Summer Camp

Nature Explorers Camp

Summer Camp 2023

Awaken your child’s curiosity and nurture their appreciation for nature by registering them for Morris Arboretum’s Nature Explorers Camp. Led by experienced educators, our goal is to inspire new generations of environmentally aware citizen scientists. 

There's still availability for Little Lightening Bugs (ages 4 – 5) for the weeks of July 3 and August 7.

For all other weeks, we offer a waitlist and will notify those who sign up of cancellations. There is no charge to be waitlisted, and spots often become available between now and summer. 

Join the Waitlist →

How to Register

1. Reserve your week(s) and pay online here.
2. After you pay, check for and read your confirmation email.
3. Download the registration form sent with your confirmation email or use the link below.
4. Use a separate form for each participant.
5. Email these forms to Ilana Grubin at igrubin@upenn.edu by June 1 in order to hold your spot. Forms received after June 1 will incur a $25 late fee. If we are missing your forms, your child cannot attend camp and your spot may be forfeited. 

Dates and Details

Little Lightning Bugs: Ages 4 to 5 (Adult/Child ratio of 1:6)
Bloomfield Buddies: Ages 6 to 11 (Adult/Child ratio of 1:8)
Weekly Camp Sessions: July 3 to August 11, 2023
Duration:  Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
*We are not able to offer before care or aftercare.

Pricing

Members*: $300 (weekly) / Non-members: $320
* To receive the member pricing for camp, you must be a current member at the Family level or above. If you purchase a membership online at the same time as your camp purchase, you will get the discount for camp. If you purchase a membership a few weeks before camp registration opens, please check with membership prior to January 23 and make sure that your member account has been updated in our ticketing system (sometimes this can take a few weeks).
** Because we sell out so quickly, we are no longer offering Early Bird pricing.
*** A limited number of partial scholarships may be available on a first-come basis to those with demonstrated financial need.

Attending Nature Explorers Camp with a Same-Age Friend or Sibling
We only have one group for Little Lightning bugs, so all 4-5 year old campers will be in the same group. Bloomfield Buddies will be divided into two groups by age. Groups will be preassigned, and children will be told their groups each Monday. If your child has a friend or relative registered in Bloomfield Buddies and you wish to place them in the same group, please email igrubin@upenn.edu at least TWO WEEKS PRIOR to the start of camp.

Is a nature camp right for your child?
It is our hope to inspire a love of the outdoors in all participants. We spend the majority of our day outside in nature—not in air conditioning. Our campers hike and navigate uneven terrains throughout the Arboretum. We also play games and use natural materials for our arts and crafts. Safety is our number one priority; however, injuries can still occur. Children encounter bees, biting insects, slippery terrain, and tree roots, which all can pose a hazard. Together, we enjoy fun, physical activities under careful supervision of Arboretum education staff. With the guidance of educators, campers must listen to directions, stay with the group, adhere to camp rules, and take accountability for their own safety. Please see Parent Handbook for more information about our camp and rules.

Weather Policy
Camp is held rain or shine. In the case of lightning, activities will be modified and moved indoors. Please dress your child in clothes that can get wet or dirty! If temperatures exceed 90 degrees, activities are modified, and participants will not be doing anything strenuous. In addition to morning creek walks about once a week, we will do water play (sprinklers, wading pools, etc.) whenever there is a heat advisory.

2023 Registration/Cancellation Policy

Planning ahead can be challenging for everyone, but please be mindful when making your camp registrations. We try to accommodate requests to change scheduled weeks, however, since we fill up quickly there is no guarantee there will be any space available in a different week. 

Cancellations on or before April 14th: $20 fee will be deducted from refund for each week cancelled.

Cancellations April 15 to June 1st: $50 fee will be deducted from refund for each week cancelled.

After JUNE 1st: Refunds will ONLY be issued for extenuating circumstances and are at the discretion of the Camp Director. If a replacement is found from the waiting list, a refund may be granted minus a $75 cancellation fee.

Seeking Teens ages 13-16 for our Volunteer Counselor-in-Training Program 

We are currently looking for volunteer CITs (Counselors in Training) to join our camp program this summer. This is an unpaid opportunity for students aged 13-16. We will provide weekly leadership training, and CITs will assist our experienced camp staff. Some of our CITs are former campers, but the program is open to anyone who is good with kids, likes to spend time outdoors, and is looking for work experience. Please reach out directly to Ilana Grubin at  igrubin@upenn.edu. If you are looking for a paid position as a Lead Counselor or Assistant Counselor, please visit our employment page (we expect to post positions in February).