Child and Youth Programs

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Youth Programs

Learn, play, explore together in nature

Youth and Family programs appeal to children ages 2 to 18 with investigative science, gardening, and career exploration. Together, adults and children can explore cool things about how plants connect to science, art, history, and culture.

Become a Household Plus Garden member today, and enjoy a special discount.

Nature Preschool

Nature Preschool

Nature Preschool will delight and engage your 3- or 4-year-old in an adventure of discovery about the natural world and prepare them for a future of lifelong learning.

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School Break Camps

School Break Camps

The Chicago Botanic Garden offers day camps for children during winter, spring, and summer school breaks. Our day camps are accredited by the American Camping Association. Your child can explore the Garden with nature and plant investigations, science and art activities, and outdoor discoveries all year long! Each camp is lead by highly qualified staff.

Winter Break 

Spring Break

 

Weekend Camps

Missing Camp CBG during the school year or curious to try it out before the summer? Kids in grades 5 –8 will have fun exploring the Garden and creating multimedia projects inspired by nature. The majority of time will be spent outdoors so please dress for the weather.

Grades K - 4 

Grades 5 - 8 
 

School Day-Off Camps

School Day Off Camp

Children participate in fun outdoor learning activities that connect nature to a range of content, including plants, weather, art, cuisine, and conservation. 

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Summer Camp

Summer Camp CBG

At Camp CBG children participate in high-quality learning activities with experienced teachers who use inquiry-based, hands-on activities such as dissecting and plant seeds, exploring fragrant herbs and flowers, searching for birds and plants on nature hikes, creating take-home science-themed projects, and much more!

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My First Camp

The Chicago Botanic Garden offers day camps for children during winter, spring, and summer. You will discover the joys of exploring the natural world as you spend time together each Friday learning, exploring, and creating. These early childhood educational camp sessions for 2 – 3-year-olds combine developmentally appropriate structured group activities and free play time.

Fall Camp 

Winter Camp  

Spring Camp

 

 
 

Available Programs

School Day-off Camps

Thursday, October 3: Fall Fun
Monday, October 14: Fall Colors
Monday, November 25: Thankful for Nature
Tuesday, November 26: Acorn Adventure
Monday, January 20: Let it Snow!
Monday, February 17: Winter Adaptations

9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Weekend Camp: Nature Makers Grades 5-8

4 Saturdays:
October 12, November 2, March 8, 
or
April 12 
9:30 a.m. – noon

Weekend Camp: Nature Play Grades K-4

Saturdays:
October 12, November 2, March 8, 
or April 12

Nature Preschool Open House: Online

Saturday
November 2 
11 – 12:30 p.m.

Winter Break Camp

Monday, December 23: Snow Art 
Thursday, December 26: Ice Experiments
Friday, December 27: Wonderful Winter 
Monday, December 30: Winter Celebrations 
Thursday, January 2: Exploring Evergreens
Friday, January 3: Snow Science

9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

My First Camp: Winter

4 Fridays:
February 7 – 28, 
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
or
11 a.m. – noon

Spring break camp

Spring Break Camp

Monday, March 24: Signs of Spring
Tuesday, March 25: Greenhouses and Gardens
Wednesday, March 26: A Walk in the Woods
Thursday March 27: Seed Science 
Friday March 28: Outdoor Adventure

9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

My first camp: Spring

My First Camp: Spring

4 Fridays: 
April 11 – 25 
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. or
11 a.m. – noon