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

Sixth through Eighth Grade Summer Science Camps

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

Content Detail

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

Week-long camps run Monday, June 5, through Friday, August 11.

Learn more about each camp below and find availability for each session:

For questions about registration, call 630-719-2468 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For parents requiring additional schedule flexibility, after selecting the camp/s your child will attend, be sure to select the option “add more to your cart” to review additional supervised play options that extend pick-up and drop-off times as needed. 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 Welcome Letter, Registration Form, and a Medical Authorization Form if applicable, to send back before camp begins.

Waitlist

Is the camp you are interested in full? Please add your name to the Summer Science Camps waitlist.

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:

Molex logo for Summer Science Camp sponsorship

Arboretum Invaders: full day camp

Uncover alien species that have invaded the woodlands, prairies, and wetlands of Illinois. Learn why we consider these species invasive, how to remove them, and develop ways to prevent their return.

  • Section A: June 5 to June 9, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Section B: July 10 to July 14, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Section C: August 7 to August 11, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability >

Filming in the Forest: full day camp

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is a video worth? Capture the movements of nature from falling leaves to crawling caterpillars and make a moving story out of the natural world. Participants must bring their own digital camera with video ability.

  • Section A: June 12 to June 16, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Section B: July 17 to July 21, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability >

Forest Escape: full day camp

Put your forest and problem solving skills to the test as you take on daily challenges, solve puzzles, and explore the Arboretum to answer riddles. In teams, campers will create their own “escape room” challenge in the forest!

  • Section A: June 26 to June 30, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Section B: July 31 to August 4, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability >

Help Wanted: full day camp

What does it take to make an Arboretum run? Take a behind the scenes look at careers at the Arboretum and experience what it takes to become a Champion of Trees.

  • Section A: June 19 to June 23, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Section B: July 24 to July 28, 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 Medication Authorization Forms 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 $15 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 the submission of a doctor’s note. For questions regarding refunds or cancellations 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 do transfers within three weeks of the start of the registered camp. Given current registration, and limited availability of camp openings, transfers will be limited for 2023. Transfers will only be applicable from a camp of equivalent pricing. A $10 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

Early Bird Pricing through March 5

Fill your summer calendar early and take advantage of early bird pricing for summer camps. Prices are discounted until March 5. Early bird Pricing offers discounts to both members and nonmembers.

  • Full-Day Camps $365 (nonmembers $410)
  • Two-Week Full-Day Camps $720 (nonmembers $810)
  • Half-Day Camps $210 (nonmembers $245)
  • Morning Supervised Play (8:00 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 to 3:30 p.m.)
    $15 (nonmembers $20)
  • Afternoon Supervised Play (3:00 to 5:30 p.m.)
    $90 (nonmembers $106)

For parents requiring additional schedule flexibility, after selecting the camp/s your child will attend, be sure to select the option “add more to your cart” to review additional supervised play options that extend pick-up and drop-off times as needed. If your child is already registered for summer camp and 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.

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