Year-Round Programs

Group Programs

Camp Fire USA staff specializes in creating programming tailored to the needs of any group.  Family reunions; Class trips; Camping trips; Team-building experiences; Retreats; Weddings and Parties are all possibilities at Camp Hantesa! From hosting groups for overnight summer camps to providing activities, meals and lodging for groups of any size, let us make your group event a huge success.

 

Family Camps

Camp Fire USA runs a number of programs year-round that are orientated towards unique family time spent together at Camp Hantesa.  In the Fall, we run Mom/Youth overnights, while Dad/Youth overnights are in the Spring.  Family Camps run both in the Fall and Spring.  During these family events, we welcome everyone to come spend a night at Camp Hantesa. Camp activities, hikes and campfires offer a special time for families to bond and experience camp together. To register, click here.

Afternoons at Camp

Afternoons At The Ranch - We invite childen 2nd grade and older to come spend the afternoon at Camp Hantesa’s Herman's Ranch to learn all about horses! English riding lessons and horse science, grooming, saddling, and care are all included in each session.  Then, practice your riding and participate in arena activities and games that teach riding skill. Each time you participate, you will learn more about riding, handling, and caring for a horse. Please wear jeans or long pants and dress for the weather.  Boots and helmets are available for use at Camp Hantesa. Transportation is provided from the Des Moines Camp Fire Service Center and Camp Canwita in Ames; campers may also be dropped directly at Camp Hantesa. In case of inclement weather, participants will be allowed to transfer to another week based on availability. To register, click here. 

 

Advanced Ranch Session - This special “Afternoon at the Ranch” session is available to children in third grade and older who have more experience riding horses: those who have had lessons, attended a ranch camp, or have participated in a minimum of three Afternoon at the Ranch sessions. To register, click here. 

 

Afternoon Pottery Studio - We invite childen 2nd grade and older to come spend an afternoon at the Hantesa Pottery Studio. This is a camp that spans two weekends. During the first class, campers will learn how to work with clay and will create a piece of pottery. When campers return the next weekend, their projects will be fired (baked) and ready to glaze (paint with color). Transportation is provided from the Des Moines Camp Fire Service Center and Camp Canwita in Ames; campers may also be dropped directly at Camp Hantesa. Finished ceramics will be available for pickup from the drop sites or Camp Hantesa after the second Saturday class. To register, click here.

 

Afternoon Climbing Class - We invite campers 4th grade and older to join us for an afternoon of rock-climbing at Hantesa’s  climbing tower. This is a camp that spans two weekends. Campers will have a blast learning how to safely scale our 32-foot climbing tower. The tower offers 4 different routes of varying difficulty. Over the course of two weekends, campers will be able to challenge themselves and learn more about this sport. Transportation is provided from the Des Moines Camp Fire Service Center and Camp Canwita in Ames; campers may also be dropped directly at Camp Hantesa. To register, click here.