education
Campouts
group campouts
family campouts
Experience the Chicago Botanic Garden the way few visitors can — by sleeping over! Enjoy a low-stress camping experience, explore the outdoor classroom, take a nature hike at dusk, cook s'mores around a campfire, sleep outside and enjoy breakfast in the morning.
There are 23 spots available for the June 22 (rain date June 28) campout. Call (847) 835-8239 for details or to register your Scout group. Fall dates will be availabe at the beginning of July.
The Garden welcomes both Girl and Boy Scouts as well as other youth groups. Smaller groups of Scouts may be combined with other groups, but a campout cannot exceed 40 children. At least one adult is required to spend the night for every five children, and at least one adult must sleep in each tent. Activities include an evening walk through the Garden and a campfire with s'mores. S'mores and breakfast will be provided. Please plan to spend the night, as the Garden is unable to accommodate evening-only or "undernight" participants.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Scout leaders, please have an estimated head count (both adults and children) for your group when you register. The Garden will accept credit cards or checks for the deposit, due at registration. Please note: upon registering for campouts, you agree to the terms listed in the registration policy.
Please note the rain dates when registering for campouts and inform Scouts about both dates. Campout fees will only be refunded if both the original date AND the rain date are cancelled by the Youth Coordinator.
SCOUT CAMPOUT FEES
$45 per child
$15 per adult
Groups must pay a $200 deposit is due at the time of booking; final head count and payment are due two weeks before the campout date.
WHAT TO BRING
Bring your tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, and a picnic dinner. Registered participants will receive a full gear list with their confirmation letter and deposit receipt. Dress for the weather. The Garden does not provide any camping gear. Due to limited space in the outdoor classroom, please bring a tent that is appropriate for the size of your group. Please label everything. The Garden is not responsible for lost items.
ACTIVITIES & SCHEDULE
- 5 p.m. Arrive at the Garden & load gear onto the tram
- 5:30 p.m. Ride the tram to the outdoor classroom
- 6 p.m. Set up tents, eat picnic dinner & explore the outdoor classroom
- 7 p.m. Garden walk
- 8:30 p.m. Campfire & s'mores
- 10 p.m. "Lights out"
- 7 a.m. Breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, and orange juice
- 7:45 a.m. Tram ride to parking lot
LOCATION
Campouts are held in the outdoor classroom, a fenced-in garden designed especially for children and conveniently located near electricity, running water, and bathrooms.
FAMILY CAMPOUTS
Pack up your family for a comfortable, fun, one-of-a-kind camping event at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Bring your own tent, flashlights, camping gear, picnic dinner and don't forget to dress for the weather. Campers will walk through the Garden, enjoy a campfire and s'mores, then drift off to sleep in your garden bed. S'mores and breakfast will be provided. Campout activities are geared for children ages 6 and up, though younger children may attend; please call (847) 835-8239 for registration, program details and payment. At least one adult is required for every three children. Please plan to spend the night as the Garden is unable to accommodate evening-only or "undernight" participants. For evening family programs at the Garden, please explore Nature Nights.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Please call (847) 835-8239 for more information and to check availability. Please note the rain date for your campout. For Family Campouts, two weeks' notice of cancellation is required to receive a full refund less a $20 processing fee. In the case of low-enrollment cancellation, a full refund will be issued. Please note: upon registering for campouts, you agree to the terms listed in the registration policy.
FAMILY CAMPOUT –
Saturday, July 27 (rain date Friday, August 2)
WHAT TO BRING
Bring your tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, a picnic dinner, and remember to dress for the weather! Registered participants will receive a full gear list with their confirmation letter and payment receipt. Dress for the weather. The Garden does not provide any camping gear. Due to limited space in the outdoor classroom, please bring a tent that is appropriate for the size of your group. The Garden is not responsible for lost items.
ACTIVITIES & SCHEDULE
- 5 p.m. Arrive at the Garden & load gear onto the tram
- 5:30 p.m. Ride the tram to the outdoor classroom
- 6 p.m. Set up tents, eat picnic dinner & explore the outdoor classroom
- 7 p.m. Walk around the Garden
- 8:15 p.m. Campfire & s'mores
- 9:30 p.m. "Lights out"
- 7 a.m. Breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, and orange juice
- 7:45 a.m. Tram ride to parking lot
LOCATION
Campouts are held in the Outdoor Classroom, a fenced-in garden designed especially for children and conveniently located near electricity, running water and bathrooms.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
Please note the rain dates when registering. Campout fees will only be refunded if both the original date AND the rain date are cancelled by the Garden. In the event of a rainy forecast, Chicago Botanic Garden staff will contact you Saturday morning to reschedule for the selected rain date. In the event of rain during the night, a covered shelter is available for campers.