Nestled in the Fleming Park Nature Preserve on the east side of Lake Jacomo, the Kemper Outdoor Education Center is a haven for nature lovers and educators.

Nature Center & Nature Trails

Inside the Nature Center you’ll find live reptile displays, rock and fossil exhibits, a natural resource library, mounted examples of native wildlife. The grounds feature nature trails, butterfly and water gardens, wildlife viewing areas, an arboretum, a shelter house, large pond and a day camp site.

The Outdoor Classroom offers a valuable resource for hands-on environmental education. Hikers on Habitat Trail can explore a variety of ecologies: wetland, prairie, woodland and cactus glade.

Self-guided tours are free of charge.

A Multitude of Programs

The Kemper Outdoor Education Center staff offers guided interpretive programs for classrooms, youth groups and organizations large and small. Choose from programs as simple as a nature hike to an X-Stream Green field trip, an all-day multi-station outdoor adventure. The interpretive staff conducts programs on Snakes, Bats, Skins and Skulls, Butterflies, Birds and Binoculars, Humane Education, Fishing, Recycling, Nature Hikes and more.

Jacomo Day Camp

The Kemper Outdoor Education Center is also home to the Jacomo Day Camp for ages 6 to 13. This outdoor education/outdoor recreation program promises kids a summer they'll never forget. Activities include swimming, canoeing, archery, hiking, camping skills, nature study, field trips, arts and crafts, sports and games.

Site Available For Rent

The site is available to rent for picnics, family reunions, pool parties and weddings.

Special Events

The Kemper Outdoor Education Center plays host to the Kids’ Fishing Derby, Water Gardens Tour and Dogtober Fest.

The Kemper Outdoor Education Center's newest program offers an outdoor Team Building program for groups as young as 5th graders through adults. Groups face multiple challenges that foster communication, cooperation, problem solving, group cohesiveness,  mutual respect, support, conflict resolution, broader perspective, sensitivity to others (especially those a bit different than oneself), effort, excellence, stress management, frustration tolerance, out-of-the-box thinking, strategic planning, risk taking, confidence, and a sense of connectedness to the natural world.