Kindergarten Summer Science Camps | The Morton Arboretum (2024)

Summer Science Camps

This summer, unlock your child’s imagination with
interactive outdoor adventures among 1,700 acres of trees.

Content Detail

Please note: Kindergarten Summer Science Camps are sold out.

Explore summer science camps that offer opportunities to play, paint, explore, and learn for children in kindergarten. 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 3 through Friday, August 9. Children must be 5 years old by September 1, 2024.

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:

Dinos, Ginkgos, and Me
Eric Carle’s Friends
Leaf Zoo
Mud Buddies
Seed Scientists
Squishy Squashy Art
Pond Pals
Where the Wild Things Are

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 Welcome Letter, Registration Form, and a Medical 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.orgto discuss your child’s needs prior to registration.

Waitlist

Is the camp you’re looking for sold out? Add your name to the Summer Science Camp waitlist to be contacted if a seat opens due to a cancellation.

Summer Science Camps are generously supported by:

Dinos, Ginkgos, and Me: half day camp

Travel back to the dinosaur age and discover different dinosaurs. Learn what they ate, where they lived, and all about the trees that grew when dinosaurs were alive.

Section A: June 10 to June 14, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Section B: July 8 to July 12, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Section C: July 22 to July 26, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

See camp availability >

Eric Carle’s Friends: half day camp

Have you ever been as hungry as a caterpillar? Enter the whimsical world of Eric Carle as his characters come to life through stories, games, and crafts.

Section A: June 3 to June 7, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Section B: June 17 to June 21, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Section C: July 15 to July 19, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Section D: July 29 to August 2, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

See camp availability >

Leaf Zoo: half day camp

Leaves come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Let your imagination run wild as you discover what you can create with leaves.

Section A: June 17 to June 21, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Section B: July 8 to July 12, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Section C: July 29 to August 2, 9:00 a.m. to noon

See camp availability >

Mud Buddies: half day camp

Build, play, dig, and discover all the things that love mud! Explore life underground and what it takes to make a home in the mud—while playing muddy games, doing muddy crafts, and becoming a muddy scientist.

Section A: June 10 to June 14, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Section B: June 24 to June 28, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Section C: July 22 to July 26, 9:00 a.m. to noon

See camp availability >

Seed Scientists: full day camp

What does it take to make seeds grow? Make the Arboretum your outdoor laboratory as you search for seeds, design experiments, and explore types of seeds and how they sprout!

Section A: June 17 to June 21, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Section B: July 22 to July 26, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability >

Squishy, Squashy Art: half day camp

Put on your artist hat. Paint and sculpt squishy frogs, textured turtles, and slippery fish. Learn about these wetland critters and develop artistic skills.

Section A: June 3 to June 7, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Section B: June 24 to June 28, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Section C: July 15 to July 19, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Section D: August 5 to August 9, 9:00 a.m. to noon

See camp availability >

Pond Pals: full day camp

How do tadpoles turn into frogs? How do turtles and fish grow up? Together we’ll search for croaking frogs, basking turtles, and swimming fish that live in ponds.

Section A: June 10 to June 14, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Section B: July 15 to July 19, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability >

Where The Wild Things Are: full day camp

Where do wild things hide at the Arboretum? Search for wildlife as you explore the woodlands. What type of wild thing will the woods inspire you to be?

Section A: June 24 to June 28, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Section B: July 29 to August 2, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See camp availability >

Registration, Cancellation, 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 Medication Authorization Forms 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. We are unable to refund for missed days of camp, including if missing one week of a two-week camp session. If your child is unable to attend camp due to medical reasons or illness, you may receive a refund with the submission of a doctor’s note. For questions regarding refunds or cancellations 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 2024. 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 $410 (nonmembers $455)
Two-Week Full-Day Camps $795 (nonmembers $875)
Half-Day Camps $225 (nonmembers $245)
Morning Supervised Play (8:00 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 to 3:30 p.m.)
$15 (nonmembers $20)
Afternoon Supervised Play (3:00 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.

Summer Science Camp Waitlist

Is the camp you’re looking for sold out? Add your name to the Summer Science Camp waitlist to be contacted if a seat opens due to a cancellation.

See all Summer Science Camps >

Availability

All Summer Science Camps for children entering kindergarten are sold out. No additional sections will be added. Please add your information the Summer Science Camp waitlist to be contacted if a seat becomes available due to cancellation.