Camp Tanager

A place for kids to learn and grow.

Established in 1926, Camp Tanager provides day and overnight camp programs to over 1,000 campers each summer. Campers from all backgrounds are welcome to attend our programs designed for fun, fitness, friendship, and learning.

1614 West Mt Vernon Rd
Mt Vernon, IA 52314
319-363-0681
campmail@tanagerplace.org

Camps

Children of all backgrounds can benefit from a positive camp experience. That’s why Camp Tanager is devoted to providing an affordable, safe, and fun camp experience for all children.

Day Camps

Monday – Friday
9 Themed Sessions
$240 per week

Our Day Camp Programs meet the needs of the community by providing a wholesome camp experience where kids can make new friends and learn new skills.

Overnight Camps

6 Day Overnight Program
$450 per camper
Scholarships Available

Our Summer Sleep-Away Camp combines the themed activities of day camps with a week-long camp experience that includes games, campfires, pool parties, and more!

Health Camps

6 Day Overnight Program

Camp Tanager hosts two specialty health camps for kids living with diabetes and hemophilia. Kids participate in fun activities and work with medical professionals on healthy practices like pump use and infusion.

Financial Assistance

Since its inception, Camp Tanager has valued the importance of getting kids to experience the wonderful mental and physical health benefits of summer camp. Today, we remain true to our roots by providing full or partial scholarships to children who otherwise could not afford to attend summer camp through our Free Campership Program. To be eligible for a camp scholarship, campers should also be eligible for free and/or reduced school meals.

Upcoming Events

Camp Tanager is available year-round for summer camps, seasonal programs, facility rentals, and more.

Photo Gallery

Get a glimpse of our camp experience by viewing our photos. Each week of camp, we provide camp families with access to a photo gallery featuring daily highlights and activities.

About

Outdoor Fun for All

Camping

Enjoy connecting with nature in our 34-acre purpose-built campsite with wooded areas, trails, and a creek to explore.

Nature Studies

Learn more about nature and the outdoors through onsite environmental science and nature projects.

Swimming

Free swim, snorkeling, and water aerobics are just a few of the ways our campers enjoy the pool on a daily basis.

Activities

Activities at camp include archery, basketball, soccer, gaga ball, volleyball, group games, arts, crafts, and more.

Marshmallows

Nothing says camp more than roasting a few marshmallows over an open fire with friends new and old.

Unplugged

Free from cellphones and tablets, camp is a place where kids can unplug from their device and connect face to face.

STEAM Programs

Age-appropriate science, technology, engineering, arts, and math are incorporated into our weekly camp activity schedule.

Making Friends

Through intentional planning, our goal each week is to help campers connect with one another and find a new friend.

Staff

It takes an army of excellent staff to provide a safe and nurturing camp environment for our campers! Leading the way are our residential assistant camp directors. Each member of the camp management team bring their own unique flair and passion for the job at hand.

Reach us year round!

You can reach our Camp Director or send mail to your camper using the links below.

Camp Staff Leadership

The Camp Tanager Team works tirelessly to create exciting programs and activities for kids, learning new skills to enhance the camp experience. Through extensive pre-camp training and conferences, we are confident that your camper will experience success in any one of our programs.

ACA Member Camp

As a member of the American Camp Association, Camp Tanager follows strict rules and regulations put in place to help protect campers and provide a safe environment for all participants.

Work at Camp

We are looking for free-thinking, hard-working relationship builders who want to make the world a better place by changing the way the world interacts with kids! Summer and seasonal camp positions are available.

History

1926

Camp Tanager Founded

In 1926, public health nurse Elizabeth Johnson identified a need in Cedar Rapids for a place where kids could learn and grow.

2016

Voted Coolest Camp in Iowa

The Philadelphia Inquirer identified Camp Tanager as the coolest camp in Iowa for our unique and expansive program offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions

My child has never been away from home before - what if they get homesick?

If your child gets homesick, don’t worry! We will contact you by phone and keep you informed of the situation. For many, bouts of homesickness pass within a day or so. Our counselors are great at keeping kids involved in activities and with the group.

What if we need to contact you during the week?

Feel free to contact us at any time during the week. Our phone number is 319-363-0681. If you need to drop something off for your camper, please call in advance so we can watch out for you. If you have an emergency and need to talk to someone right away, please call Tanager at 319-365-9164 The secretary will be able to contact the Camp Director who will then return your call.

What if there is a severe thunderstorm?

Camp has many weather radios stationed throughout the campus. During severe weather, all campers and staff are taken to our tornado shelter and remain there until the storm has passed.

What should I pack?

Ready for Camp Tanager? View our packing list of what to bring (and what not to) to help your camper make the most out of their week!

Rentals at Camp Tanager

Make your own memories at Camp Tanager

Whether you are preparing for the big day and seek a breathtaking wedding venue, hosting a graduation party, family reunion, or a corporate retreat, choose Camp Tanager for a memorable experience!

Camp Tanager offers a wide array of indoor and outdoor rental spaces for everyone, from a small group to a grand wedding size group.

View our Rental Brochure for full rental details and pricing information.

Rental Spaces for All Needs

Lodge

The Hills Grand Lodge at Camp Tanager is a winterized, year round facility that seats nearly 300 people. The facility can be rented out for large events such as weddings, graduations, corporate team meetings and retreats, and more. Convenient parking for more than 180 vehicles, and ample kitchen space designed with caterers makes hosting events at Camp Tanager a breeze!

Pool

Our heated pools offer an array of aquatic opportunities. Our zero depth entry play pool is equipped with various water features, making it an ideal location for kids of all ages.

Our six-lane lap pool offers opportunities for teams looking for some outdoor lap swimming options during the summer months.

Cabins

Camp Tanager features a variety of options for sleeping, from traditional cabins, to our new, fully winterized Hills Cabin, we’re prepared for groups any time of the year.

The Hills Cabin, opened in spring of 2022, features a climate controlled environment year-round, with a gas fireplace, air conditioning and kitchenette/gathering space. The cabin sleeps 24 people and fully accessible showers and restroom facilities inside the cabin.

Our sleeping cabins can be used for overnight events in the late spring or early fall. These cabins feature a large room with 12 beds, plus a smaller room with 2 beds. The cabins are not
winterized, and do not contain restrooms within the units.

Group Outings and Parties

Let our expert staff create a themed event tailored to your needs. By choosing Camp Tanager, you’re not only getting a unique venue but also helping us further our mission!

School Groups

Camp Tanager offers counselor-led end-of-year field trips for elementary schools in May and June each year. Attending schools have exclusive use of the facility. Camp Tanager staff create a custom program of activities for each school group. Options include swimming, archery, team-building activities, gaga ball, 9-Square in the Air, and more.

Schools looking to use the Camp Tanager facility for team-building events or special events can do so through private facility rentals.

Birthday Parties

There are several options for families looking to schedule a party at Camp Tanager. Popular packages include our Pool & Pavilion package—a two- or four-hour rental that includes exclusive use of the camp pool with lifeguards provided and exclusive use of the open-air pavilion with outdoor grill, sound system, and seating for over 100.

Popular winter packages include Gym & Lodge rental for overnight and custom themed parties.

Corporate Events

Business owners looking to give their employees a one of kind event choose Camp Tanager. Our Winter Lodge sleeps a total of 24 and comes complete with bathroom/shower facilities, full kitchen, main room with seating for over 20, a lounge with comfy couches, and TV and AV systems for work presentations.

Including a 6800-square-foot gymnasium, our facility provides space for group games, team-builders, and activities to get your group moving and energized.

Camp Expansion Project

The first phase of the Camp Tanager expansion project increased our reach by creating a new, larger scale camp prepared for the next century of campers. Phase two of the campaign, Nurture. Grow. Discover, is a campaign to increase impact and opportunity by continuing to extend capacity with a second new cabin plus expanding programming elements such as a pool, ropes course and locker rooms.

Play Video

Ways to Help

Our expansion goals cannot be completed without the help of our great community. There are many ways that you help with our project and help provide camp for many more generations of campers. Click the links below to learn more.