Summer Day Camps at the Arboretum

Explore, Dig, Hike, Imagine, Plant, Grow, Learn, Create, Discover & Play!

Experience an engaging mix of science-based, nature-inspired programs that stimulate learning, inspire exploration, and support a love of the natural world and all its wonders.

Also browse All Youth & Family Programs to find more family programs!

Summer camp group

Camp registration tips

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Click here to read tips for opening day of registration

Member benefit: Early Day Camp registration

NEW FOR 2024! Arboretum Members may register early for Day Camps-- Member opening date is Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 9 a.m. Members must Sign in at the registration screen in order to receive access. 

Not a member yet? Become an Arboretum Member today to take advantage of Member discounts and early Day Camp registration!

Non-member opening registration date is Thursday, Jan 18 at 9 a.m.


Test your registration Sign in

Because Members must Sign in to register on opening day, we recommend testing your Member Sign in now to make sure it works prior to opening day. You will also want to Sign in a few minutes prior to 9 a.m. on opening day to save time at the registration screen.

Already registered? Follow steps 5 and 6 on this page using your email and password to make sure you can sign in. (Select any date and time to test registering for tickets, then be sure to click Empty Cart to remove those test tickets out of your cart.)

New and need to register? Follow steps 1-6 on this page (Select any date and time to test registering for tickets, then be sure to click Empty Cart to remove those test tickets out of your cart.)


Improved registration for 2024!

We have heard your feedback, and have made changes to our registration process for 2024. Registration is now faster and easier, with fewer questions to fill out when you make your purchase. Instead, registered participants will receive a follow-up form a few days after registration where you can provide important information like emergency contact and allergies.


Pre-shop before registration opens.

Browse all Day Camps now to know which camps you want ahead of time. Use the filters to narrow your search by age, date, and more. Register as soon as you can when programs open! Summer programs are in high demand and often sell out quickly after opening. Knowing which camps you want ahead of time will speed up your checkout process and give you the best odds of getting the camps you want. Once registration opens, you will have 15 minutes to complete all purchases in your cart, so shop quickly and efficiently.


Register Online.

For the fastest camp registration once camps open, please register online! We anticipate a delay in the phone response time due to call volume, so registering online is the best way to get a spot quickly! If you need assistance and cannot complete your purchase online, you may reach our ticketing teams at 612-301-1210 or 612-301-6775. Phone lines may be busy, so leave a message and we will return your call as soon as we can.


Complete checkout within 15 minutes.

Once you add an item to your cart, you will have 15 minutes to check out. Your spot in the program is reserved while the item is in your cart. If you do not check out within 15 minutes, the spot will be released back for sale.


Add multiple items to your online cart.

For the most efficient online checkout, we recommend adding all desired programs to your online cart first, then checkout to purchase all the products together in one transaction. You may navigate back and forth between the shopping cart and the programs pages, the registration system will remember what you've already added to your cart.


Have your checkout information ready

Be prepared to enter the following information in order to add each item to your cart:

  1. Child's first and last name
  2. Child’s Age as of June 1, 2024
  3. Acknowledgement that you have read and understand the Camp Cancelation Policies, and you have read and agree to the Participant Agreement and Waiver/Release.

Have kids in different age groups?

Use the helpful weekly calendar at-a-glance to see which camps run concurrently on the same dates for different ages. 


Can Members register together with Non-members as part of their purchase?

Yes. Arboretum Education policy is that Members may purchase a class or camp on behalf of an accompanying Non-member at the discounted Member price as long as they are registering and paying for at least one spot for themselves. Members must Sign in, enter the total number of Member-price tickets for all participants they are purchasing for, and then complete each participant’s name and prompted information at the checkout screen. The transaction must be completed at the same time as the Member's registration(s). This policy applies only to Arboretum Education programs and classes, and is not applicable to other Arboretum purchases like Events or Admission Tickets.


Did your camp choice sell out?

During opening day, we encourage you to check back often and try the register button again. It is possible that another customer had held that camp in their cart, but then removed it from their cart or released it back for sale. We also encourage you to follow the waitlist link that will be listed for sold out programs, then complete the form to add your name to the waitlist! If a spot opens, we will contact those on the waitlist in the order they were added to the waitlist. *Note that Waitlist requests may only be entered after 9 a.m. on or after Camp on-sale day. Any waitlist forms submitted prior to 9 a.m. on Jan. 16 will be disregarded and removed.


Cancelation policy

Please review the Camp Cancelation Policies prior to registering.

Day Camp search

Use filters in the grey box below to narrow your camp search.

If you have siblings who would like to attend different camps concurrently, you can also browse camps by condensed weekly list view.

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Helpful information - Education

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Cancellations & Exchanges for educational programs

Cancellation policy

Review the cancellation policies prior to purchasing a class.

Waitlist

Waitlist form

The best chance of being enrolled in a sold out class is to add your name to the waitlist. Click the "waitlist" button or link next to the class and complete the form. There is no obligation to register if a spot opens. If the waitlist shows enough demand, additional sessions may be added.

Member purchasing policy

Can Members register accompanying Non-member participants for Educational programs at the discounted member rate?

Yes. Arboretum Education policy is that Members may purchase a class or camp on behalf of an accompanying Non-member at the discounted Member price as long as they are registering and paying for at least one spot for themselves. Members must Sign in, enter the total number of Member-price tickets for all participants they are purchasing for, and then complete each participant’s name and prompted information at the checkout screen. The transaction must be completed at the same time as the Member's registration(s). This policy applies only to Arboretum Education programs and classes, and is not applicable to other Arboretum purchases like Events or Admission Tickets.

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About Arboretum Education

Education Staff bios

Meet the team behind the programs that inspire scientific curiosity and a love of nature.

Education department statistics

View the annual Fiscal Year statistics of the Education Department.