As a college assignment, I was once asked to write about which season was my favorite. I couldn’t choose. I love each season for a different reason but what I really love most, are the transitional times of year when one season is morphing into the next—the slow change of color in the trees for autumn, watching the first winter snowfall from the warm and cozy couch, the buds and slow re-coloring of spring, and the first few opportunities to bask in the warm sunshine as summer approaches.
The other thing I love about this particular time of year, is anticipating the change of pace that comes with summer. I look forward to spending more time outdoors, more time with my kids and husband, doing a little traveling and, on occasion, leaving the ‘civilized’ world behind for a little camping (although we take along quite a few creature comforts!) And, of course, I look forward to all that the town of Winterset has to offer in the summer months.
So, here’s the most comprehensive compilation I could muster to help YOU plan for the upcoming summer as well! There are so many community organizations that are heavily invested in providing enjoyable opportunities for both young people and adults.
Thank you Sponsors! Click on ads to learn more.
Ultimate Summer Planner
Thank you Sponsors! Click on ads to learn more.
For the Kids
Programs & activities for young people
Swimming Lessons
June 14 – August 5th
Age six months and up
There are nearly 75 options from which to choose for swimming instruction this summer—if you want to help your kiddo dip their toes into the water for the first time or you have a tween who’s thinking about a future lifeguard position— and everything in between.
Playground in the Park
June 7-10 and June 28-July 1
10:00 am – Noon OR 1:00 – 3:00pm
Ages 3-8
Enjoy crafts, stories, hikes, games and—the highlight—a hike to Clark Tower on the last day! This program is held at the south shelter of Winterset City Park.
Youth Tennis Lessons
July 19-22
Beginners • 8:45 – 9:45am
Intermediate • 10:00 – 11:00am
July 23
9:00 – 11:00am • both divisions
Four days of instruction followed by a fun filled day of tennis games and contests with prizes awarded. All equipment is provided. Available for grades 3 through 6.
Cost is $20 per participant. Registration opens June 1st.
Junior Police & Fire Academy
July 28-29 • 8:00 – Noon
Boys and girls in grades 4, 5, & 6 are invited to the junior police and fire academy for activities that include physical agility training, fingerprinting, evidence collection, a K-9 demonstration, fire safety, and fire-fighting techniques and equipment.
Cost is $25 per participant. Registration opens June 1st.
Night Owls Camp
July 6-8
7:00-10:00 pm
Ages 8-12
Cost: $25
We will be exploring Pammel Park at night and discovering all of the wonderful creatures that make the night come alive including owls, bats, and raccoons. We will learn about the adaptations that help these creatures see after dark and catch their prey. Hands on activities will include a blacklight animal tracking, firefly hunting, and night vision activities. We will discuss what we should do if we are lost in the woods after dark and campers will practice building a campfire.
Water Rocks!
July 13-15
9:00am-Noon
Ages 9-12
Cost: $25
Back by popular demand, this camp will feature all things aquatic from bullfrogs to people. Using ISU’s Water Rocks! curriculum, camp participants will learn about watersheds, wetlands, and the critters that live in them. Activities may include critter catching and water quality testing in Middle River, constructing and racing boats made from recycled materials, and canoeing at Cedar Lake.
Critter Camp
Tuesday, July 20
9:00 am – Noon
Ages 5-7
Cost: $20
Critter camp is a one morning adventure in Pammel Park that will focus on finding the Park’s wildlife. Participants will look for insects along the Pammel Park Lodge Trail, watch for turkey buzzards and great blue herons by the ford, and hunt for minnows and crayfish in Middle River. This camp is highly dependent on the weather, in the event of thunderstorms the camp will relocate to the Pammel Park Nature center for other creature based activities.
Night Owls Camp
July 27-29
7:00-10:00 pm
Ages 8-12
Cost: $25
We will be exploring Pammel Park at night and discovering all of the wonderful creatures that make the night come alive including owls, bats, and raccoons. We will learn about the adaptations that help these creatures see after dark and catch their prey. Hands on activities will include a blacklight animal tracking, firefly hunting, and night vision activities. We will discuss what we should do if we are lost in the woods after dark and campers will practice building a campfire.
Salamander Camp
August 3-5
9:00-11:30 am
Ages 5-7
Cost: $25
Camp participants will spend time discovering all the things that can be found in different levels of the natural world including the water, soil, and air. We will learn about the things that swim in Middle River and take short hikes in Pammel Park where we will hunt for frogs, find fossils along sand bars, search for snails along the trails, and count the birds that fly overhead. There will be interactive games and scavenger hunts to help us learn about the inhabitants of Pammel Park. This camp will also feature a lesson on the animal food chain during which the campers will create an interactive food chain craft.
Royal Adventure Dance Camp
June 14-18, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Dancers ages 3-6
This summer join your favorite princesses like Moana, Elsa and Mulan for a week of action packed dancing. Ride the ocean waves, explore new cultures, and let it all go. This five day dance camp includes ballet, tap, and creative movement plus crafts and snacks daily.
Cost is $35/day or $140 for the week
Pop Star Dance Camp
June 14-18, 12:30-2:30 pm
Dancers in 1st-4th grade
Grab your bow, best moves, and biggest smiles to dance along to JoJo Siwa, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and more. This five day dance camp includes ballet, jazz, and hip-hop plus crafts and snacks daily.
Cost is $35/day or $140 for the week
Movie Magic Dance Camp
June 14-18, 3:00-5:00 pm
Dancers 5th grade and up
Movie Magic Dance Camp explores movie genres like Classic Disney, Princesses, Heroes, and even Villains with ballet, jazz, and hip-hop elements. This five day dance camp includes crafts and snacks daily.
Cost is $35/day or $140 for the week
Acro 101 Program
Ages 6+
This is a beginner session for students who are new to acro! In this program, your child will learn beginner-level acrobatic tricks, partnering, and across the floor combinations. Created by the world-renowned Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA), Acro 101 is the highest-quality acro program available for beginner students. Once your child completes their 101 session, they will be ready to move onto Junior-level acro! At this point, you can decide if you’d like them to join one of the full-year acro classes, and continue learning and developing new acro skills. This session meets every Monday and Thursday from June 7- July 22 (no class July 1 or July 5) from 5:00-6:00 pm.
Cost is $125 for the 12-lesson session
CLI Dance Intensive
Saturday, June 12, 10:00 am- 4:00 pm
Dancers 5th grade and up
Spend the day at the studio to dive into all different genres. Classes may include ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, musical theater, tap, and yoga.This fun day together also includes lunch.
Cost is $90
Challenger Sports International Soccer Camp
June 7-11
Experience a week long curriculum filled with the top training sessions used by five of the most successful soccer countries: Brazil, France, Spain, UK and US. These iconic camps utilize over 30 years of coaching experience and when presented by our international coaching staff, truly bring a global training experience to our campers. Curriculums focus on developing each player’s technical, tactical, and physical aspects.
Sessions available for ages 3-16
All sessions will be held at the Winterset Soccer Complex
Touch-a-Truck
Saturday• 6/26 • 10:00am – Noon
Kids can visit the library to touch, and safely explore their favorite big trucks and heavy machinery, and meet those who protect, serve, and build the Winterset community. Bring a camera for fun photo opportunities!
Usborne Book Fair
Saturday • 6/26 • 10:00am – Noon
We host a book fair at our Touch-a-Truck event! Lisa Carstens of Usborne Books & More® will have some steller new books for the summer break!
Art In the Park
Thursdays • June 10 & 24, July 15 & 29
The library invites kids of all ages to explore their artistic sides. Look for more information about registration on our website and Facebook page.
Time Capsule/End of Summer Party
July 31 • 6:00 – 8:00pm
25 years ago, we created a time capsule for summer reading. This summer we invite all to see what is inside. If you were part of the project, we want to see you all grown up! More details soon, but there will be lots of food and fun!
Madison County Explorers Program
Stop by the library for explorer maps, then complete the quests and return for prizes!
For the Family
Programs & activities for the whole tribe
Saturday mornings • 8:00am – Noon
Courthouse Lawn
Fishing begins at 6:00 am on Saturday and concludes at 7:00 pm on Sunday. Catching bass, crappie, or catfish ANYWHERE during the derby window for a chance to win tournaments trophies! Submit date and time stamp photos of fish next to a measuring device to enter your catch. Photos must be submitted no later than 7:00 pm on Sunday, June 6. Once you have registered you will receive information as to where to send the photos. The longest fish in each category receives a trophy.
Registration is $30 per person and includes a t-shirt
Saturday • 6/5 • 8:00am
The Winterset Police Department will lead this leisurely bike ride starting at the Winterset Aquatic Center, continuing to the Winterset city Park, and then back to the aquatic center. Thanks to the Winterset Optimist Club, all youth who are wearing a helmet will receive a certificate for a free ice cream cone!
The Iowa Quilt Museum’s annual Airing of the Quilts is a community-wide celebration of the history and artistry of quilting in Iowa. Residents are encouraged to display a quilt somewhere on the exterior of their home—porch, fence, deck railing, clothesline, etc. You can also purchase a ticket to see the displays of quilts all around the county. Proceeds support the Iowa Quilt Museum and their mission to promote the history of the American quilt and the art of quiltmaking.
The Winterset Community Band is back in session this summer and will be performing three concerts on the west porch of the Bevington House at the Madison County Historical Complex:
Thursday, June 24, 7:00pm
Thursday, July 1, 7:00pm
Thursday, July 8, 7:00pm
Admission is free, just bring your own lawn chair and enjoy the music!
If you’d like to join the community band as a player, you’re invited to do that, too! Contact Sue Hansen at 468-0137.
The Central Iowa Auto hosts their Show & Shine on the second Saturday of each month from 4:00 – 7:00pm on the North and West sides of the Winterset square. These are great nights to take the family for a walk! There’s no admission charge.
June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11
Sunday • 6/27 • 6:00pm
Design and build your own boat made out of cardboard and duct tape only! Get creative…the possibilities are endless!
Singles and Team Divisions for 10 years and younger, 11-15 years, and a family division.
Registration begins May 24th. No fee.
Friday • 7/16 • 8:00 – 11:00pm
This family-friendly movie will begin at dusk at the Winterset Aquatic Center. Bring your own blanket or chair plus drinks and snacks. The movie screening is sponsored by Madison County Realty. Admission is $4 or an aquatic center season pass.
The Winterset Stage Presents:
The Winterset Stage, our local community theater, is in the midst of rehearsing their summer musical, Oklahoma. The classic Rodgers & Hammerstein show will be performed outdoors at the Madison County Fairgrounds and will be a unique immersive theatrical experience!
Tickets will go on sale soon so for right now, just mark your calendars. I’ll be sure to let you know when tickets are available. (Which means if you’re not a subscriber yet, you should do that now so you don’t miss the announcement!)
Thank you Sponsors! Click on ads to learn more.
For the Grown Ups
Programs & activities for adults
Tuesdays • June 8, July 6, August 3, September 7
9:00 – 10:00 am
Drop in at the Madison County Historical Complex for a cup of coffee and some sweets on ‘The Hill’. Spend a relaxed time with friends—old and new—and join in a brief discussion on the fun topic of the day.
Our local winery, cidery and taproom provide a steady stream of entertainment for the ‘over 21’ crowd! Mostly it’s music, but The Drift and Covered Bridges Winery keep things fresh with other activities as well.
Click the links below to see what they’ve got going on this summer…
Summer Reading Program
June 1 – July 25
Earn tickets for reading print and downloadable fiction & non-fiction, graphic novels, magazines and audiobooks, for entry into a drawing for Chamber Bucks and other prizes from Pammel Park Coffee, Winterset Cidery, 1st Avenue Collective, and the Iowa Theater.
Thursday • 6/3 • 6:30pm
Darcy Maulsby
Author Darcy Maulsby will discuss her books Madison County, Iowa Agriculture, and Classic Restaurants of Des Moines.
Monday • 6/14 • 6:30pm
Darrin Crow
Storyteller Darrin Crow will present “Songs from the Old Country Church.”
Tuesday• 6/29 • 3:00pm
Linda McCann
Author Linda McCann discusses her book Prisoners of War in Iowa.
For Anyone and Any time
Places and things for whenever you want them
There are over 20 parks and facilities in and around Winterset that are just waiting for you to explore! Need ideas? The Madison County Conservation has them! Click below for suggestions for hiking, picnicking, fishing, boating, and more!
City of Winterset Park Facilities
(click for more info)
County Park Facilities
(click for more info)
You don’t have to go far from home to enjoy a night or two of camping. In fact, it’s a wonderfully easy way to disconnect from ‘regular’ life and connect with nature for a day or two.
The City of Winterset operates the campground at Winterset City Park where there are sites for campers with both partial and full hookups and space for tent camping as well.
The Madison County Conservation Board maintains three separate camping areas, and for one of them, you don’t need to own a tent or a camper to be able to enjoy. Pammel State Park has spaces for campers and tents PLUS two yurt cabins.
Modern camping is also available at Criss Cove, and if you’re looking for something more primitive, Clanton Creek offers a hike in-hike out camping experience.
While summer tends to be the time we’re ‘out and about’ the most, there are great opportunities in our town all year round. They require no planning or scheduling and are available almost anytime!
Madison County Historical Complex
George Stout Memorial
Little Free Libraries
• 4th Ave & W Jefferson
• 5th St and E Court
• Lane St just west of JW Drive
New movies are back at The Iowa! And the Way Back Wednesday series continues as well. If you want to always know what’s playing, be sure you’ve subscribed to The Winterset Citizen! And then open the emails when they come 🙂
Calendar View!
Yep, I’ve just shared A LOT of information with you! If you’d rather see it in calendar form instead of categorically, just hop over to the COMMUNITY CALENDAR page.
And, share this with your friends! If they’re already a subscriber, they’ll appreciate you thinking of them. If they’re not, they’ll appreciate you even more!
It’s a GREAT day to be a Winterset Citizen—
Thank you for reading!
If you’re reading this post but it didn’t come to your inbox,
be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any more!
Forward this email to a friend who you think would enjoy being ‘in the know’ about community happenings!
Help thank our sponsors by patronizing their businesses!
All community announcements are provided at no charge, courtesy of our sponsors.
American State Bank
Anchored Walls
Ben Franklin
Blanchard Family Dentistry
Covered Bridge Realty
Farmers & Merchants State Bank
Homefront Real Estate
The Iowa Theater
John Wayne Birthplace Museum
Lowe Chiropractic Clinic
Madison County Health Care System
Madison County Historical Society
McGowen Hurst Clark Smith
Medicap Pharmacy
Midwest Heritage Bank
Montross Pharmacy
State Farm, Charlotte Speer
The Drift
Union State Bank
Winterset Ballet & Dance Studio
Winterset Optimist Club
Winterset Parks & Recreation Department