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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 13. 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!

2019 Summer Camp registration is now open. View the camp descriptions below and click Register Now to sign up.

Camp Descriptions

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Ages 3 & 4 *New*
June 3–7, 2019 Garden Detectives Let’s dig deep into the secrets of the garden! We’ll explore seeds and roots, vegetables and fruits, wiggling worms, butterflies, bugs and fairies. We will spend our morning in the garden and in the classroom using hands-on activities to nurture an understanding of where food comes from and an appreciation of the beauty and magic of the natural world. Children must be toilet trained. $115, $105 for members 9am–12pm (half day) Registration Full
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June 10–14, 2019 Garden Detectives Let’s dig deep into the secrets of the garden! We’ll explore seeds and roots, vegetables and fruits, wiggling worms, butterflies, bugs and fairies. We will spend our morning in the garden and in the classroom using hands-on activities to nurture an understanding of where food comes from and an appreciation of the beauty and magic of the natural world. Children must be toilet trained. $115, $105 for members 9am–12pm (half day) Registration Full
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June 24–28, 2019 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. Will we be having A-Apple Slices, B-Banana Bread or C-Cookies? Each day we will discover new skills and new foods to try! Cook along to the alphabet song. Children must be toilet trained. $125, $115 for members 9am–12pm (half day) Registration Full
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July 8–12, 2019 Messy Kitchen Science Have you ever made your own Playdough? 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. $125, $115 for members 9am–12pm (half day) Registration Full
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Ages 5 & 6
June 3–7, 2019 Dough Crazy Get your hands dirty and play with all varieties of dough. Make homemade play dough, craft ornaments with salt dough and delight your tummy with cookie dough and other culinary creations. Enjoy everything the Conservatory has to offer as well as mix, knead and roll dough of all kinds. $240, $230 for members Registration Full
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June 17–21, 2019 The “B's” of Pollination They crawl, they fly and they pollinate. With binoculars in one hand and magnifying glass in the other, discover the creatures responsible for pollinating fruits and vegetables. Explore the Children’s Garden while searching for bugs of all kinds. $220, $210 for members Registration Full
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July 8–12, 2019 Storybooks Alive! From water play to getting dirty in the garden, there is fun to be had and discoveries to be made through the magic of stories. Listen to stories then help them come to life through art, snacks and exploration around the Conservatory. $220, $210 for members Registration Full
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July 22–26, 2019 Snack Attack Pick, plant and discover in the garden. Move to the kitchen, create fun snacks and get sticky with cookie batter! Explore the many adventures the Children’s Garden has to offer and enjoy your homemade snacks with new friends. $240, $230 for members Registration Full
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July 29–August 2, 2019 Little Pirates Ahoy maties! Grab a map and a spyglass. Excitement awaits those who are ready for this pirate adventure. Spend your time enjoying 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. $220, $210 for members Registration Full
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Ages 7 & 8
June 3–7, 2019 Summer Scientists Become a nature detective at the Conservatory where science is everywhere. Investigate and experiment, problem solve and engineer and see how learning can be fun. Explore through hands-on activities from several branches of science. There are discoveries to find, fun to have and new friends to make. $220, $210 for members Register Now
June 10–14, 2019 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, photography, jewelry and more. It will be an imagination art creation where you explore and learn while meeting new friends and engaging in creative play. $240, $230 for members Register Now
June 17–21, 2019 Snack Attack Party food is not only tasty, but fun to make, and cooking incorporates reading, math and science. Learn kitchen basics and make scrumptious finger foods and beverages that are perfect for a celebration. Finish off the week by creating fun appetizers for a Friday dance party with your new friends. $240, $230 for members Register Now
June 24–28, 2019 Global Chefs Get dirty in the garden and prepare fresh and tasty international recipes in the Conservatory kitchen. Stamp your passport with food as your taste buds travel the world! Kids are encouraged to try new things through creativity and exploration by incorporating different ingredients into kid friendly recipes. Finish off the week with a red, white and blue party to kick off the July 4th holiday! $240, $230 for members Register Now
July 8–12, 2019 Garden Chefs Dig into the world of gardening and learn how to plant herbs and vegetables at home. Learn how to care for a plant from growing to harvesting, then take the day's produce and make a healthy snack or a full meal with a freshly picked harvest. It will be a week of garden fun, cooking and an opportunity to make new friends. $240, $230 for members Registration Full
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July 15–19, 2019 Dough Crazy Spend time in the garden and use the freshly picked harvest to make oven baked treats. Grab an apron and a whisk, it is time to create! Salt dough, cookie dough, pasta dough – get your hands messy and produce delicious innovations in the kitchen with new friends. $240, $230 for members Register Now
July 22–26, 2019 Summer Sampler 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 in the Conservatory kitchen and having fun in the sun. End your week with a cookout celebrating summertime and new friendships. $240, $230 for members Register Now
Ages 9–11
June 3–7, 2019 Summer Scientists Want to see what life as a scientist might be like? Spend a week at the Conservatory where science is everywhere. Investigate and experiment, problem solve and engineer and see how learning can be fun. 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 find, fun to have, and new friends to make. $210, $200 for members Registration Full
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June 10–14, 2019 Fine Art The Conservatory is a beautiful place to find inspiration through plant life and amazing art. Learn about different types of art, see art in action at the Hot Shop, practice new art skills and create a masterpiece to take home. Experiment with tools and techniques that could include chalk, paint, paper mache and clay. $240, $230 for members Register Now
June 17–21, 2019 Snack Attack Party food is not only tasty, it is fun to make! Learn kitchen basics and use a variety of culinary tools and make scrumptious finger foods and beverages that are perfect for a celebration. Cooking is a great way to create delicious treats while incorporating math, science, history, reading and much more! $240, $230 for members Register Now
June 24–28, 2019 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 with food as your taste buds travel the world! Kids are encouraged to try new things through creativity and exploration by incorporating different ingredients into unique recipes. Finish off the week with a red, white and blue party to kick off the July 4th holiday! $240, $230 for members Registration Full
Join the Waitlist
July 8–12, 2019 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 growing to harvesting, then take the day's produce and make a healthy snack or a full meal. It will be a week of garden fun, cooking and an opportunity to make new friends. $240, $230 for members Register Now
July 15–19, 2019 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, photography, jewelry and more. It will be an imagination art creation where you explore and learn while meeting new friends and engaging in creative play. $240, $230 for members Register Now
July 22–26, 2019 Dough Crazy Mix, knead and roll dough of all kinds. Learn kitchen basics, make pasta by hand and create sauces with ingredients fresh from the garden. Grab an apron and a whisk, it is time to create! Salt dough, cookie dough, bread dough – get your hands mesy and produce delicious innovations in the kitchen with new friends. $240, $230 for members Registration Full
Join the Waitlist
July 29–August 2, 2019 Summer Sampler 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 in the Conservatory kitchen and having fun in the sun. End your week with a cookout celebrating summertime and new friendships. $240, $230 for members Register Now
Ages 11–13
June 10–14, 2019 Fine Art The Conservatory is a beautiful place to find inspiration through plant life and amazing art. Learn about different types of art, see art in action at the Hot Shop, practice new art skills and create a masterpiece to take home. Experiment with tools and techniques that could include chalk, paint, paper mache and clay. Spend time with a gaffer to learn about the art of glassblowing. $240, $230 for members Register Now
June 24–28, 2019 Summer Scientists Want to see what life as a scientist might be like? Spend a week at the Conservatory where science is everywhere. Investigate and experiment, problem solve and engineer and see how learning can be fun. Explore through hands-on activities from several branches of science, such as food experimentation, bottle rockets, lava lamps and engineering. $240, $230 for members Register Now
July 15–19, 2019 Dough Crazy Mix, knead, and roll dough of all kinds. Learn kitchen fundamentals, palate development and culinary techniques. Make pasta by hand and create sauces with ingredients fresh from the garden. Explore different cultures, cuisines, and specialties from all over globe. This will be a week of cooking and creativity - the tastiest way to learn! $240, $230 for members Register Now
July 29–August 2, 2019 Summer Sampler 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 in the Conservatory kitchen and having fun in the sun. End your week with a cookout celebrating summertime and new friendships. $240, $230 for members Register Now