Camp Hantesa

An outdoor tradition since 1919

Founded 92 years ago, Camp Hantesa (pronounced Hannah-shaw, meaning "red cedars") was created as a camp of high ideals and has been delivering the Camp Fire USA mission ever since - to create "caring, confident youth and future leaders." At Hantesa, the tradition of friendship, learning, service and leadership are the basis of our education, recreation and camping programs. This year, become part of our tradition through overnight and day camps, experiential education, group events, family events, conference center or retreats or any of the varied opportunities at Camp Hantesa.

Camp Hantesa is located in Boone, Iowa at the north gates of Ledges State Park, and shares its wonderful hills, views of the Des Moines River, and stone outcroppings. The facilities at Hantesa were built to immerse our participants in their natural surroundings.

Camp Hantesa is accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA), which means that we have voluntarily invited an outside team of trained ACA visitors to verify compliance with more than 300 nationally recognized standards. These standards apply to all areas of our camp programs, including all summer camp programs, all aquatics activities, challenge course activities, and our conference center/retreat operations. For more information about ACA, check out www.acacamps.org.

Winter Programs

School Day Off’s!
Join us for School Day Offs throughout the Winter. Drop your child off at one of our convenient drop locations and let them experience a day of excitement and learning at Camp Hantesa! Under the supervision of our trained staff, campers make new friends and interact with old ones through engaging programming. Each day includes transportation from one of our drop sites, a hot lunch and a morning and afternoon snack. See below for a list of our upcoming themed days:
Dates:
Dec. 19 - Let’s Make a Deal! (Ames Only)
Dec. 20 - Stone Soup (Ames Only)
Dec. 21 - Puzzles, Riddles, and Tricks (Ames Only)
Dec. 22 - Winter Solstice (Ames & Des Moines)
Dec. 23 - Sledding Safari (Ames, Boone, Des Moines)
Dec. 27 - Rock and Roll (Ames, Boone, Des Moines)
Dec. 28 - Lights, Camera, Action! (Ames, Boone, Des Moines)
Dec. 29 - July in Christmas (Ames, Boone, Des Moines)
-Features an afternoon swim an indoor pool!
Dec. 30 - Winter Olympics (Ames, Boone, Des Moines)
Jan. 2 - New Year, New Fun! (Boone Only)
Jan. 16 - Pioneering (Ames, Boone, Des Moines)
Feb. 20 - CLUE (Boone & Des Moines)

Winter Overnight Camp
Leave the parents at home and come and spend three nights packed full of activities at Camp Hantesa. Anything might happen from midnight sledding, swimming, bowling, and hikes. Staying in heated cabins with fantastic counselors, you will make new friends experiencing Hantesa at its winter best!
December 29th– January 1st!

New Year’s Eve
Why let Mom & Dad have all the fun on New Years Eve?
Have your own party! We will be bringing in 2012 in style!! Stay up late, dance, play games and win prizes. Be a part of Hantesa history as the first group to sing “2012 at Hantesa” to the Hantesa Good Fairy! Meals and snacks provided.

“Outrageous” Overnight - Grades 5-8
Middle Schoolers from across the state will converge at Camp Hantesa to participate in a night of intense games, creations, and not a lot of sleep. Includes dinner, breakfast, and snacks throughout the night.
Februrary 17-18