Camps
Ijams campers experience the wonder of nature during outdoor adventures, make friends, sing songs, and play games. Children learn about the connections between the land, plants, animals, and humans through exploration and play.
Camp Resources
Spring Break Camp
Give your camper age 7-12 the ultimate spring break experience and open their eyes to the beauty and wonder of the changing seasons! Spring break campers will search for early signs of spring and celebrate the end of winter by learning basic winter survival skills and winter ecology, with an emphasis on how plants, birds, and other animals use their unique adaptations and keen survival skills to endure the harsh conditions of winter months.
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Dates: March 11-15, 2024
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Ages: 7-12
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Cost per Session: $335 for non-members; members receive 5% discount on all camp sessions and session options.
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Session Duration: 5-day session, Monday-Friday 9 am-3 pm After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost.
Summer Camps
Registration for 2024 Summer Camps is now OPEN!
NEW IN 2024: Ijams is offering three unique camp programs for campers ages 3-12! Camps will have separate drop-off and pick-up locations, and experiences tailored to each age group and camper needs. All camps in 2024 will be 5-day sessions, with the exception of the week on July 4th which will be a 3-day session. Please see 2024 Summer Camp Dates and Rates and Summer Camp FAQs for more information.
Preschool Camp *FULL*
Looking for an all-day camp experience for your preschooler? Preschool Summer Camp gives kids ages 3-5 more time for child-led, age-appropriate, experiential learning. Most of the day is spent outdoors, exploring nature and making a strong connection with the environment. Children learn through play, discovery, and inquiry. Not only do children develop a solid foundation for lifelong learning but also cultivate a love of nature that is the basis for a conservation ethic later in life.
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Ages: 3-5 who are fully potty-trained
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Homebase: Miller Building
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Cost per Session: $300 for non-members; members receive 5% discount on all camp sessions and session options. This year, the week of July 1-3 will be a 3-day camp. The cost of that week will be $180.
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Session Duration: 5-day sessions, Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm. After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost of $150 per session (or $90 for July 1-3).
Discovery Camp *Almost Full*
Discover the natural world at Ijams! Campers explore creeks, explore rocks at Mead's Quarry, hike trails, build shelters, play games, create arts and crafts, and much more! All campers ages 6-9 are eligible to participate in Navitat, which is reflected in the increased cost for those sessions. The Navitat experience will be split into age groups of 6-7 and 8-9 to accommodate the different needs of the groups during their time on course.
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Ages: 6-9
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Homebase: Ijams Visitor Center
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Cost per Session: Ages 6-9: $335 for non-members (These sessions include the cost of Navitat.). Members receive 5% discount on all camp sessions and session options. This year, the week of July 1-3 will be a 3-day camp. The cost of that week will be $215. Campers will still participate in Navitat if they are enrolled in the week of July 1-3.
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Session Duration: 5-day sessions, Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm. After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost of $150 per session (or $90 for July 1-3).
Adventure Camp
This year, Adventure Camp is moving to a 5-day camp session. Adventure camp allows children to participate in adventures and activities that build on previous experiences and supports more robust development of skills in areas such as canoeing, fire building, species identification, and leadership. Campers in these sessions are eligible to participate in Navitat which is included in the cost of the session!
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Ages: 9-12
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Homebase: Visitor Center Overflow Parking Lot
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Cost per Session: $335 for non-members (These sessions include the cost of Navitat.) Members receive 5% discount on all camp sessions and session options. This year, the week of July 1-3 will be a 3-day camp. The cost of that week will be $215. Campers will still participate in Navitat if they are enrolled in the week of July 1-3.
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Session Duration: 5-day sessions, Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm. After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost of $150 per session (or $90 for July 1-3).
Fall Break Camp
Give your 7- to 12-year-old the ultimate fall break experience that opens their eyes to the beauty and wonder of the changing seasons. The crisp, cool air and spectacular colors of autumn make this one of most enjoyable times of year to explore Ijams' 318 acres of protected wildlife habitat, trails, scenic overlooks, limestone features, nature playscapes, creeks, Mead’s Quarry, and the Tennessee River.
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Dates: Oct. 9-13, 2023
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Ages: 7-12
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Cost per Session: $335 for non-members; members receive 5% discount on all camp sessions and session options. (Cost INCLUDES Navitat Knoxville)
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Session Duration: 5-day session, Monday-Friday 9 am-3 pm After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost.
Winter Break Camp
Give your 7- to 12-year-old the ultimate winter/holiday break experience that opens their eyes to the wonder of nature in winter. Winter is a unique time to explore Ijams with the cool air and fallen leaves. Ijams tends to be quieter in the winter, lending the opportunity to make deeper observations on the 318 acres of protected wildlife habitat, trails, scenic overlooks, limestone features, nature playscapes, creeks, Mead’s Quarry, and the Tennessee River.
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Dates: December 21-22, 2023
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Ages: 7-12
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Cost per Session: $120 for both days or $75 for one day; members receive 5% discount on all camp sessions and session options.
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Session Duration: 2-day session, Thursday-Friday 9 am-3 pm After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost.
Current Camp Specials
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Ijams Member Discount: Current Ijams members receive a 5% discount per individual registration for all camp sessions and session options, including After Care. To take advantage of this discount, use coupon code Member at checkout during online registration. Membership must be at the Family level or higher for members who are current at those levels OR at the Explorer level or higher under Ijams' new membership levels, AND must be current at the time of camp to take advantage of this discount (NOTE: If your membership is not current and you use this code, you will be billed to update your membership accordingly). Members are not eligible for two consecutive summers' worth of discounts for one annual membership (e.g., 2021 Adventure Camp and 2022 Adventure Camp).
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Multi-Child Discount: When registering multiple children, save $10 per session for each additional child in the same household.
What are parents saying about Ijams camp counselors?
"I appreciate that the staff really tries to learn the kids' names. We live in Blount County, and my son does not know many children at the camp. This makes him feel more included."
Why do campers return every year?
"Excellent staff. Excellent activities. Ijams Nature Aventure Camps are the jewel of Knoxville. I know the boys' love for the great outdoors and adventure will be nurtured without having to drive all the way to the mountains each day. Phenomenal!"