Camp Canwita is located on North Duff in Ames, Iowa.  This secluded day camp provides a wonderful natural setting for youth going into 1st grade through 6th grade, offering exciting field trips and active team games throughout the week as well as trips to the local pool. This program also features a literacy and STEM program to help reduce summer learning loss. Check out this year’s list of field trips below!

Hantesa Outrageous offers new, unique experiences for older day campers. This tight-knit group spends each week exploring specific topics, activities, and skills centered around a weekly theme. Each week is specifically designed to engage, challenge, and excite with activities such as archery, canoeing, rock climbing, and weekly field trips. Transportation from one of our drop sites, lunch, and a morning and afternoon snack are included in the price of registration.

Tiered pricing is available based on your family’s eligibility. Program fees cover the remaining cost of providing campers with a healthy breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, swim passes, and most field trips.

• Qualifying for free lunch: $60/week
• Qualifying for reduced-price lunch: $95/week
• Full price: $200/week

Camp Ignite is available to youth and families who live on the north and west side of Des Moines. These campers will experience a variety of activities throughout the summer including swimming throughout the week, fun field trips, and many active games and crafts.

This program also features a literacy program funded by the United Way of Central Iowa that has proven to help youth retain reading skills over the summer.

Canwita Outrageous offers new experiences and challenges for older campers by making the most of their summer with exciting activities and action packed days. Campers spend time with experienced staff members swimming, climbing, hiking, and completing ropes courses and team building activities. They also get the opportunity to encounter things such as paintballing, orienteering, archery, canoeing, and so much more.  Get “outrageous” with us, and make it a summer to remember!

Tiered pricing is available based on your family’s eligibility. Program fees cover the remaining cost of providing campers with a healthy breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, swim passes, and most field trips.

• Qualifying for free lunch: $60/week
• Qualifying for reduced-price lunch: $95/week
• Full price: $200/week

Camp Dynamite is available to youth and families who live on the south and east side of Des Moines. These campers will experience a variety of activities throughout the summer including swimming throughout the week, fun field trips, and many active games and crafts.

This program also features a literacy program funded by the United Way of Central Iowa that has proven to help youth retain reading skills over the summer.

Tiered pricing is available based on your family’s eligibility. Program fees cover the remaining cost of providing campers with a healthy breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, swim passes, and most field trips

• Full price: $210/week
• Campership price: $60/week

Hantesa Day Camp gives your child the chance to create their own unique summer experience! Unlike other programs, Hantesa Day Camp does not assign themes because Hantesa campers choose their own activities every week—whether they are interested in art, sports, or outdoor pursuits – we have something for everyone! Campers attend their chosen crafts every morning for the week and swim every afternoon! Each week includes transportation from one of our drop sites, a hot lunch, a morning and afternoon snack, and weekly swim lessons. Give your child the opportunity to find their spark, make their own schedule, and make new friends along the way!

Crafts to choose from include: Archery, Outdoor Living, Paddle Sports, Swimming, Drama, Hand Arts, Rock Climbing, Lapidary, Music, Ecology, Photography, Slingshots, Sports & Games, Orienteering, and much more!