Wake Summer Camp 2026
At Umstead State Park
Drop-off is from 8:30 - 9:00 AM
Camp Frequently Asked Questions
Please email ben@piedmontwildlifecenter.org with any additional questions.
Weekly Camp Schedule
William B. Umstead State Park
8801 Glenwood Ave Raleigh, NC 27617
June 15-18: Nature Explorers (*4 day week)
June 22-26: Woodland Dwellers
June 29 - July 2: Fairy Folklore (*4 day week)
July 6-10: Ancient Ways
July 13-17: Creek Crawlers
July 20-24: Wildlife Science
July 27-31: Animal Detectives
August 3-7: ART-thropods
August 10-14: Woodland Games
August 17-21: Unbe-LEAF-able
June 15-18: Nature Explorers
June 22-26: Woodland Dwellers
June 29 - July 2: Fairy Folklore
Let curiosity be your guide! Each day is a different adventure where we will discover the secrets of nature through outdoor games, hands-on activities, and question-based learning. Campers will connect with the many plants and animals of Piedmont by exploring the environments they occupy!
*This is a four-day camp to honor the holiday of Juneteenth
Ages: 5-12, CIT: 13-17
Camper Price: $385
CIT Price: $180
Holes, fallen trees, debris: all of these can be used by animals to protect themselves. In this week of camp, we will discuss how animals and people use shelter to escape the heat and the cold. This camp will involve gathering leafy debris, using vines to tie knots, and the know-hows on gathering branches for shelter building. We will investigate the animals that dwell in our parks and incorporate their designs into our own structures.
Ages: 5-12, CIT: 13-17
Camper Price: $385
CIT Price: $180
Fairies, gnomes, trolls, and sprites! We will hear ancient stories and lore from around the world. Together we will construct fairy villages and gnome homes. We will adventure to magical places in the forest to look for elusive friends. Make a costume from nature’s bounty and invent mystical tales of your own. This week is all about imagination!
*This is a four-day camp to honor the holiday of July 4th
Ages: 5-12, CIT: 13-17
Camper Price: $385
CIT Price: $180
July 6-10: Ancient Ways
Help create a village in the forest using teamwork and creativity. Experience songs, stories, games, and crafts. Build shelters, and make pigments and foods. This camp is an immersion into an ancient way of life that is centered upon connecting to the natural world, building strong communities, and celebrating the magnitude of the human spirit.
Ages: 5-12, CIT: 13-17
Camper Price: $385
CIT Price: $180
July 13-17: Creek Crawlers
July 21 - 25: Wildlife Science
This camp is all about knowing what creatures and critters live in our neighborhoods. What are they doing? How can we help them live peacefully in the wild? Our week will be filled with up close encounters, hands-on discovery, little known facts, and perplexing mysteries. The wonder of life science will be our central theme and we will wield all of the tools of the modern naturalists so we can explore everything we see.
Ages: 5-12, CIT: 13-17
Camper Price: $385
CIT Price: $180
This time of year, the creeks and ponds are full to the brim, and amphibians of all kinds are active! Exchange your lungs for gills and keep your skin wet as we explore the water from an amphibian’s perspective. We’ll come face to face with many of these plants and animals as we assess stream health, play games, and even search for salamanders!
Ages: 5-12, CIT: 13-17
Camper Price: $385
CIT Price: $180
July 27-31: Animal Detectives
The forest is full of clues! Join us as we search for tracks, scat, animal habitats, and more! Campers will engage their five senses to learn about the life cycle, diet, and behavior of our woodland neighbors. Become a detective and help us solve the mysteries of the forest!
Ages: 5-12, CIT: 13-17
Camper Price: $385
CIT Price: $180
August 3-7: ART-thropods
August 10-14: Woodland Games
Chirping crickets, colorful butterflies, and delicate orb weavers - these creatures exhibit incredible beauty and creativity! We will explore the unique ways these organisms interact with their environment, and express what we’ve learned with colors, songs, costumes, stories, and more!
Ages: 5-12, CIT: 13-17
Camper Price: $385
CIT Price: $180
Fully engage your mind and body while playing some of PWC’s famous woodland games! Join us for story-driven games that encourage appreciation of the natural world. Children will learn to work in groups and resolve conflicts in a safe environment. During these games, your child will strive to be quiet as a fox, fast as a wolf, and persistent as the wind!
Ages: 5-12, CIT: 13-17
Camper Price: $385
CIT Price: $180
August 17-21: Unbe-LEAF-able
Explore the wonderful world of trees! Discover the important role trees play in the forest ecosystem and our everyday lives. Which animals depend on trees for shelter? How many different ways do humans use trees? How can we identify different types of trees? Together, we will answer these questions through sensory learning, art, and lots of games!
Ages: 5-12, CIT: 13-17
Camper Price: $385
CIT Price: $180
