers 2 – Ages 8-10
    • Wilderness Skills – Ages 9-12

    Week 9 – August 11

    • Outdoor Explorers 1 – Ages 6-7
    • Animal Care 1 – Ages 6-8
    • Animal Care 2 – Ages 9-12

    Week 10? – August 18

    Week 10 is not currently available for booking; we are waiting to hear what day students will be returning to school. If students will be out of school this week, Animal Care 1 (Ages 6-8) and Animal Care 2 (Ages 9-12) will run.

     

    AfterCamp

    Join our team for an extension of camp! Based out of the Preserve’s Learning Centre, AfterCampers will explore the natural world through games, activities, crafts, and stories.

    Please note that all campers in AfterCamp are returned to Takhini Elementary School at 5:00pm, even if you dropped them off somewhere else in the morning.

    Animal Care 1 & 2

    Ages 6-8 and 9-12

    How do you take care of an injured owl? What do we feed the lynx? Campers will explore the world of animal care at Yukon Wildlife Preserve.

    Campers will help to prepare food, feed animals, work in animal enclosures, and explore how to care for animals at the Preserve, at home, and around the world.

    Please note: The animals in our care are not pets. While we will be feeding animals and entering their enclosures, we will not be touching the animals

    Outdoor Explorers 1 & 2

    Ages 6-7 and 8-10

    For campers who are still learning to be comfortable in nature, we have developed a new camp experience. Campers will build their knowledge and skills throughout the week, building their confidence in Yukon’s beautiful wilderness.

    Campers will meet Preserve animals, find snacks in the forest, and play games as they explore the natural world.

    Art in Nature 1 & 2

    Ages 6-8 and 9-12

    Summers at Yukon Wildlife Preserve are absolutely gorgeous and we want to share that with campers! Through multiple media we will share and showcase how artists and scientists document and communicate the world to those around them.

    Wilderness Skills

    Ages 9-12 only

    For campers who are already comfortable in nature, join our team on some backcountry explorations. Campers will learn new skills from the animals at the Preserve and our amazing staff.

    If your camper is not yet comfortable in the forest we recommend signing up for Outdoor Explorers instead.

    Register Here

    More About Nature Camps

    Overview

    Nature Camps are day camps at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.

    Gift your child with the opportunity to explore the great outdoors and connect with the world around them. We believe in the importance of positive outdoor experiences to support physical, mental and emotional health.

    Our Nature Camps are a series of day camps for outdoor enthusiasts. Camps are conducted in small, age-appropriate groups; eligible ages vary based on season, program, and capacity. Check the camp registration page for more information.

    The majority of camp takes place at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, located 30 km from downtown Whitehorse. Camps may also include field trips to local attractions.

    The bulk of Nature Camp will be conducted outdoors. Camps are based out of a dedicated 1600 sq. foot learning centre at the heart of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. This space is great for inclement weather.

    Dates, Times and Transportation

    For full information on schedules, available camps, and more details please see our online booking system. The online system updates automatically when spaces are filled or become available.

    Transportation is available for most camps from one or more elementary schools in Whitehorse. Check your camp’s details to find transportation details, availability, and costs. When you book a camp you will be prompted to choose a transportation option.

    Please note: in past, Yukon Wildlife Preserve included the cost in transportation from Takhini Elementary School in the price of camps. Starting in February 2024, this changed for two main reasons:

    • Campers dropped off at the Preserve were still paying full price despite receiving an hour less staff time than those who were dropped off in town;
    • A majority of guardians who answered our camp survey indicated that they would prefer to drop off their campers at a location in their own neighbourhood. To reflect the different costs associated with travelling to various neighbourhoods we have moved to a model where each pick up and drop off location has a different cost associated with it.

    We have lowered the core price of camp to partially offset the costs of this change.

     

    Cost and Discounts

    Camp Cost

    • Week-long camps (i.e.: March Break) and week-end camps (also 5 sessions long) are $365
      • Transportation for the week is an additional $45 from Selkirk, $35 from Takhini, $25 from Jack Hulland, and $0 for drop-off at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.
    • One day PD/holiday camps are $80
      • Transportion is an additional $9 from Selkirk, $7 from Takhini,  $5 from Jack Hulland, and $0 for drop-off at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.

    Member Discount

    * Members get a 10% discount! Before registration, renew or purchase membership here, then use the discount code mightymoose when registering for Nature Camp to receive your member discount. Please note, we will invoice you for the amount of the discount if you use the code without a valid membership.

    Eligible Ages

    The age ranges for each camp vary based on the camp’s content and activities. You camper will need to be the required age on the first day of camp.

    Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis. If your camper is close to the age requirement (usually within about 3-4 months of eligibility) please email education@yukonwildlife.ca for more information. Exceptions are not available when most of the campers currently registered are much older or much younger than your camper. Exceptions are also not available for camps that are already fully booked.

    Learning Differences and Accommodations

    Inclusion & Support Workers

    We welcome support workers at Nature Camps. If a typical school day would not be accomplished without a support worker, your camper will likely need a support worker to help them at camp. Please let us know so we can plan to include your child and their support worker. Please contact our Manager of Programming & Education at 867-334-3338 / education@yukonwildlife.ca to make arrangements.

     

    Campers with Additional Needs

    Our goal is to make every camper feel comfortable and safe at Nature Camp. Especially if your camper experiences challenges during a normal school day or at other day camps, we want to be prepared to help them have the best camp experience! Please let us know if your camper has any additional needs and how we can help them have a positive camp experience.

    Cancellation Policy
    If cancellation occurs more than two weeks prior to the Nature Camp start date, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve will retain 20 per cent as an administrative fee on refunds. Generally, for cancellations occurring two weeks or less prior to the Nature Camp start date, no refund or transfer will be given.
     
    However, should cancellation within two weeks of the start date or during a Nature Camp be required due to medical or compassionate reasons, guardians can submit a request to cancel to education@yukonwildlife.ca, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A prorated refund for the remaining full days (at the time of request) may be provided depending on the circumstances. No shows, missed days during the week, and missed days prior to a cancellation request are not eligible for refunds.
     
    The Yukon Wildlife Preserve reserves the right to cancel camps that are less than half full. In this event, a transfer or full refund will be provided. In the event the Yukon Wildlife Preserve needs to cancel a camp mid-week, a prorated refund for the remaining full days will be provided. 
    Winter Weather Cancellations
    Camper and staff safety is extremely important to our team. For camps taking place during the winter, the following additional procedures are in place:
    1. The week prior to Winter Nature Camp, staff will be monitoring the weather forecast. If the forecast weather calls for severe winter storms or sustained temperatures below -30 degrees, camp will not run. Camp staff will notify you by email and issue refunds.
      1. If the weather is forcast to change significantly throughout the week, camp staff may issue a partial cancellation for the first day(s) of camp. Refunds for partial cancellations will be issued at the end of the camp.
    2. Each day prior to Winter Nature Camp starting, staff will check the current conditions and forecast weather. If the weather does not allow for safe camp operation, you will receive a phone call before 7:30am informing you of the cancellation. Refunds for day-of cancellations will be issued at the end of the camp.

     

    What to bring?

    Please ensure that your child is dressed suitably for spending time outdoors, with potential inclement weather conditions, and brings everything they need for the day. The following are essential to your child’s enjoyment, health and wellness:

    All-season

    • Clothes to play outside
    • Backpack
    • Lunch, snacks, and refillable water bottle;
    • Sunglasses;
    • Rain boots;
    • Extra change of clothes;
    • Rain Jacket

    Summer-only

    • Bug spray
    • Close-toed shoes (sandals are not appropriate for all camp activites)
    • Sunscreen;
    • Sun hat.

    Winter-only

    • More layers of clothes than you think – we will be outside a lot, and it’s nice to have dry things to change into.

    Please make sure your child is prepared!

    Note: We have a no electronics rule at nature camp.

    Waiting Lists

    Guardians may register their child(ren) on waiting lists through the camp registration website. In past years we have had waiting lists on almost all weeks. When a spot becomes available, ALL individuals on the list for that week will automatically receive a notice that a space is available. Registration for the newly available spot will be first come, first serve.

    For more information, please contact:

    Neil Tracey
    Manager of Programming and Education
    Yukon Wildlife Preserve
    education@yukonwildlife.ca
    867-334-3338