*Don't miss our NEW camp session for eleven to thirteen year olds: Scientist in the Summer!

Fun-filled day camps connect children to the wonders of nature through a unique combination of art, music, movement, unstructured play, hands-on science activities, and live animal encounters led by Nature Museum staff. Camps include family open houses on the second Thursday evening of each session.

Camp fees include one camp T-shirt and healthy daily snacks. Extra t-shirts can be purchased prior to camp for $10 each.

Discounts are available for Nature Museum members. If you are not yet a member, save the cost of a one-year family membership to the Museum, by becoming a member and taking advantage of the camp discount.

Camp Dates

Four-Year Old Campers

Nature Detectives: June 24 to July 5, Monday to Friday* (no camp Thursday, July 4)

Nature Explorers:  July 22 to August 2, Monday to Friday SOLD OUT

Camp Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. / Aftercare (optional): 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: Members $425/session; Non-members $500/session. Aftercare $75/session.

These sessions are two-week, four-hour camps that let four-year old campers explore nature in and around the Museum. Campers will engage in unstructured nature play, enjoy music and movement activities with our camp artist-in-residence, and explore hands-on activities utilizing art, scientific objects, museum collections, literature, and games. Campers can choose to attend one or both sessions during the summer. Aftercare is available from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to extend the camp day. All sessions accommodate up to 20 campers.

Five & Six-Year Old Campers

Mammals & Birds:  June 24 to July 5, Monday to Friday *(no camp Wednesday, July 4)

Reptiles & Amphibians: July 8 to July 19, Monday to Friday

Insects & Bugs:  July 22 to August 2, Monday to Friday SOLD OUT

Camp Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: Members $525/session; Non-members $600/session.

These sessions are two-week, six-hour camps for children ages five and six that focus on animals represented in the Museum’s live and preserved collections. The camp day will include hands-on art and science activities related to the animal of the day, music and movement activities with our camp artist-in-residence, up-close animal encounters, and unstructured play time outside. Campers can choose to attend one, two or three sessions during the summer. All sessions accommodate up to 30 campers.

Seven & Eight-Year Old Campers

Illinois ROCKS: July 8 to 19, Monday to Friday SOLD OUT

Ecology Adventures: August 5 to 16, Monday to Friday SOLD OUT

Camp Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: Members $540/session; Non-members $615/session.

These sessions are two-week, six-hour camps for children ages seven and eight. Illinois ROCKS will explore all aspects of geology from rock identification to volcanoes and earthquakes! Campers will also take a field trip to Sagawau Environmental Learning Center for a canyon tour. Ecology Adventures will focus on Illinois ecosystems such as prairies, savannas, and dunes. Campers will embark on a canoe trip with Chicago Canoe and Kayak to round out their session and explore a river ecosystem!

Hands-on science activities, along with outdoor exploration will be incorporated into each day’s theme along with art, music and unstructured play. Both camps will have a beach day visit to Lake Michigan. Campers can choose to attend one or both sessions during the summer. All sessions accommodate up to 20 campers.

Nine & Ten-Year Old Campers

Green City Kids: August 5 to 16, Monday to Friday

Camp Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: Members $565/session; Non-members $640/session.

This session is a two-week, six-hour camp for children ages nine and ten. The session will focus on sustainable living practices in and around the city of Chicago. Camp themes will center on eco-friendly practices such as recycling, composting, rooftop gardens, alternative energy, farmers markets, and creative re-use. Camp will take place on and off the Nature Museum grounds and will incorporate hands-on science along with art, music, free exploration and camper-driven activities. All of our nine and ten year old campers will take part in weekly field trips to the Green City Market and will learn about urban farming practices through a visit to Uncommon Ground’s organic rooftop farm, the first certified organic rooftop farm in the United States! This session accommodates up to 20 campers.

Eleven to Thirteen Year Old Campers

Scientist for a Summer: August 5 to 16, Monday to Friday

Camp Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: Members $650/session; Non-members $725/session.

This session is a one-week immersion camp meant to give children, ages eleven to thirteen, an in-depth exploration of various nature topics. Topics covered are fossils and archeology, bee habits and habitats, chemistry and polymers, owl conservation, aquatic habitats and more. The immersion experience includes field trips to forest preserves, Lake Michigan and other areas of the ecosystem that will give campers hands-on experience.

Pre-Camp Orientation

Thursday, June 20 from 5 p.m.- 8 p.m.

The Pre-Camp Orientation is for families attending ANY camp session throughout the summer. Stop by anytime during the Orientation hours to meet our summer staff, view camp activity spaces, and review drop-off and pick-up procedures for your camper(s). Camp gear, including camp T-shirts, will be distributed and camp administrators will be available to answer all of your questions. This orientation is mandatory for all new camp families and highly recommended for returning families.

Camp Open House

Each camp will culminate with a camp Open House, which takes place the second Thursday of each camp session from 6 p.m.- 7 p.m. During the Open House, campers take the time to show off what they’ve learned at camp through songs and skits and to share all of their favorite places and crafts with you.