About
Summer Science Camps offers week-long sessions where children take part in science experiments, STEM projects, art, and creative play. Campers join interactive outdoor adventures that can include a camping excursion to learn how to pitch a tent, fish, and make s’mores, as well as nature games, hikes, songs, stories, games, crafts, painting, sculpting, and muddy games and crafts. Children also do hands-on experiments as they search for croaking frogs, basking turtles, swimming fish, and seeds, design experiments, play water games, slosh buckets and dip nets into lakes and ponds, catapult seeds, and make sun prints.
• Ages: 4–13 years old
• Schedule: Week-long camps in June, July, and August; some camps are half day, full day, or two-week full day
Summer Science Camps are designed by Arboretum experts and include more than 100 camps for children in prekindergarten through eighth grade, with Supervised Play options before or after camp to extend pick-up and drop-off times. Once a child is registered, a pre-camp information packet, a registration form, and a medication authorization form (if applicable) are emailed to be submitted before camp begins. The Arboretum strives to provide accessible experiences for all children, and Summer Science Camps are generously supported. The program aims to inspire children to become a Tree Champion and to provide a foundation for the next generation of young conservation and environmental scientists, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The Morton Arboretum was founded in 1922 by Joy Morton and is led by President and CEO Jill Koski, with Ellyn Fortino serving as director of public relations. Its mission is to collect, study, display, and conserve trees and other plants from around the world to inspire learning, foster enjoyment, benefit communities, encourage action, and enhance the environment. The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized tree-focused botanical garden and research center, conducts leading scientific research on tree health and improvement, and is known as The Champion of Trees, with living collections that include more than 100,000 specimens representing more than 4,000 different kinds of plants. The Arboretum engages local and regional communities, leads collaborations throughout the Chicago region and around the world, and receives feedback such as, “The Arboretum is a must do for anyone who loves the outdoors,” “Acres and acres of beauty with easy paths to follow,” and “The Children’s Garden is a favorite, from the tree slides to the water features.”
Last updated January 15, 2026.
• Ages: 4–13 years old
• Schedule: Week-long camps in June, July, and August; some camps are half day, full day, or two-week full day
Summer Science Camps are designed by Arboretum experts and include more than 100 camps for children in prekindergarten through eighth grade, with Supervised Play options before or after camp to extend pick-up and drop-off times. Once a child is registered, a pre-camp information packet, a registration form, and a medication authorization form (if applicable) are emailed to be submitted before camp begins. The Arboretum strives to provide accessible experiences for all children, and Summer Science Camps are generously supported. The program aims to inspire children to become a Tree Champion and to provide a foundation for the next generation of young conservation and environmental scientists, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The Morton Arboretum was founded in 1922 by Joy Morton and is led by President and CEO Jill Koski, with Ellyn Fortino serving as director of public relations. Its mission is to collect, study, display, and conserve trees and other plants from around the world to inspire learning, foster enjoyment, benefit communities, encourage action, and enhance the environment. The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized tree-focused botanical garden and research center, conducts leading scientific research on tree health and improvement, and is known as The Champion of Trees, with living collections that include more than 100,000 specimens representing more than 4,000 different kinds of plants. The Arboretum engages local and regional communities, leads collaborations throughout the Chicago region and around the world, and receives feedback such as, “The Arboretum is a must do for anyone who loves the outdoors,” “Acres and acres of beauty with easy paths to follow,” and “The Children’s Garden is a favorite, from the tree slides to the water features.”
Last updated January 15, 2026.
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