Morton Arboretum offers summer science camps
Children can spend the long, sunny days of June, July and August immersed in the world of nature during The Morton Arboretum's Summer Science Camp.
The camp is designed to promote active learning and outdoor exploration of the arboretum's woods, wetlands and prairies. Registration is now open for more than 100 weeklong camps for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade.
From June 5 through Aug. 11, each session will engage kids in the natural world as they learn how to vanquish invasive insects through the new Tree Science Investigators camp, travel back in time to the days of dinosaurs and explore the plants these prehistoric creatures ate, or slosh along the banks of the arboretum's rivers and lakes to seek and study underwater inhabitants.
Many new sessions this year include Animal Engineers, a camp that allows kids to take a closer look at the amazingly intricate construction of animal dwellings such as bird nests and beaver dams; as well as Nature's Lab, a course in which campers can explore and experiment with elements of the outdoors as a scientist would.
Also new this year is a three-part series called Tree Science Investigators. Campers can learn about the tree-focused science that takes place at the arboretum while developing a greater understanding of STEM careers and applying solutions to real-world challenges.
Other sessions feature new activities including Leaf Zoo, Going Buggy, Arbor Rhythm, Stripes and Spots, and Adaptive Art.
"The Morton Arboretum is a colossal outdoor classroom where kids can explore concepts in science and art and learn about the natural world in new and imaginative ways," said Meghan Wiesbrock, the arboretum's manager of curriculum and instruction. "Summer is an ideal time for discovery; it's the perfect time for kids to examine the lives of the insects and animals that call the forest home or trek through wetlands and collect water samples for experiments."
The Summer Science Camp sessions take place on the grounds of the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Each full- or half-day session is taught by a qualified educator and follows an age-appropriate and engaging curriculum. To fit parents' schedules, the arboretum also will offer morning and afternoon supervised play from 8 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 5:30 p.m. as well as supervised lunch in between half-day camps for an additional fee.
Visit mortonarb.org for a copy of the 2017 Summer Science Camp brochure, including details on all 100-plus sessions being offered.
Teens 14 to 16 years old can apply by April 30 for the Counselor in Training program to become a volunteer Summer Science Camp assistant.
Camp fees are $165 for members, $195 for others, per week for half-day sessions and $295 for members, $350 for others, per week for full-day sessions. Payment is due in full at time of registration. Registration fees include a Summer Science Camp T-shirt.
The Morton Arboretum's Summer Science Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association.