Summer Nature Camps

Summer Nature Camps offers hands-on activities such as observing nature up close using tools like binoculars, magnifying lenses, and microscopes. Campers explore the Center, interact with Animal Ambassadors, play educational nature-themed games, create nature-themed arts and crafts, and do science experiments. The program also includes walking field trips to places in the community such as Balboa Island, Newport Aquatic Center, and Castaways Park, as well as walking field trips to the Cleveland National Forest and the Modjeska Wilderness Preserve.

• Ages: 4–13 years old
• Schedule: Camp day from 9am to 1pm with an optional after-camp program for an additional 2 hours; multiple one-week sessions from June 15 to August 7
• Price: Little Naturalist fee: $425; Nature Adventure Camp fee: $375; Science Explorer Camp fee: $375; Wilderness Adventure Camp fee: $375; late registration fee $60 per camper; refund requests 2 weeks or more prior to camp start incur a $50 fee per session; all session changes incur a $25 fee

The ENC has offered Nature Camps since 1977. The mission of the program is to provide transformative experiences through connection with nature. Nature Camp Teachers are Naturalists who teach at the Environmental Nature Center throughout the school year, and all educators are described as exceptionally qualified in elementary science education and representing a wide range of expertise in the Orange County educational community. Science Explorers Campers go on weekly walking field trips to places in the community such as Balboa Island, Newport Aquatic Center, and Castaways Park.

Little Naturalist Camp is treated as a child’s first exposure to the day camp experience, like being a camper-in-training. Science Explorers Campers are given mentoring opportunities with younger campers. Wilderness Adventure Camp is located at a satellite nature center adjacent to the Cleveland National Forest and Modjeska Wilderness Preserve. All ENC campers must be fully potty trained, and campers are divided into groups by grade level. Enrollment in Little Naturalist Camp is limited to up to 8 campers per teacher with a high school assistant, and enrollment in Nature Adventure, Wilderness Adventure, and Science Explorers Camp is limited to up to 10 campers per teacher with a high school assistant. Summer Nature Camp emphasizes experiential learning in an outdoor, hands-on setting and provides nature play and quality science education. Summer Nature Camp is described as providing a fun learning experience while giving campers the opportunity for fresh air, physical activity, and social interaction with peers, and campers spend time with friends and mentors for hands-on education, creative enrichment and expression, and a chance to explore without stress. Each week has different activities, and families are encouraged to sign up for more than one session. ENC members at the Family level or higher can use a discount code to receive a 10% discount, and the ENC offers a limited number of partial scholarships each year that cover 50% of the camp fee, with a limit of one scholarship per family. Registration for Summer Nature Camp 2026 will open March 2nd at 1pm, with ENC Members provided a link to register early on Monday 2/23 at 1pm.

Last updated June 22, 2026.