These animal and nature summer camps around NYC 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 NYC, please share your personal review below to help fellow parents.
Find more parent-recommended options for all interests on our New York summer camp guide.
Trail Blazers Summer Camps
Trail Blazers promotes experiential learning through outdoor adventure programs. Day camps include hands-on science experiments, group challenges, team building, nature exploration, art, and lots of outdoor play! Trail Blazers also offers several overnight camp options.
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The Nature Place Day Camp
Located on 200 acres in Rockland County, the Nature Place's summer programs highlight nature exploration and outdoor play. Days at the The Nature Place Day Camp include nature exploration, hiking, gardening, swimming, and more. Transportation is available.
New York Aquarium Summer Camp
During your time at the New York Aquarium's summer camp, your child will encounter many marine animals-sharks, sea lions, otters, fish. Camp activities include hands-on projects and experiments, animal encounters, exhibit visits, and beach exploration.
Brooklyn Nature Days Summer Classes
Connect to the natural world with summer camp at Brooklyn Nature Days. With a focus on learning through unstructured free play outdoors, Brooklyn Nature Days offers classes and camps. Kids will explore different locations in Prospect Park using tools, recycled materials and art supplies. Older children also learn mapping, compass skills, and learn more detailed plant and animal identification.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Garden Adventures
This children's summer program at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden incorporates planting, harvesting, science experiments, and nature art projects. Campers will take home fresh veggies, cook with produce from the garden, and learn about the creatures that live there, including worms, pollinators, and fungi.
Central Park Zoo Summer Camp
The Central Park Zoo offers lots of opportunities to explore animals and science. All campers engage in hands-on activities and animal encounters.
Bronx Zoo Summer Camp
The Bronx Zoo offers opportunities for kids to connect with animals and nature. Camp includes animal encounters, science and learning investigations, art projects, and games.
New York Botanical Garden Summer Camp
Spend the summer exploring the Botanic Garden's plant collection, forest, wetlands, and technology during one of the Garden's summer camp options. Camps include Summer Science Camp, Green Thumbs Gardening Camp, and Summer Field Science Camp.
Queens Zoo Summer Camp
Campers at the Queens Zoo will discover and learn about animal habitats, diets, adaptations that help animals to survive, and more through up-close animal encounters, visits to exhibits, and hands-on activities.
Alley Pond Environmental Center Summer Programs
The Alley Pond Environmental Center, a nonprofit environmental education organization located in Alley Pond Park, holds several summer classes and camps for kids. Children will enjoy nature walks, stories, crafts, and meet live animals. Older kids will delve into local ecosystems, participate in survival games, learn basic botany, and go on hikes.
Primary photo: The New York Botanical Garden © Robert Benson Photography
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