7 Animal & Nature Camps Near Chicago

Animals camps at the Lincoln Park Zoo are a perfect choice for kids who love animals! The Summer Conservation Camp gives campers in PreK though 5th grade the chance to explore the zoo, learn about the animals, and how to care for them. Zoo Crew sessions for kids in grades 6-8 include field trips, conversations with zoo experts, and opportunities to stay late at the zoo each session.

Explore the wonders of nature at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! This wonderful nature summer camp focuses on nature and science education utilizing the Nature Museum’s outdoor and indoor spaces. Younger campers will spend their days digging, building, and learning about local urban habitats, while tweens will explore the conservation work of the museum's scientists and use puzzles and riddles to learn about the Illinois wetlands.

Since 1936, The Center has provided an opportunity for young people to live and learn and grow at their farm and woods. During the summer months, they offer a variety of farm & natured based camping programs for kids of all ages, allowing children to spend quality time together with the animals on the farm, as well as go hiking, play games, have cookouts and more.

Zoo Camp is the perfect opportunity for your child to connect with animals and nature in a variety of fun and exciting ways. Children explore the zoo through play and learning with skilled camp counselors. There's so much to see and do, and each weekly session offers unique experiences. This animal camp fills up fast each year, so be sure to sign up early!

Chicago Botanic Garden offers exciting and enriching camps that incorporate nature exploration, inquiry-based activities, games, hands-on projects, and planting.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County offers many different camps for kids throughout the county. Most nature camps are offered at Fullersburg Woods Nature Center, though many are also at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, Willowbrook Wildlife Center, Kline Creek Farm, even the Danada Equestrian Center to name a few. Many of the camps focus on science, technology, engineering and math.

There are over 100 camp opportunities at the Morton Arboretum, where kids can enjoy intereactive outdoor adventures and become Tree Champions through science experiments, art, and creative play.