These animal and nature summer camps around Los Angeles and Orange County promise a wild time! We're asking parents to recommend their picks for the best local summer camps where kids can explore the outdoors, learn about the environment, and get up close with animals. Check the map to find one near you.
If your kid has gone to a nature, zoo or animal summer camp in greater Los Angeles, please share your personal review below to help fellow parents.
Find more parent-recommended options for all interests on our Los Angeles summer camp guide.
Oak Canyon Nature Center - OAKS Day Camp
OAKS Day Camp will get kids out and explore nature with programs that introduce them to themed art, nature, Native American traditions, games, and more!
Ocean Institute Summer Camp
Kids have the opportunity to learn about ocean habitats, the animals that live there, and to go on age-appropriate ocean adventures, including boating trips and eco-expeditions in the Dana Point Marine Protected Area.
ENC Summer Nature Camps
The Environmental Nature Center's Summer Nature Camps fill up quickly and that's because each day is filled with a variety of fun hands-on and nature-themed learning activities. Campers spend most of their time outside getting to use microscopes and binoculars to observe nature in action. Science concepts are introduced with crafts, games, and fun activities.
LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden Summer Nature Camp
The Arboretum's summer camp program boasts a low camper-to-counselor ratio, a unique theme for each weekly session, and include counselor-guided exploration of the gardens, scavenger hunts, and classes in art, gardening, and science. Limited spots fill up quickly so be sure to register well in advance!
CEC Summer Exploration Camp
Children will enjoy summer outdoors at Child Educational Center's various summer exploration camps, including Descanso Discoveries, where they will tend their own garden plots and prepare healthful snacks in an outdoor kitchen, as well as explore nature with both science and art-based activities.
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Pasadena Humane Summer Camp
Kids can spend part of their summer among Pasadena Humane's animals, where they'll learn all about pets, wildlife, and career options for animal lovers. In addition to plenty of hands-on time with the shelter's animals, kids enjoy craft activities and games. Camps are offered by age group for various lengths of time over the summer months.
Aquarium of the Pacific - Aquarium Summer Camp
Dive into fun at the Aquarium of the Pacific's Summer Camp. Each week, campers will learn all about animal adaptations and habitats. There will be opportunities for animal interactions, fun activities, games and more!
Los Angeles Zoo - Zoo Camp
Kids get up close and personal with the animals at Los Angeles Zoo's Zoo Camp! Campers explore the zoo through a series of animal experiences, tours, games, activities, and more.
Natural History Museum Adventures in Nature Camps
The Natural History Museum invites kids to participate in hands-on weekly science and nature summer camps that are themed around museum topics, including everything from bugs to dinosaurs!
Star Eco Station - Summer Camp
Kiddos get the exciting opportunity to learn about exotic animals during the Eco Station summer camp at the environmental science museum and exotic wildlife rescue facility. Each week focuses on a different theme, and kids will learn simple ways to protect the environment, as well as how to feed and care for rescued wildlife.
Wildlife Learning Center Summer Zoology Camp
Young animal lovers can spend a week getting up close and personal with Wildlife Learning Center's displaced, rescued, and zoo-born animals, including foxes, porcupines, tortoises, and more. Campers experience what it's like to be a zookeeper from the facility's wildlife biologists, who guide kids through learning about the facility's animals, preparing diets, maintaining enclosures, providing veterinary care, and training. The week wraps up with campers delivering a presentation for friends and family.
Explore Ballona! Nature Camp
Through various science-based activities and projects focusing on nature in an urban environment, campers will explore the wildlife of the wetlands, and learn about the importance of water in the wetlands, oceans, and more. Campers will dive into different workshops during the day, with field trips to the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve.
LA Nature Kids - Day Camp
At LA Nature Kids, their motto is "school might be closed, but nature is always open!" LA Nature Kids takes the kid-driven approach where they offer unstructured daily adventures that focus on free play and outdoor exploration. Kiddos observe animals, plants, and enjoy drawing inspiration from nature when creating tools, toys, and more.
Heal the Bay Aquarium Science Camp
Campers will discover and explore ocean animals through fun science experiments, activities, games, and crafts at Heal The Bay Aquarium's Science Camp!
Camp Wildcraft
Days at Camp Wildcraft are spent deepening respect for the natural world through a series of guided activities and exploration, with a special focus on appreciating nature through art. Campers participate in nature hikes, identify animals and plants, and create nature-inspired mixed media art. Kids can explore individual interests in subjects ranging from watercolor painting to woodworking.
Primary photo: Jay Tayag, courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific
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