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 including our very popular Pea Pods for Preschoolers!

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

Arboretum Members may register early for Day Camps-- Member opening date is Tuesday, Jan. 20 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 22 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.)


Registration for 2026

Registration is now fast and easy, with only a few questions to fill out when you make your purchase. 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. Listings, descriptions and dates are all on the website to assist in summer planning.

Browse all Day Camps 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 registration team at 612-301-1210. 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, 2026
  3. Acknowledgement that you have read and understand the Camp Cancellation Policies, and you have read and agree to the Participant Agreement and Waiver/Release.

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 early will be disregarded and removed.


Cancellation policy

Please review the Camp Cancellation Policies prior to registering.

Day Camp search

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

 


Counselor in training reading to campers in woods on a log

(Ages 12-15) Teen Counselor-in-Training

Virtual Info Session, Feb. 25 • Orientation Day, June 12
$100 fee for accepted candidates

Kids looking at instruction sheet outside with hats on

(Ages 7-9) Eco Spy Academy Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, June 22-25, 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member

Hogswood Forest camp

(Ages 9-11) Hogswood Forest School of Magic Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, June 22-25, July 6-9 or July 27-30
$175 member/$195 non-member

Boy with pokemon hat smiling outside on grass

(Ages 7-9) Geo’-mon Explorers Half-Day Camp: A Pokemon-Inspired Adventure

Mon-Thurs, June 22-25, 9 a.m.-noon or July 6-9, 1-4 p.m.
$175 member/$195 non-member

Children with homemade butter fly wings running outside on a log

(Ages 5-7) Creation Station Day Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, June 22-25 • 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m.
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

incredible edible cooking day camp

(Ages 9-11) Incredible Edible Cooking Challenge Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, June 22-25 • 1-4 p.m.
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Child dressed in costume roleplaying outside on grass

(Ages 7-9) Hogswood Forest School of Magic Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, June 22-25, July 20-23 or July 27-30 • 1-4 p.m.
$175 member/$195 non-member

Children making nature crafts at a picnic table outside

(Ages 7-9) Creative By Nature Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, June 22-25, 1-4 p.m. or July 27-30, 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member

Garden adventures day camp

(Ages 7-9) Weekly Garden Adventures

Fridays, June 26-Aug. 14 • 9:30-11:30 a.m.
$230 member/$250 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Garden adventures day camp

(Ages 5-7) Weekly Garden Adventures

Fridays, June 26-Aug. 14 • 9:30-11:30 a.m.
$230 member/$250 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

fort day camp

(Ages 7-11) Fort Building: A Friday Favorite Mini Camp

Friday, June 26 • 9 a.m.-noon
$45 member/$50 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

elements day camp

(Ages 9-11) Elements: Earth! Wind! Fire! Water! Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, June 29-July 2 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m
$345 member/$365 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Children outside building and playing in the woods with twigs

(Ages 5-7) Arboretum Architects + Wild Child Nature Play Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, June 29-July 2 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

elements day camp

(Ages 7-9) Elements: Earth! Wind! Fire! Water! Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, June 29-July 2 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Kids at table looking at cards

(Ages 9-11) Geo’-mon Explorers Half-Day Camp: A Pokemon-Inspired Adventure

Mon-Thurs, July 6-9 • 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$190 non-member

Pollinator day camp

(Ages 9-11) Pollinator Power Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 6-9 • 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member

Pollinator day camp

(Ages 7-9) Pollinator Power Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 6-9 • 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member

pinecraft day camp

(Ages 7-9) PINECRAFT Half-Day Camp: Take the World of Minecraft Outdoors!

Mon-Thurs, July 6-9 • 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Child with superhero mask and cape outside by twigs

(Ages 5-7) Nature's Superheroes Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 6-9 • 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Girl working with soldering tool in classroom

(Ages 7-9) STEAM Studio Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 6-9 • 1-4 p.m.
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Spy day camp

(Ages 5-7) I Spy With My Little Eye Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 6-9 or July 27-30 • 1-4 p.m.
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

outdoor survival day camp

(Ages 7-11) Outdoor Survival Skills: A Friday Favorite Mini Camp

Friday, July 10 • 9 a.m.-noon
$45 member/$50 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Kids around a campfire and girls bicycling on a wooden bridge

(Ages 9-11) Outdoor Survival Adventure! + Eco-Trek

Mon-Thurs, July 13-16 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Children in woods roleplaying and girl and class in garden

(Ages 7-9) Pinecraft + Green Thumb Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 13-16 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

2 children outside, one in superhero costume, one with a bug in her hand

(Ages 5-7) Nature’s Superheroes + Wild Child Nature Play Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 13-16 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Girl smiling outside with carrot in her hand and a pokemon outside on table

(Ages 9-11) Green Thumb + Geo'-mon Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 13-16 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Girl with measuring cup pouring water into food processer

(Ages 7-11) Kitchen Science: A Friday Favorite Mini Camp

Friday, July 17 • 9 a.m.-noon
$45 member/$50 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Messtival Day Camp

(Ages 9-11) MESS-tival Festival Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 20-23 • 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Messtival Day Camp

(Ages 7-9) MESS-tival Festival Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 20-23 • 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Messtival Day Camp

(Ages 5-7) MESS-tival Festival Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 20-23 • 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

pinecraft day camp

(Ages 9-11) PINECRAFT Half-Day Camp: Take the World of Minecraft Outdoors!

Mon-Thurs, July 20-23 • 1-4 p.m.
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Arb architects day camp

(Ages 5-7) Arboretum Architects Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 20-23 • 1-4 p.m.
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

buzz about bees day camp

(Ages 7-11) The Buzz About Bees: A Friday Favorite Mini Camp

Friday, July 24 • 9 a.m.-noon
$45 member/$50 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

outdoor survival day camp

(Ages 11-13) Outdoor Survival Adventure! Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 27-30 • 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Girl looking through binoculars out into prairie

(Ages 9-11) Wild About Wildlife Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 27-30 • 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member

Wild things Day Camp

(Ages 5-7) Where the Wild Things Are Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 27-30, or Aug. 17-20 • 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Eco trek day camp

(Ages 11-13) Eco-Trek Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 27-30 • 1- 4 p.m.
$175 member/$195 non-member

Creative by nature day camp

(Ages 9-11) Creative By Nature Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 27-30 • 1-4 p.m.
$175 member/$195 non-member

Boy in apron and chef's hat chopping vegetable with knife

(Ages 7-9) Incredible Edible Cooking Challenge Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, July 27-30 • 1-4 p.m.
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

mud day camp at the Arb

(Ages 7-11) Mud!: A Friday Favorite Mini Camp

Friday, July 31 • 9 a.m.-noon
$45 member/$50 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Kids outside rollplaying with bows and arrows and another child scooping into water with a net

(Ages 7-9) Pinecraft + Water Wonders Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, Aug. 3-6 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Child in costume with others gathering around playing games

(Ages 9-11) Wilderness Quest Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, Aug. 3-6 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Children picking  vegetables and girl with stick smiling outside

(Ages 5-7) Harvest Hoopla + Wild Child Nature Play Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, Aug. 3-6 or Aug. 10-13 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

artful outdoors incredible edible bundle

(Ages 11-13) Artful Outdoors + Incredible Edible Cooking Challenge Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, Aug. 3-6 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

gooey sticky fizzy science day camp

(Ages 7-11) Gooey, Sticky, Fizzy Science: A Friday Favorite Mini Camp

Friday, Aug. 7 • 9 a.m.-noon
$45 member/$50 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Kids around camp fire and kids looking at clues on paper outside

(Ages 7-9) Outdoor Survival Adventure! + Eco Spy Academy Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, Aug. 10-13 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Kids roleplaying in forest and girl in glasses with pond water

(Ages 9-11) Pinecraft + Water Wonders Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, Aug. 10-13 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

Wildnerness quest day camp

(Ages 7-9) Wilderness Quest Full-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, Aug. 10-13 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$350 member/$370 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.

greatest hits day camp

(Ages 7-11) Summer’s Greatest Hits: A Friday Favorite Mini Camp

Friday, Aug. 14 • 9 a.m.-noon
$45 member/$50 non-member

Eco spy camp

(Ages 9-11) Eco Spy Academy Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, Aug. 17-20 • 9 a.m.-noon
$175 member/$195 non-member

wild about wildlife day camp

(Ages 7-9) Wild About Wildlife Half-Day Camp

Mon-Thurs, Aug 17-20 • 9 a.m.-noon.
$175 member/$195 non-member
Sold out, waitlist available.