Do you have a 2- to 3-year old who would like to go to camp like a big kid? Would you like to spend some time learning, exploring and bonding with your child in an engaging, structured environment? Welcome to My First Camp! My First Camp sessions will meet Tuesday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. All children participating in My First Camp must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. The registration fee for My First Camp covers one child-adult pair. A second child in the same age range may be included for an additional fee.

Fantastic Foods
June 24–26, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
June 24–26, 12:30–3 p.m.
It’s important to try new things, and you and your toddler will have a blast discovering the different foods that we get from plants! Explore the Fruit and Vegetable Garden together and observe the plants we eat as they grow. Create food-based arts and crafts projects and much more!

Small Scientists
July 8–10, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
July 8–10, 12:30–3 p.m.
Young children’s first science experiences come through their senses. This camp will help you and your child learn how to think like scientists together. Go for listening walks in the garden and practice observation skills as we dissect a rotting log! We will create and model simple, developmentally appropriate activities that you can replicate at home to continue the development of your young scientist.

Young Artists
July 15–17, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
July 15–17, 12:30–3 p.m.
Kids love to color, draw and sculpt – and when they do, they improve their fine motor skills. Young artists will experiment with color, shape and texture as they create their own works of art using kid-friendly art supplies and found objects from nature. We will also visit the Chapungu sculpture exhibit and use it as a source of inspiration!

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Green Sprouts Camps–Ages 4-5
Green Sprouts camps are geared for children ages 4 and 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten. Different nature-related themes and activities let children try something new each week and prepare them for later studies in science inquiry. All camps feature garden walks, stories, games and nature-related crafts, and are led by experienced teachers and Botanic Garden instructors. A snack will be provided each day. Please note that late July – August camps are repeats of the June – July sessions.

Art and Nature
June 16–20, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
July 21–25, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
Nature has inspired artists for thousands of years – as well as provided them with their artistic materials. Campers will use natural materials to create their own masterpieces, learn the fine art of papermaking and have the opportunity to experience the Chapungu exhibit.

African Explorations
June 16–20, 12:30–3 p.m.
July 21–25, 9:30 a.m.–noon
Experience African culture through the Chapungu sculpture exhibit. Folklore, legends and songs will inspire us as we make our own traditional toys and other African crafts, try African foods, and much more.

Earth Science
June 23–27, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
July 28–August 1, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
Come to this camp ready to travel through time! You will venture millions of years back in time as you learn about rocks and the stories they tell, and create your own fossil to take home.

Young Wizards Workshop
June 23–27, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
July 21–25, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
July 28–August 1, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
This popular camp returns – with some new twists! Young wizards will discover the magic of science at Camp CBG. We’ll create some strange potions (and learn about chemistry) and meet some seemingly magical plants in Herbology class. Wands not required (we’ll make our own)!

Budding Botanists
July 7–11, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
August 4–8, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
What’s inside a seed? Why do plants make flowers? Why do some plants have big leaves and some plants have small leaves? Budding botanists will tackle these questions through hands-on experiments and lots of garden exploration (weather permitting).

Insects Are Essential
July 7–11, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
August 4–8, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
... to the food we eat and the flowers we see! Our young entomologists will get to look at insects up close and discover the differences between real insects and plain old bugs. Learn how insects communicate and socialize in nature, search for insect homes, and make a bug box and insect net to take home.

Aqua Nuts
July 14–18, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
August 11–15, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
Did you know that approximately 70 percent of your body is made up of water? After this camp, Aqua Nuts will know that and a whole lot more. Campers will make a water snooper, meet some of the aquatic creatures that live in our lakes and fountains, create water art, and much more. Please note – this camp does not involve swimming or boating.

Life Underground
July 14–18, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
August 11–15, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
Who lives underground and on the forest floor? Worms, roly-polies, rodents and a host of other creatures, that’s who! Get up close and personal with worms and roly-polies, use our Mary Mix McDonald Woods to investigate the inhabitants of a decomposing log, and make your own terrarium to take home.

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African Explorations
June 16–20, 9:30 a.m.–noon
July 21–25, 12:30–3 p.m.
Experience African culture through the Chapungu sculpture exhibit. Folklore, legends and songs will inspire us as we make our own traditional toys and other African crafts, try African foods, create sculptures, and much more.

Art and Nature
June 16–20, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
July 21–25, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
Nature has inspired artists for thousands of years – as well as providing them with their artistic materials. Campers will use natural materials to create their own masterpieces, learn the fine art of papermaking, make cattail weavings and have the opportunity to interact firsthand with the Chapungu exhibit.

Young Wizards Workshop
June 23–27, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
July 21–25, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
July 28–August 1, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
This popular camp returns – with some new twists! Young wizards will discover the magic of science at Camp CBG. We’ll create some strange potions (and learn about chemistry) and meet some seemingly magical plants in Herbology class. Then you can record your secret recipes in your Wizard’s Journal – with invisible ink! Wands not required (we’ll make our own)!

Earth Science
June 23–27, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
July 28–August 1, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
Come to this camp ready to travel through time! You will venture millions of years back in time as you learn about rocks and the stories they tell, discover prehistoric plants and create your own fossil to take home.

Insects Are Essential
July 7–11, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
August 4 – 8, 12:30 – 3 p.m - FULL!
... to the food we eat and the flowers we see! Our young entomologists will get to look at insects up close and discover the differences between real insects and plain old bugs. Learn how insects communicate and
socialize in nature, search for insect homes, and make a bug box and insect-vision glasses to take home.

Budding Botanists
July 7–11, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
August 4–8, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
What’s inside a seed? Why do plants make flowers? Why do some plants have big leaves and some plants have small leaves? What does pollen look like under a microscope? Budding botanists will tackle these questions through hands-on experiments and lots of garden exploration (weather permitting).

Life Underground
July 14–18, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
August 11–15, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
Who lives underground and on the forest floor? Worms, roly-polies, rodents and a host of other creatures, that’s who! Get up close and personal with worms and roly-polies, discover the components of soil, use our Mary Mix McDonald Woods to investigate the inhabitants of a decomposing log, and make your own terrarium to take home.

Aqua Nuts
July 14–18, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
August 11–15, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
Did you know that approximately 70 percent of your body is made up of water? After this camp, Aqua Nuts will know that and a whole lot more. Campers will make a water snooper, learn about the life cycles of aquatic insects, create water art and much more. Please note – this camp does not involve swimming or boating.

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African Explorations
June 16–20, 9:30 a.m.–noon
July 21–25, 12:30–3 p.m.
Experience African culture through the Chapungu sculpture exhibit. Folklore, legends and songs will inspire us as we make our own traditional toys and other African crafts, try African foods, and create sculptures and batiks (using natural dyes).

Take Flight!
June 16–20, 12:30–3 p.m.
July 21–25, 9:30 a.m.–noon
What do a tiny hummingbird and a giant jet have in common? Wings, that’s what! Find out how a butterfly floats and a dragonfly dive-bombs, and create your own flying things to take home.

Earth Science
June 23–27, 9:30 a.m.–noon
Come to this camp ready to travel through time! You will venture
millions of years back in time as you learn about rocks and the stories they tell, explore the geological history of the Chicago Botanic Garden, discover prehistoric plants and create your own fossil to take home.

Wizards Workshop
June 23–27, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
July 28–August 1, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
This popular camp returns – with some new twists! Chicago Botanic Garden wizards will discover the magic of science at Camp CBG. We’ll create some strange potions (and learn about chemistry) and meet some seemingly magical plants in Herbology class. You’ll take home a wizard’s journal to record your recipes in and create a special box to store your magic rings in. Wands not required (we’ll make our own)!

Botanic Garden Botanists
July 7–11, 9:30 a.m.–noon
Why do some plants have smooth leaves while others have rough leaves? Can you tell the difference between a terrestrial plant and an aquatic plant under the microscope? What nutrients do plants need to grow? Botanic Garden Botanists will use special fast-growing plants, scientific tools and garden explorations to discover the ins
and outs of plant science.

Entomology 202
July 7–11, 12:30–3 p.m.
You’ll get more than the buggy basics in this camp! Collect aquatic insects and learn about their relationship to water quality, explore insect communication, and discover the differences between butterflies and moths.

Scientists in Training
July 14–18, 9:30 a.m.–noon
August 11–15, 12:30–3 p.m.
Did you know that the Chicago Botanic Garden is one of the foremost plant research centers in the Midwest? Get in on the action with this camp. Junior scientists will conduct quadratic studies, sweep for insects, test for soil nutrients and get a behind-the-scenes tour of some of our research and production facilities.

Camp Survivor
July 14–18, 12:30–3 p.m.
August 11–15, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
Would you eat rats if you had to? Don’t worry – in this camp, you’ll learn the tastiest and safest ways to survive in the woods! Learn which plants are safe to eat and which to avoid, prepare your own outdoor snacks, follow animals through their tracks and scat, and practice finding your way home again with a map and compass.

Mysterious Science
July 28–August 1, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
From chromatography to fingerprinting, science is a fundamental part of modern crime solving. When a rare plant goes missing at the Garden, we call upon our camp crime scene analysts to help solve the mystery. Learn basic forensic science techniques and help us get to the bottom of the Case of the Missing Plant.

Aqua Explorers
August 4–8, 9:30 a.m.–noon - FULL!
Did you know that there are 81 acres of water within the Chicago Botanic Garden? Our Aqua Explorers will dive in (figuratively) to the study of water and aquatic plants. You’ll get into the swim of it by conducting water quality tests, experimenting with the physical and chemical properties of water, and creating water-based art. Campers will also create their own aquascope to take home. Please note – this camp does not involve swimming or boating.

Camera Craft
August 4–8, 12:30–3 p.m. - FULL!
Is your kid crazy about cameras? No prior photography experience is necessary for this crash course. We’ll build our own pinhole cameras, learn the elements of good composition and practice taking pictures around the Garden. Please send your child to camp with a basic point-and-shoot camera (and one roll of film) or a disposable camera.

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Adventurers Camps–Ages 10-12
Keep camping! By popular request, we’ve added camps for ages 10 to 12 (entering grades 5 and 6). Adventurers will get lots of in-depth science along with outdoor explorations and exciting projects. This year’s camps include an opportunity to solve a mystery using forensic science techniques, create your own pinhole camera and learn the scientific methods that Chicago Botanic Garden scientists use in the field. Activities are similar to those in Explorers Camps, but have been specially adapted for pre-teens.

Master Wizards Workshop
July 28–August 1, 9:30 a.m.–noon
The Master Wizards return to Camp CBG. This summer they’ll uncover the science behind the magic of autumn leaves, create invisible ink, make ghoulish green “quicksand” and cook up their own gross-out gumdrops. No wands are required – we’ll make our own!

Mysterious Science
July 28–August 1, 12:30–3 p.m.
From chromatography to fingerprinting, science is a fundamental part of modern crime solving. When a rare plant goes missing at the Botanic Garden, we call upon our camp crime scene analysts to help solve the mystery. Learn basic forensic science techniques and help us get to the bottom of the Case of the Missing Plant.

Camera Craft
August 4–8, 9:30 a.m.–noon
Is your kid crazy about cameras? No prior photography experience is necessary for this crash course. We’ll build our own pinhole cameras, learn the elements of good composition and practice taking pictures around the Garden. Please send your child to camp with a basic point-and-shoot camera (and one roll of film) or a disposable camera.

Aqua Adventurers
August 4–8, 12:30–3 p.m.
Did you know that there are 81 acres of water within the Chicago Botanic Garden? Our Aqua Adventurers will dive in (figuratively) to the study of water and aquatic plants. You’ll get into the swim of it by conducting water quality tests, experimenting with the physical and chemical properties of water and creating water-based art. Campers will also create their own aquascope to take home. Please note – this camp does not involve swimming or boating.

Scientists in Training
August 11–15, 9:30 a.m.–noon
Did you know that the Chicago Botanic Garden is one of the foremost plant research centers in the Midwest? Get in on the action with this camp. Junior scientists will conduct quadratic studies, sweep for insects, test for soil nutrients and get a behind-the-scenes tour of some of our research and production
facilities.

Camp Survivor
August 11–15, 12:30–3 p.m.
Would you eat rats if you had to? Don’t worry – in this camp, you’ll learn the tastiest and safest ways to survive in the woods! Learn which plants are safe to eat and which to avoid, prepare your own outdoor snacks, follow animals through their tracks and scat, and practice finding your way home again with a map and compass.