Camps
Nature Museum Camps immerse children into the wonderful world of nature and science!
Campers develop their critical thinking and social skills by spending fun-filled days inside and outside the museum. They participate in interactive exploration including science and art projects, nature play, animal encounters, and so much more. We encourage campers to take the lead and we provide them with space to explore the nature of Chicago at their own pace with tools selected (or built!) by them.
Keep reading to learn more about these unique offerings for kids ages 4 to 12!
Please note: We have made changes to member discounts and the Summer Camp registration process. Beginning with Summer 2026 Camp registration, discounted rates will be offered exclusively to Family Plus members. In addition, we are introducing tiered access to registration, with Family Plus members receiving earliest access, Family members receiving access next, and all other members and the general public receiving access at the same time. For complete details, please click here to learn more. We encourage current members who would like to continue receiving camp discounts to consider upgrading to a Family Plus membership.
Day Off & Winter Camps
Explore nature and science on your days off school! Nature Museum Day Off and Winter Camps give children the opportunity to join us for outdoor and indoor fun. Campers will observe the natural world around them, grow their comfort with scientific skills, and explore the outside world around them, all while having a blast!
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.
Camp sessions are held from 9am to 3pm.
2025-2026 Day Off and Winter Camps registration is now open! Keep reading for details.
December 29 - December 31, 2025
Ages: 4-8
Pricing: $315*
How do animals find food under the snow? What happens when a hibernating critter has to go to the bathroom? Come look with us as we explore these questions and more here at camp!
For this session, campers will be broken up into the following age bands to allow them to learn and explore with fellow campers their age:
- Ages 4 & 5
- Ages 6 to 8
Please note: The 4 & 5 age group for Snowy Survivors is now at capacity. If you'd like to be added to the waitlist, please click the registration button and follow the prompts.
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family and Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $305 with an exclusive discount code.
January 2, 2026
Ages: 4-8
Pricing: $105*
What is the difference between snow and hail? How do creatures in nature turn winter winds to their advantage? We'll figure those things out and more here at camp!
For this session, campers will be broken up into the following age bands to allow them to learn and explore with fellow campers their age:
- Ages 4 & 5
- Ages 6 to 8
Please note: The 4 & 5 age group for Weather Wizards is now at capacity. If you'd like to be added to the waitlist, please click the registration button and follow the prompts.
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family and Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $95 with an exclusive discount code.
January 5, 2026
Ages: 4-8
Pricing: $105*
How can animals see under the earth? What is living just below our feet? We'll figure that out and more here at camp!
For this session, campers will be broken up into the following age bands to allow them to learn and explore with fellow campers their age:
- Ages 4 & 5
- Ages 6 to 8
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family and Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $95 with an exclusive discount code.
February 16 - February 17, 2026
Ages: 4-8
Pricing: $210*
How far can a plant spread its seeds? What makes one flower different from another? We can ask these are more here at camp!
For this session, campers will be broken up into the following age bands to allow them to learn and explore with fellow campers their age:
- Ages 4 & 5
- Ages 6 to 8
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family and Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $200 with an exclusive discount code.
March 17 - March 18, 2026
Ages: 4-12
Pricing: $210*
How can a butterfly help out a bluejay? What does a turtle have to do with a grizzly bear? We'll look at all the ways animals are interconnected here at camp!
For this session, campers will be broken up into the following age bands to allow them to learn and explore with fellow campers their age:
- Ages 4 & 5
- Ages 6 to 8
- Ages 9 to 12
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family and Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $200 with an exclusive discount code.
June 5, 2026
Ages: 4-8
Pricing: $105*
How does a heron catch its food? What tells a squirrel where to hide its nuts? We'll delve into these questions and more here at camp!
For this session, campers will be broken up into the following age bands to allow them to learn and explore with fellow campers their age:
- Ages 4 & 5
- Ages 6 to 8
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family and Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $95 with an exclusive discount code.
Summer Camp
Summer Camp registration will open late January 2026. Check back for details!
The Nature Museum offers fun, summer day camp sessions focused on nature and science education utilizing both 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.
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.
Camp sessions are held Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm. Each session lasts two weeks and runs once.
June 22, 2026-July 3, 2026
Ages: 4-5
Pricing: $900*
Who's that buzzing around our flowerbeds? What can we find growing next to the sandbox? What nature can be found just outside our front door? We'll find these answers and more with our Nature's Neighbors!
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. Aftercare is available for all sessions for $300.
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $835 with an exclusive discount code.
Ages: 6-7
Pricing: $900*
Life in nature can grow in lots of different ways, each suited best to the place they are in. With our Habitat Explorers, we'll take a close look and compare some of these places and the life that flourishes within them.
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. Aftercare is available for all sessions for $300.
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $835 with an exclusive discount code.
July 6, 2026-July 17, 2026
Ages: 4-5
Pricing: $900*
Is there even any nature in the city? You bet there is and our City Critters are going to get to the bottom of it! They'll check everywhere from the cracks in the sidewalk to the shade beneath a bench to find the life that thrives around us!
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. Aftercare is available for all sessions for $300.
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $835 with an exclusive discount code.
Ages: 6-7
Pricing: $900*
Investigating nature takes scientific skills and scientific tools. Our Nature Detectives will use both to find out everything they can about the living, breathing world of nature!
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. Aftercare is available for all sessions for $300.
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $835 with an exclusive discount code.
July 20, 2026-July 31, 2026
Ages: 4-5
Pricing: $900*
From seeds to buds and far beyond, our Growing Sprouts will expand their understanding of plants and all the amazing things that they do!
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. Aftercare is available for all sessions for $300.
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $835 with an exclusive discount code.
Ages: 6-7
Pricing: $900*
A naturalist doesn't just know about nature, they care for it too. With our Neighborhood Naturalists, we'll become stewards of our local nature and learn the ways we can help it grow.
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. Aftercare is available for all sessions for $300.
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $835 with an exclusive discount code.
Ages: 8-9
Pricing: $900*
How can plants grow in the shade of buildings? Where do squirrels hide their nuts in a world of concrete? What's the deal with pigeons? With the help of our City Scientists, we'll discover that and more!
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. Aftercare is available for all sessions for $300.
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $835 with an exclusive discount code.
August 3, 2026-August 14, 2026
Ages: 4-5
Pricing: $900*
Count the legs, count the eyes, let's take a walk on the insect's side! These Creepy Crawlers will examine the world of bugs up close and see what they can discover!
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. Aftercare is available for all sessions for $300.
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $835 with an exclusive discount code.
Ages: 6-7
Pricing: $900*
A museum is nothing without its collection, but just what goes into that collection and how do we care for it? Our Collection Caretakers will join the work, examining archives and specimens galore!
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. Aftercare is available for all sessions for $300.
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $835 with an exclusive discount code.
Ages: 8-9
Pricing: $900*
How do you tell one bird from another? What makes this leaf round, but this leaf spiky? With our Species Specialists, we'll delve into the world of identification and find out!
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. Aftercare is available for all sessions for $300.
Questions? Reach out to us at camps@naturemuseum.org.
*Family Plus members can receive a discounted session price of $835 with an exclusive discount code.
“You have taught my kids how to be kids again.”
Meet Our Camp Team
Each camp session is supervised by our full-time camp directors. Our staff is always excited to play along, get dirty, and guide campers to make discoveries while they explore the world around them. Each camp has a strictly-enforced counselor to camper ratio, ensuring that all campers have the guidance they need to have a fun, educational, and safe summer camp experience. Camp directors and counselors have experience working with children of all ages and they’re trained to help give specialized guidance for campers with specific needs, such as sensory processing disorders.
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!
During Summer Camp, high school and college-level counselors lead activities and supervise the campers in every session throughout the day. The camp team participates in extensive educational training focusing on ecology and natural science topics, best practice education strategies, and outdoor education approaches to best foster camper engagement and learning. Together, the camp directors and counselors develop activities and curricula specially tailored for each camp and session.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum reserves the right to cancel this program at any time for any reason.
A non-refundable 10% administrative processing fee is included in camp tuition. Cancellations, made for non-medical reasons, must be received more than 60 days before the start of the camp session to receive full refund less this processing fee.
Cancellations, made for non-medical reasons, received 15 to 60 days before the start of the camp session will receive a 50% refund. Non-medical cancellations within two weeks of the first day of camp will not receive a refund.
To cancel your registration, you must email camps@naturemuseum.org.
The CampDoc.com site is secure, encrypted, and password protected. Only Nature Museum camp staff will have access to camper health information.
To read more about their security policies, click here: https://www.docnetwork.org/security/.
Experience nature and science up close with a trip to the Nature Museum.