Summer Nature Camp

Program Details

Summer Nature Camps provides children with exciting hands-on experiences designed around a diverse array of educational subjects. Each week of summer camp focuses on a different nature-based theme, and combines playful explorations of the garden with art, science, and cooking activities. Providing exciting opportunities for children to learn and explore at their own pace while forming meaningful peer relationships, our program aims to inspire children to foster a connection with nature through unforgettable, joyful experiences.

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Camp spaces are available on a first come first served basis. We do not maintain a wait list for sold out summer camp weeks. If spaces become available in sold out weeks, they will be opened on the website for public registration. Please monitor the website for any spaces released.

2025 SUMMER NATURE CAMP

AGES: 5-10 years old

COST PER WEEK: $425 members; $450 non-members

SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm

COHORTS: Our summer camp program consists of two separate cohorts of 24 children. Friend groupings are not guaranteed.

THEMES: Though some themes are identical to previous years, the projects will be different.

Read our Summer Camp Frequently Asked Questions page HERE.

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WEEKLY THEMES & DATES

Week 1- Mythical Creatures: June 16-June 20  -SOLD OUT!
Dragons and bigfoot and fairies, oh my! Human history is full of tales about mythical creatures that exist at the intersection of the natural and the fantastical. In this camp, we will discover the origins of some of our favorite mystical characters and learn about the nature-based phenomena that inspired their legends.

Week 2- Budding Artists: June 23-June 27  -SOLD OUT!
Let your inner artist bloom! With the beautiful gardens as our inspiration, we will create daily masterpieces using natural materials and explore different mediums of art. From pottery and paintings to wearable and edible art, get ready to create!

*Scholarship Week- Weird & Wild Nature: June 30-July 4*
APPLY HERE!

The natural world is full of wonder, but let’s face it, it can get pretty strange! In this camp, we will uncover some of the weirder aspects of the wild world, from shapeshifting octopuses and zombie ants to carnivorous plants and more!

Week 3- Garden Chefs: July 7-11  -SOLD OUT!
Calling all little chefs! It’s time to cook using the bounty of the earth. In this camp, we will create delicious culinary masterpieces while learning about fruits, vegetables, spices, and more of earth’s treats, and even create edible art. We will end with an Iron Chef feast where campers can develop their own new recipes and add them to the cookbook they will develop throughout the week.
(*Includes a $40 materials fee)

Week 4- Flower Power: July 14-18  -SOLD OUT!
Power to the petals! With their importance to pollination and plant reproduction and their role in art and commercial products, flowers are earth’s gifts in far more ways than we realize. In this camp, we will explore the wonders of the floral world and learn about how and why these majestic treasures are more than just a pretty face.

Week 5- The Magic Garden: July 21-25  -SOLD OUT!
A magical world awaits! From fairytales and mythology to medicine and holidays, nature has inspired magical thinking throughout human history. While embarking on quests throughout the mystical gardens of the Arboretum, we will explore the folk beliefs and magical traditions sparked by nature across different cultures and develop our own nature-wizard traditions as well!

 Week 6- Taste The World: July 28-August 1  -SOLD OUT!
Bon voyage, and bon appetite! Come travel the world one bite at a time on this culinary expedition where we will cook different recipes using iconic plant ingredients from across the globe. From chocolate and pizza to dumplings and strudel, we will learn about the cultural and botanic origins of some of our favorite “everyday” foods and the amazing journeys they’ve made to end up in our lunch boxes. (*Includes a $40 materials fee)

Week 7- Fantastic Forces: August 4-8  -SOLD OUT!
Boom! Whoosh! Crack! Nature is full of so many amazing forces, from snownados and supernovas to geysers and glowing waves. In this camp, we will learn about the powerful phenomena that has shaped and shaken our natural world and awed humans for all time. Get ready for earth to blow your mind!

Week 8- Tropical Treasures: August 11-15  -SOLD OUT!
Come step inside the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world! In this camp, we will pull back the jungle vines to discover the spectacular treasures that live in earth’s tropical regions. From brilliant butterflies to medicinal plants, life will be teeming everywhere we look, as we transform our classroom into a rainforest throughout the week!

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*For more information, please contact Brooke Applegate at brooke.applegate@arboretum.org or (626) 821-5897.

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REFUND POLICY

PLEASE NOTE THE INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE REGISTERING:

Summer Nature Camp is a highly sought-after program. Space is limited and demand far exceeds availability. Please do not register unless you are confident you can commit to your chosen dates.

THE FOLLOWING PENALTY FEES APPLY TO ALL CANCELATIONS WITHOUT EXCEPTION:

-All camp cancelations are subject to a $100 penalty fee per child per week regardless of when they are requested.

– In order to qualify for a partial refund, all camp cancellations must be requested no later than two weeks (14 days) in advance of the first day of the camp week start date. Partial refunds are registration fees minus the $100 penalty fee per child per week.

-Cancelations requested less than two weeks (14 days) in advance of the first day of the camp week start date will not qualify for a refund of any kind. 

-Your registration denotes your understanding and acceptance of this policy.