Know Before You Go: Information and helpful hints for your next visit
The Morton Arboretum Get tickets
Summer Science Camps

Kindergarten 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 kindergarten. 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 2 through Friday, August 15. Children must be 5 years old by September 1, 2025.

Registration for 2025 Summer Science Camps is open to Arboretum donors on Friday, January 3, at 10:00 a.m. Registration will open to Arboretum members on Wednesday, January 15, at 10:00 a.m. Registration will open to all on Tuesday, February 6, 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, or if you need help, read the Supervised Play Registration Helpful Hints document.

Once your child is registered, you will be emailed a pre-camp information packet, registration form, and medication authorization form (if applicable), to send back 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:

Dinos, Ginkgos, and Me

Half Day Camp

Travel back to the dinosaur age and discover different dinosaurs. Learn what they ate, where they lived, and which trees grew when dinosaurs were alive.

Section A: June 9 through June 13, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Section B: July 7 through July 11, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Section C: July 21 through July 25, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Eric Carle’s Friends

Half Day Camp

Have you ever been as hungry as a caterpillar? Enter the whimsical world of Eric Carle as his characters come to life through stories, games, and crafts.

Section A: June 2 through June 6, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Section B: June 16 through June 20, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Section C: July 14 through July 18, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Section D: July 28 through August 1, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Leaf Zoo

Half Day Camp

Leaves come in all shapes, sizes, and colors! Let your imagination run wild as you discover what you can create with leaves.

Section A: June 16 through June 20, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Section B: July 7 through July 11, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Section C: July 28 through August 1, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Mud Buddies

Half Day Camp

Build, play, dig, and discover all the things that love mud! Explore life underground and what it takes to make a home in the mud—while playing muddy games, doing muddy crafts, and becoming a muddy scientist.

Section A: June 9 through June 13, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Section B: June 23 through June 27, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Section C: July 21 through July 25, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Pond Pals

Full Day Camp

How do tadpoles turn into frogs? How do turtles and fish grow up? Together we’ll search for croaking frogs, basking turtles, and swimming fish while we take a closer look at our friends that live in ponds.

Section A: June 9 through June 13, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section B: July 14 through July 18, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section C: August 11 through August 15, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Seed Scientists

Full Day Camp

What does it take to make seeds grow? Make the Arboretum your outdoor laboratory as you search for seeds, design experiments, and explore types of seeds and how they sprout!

Section A: June 16 through June 20, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section B: July 21 through July 25, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Squishy, Squashy Art

Half Day Camp

Ready, set, paint! Paint and sculpt squishy frogs, textured turtles, and slippery fish. Learn about wetland creatures and play water games.

Section A: June 2 through June 6, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Section B: June 23 through June 27, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Section C: July 14 through July 18, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Section D: August 4 through August 8, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Where the Wild Things Are

Full Day Camp

Where do wild things hide at the Arboretum? Search for wildlife as you explore the woodlands. What type of wild thing will the woods inspire you to be?

Section A: June 23 through June 27, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section B: July 28 through August 1, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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, 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 if 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 2025. Transfers will only be applicable from 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 $420 (nonmembers $465)
  • Two-Week Full Day Camps $810 (nonmembers $900)
  • Half Day Camps $230 (nonmembers $255)
  • 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
  • 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 additional 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 if you need help, read the Supervised Play Registration Helpful Hints document.

Explore More

1

Donate

Your support is vital to the Arboretum, where the power of trees makes a positive impact on people’s lives.

Make a gift