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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 grade. 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.

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:

Adaptive Art

Half Day Camp

Do you think you can paint with a beak, sculpt with a paw, or draw with a claw? Find out how Arboretum animals are adapted to life in the woods, ponds, and prairies and embrace various artistic media to capture these unique animal features.

Section A: June 23 through June 27, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Section B: July 28 through August 1, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Adventures in Art

Full Day Camp

Paint, draw, color, and sculpt your way through the Arboretum. Create masterpieces daily to showcase in an end-of-the-week art show.

Section A: Monday, June 16 through Friday, June 20, 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 4 through August 8, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Critter Cases

Half Day Camp

Can you solve the case of the missing acorn or the mystery of the toppled tree? Put your sleuthing skills to work as you learn signs that animals leave behind and become a woodland detective.

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

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

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

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

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

Section C: July 7 through July 11, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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

Section E: August 4 through August 8, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Going Buggy

Full Day Camp

What has six legs and no uncles? An ant! Explore the zany world of insects as you dig, sweep, and dip your way through the insect world.

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

Section B: July 7 through July 11, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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

Section D: August 4 through August 8, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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: June 9 through June 13 and June 16 through June 20, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Section B: July 21 through July 25 and July 28 through August 1, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Rooted in Science

Half Day Camp

Exercise your green thumb as you sprout, transplant, and experiment with plants in this gardening adventure.

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

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

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

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

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

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

STEAM: Nature in Motion

Full Day Camp

Animals run, climb, crawl, zip, and soar through the wild. Explore how animals move while playing games and making crafts using motion.

Section A: June 2 through June 6, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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

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

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

Sticks and Bricks

Half Day Camp

Engineer your way through challenges as you learn how nature stacks up around you. Combine nature and building blocks, take on STEM challenges, and create art out of natural building materials.

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

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

Wild Survival

Two-Week Full Day Camp

Do you have the skills of a squirrel, the techniques of a turtle, or the ability of an ant? Discover the survival skills of animals at the Arboretum and then put your survival skills to the test.

Section A: July 7 through July 11 and July 14 through July 18, 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. 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 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.

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