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Summer Science Camps

Third and Fourth 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 third and fourth 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 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:

Drawn to Nature

Half Day Camp

Can art come from trees? Use paper, pencils, wood, and leaves to capture the nature around you. Discover the artistic tools hidden within trees.

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

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

See camp availability.

Forest Forts

Full Day Camp

Design and build forts inspired by trees. Study trees up close and uncover their characteristics. Build a mini tree fort village as a group. Each child takes home their own mini tree fort.

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.

Growing Builders

Two-Week Full Day Camp

What do you find in a garden? Leaves, flowers, and STEM! Use your building skills to take on garden projects and see what you can construct to help things grow!

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.

Leaf Laboratory

Two-Week Full Day Camp

Have you ever wondered WHY? Prepare your beakers and flasks as you explore the scientific method, design experiments, and investigate the natural world around you.

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.

Nature Unframed

Full Day Camp

Paint, sculpt, and draw with nature as your muse! Create art pieces in the prairie, on the pond, and below the trees as you explore the Arboretum.

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.

Scales to Feathers

Half Day Camp

What makes a snake scale tough and a feather light? Take a microscopic look at scales, feathers, shells, and more as you discover what animal adaptations are all about.

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

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

See camp availability.

Slime Time

Full Day Camp

Stretch, squish, and squoosh some slime as you discover how plants and animals use slime, try out some recipes for slime, and put your slime to the test.

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.

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 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.

The Arb Rocks!

Half Day Camp

Rock out with an in-depth study of glaciers, soils, fossils, and rocks. Take a geological journey through Earth, uncovering the layers below, identifying hidden fossils, and investigate the three types of rocks.

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

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

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

See camp availability.

Walk in the Wild

Half Day Camp

Walk in the wild parts of the Arboretum and explore nature. Discover the differences between bees and wasps, go birdwatching, and hunt for animal footprints. Hike, collect specimens, and make tools that help reveal the Arboretum’s wild side!

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

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

See camp availability.

Wetland Wonders

Full Day Camp

Spend the week getting wet! Wallow through wetlands to collect water samples, play games, and conduct experiments. Examine critters that call ponds, lakes, rivers, and marshes home.

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.

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. If your child is unable to attend camp due to medical reasons, you may receive a refund prior to the start of camp with a doctor’s note. We are unable to refund for missed days of camp.

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.

Cancellations

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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