Camps

Ages: 10-14

Registration is now open! Keep reading to register your camper.

Are you up for the challenge of decoding the Mysteries of the Marsh? Use hands-on science tools and close observations while meeting some of the reptiles that live at the Nature Museum. Explore the conservation work of our scientists, while collaborating with your peers to solve puzzles and riddles to learn more about Illinois wetlands.

Highlights include:

• Escape room style games, puzzles, and challenges
• Animal encounters and feedings with our resident turtles (including helping prepare the turtles' meals!)
• Flexing scientific skills with the Curator of Turtle Conservation through scientific drawings, observations, and outdoor explorations
• And more!

Camp sessions are held from 9am to 3pm. Campers ages 10 to 14 will have the chance to interact with fellow campers, connect with museum scientists, and engage in unique activities and natural exploration as they explore local native animals that live in our wetlands.

Register My Camper

In addition to discounts on Nature Museum Camp, Family and Premier Members enjoy discounts on popular family events, free admission all year, and other benefits. Click here to learn more or to become a member.

Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.

Ages: 4-9

Additional spots have been added for campers ages 4-5 in Session 1, Session 2, and Session 3. Space is limited! Keep reading to register your camper.

The Nature Museum offers fun, summer day camp sessions. Our summer camp focuses on nature and science education utilizing the Nature Museum’s outdoor and indoor spaces. Campers will build on their natural curiosity to discover, explore, and learn about the world around them. In each unique camp session, campers use observing and questioning skills to explore the museum, local habitats, and many living things nearby. As campers explore, investigate, and play in our outdoor spaces, they'll gain comfort and confidence in being outdoors.

Camp sessions are held Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm. Each session lasts two weeks and runs once throughout the summer. This gives campers the chance to sign up for one or more sessions, meeting new friends and exploring new topics along the way! Your camper will have the chance to interact with fellow campers, connect with counselors, and engage in unique activities and natural exploration.

Camp families can keep the camp fun going with a little help from our daily emails. Unique to the Nature Museum, these Daily Parent Pages are written by the camp directors and include photos, a summary of the day's accomplishments, and questions to spark meaningful conversation with your camper.

Join us from 3pm to 5pm for aftercare! Campers of all ages will continue the fun while they explore the exhibits, join in on outdoor play, and create. Space is limited. Please keep reading for aftercare pricing per session.

Sessions will be marked as full as they reach camper capacity. To inquire about being added to a particular session's waitlist, please click the Register My Camper button and follow the steps.

REGISTER MY CAMPER Camp FAQs Orientation Packet

In addition to discounts on Nature Museum Camp, Family and Premier Members enjoy discounts on popular family events, free admission all year, and other benefits. Click here to learn more or to become a member.

Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.

Garrett Douglas is a full-time, year-round educator at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. He was a full-time summer camp kid since age 7 and has been working in and out of the woods his whole life. After seven years teaching in classrooms across various Chicago schools, he found his way to the museum in the summer of 2024. He brings with him a wild curiosity for the natural world, a well-trained sense of patience, and a smattering of puppetry skills. If you see him, you might also see his friend Poda the Snail, so make sure to say hi to both!