School Break Camps

When Ann Arbor Public Schools are closed for the day and for Winter and Spring Breaks, we offer fun, educational day camps for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Rain, snow, or sunny skies—we go outside! Our camps fill up quickly so we encourage you to register early. We accept registration via online registration below, or by phone at 734-997-1553.

Days Off Outdoors & Days Off at Yankee

All Day Off camps run from 8:30am-5:30pm at the designated location.

Spring Break Camp at Leslie Science & Nature Center

This camp takes place during Ann Arbor Public Schools' Spring Break. 

Spring Break Camp at Yankee Air Museum

We want all campers to have adequate opportunities to learn, be challenged, and grow. For this reason, campers may only register for camp sessions designated for their age or grade. There are many opportunities for campers in different age groups to play together at camp and taking advantage of these times in the schedule without switching to an older or younger age group ensures that each camper is participating in a camp that will be exciting and challenging for their developmental level.

School Break and Days Off Outdoors camps are open to any campers currently enrolled in Kindergarten through fifth grades. After registration closes, we create camp groups based on campers’ current grades. Camp groups are usually K-1 and 2-5 or K-2 and 3-5, depending on the number of campers registered.

At this time, LSNC cannot accommodate campers who are enrolled in a Young Fives program, nor campers who are 5 or 6 but are not enrolled in full-day Kindergarten, in our School Break and Days Off Outdoors camps. We want all campers to have adequate opportunities to learn, be challenged, and grow. To accomplish this, we must ensure that each camper is participating in a camp that will be exciting and challenging for their developmental level. Because our School Break Camp and Days Off Outdoors sessions are more flexible in age range (the younger group often includes second graders), including preschool campers in these sessions can lead to an age spread that is too wide to be developmentally appropriate for all of the campers. LSNC offers a wide variety of non-camp preschool programs for kids aged 1-5. Please explore them here.

Days Off Outdoors Information

Days Off Outdoors Daily Schedule

8:30     Camper Sign In and Morning Stations
Families sign campers in at their assigned camp building. While we are waiting for everyone to arrive, campers will choose from several different activities like art making, exploring specimens, or playing with blocks, Legos, and other manipulative toys. They will have the chance to explore the "big ideas" of the day's theme.

9:00     All Camp
All camp groups will gather to hear the day's schedule, play some name games, sing songs, and do cheers. Camp groups review LSNC’s camp rules and talk about camper’s hopes and expectations for the day.

9:15-10:45     Choice Time 1
Campers will choose from 2-3 different environmental education choices on the day's theme. This could include learning about migration, practicing building fires, dipping in Black Pond, or exploring animal adaptations.

10:45-11:00    Snack
Camp groups gather for a small, healthy snack of apples.

11:00-12:15    Choice Time 2
During the second choice time block, campers will get to choose from three choices: sporty (soccer, tag games, capture the flag, etc.), artsy (song writing, collages, theater games, etc.), and outdoorsy (shelter building, Camouflage, hike, etc.).

12:15-1:15   Lunch and Free Time
Lunch is held with all camps together, eating picnic outside (weather permitting) or on the Energy House floor. Campers, staff, and volunteers stay seated and focused on eating and drinking water for 20 minutes. Campers are encouraged to recycle and compost. After lunch, we enjoy free play outside with sports equipment, building toys, and our imaginations.

1:15-2:15     Chillaxation
Chillaxation is held by each camp group individually. Campers are given a time to relax and reflect on the day's adventures. During Days Off Outdoors camps, campers will also have a special animal visitor during chillaxation.

2:15-3:15      Choice Carnival
During Choice Carnival, campers will rotate with a buddy at their own pace through several different stations. The stations will change each camp, but will always include the opportunity to visit the Critter House and sit around a camp fire.

3:15-3:30      Clean Up and Transition to Camp Cool Down
After Choice Carnival, campers return to their houses to tidy up and pack their belongings. After the building is tidy and everyone is ready to go, they will head to Camp Cool Down.

3:30-5:30      Afternoon Snack, Camp Cool Down, and Camper Sign Out 
After campers drop belongings off in the Energy House, campers wash hands and enjoy a healthy snack of pretzels. During snack, camp groups will work together to brainstorm a list for their “Ask Me About” board which includes a list of topics or questions that are meant to spark conversations about camp experiences between campers and their families.After snack, campers may participate in outdoor play, board games, and quiet craft activities at their own pace. Campers can also choose to finish a project from their camp day, read a book, or chat with a friend. All campers must be picked up and signed out by someone on their Emergency & Release Form by 5:30pm.

Days Off Outdoors Packing List

Please mark all items with your camper’s name! Campers are responsible for keeping track of their belongings while at LSNC.

• Weather-appropriate clothes and layers (we go outside in all weather, so please come prepared)
• Backpack to hold everything
• Lunch (nothing that needs refrigeration or warming please)
• Refillable Water Bottle
• Extra Clothes (including socks, underwear, and extra layers) and a plastic bag for wet or dirty clothes
• Winter and Rain Clothing (in colder months) including rain coat or warm winter coat, boots, snow pants, hats, mittens/gloves and a scarf. LSNC has some rain and winter wear available for campers to borrow while at camp. Please contact the camp director if you need items to keep your camper comfortable at camp, 734-531-6052.
• Slippers or Indoor Shoes (optional—to protect our buildings, we do not wear outdoor shoes inside our buildings when it is snowy, muddy, or salty outside.
• Book(s) to read during Chillaxation
• Sleds (optional—when it is snowy, we may go sledding at camp. Campers must be willing to share sleds with others. Sleds should be labeled with campers’ names. LSNC does not allow inflatable sleds or sleds with metal runners.)

Not Allowed At Camp

Cell phones, mp3 devices, tablets, electronic games, cameras, or other electronic devices are not allowed at camp. Please do not bring knives and weapons of any kind, or anything you can’t afford to lose. LSNC is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Prohibited items will be held in the camp office until the end of the day and must be picked up by a parent or guardian.

School Break Camp Information

School Break Camp Daily Schedule

Each camp day follows the same basic schedule, though daily activities vary depending on age group and camp theme.

8:30     Camper Sign In and Morning Stations
Parents and guardians sign campers in at their assigned camp building each day. While we are waiting for everyone to arrive, campers will choose from several different activities like art making, exploring specimens, or playing with blocks, Legos, and other manipulative toys.

9:00     House Meeting
To start off our day, campers will gather to hear the day's schedule, play some name games, sing songs, and do cheers. On Mondays, all camp groups review LSNC’s camp rules and talk about camper’s hopes and expectations for the week.

9:15-11:30     Morning Activities
We'll go outdoors to hike, explore, play games, and enjoy the fresh air. Campers will visit the Critter House at least once during their camp week. Morning snack will be provided. On Mondays, Morning Activities end early for All Camp when all camp groups come together for games and songs.

11:30-12:30    Lunch and Free Time
Lunch is held with all camps together, eating picnic style outside (weather permitting) or in the Nature House. To make sure they have enough energy for the day, campers, staff, and volunteers stay seated and focused on eating and drinking water for 20 minutes. Campers are encouraged to recycle and compost. After lunch, we head down to the big field for free play.

12:30-1:30     Chillaxation
Chillaxation is held by each camp group individually. Campers are given a time to relax and reflect on the day's adventures. Stories, reading, drawing, resting, cloud watching, and other quiet activities are included.

1:30-1:45              All Camp
All Camp provides all camp groups with the opportunity to play games, do house cheers, and share with other camp groups about what they have learned at camp.

1:45-2:45        Choice Time
During choice time, Camp Educators and volunteers offer 3 activities from which each camper is able to choose. Each day there is an active choice, and artsy choice, and an environmental education choice (though these categories sometimes overlap). Thursday is Choice Day, with 3 choice times spaced throughout the day, ending with Choice Carnival in the afternoon, where campers are able to go to each of several stations, including s’more making and silly games.

2:45-3:30      Afternoon Snack, Clean-up, and Circle Games
After choice time, campers return to their houses to tidy up for the day, usually taking their belongings outside for pick-up. After the building is tidy and everyone is ready to go, camp groups will eat a healthy snack and work together to brainstorm a list for their “Ask Me About” board which includes a list of topics or questions that are meant to spark conversations about camp experiences between campers and their families. Camp groups will play silly circle games, sing songs, or practice brain teasers until families arrive.

3:30      Camper Sign Out
Our camp day ends promptly at 3:30pm. All campers must be picked up and signed out by someone on their Emergency & Release Form. Campers who are registered for Post-Camp are signed into the Post-Camp session by a staff member and must be signed out by someone listed on their Emergency & Release Form by 5:30pm.

3:30-5:30       Camp Cool Down **Requires Separate Registration

School Break Camp Weekly Schedule

Like the daily schedule, our weekly camp schedule follows the same basic arc week-to-week, though activities change based on age group and camp theme.

*All Camp: When the whole camp gathers on the rock wall for singing, skits, and games.
**Choice Carnival: Campers can circulate to several different stations including s’more making, critter house visits, and silly games.

School Break Camp Packing List

Please mark all items with your camper’s name! Campers are responsible for keeping track of their belongings while at LSNC.

• Weather-appropriate clothes and layers (we go outside in all weather, so please come prepared)
• Backpack to hold everything
• Lunch (nothing that needs refrigeration or warming please)
• Refillable Water Bottle
• Extra Clothes (including socks, underwear, and extra layers) and a plastic bag for wet or dirty clothes
• Winter and Rain Clothing (in cold months) including rain coat or warm winter coat, boots, snow pants, hats, mittens/gloves and a scarf
• Slippers or Indoor Shoes (optional—to protect our buildings, we do not wear outdoor shoes inside our buildings when it is snowy, muddy, or salty outside.
• Book(s) to read during Chillaxation
• Sleds (optional—when it is snowy, we may go sledding at camp. Campers must be willing to share sleds with others. Sleds should be labeled with campers’ names. LSNC does not allow inflatable sleds or sleds with metal runners.)

Not Allowed At Camp

Cell Phones, mp3 devices, tablets, electronic games, cameras, or other electronic devices are not allowed at camp. Please do not bring knives and weapons of any kind, or anything you can’t afford to lose. LSNC is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Prohibited items will be held in the camp office until the end of the day and must be picked up by a parent or guardian.