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Summer Science Camps

First and Second Grade Summer Science Camps

This summer, unlock your child’s imagination
with interactive outdoor adventures amid 1,700 acres of trees.

Content Detail

Explore summer science camps that offer opportunities to play, paint, explore, and learn for children in first and second grades. Designed by Arboretum experts, summer science camps provide a foundation for the next generation of young conservation and environmental scientists, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Week-long camps run Monday, June 1, through Friday, August 14.

Registration for 2026 Summer Science Camps opens to Tree Advocate, Thornhill Society, and President’s Council donors on Tuesday, January 6, at 10:00 a.m. Registration opens to all Arboretum members on Wednesday, January 14, at 10:00 a.m. Registration opens to all on Tuesday, February 3, at 10:00 a.m.

For questions about registration, email registrar-ed@mortonarb.org or call 630-719-2468, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Learn more about each camp below:

Parents requiring additional schedule flexibility can choose additional supervised play options that extend pick-up and drop-off times. After selecting the camp(s) your child will attend, select the option “add more to your cart” to review additional supervised play options. If you already registered for summer camp and need to add Supervised Play, register here for Supervised Play. For more information, read the Supervised Play Registration Helpful Hints document.

Once your child is registered, you will be emailed a pre-camp information packet, a registration form, and a medication authorization form (if applicable), to submit before camp begins.

Accessibility

The Arboretum strives to provide accessible experiences for all children. Contact the camp and scout supervisor at 630-719-4890 or kphelps@mortonarb.org to discuss your child’s needs prior to registration.

Summer Science Camps are generously supported by:

Camo Creatures

Full Day Camp

Stripes, spots, streaks, and stealth make animals experts at hide and seek. Uncover patterns in nature, create your own camouflage, and explore how both predators and prey use camouflage to their advantage.

Section A: June 1 to June 5, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section B: June 22 to June 26, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section C: July 20 to July 24, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section D: August 10 to August 14, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability.

Camping Out

Full Day Camp

Gear up for a daytime camping excursion. Learn how to pitch a tent, fish, and make s’mores. Enjoy nature games, hikes, and songs.

Section A: June 8 to June 12, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section B: June 22 to June 26, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section C: July 13 to July 17, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section D: July 27 to July 31, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability.

Eco-Investigators

Two-Week Full Day Camp

Put your detective skills to the test. Explore the habitats of the Arboretum, conduct nature experiments, and learn what it takes to be a nature sleuth.

Section A: July 6 to July 10 and July 13 to July 17, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability.

Forest Fairy Friends

Half Day Camp

Follow your imagination into the forest! Discover forest fairies, and the plants and animals that make a forest magical.

Section A: June 8 to June 12, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Section B: July 6 to July 10, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Section C: July 20 to July 24, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

See camp availability.

Gotta Grow

Half Day Camp

Water your curiosity! With a microscope, get an up close look at seeds, leaves, and flowers. Sprout seeds, decorate a flower pot, and explore the gardens of the Arboretum.

Section A: June 1 to June 5, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Section B: June 22 to June 26, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Section C: July 13 to July 17, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Section D: August 3 to August 7, 9:00 a.m. to noon

See camp availability.

Hydro-Explorers

Full Day Camp

Rev up for a week of wetland explorations! Slosh buckets and dip nets into lakes and ponds to examine water-loving animals and plants. Play games, conduct experiments, and explore the depths of the waters at the Arboretum.

Section A: June 15 to June 19, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section B: July 6 to July 10, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section C: July 20 to July 24, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section D: August 3 to August 7, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability.

Magic Forest Adventures

Half Day Camp

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to dig underground with worms, sing in an insect chorus, or work in a factory inside a tree? Let your imagination run wild as you discover the Arboretum through interactive play, hands-on experiments, and hikes.

Section A: June 15 to June 19, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Section B: July 6 to July 10, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Section C: July 27 to July 31, 9:00 a.m. to noon

See camp availability.

Modern Artist-tree

Half Day Camp

Use the art of science to explore trees! Mix, drip, bubble, and fizz your way through hands-on, tree-inspired creations.

Section A: June 1 to June 5, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Section B: June 15 to June 19, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Section C: July 13 to July 17, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Section D: July 27 to July 31, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

See camp availability.

Nature’s Lab

Full Day Camp

Explore nature through the eyes of a scientist. Catapult seeds, make sun prints, and experiment with leaves as you use the outdoors as your laboratory.

Section A: June 8 to June 12, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section B: July 6 to July 10, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section C: July 27 to July 31, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section D: August 3 to August 7, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability.

Prehistoric Pals

Two-Week Full Day Camp

What was the Arboretum like when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth? Dive into the past and explore the history of the plants and animals that call the forest home.

Section A: June 8 to June 12 and June 15 to June 19, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section B: July 20 to July 24 and July 27 to July 31, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability.

Slippery, Slimy, Scaly

Half Day Camp

Dive into the slippery, slimy, scaly world of reptiles and amphibians! From tadpoles to snakes, salamanders to toads, find out what these cold-blooded creatures are all about. Trek through the wetlands, play games, and become a reptile and amphibian detective.

Section A: June 8 to June 12, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Section B: June 22 to June 26, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Section C: July 20 to July 24, 9:00 a.m. to noon

See camp availability.

STEM: Brilliant and Bold

Full Day Camp

The animal world is full of brilliant and bold colors. Explore the world of animal sight and coloration through experiments, games, and STEM builds!

Section A: June 15 to June 19, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section B: June 22 to June 26, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section C: July 13 to July 17, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section D: August 3 to August 7, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability.

Registration, Cancelation, Transfer, Late Pickup, and Refund Policies

Registration

Space is limited. Preregistration is required and payment is due in full at the time of registration. Camp registration closes at 4:00 p.m. the Monday prior to the next camp’s week. All camp forms, including a medication authorization form with doctors’ signatures (if applicable), must be in before the start of camp.

Refunds

We are unable to give refunds for camp within three weeks of the start date of the camp. A $45 nonrefundable processing fee is included in each camp registration fee. We are unable to refund for missed days of camp, including missing one week of a two-week camp session. If your child is unable to attend camp due to medical reasons or illness, you may receive a refund with a doctor’s note.

For questions regarding refunds or cancelations, please contact the registrar’s office by email at registrar-ed@mortonarb.org or by phone at 630-719-2468, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Cancelations

The Morton Arboretum reserves the right to cancel a camp due to low enrollment. Camp participants will be refunded in full for cancelations.

Transfers

We are unable to transfer students to a different camp within three weeks of the start of the registered camp. Given current registration and limited availability of camp openings, transfers will be limited for 2026. Transfers will only be applicable for a camp of equivalent pricing. A $15 transfer fee will be assessed at the time of transfer. Additionally, we are unable to accommodate transfers between identical camp titles in the same week.

Late Pickup

If a child is picked up late, parents/guardians will be assessed a $15 late fee per child for pickup 15 minutes late and $1 per minute thereafter.

Pricing

  • Full Day Camps $425 (nonmembers $470)
  • Two-Week Full Day Camps $820 (nonmembers $910)
  • Half Day Camps $235 (nonmembers $260)
  • Morning Supervised Play (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.)
    $60 (nonmembers $70)
  • Midday Supervised Play (noon to 12:30 p.m.)
    $15 (nonmembers $20)
    Free with purchase of two half-day camps per registrant within the same week
  • 30-Minute Afternoon Supervised Play (3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
    $15 (nonmembers $20)
  • Afternoon Supervised Play (3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
    $90 (nonmembers $106)

Supervised Play

Parents requiring schedule flexibility can choose additional supervised play options that extend pick-up and drop-off times, as needed. After selecting the camp(s) your child will attend, select the option “add more to your cart” to review additional supervised play options. If your child is already registered for summer camp and you need to add Supervised Play, follow the links below.

Register here for Supervised Play, or for more information, read the Supervised Play Registration Helpful Hints document.

Availability

Registration for 2026 Summer Science Camps opens to Tree Advocate, Thornhill Society, and President’s Council donors on Tuesday, January 6, at 10:00 a.m.

Registration opens to all Arboretum members on Wednesday, January 14, at 10:00 a.m.

Registration opens to all on Tuesday, February 3, at 10:00 a.m.

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