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Camps

Nature is the touchstone for the Conservatory’s summer camp programs. From cultivating and harvesting a garden to creating a culinary masterpiece, summer camp at Franklin Park is anything but expected.

Camps are offered for ages 3 through 11. Campers participate in fun-filled activities throughout the day with a focus on their camp themes. A supervised lunch and half-hour free time will take place every day, allowing campers to participate in unstructured play and an opportunity to make new friends.

In addition to themed activities, campers will explore the Conservatory and it’s many gardens, including The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden. Features include a creek, wetland area, canopy walk, nature art studio, playhouse and more!

Cancellation Procedure and Refunds:

Cancellations made at least 2 weeks prior to the start of camp will receive a refund minus a $25 administration fee. Cancellations made after that will receive no refund.

 

Camp registration for summer 2020 will open in January 2020
Member Registration is Monday,  January 6, 2020
General Public Registration is Monday, January 13, 2020

Camp Descriptions

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Ages 3 & 4
June 1–5, 2020 Garden Detectives Let’s dig deep into the secrets of the garden! Garden exploration and hands-on activities nurture an understanding of where our food comes from and an appreciation of the beauty and magic of the natural world. We’ll discover seeds and roots, vegetables and fruits, wiggling worms, butterflies, bugs, and fairies. Children must be toilet trained. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. 9am–12pm (half day)
June 8–12, 2020 B is for Bugs We’ll explore the world of crawling, wiggling, and flying bugs – butterflies, bees, beetles, spiders, worms and more! Outdoor explorations and hands-on art and science investigations help develop an understanding of the natural environment. Get a “bugs-eye view” of the world to learn about bug lifecycles and their important role in our gardens. Children must be toilet trained. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. 9am–12pm (half day)
June 15–19, 2020 Messy Kitchen Science Have you ever made your own Play Dough? Created Elephant Toothpaste or a Baking Soda Volcano? How about bubbles so big and fluffy they will fill a mixing bowl to the tippy top? Come play in the kitchen with us and learn all about kitchen science while getting messy and making fabulous snacks at the same time! Children must be toilet trained. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. 9am–12pm (half day)
June 22–26, 2020 The Forecast is Fun! Sun, rain, wind, clouds, rainbows, snow – Weather is all around us! Explore weather through hands-on experiments, stories, art, and games. Investigate why weather matters and why it is always changing. Good times are in the forecast! Children must be toilet trained. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. 9am–12pm (half day)
July 6-10, 2020 All the Colors of the Rainbow What makes a rainbow? Where do colors come from? Explore the science and beauty of color – it’s everywhere we look. Discover favorite colors with hands-on activities, experience the Conservatory’s gardens, celebrate nature and have fun. We will even eat a rainbow! Children must be toilet trained. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. 9am–12pm (half day)
July 13-17, 2020 Eating the Alphabet Let's read together Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert and then explore the many recipes we can make using the alphabet. Cook along to the alphabet song and discover new skills and new foods to try like A-Apple Slices, B-Banana Bread or C-Cookies! Children must be toilet trained. $130, $110 for members 9am–12pm (half day) Register Now
July 20-24, 2020 We Dig Dinosaurs! Calling all preschool paleontologists! Let’s “dig” into the world of dinosaurs and learn about their life long ago. Go on dinosaur digs to search for fossils and create our own Jurassic world. Discover living remnants from the days of dinosaurs! Children must be toilet trained. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. 9am–12pm (half day)
July 27-31, 2020 Fairies, Elves, and Gnomes, Oh My! Join us for a fun week with new friends, real and imaginary! Stories and hands-on activities bring the legends of fairies, elves and gnomes to life. Unlock the secrets of the mystical creatures that live in our gardens and create your own fairies and a special home for them. Children must be toilet trained. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. 9am–12pm (half day)

Education Class/Camp Waitlist

  • For which class, camp or event would you like to be added to the waitlist?
  • How many people would you like to add to the waitlist?
Ages 5 & 6
June 1-5, 2020 Messy Kitchen Scientists Have you ever made your own Play Dough? Created Elephant Toothpaste or a Baking Soda Volcano? Come play in the kitchen with us and learn all about kitchen science while getting messy and making fabulous snacks. Being a scientists has never been more fun! This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm
June 8–12, 2020 Storybooks Alive! There is fun to be had, from water play to getting dirty in the garden, and discoveries to be made through the magic of stories! Books and characters come to life through art, science, snacks and exploration around the Conservatory. Fill your imagination and get lost in the wonderful world of storybooks! This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm
June 15-19, 2020 Pollinators & Habitat Hunters They crawl, they fly, and they pollinate. With binoculars in one hand and magnifying glass in the other, discover the creatures responsible for fruits and vegetables. Explore the children’s garden while searching for bugs of all kinds. Build a bird’s nest and make butterfly cookies while making new friends. $270, $250 for members Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm Register Now
June 22-26, 2020 Digging Dinosaurs They walk, they fly, and they roar. Learn about fossils, dig for dinosaur bones and make dinosaur art and edible treats. Gain knowledge about the science of prehistoric life and play on the grounds of “Jurassic” Franklin Park. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm
July 6-10, 2020 Express Your Mess Dive your hands into ooey-gooey slime, oobleck and so much more! Enjoy a range of hands-on activities with the goal of making a creative mess. Use all your senses with experiments connected to storybooks in this messy hands-on week of sensory make, take and eat fun. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm
July 13-17, 2020 Fairy Tales & Fantastic Beasts Do you love stories and using your imagination? Start each day with a story and then spend time doing fun themed activities that help bring the story to life. Design your own monster and make snacks fit for royalty then explore the Conservatory and all it has to offer. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm
July 20-24, 2020 Pirate Palooza Ahoy maties! Grab a map and a spyglass; excitement awaits those who are ready for this pirate adventure. Enjoy life as a pirate - run through a pirate obstacle course, search for treasure, play pirate games and snack on pirate food. You’ll be talking and looking like a pirate in no time $270, $250 for members Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm Register Now
July 27-31, 2020 Seeds to Snacks Explore the world of fruit and vegetables. Discover how plants grow into the foods you enjoy. Prepare snacks and play games, plant seeds and create artwork inspired by the flavors of summer. Enjoy the many adventures the children’s garden has to offer and enjoy your homemade snacks with new friends. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm Friday 9am-3pm

Education Class/Camp Waitlist

  • For which class, camp or event would you like to be added to the waitlist?
  • How many people would you like to add to the waitlist?
Ages 7 & 8
June 1-5, 2020 Jurassic Franklin Park If you love everything about dinosaurs, then this is the camp for you! Discover how paleontologists learn about these ancient reptiles by investigating real fossils and replicas. Excavate and make your own fossils, create dinosaur art, eggs, habitat and edible dinosaur treats. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm
June 8-10, 2020 Garden Gastronomy Follow food from garden-to-fork. Plant, tend, harvest, and make fun snacks straight from the garden. Learn kitchen basics and make scrumptious finger foods and beverages that are perfect for a celebration while playing in the garden and enjoying all the Conservatory has to offer. $270, $250 for members Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm Register Now
June 15-19, 2020 Summer Scientists Become a nature detective at the Conservatory where science is everywhere. See how learning can be fun through investigation, experiments, problem solving and engineering. Explore through hands on activities from several branches of science. There are discoveries to be made and fun to be had. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm
June 22–26, 2020 Global Chefs Get dirty in the garden and prepare fresh and tasty international recipes in the Conservatory kitchen. Stamp your passport as your taste buds travel the world! Kids are encouraged to try new food through creativity and exploration by incorporating global ingredients into kid friendly recipes. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm
July 6–10, 2020 Garden Chefs Dig into the world of gardening. Learn how to care for a plant from seed to harvest. Take the day's produce and make a healthy snack or a full meal with the fresh picked harvest. Enjoy a week of garden fun, cooking, and an opportunity to make new friends. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm
July 13-17, 2020 Art and Nature Calling all budding artists, the flowers are in bloom and adventure awaits. Experiment with patterns and colors, turn nature into art, and have fun creating with different materials. Bring ideas to life through textiles, painting, jewelry and more. Explore and learn art while meeting new friends and engaging in creative play.

 This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm
July 22–26, 2020 Classic Summer Camp Enjoy a week of summer fun that has something for everyone. Enjoy tried and true summer camp favorites like tie-dying, kickball, arts and crafts and of course s’mores. Fill your days gardening, creating treats in the Conservatory kitchen and having fun in the sun. End your week with a cookout celebrating summertime and new friendships. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm
July 27-31, 2020 Wizard Camp Discover the magic of science and create strange potions, learn about scary plants and make tasty wizard treats. Design a wizard wardrobe and a new magical creature. Adventures, imagination and fun will fill this week while exploring the wizarding world and how it comes to life at the Conservatory. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm

Education Class/Camp Waitlist

  • For which class, camp or event would you like to be added to the waitlist?
  • How many people would you like to add to the waitlist?
Ages 9–11
June 1–5, 2020 Farm to Table Desserts Dig into the world of gardening and learn how to plant herbs and fruit. Whip up desserts in the kitchen with freshly picked treats. Learn how to care for a plant from growing to harvesting, then taste a variety of fruits and turn them into everything from jams to tarts. Experience garden fun, cooking, and new friends. This camp is SOLD OUT. Please fill out the wait list below. Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm
June 8–12, 2020 Science Explorer Want to see what life as a scientist might be like? Spend a week at the Conservatory where science is everywhere. See how learning can be fun through investigation, experiments, problem solving and engineering. Explore through hands on activities from several branches of science. From plant science to food experimentation to slime and lava lamps there are discoveries to be made, fun to be had and new friends to make. $270, $250 for members Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm Register Now
June 15-19, 2020 Garden Spa and Herbology Dig into the world of gardening and learn how to use herbs in fun and creative ways. Whip up snacks in the kitchen with a freshly picked harvest. Make your own soap and lip balm, learn how herbs and essential oils can make soothing sachets or potpourri and create a tea blend. Find ideas for and design a terrarium while exploring the Conservatory and its gardens. $270, $250 for members Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm Register Now
June 22-26, 2020 Global Chefs Prepare fresh and tasty international recipes in the Conservatory kitchen with items still warm from the garden. Learn the history of garden favorites and sample exotic fruits and vegetables. Stamp your passport as your taste buds travel the world! Try new foods through creativity and exploration by incorporating international ingredients into unique recipes. $270, $250 for members Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm Register Now
July 6-10, 2020 Nature Art The Conservatory is a beautiful place to find inspiration through plant life and amazing art. Learn about different types of art you can create from nature, see art in action at the hot shop, practice new art skills and create a variety of fun projects to take home. Experiment with tools and techniques that include chalk, paint, paper mache and clay. $270, $250 for members Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm Register Now
July 13-17, 2020 Art Adventures Calling all budding artists - the flowers are in bloom and the adventure awaits. Experiment with patterns and colors, play with clay, and have fun creating with different materials. Bring ideas to life through textiles, nature, jewelry and more. Explore and learn art while meeting new friends and engaging in creative play. $270, $250 for members Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm Register Now
July 20-24, 2020 Farm to Table Garden Chefs Dig into the world of gardening and learn how to plant herbs and vegetables. Whip up snacks and sides in the kitchen with a freshly picked harvest. Learn how to care for a plant from seed to harvest, then take the day's produce and make a healthy snack or a full meal. Enjoy garden fun, cooking, and new friends. $270, $250 for members Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm Register Now
July 27-31, 2020 Wizard Camp Discover the magic of science and create strange potions, learn about scary plants and make tasty wizard treats. Design a wizard wardrobe and a new magical creature. Adventures, imagination and fun will fill this week while exploring the wizarding world and how it comes to life at the Conservatory. $270, $250 for members Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-3pm Register Now

Education Class/Camp Waitlist

  • For which class, camp or event would you like to be added to the waitlist?
  • How many people would you like to add to the waitlist?