NATURE EXPLORERS

Campers learn fun and easy ways to become more sustainable in their own backyard. In this camp, students explore the vital roles of plants and animals and learn to sharpen their gardening skills in small spaces. Kids learn about amazing animal architects, the wild and wonderful world of insects, and will examine the awesome trees and plants that support our health and protect our homes.   We will head to the Chicago Botantic Gardens for a field trip. Daily themes include: City Gardeners, Urban Birding, Bugs and Insects, Pollinators and Neighborhood Trees.

NATURE IN CHICAGO

Explore the great outdoors without leaving the city! In this camp, students will learn about nature and the environment by exploring the basics right here in our own Chicago neighborhood. Kids learn how to pollinate flowers, scavenge like raccoons, propagate houseplants, identify common trees in the city, and follow the life of a friendly fish who lives in the Chicago River. Daily themes include: City Gardeners, Urban Birding, Chicago Wildlife, Pollinators and Neighborhood Trees.

ENDANGERED SPECIES

In this camp, students learn what is causing plants and animals to become vulnerable and learn ways we can help. Campers will spend the week learning how many of our animal favorites like elephants, giraffes, tigers, and gorillas are facing extinction all over the world.  We'll take a field trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo on Friday.  Daily themes include Habitat Loss, Invasive Species, Pollution, Population Growth, and Overharvesting.

OUR CHANGING PLANET

In this camp, kids explore how pollution and climate change affect our world and how they can help. Campers learn what extinction is by studying the dinosaurs, sustainable ways to eat and grow their food, the basics of clouds and weather, the benefits of renewable energy, environmental leaders, and they will also participate in a community action project at the end of the week.  Daily themes include: Extinction, Weather and Energy, Sustainable Food, Environmental Leaders and Chicago and Climate Change.

ANIMALS AROUND THE WORLD

Campers spend the week exploring some of our favorite animals from countries all over the globe. Kids will explore locations like the depths of the ocean, the desert, the Amazon rainforest, the Arctic, Antarctica, and different regions of Africa to learn how animals like whales, polar bears, giraffes, tigers, chameleons, and elephants share a unique bond with the environments where they live. Daily themes include: Africa, Deserts, Oceans, Polar Regions and the Amazon Rainforest.

ANIMAL HABITATS

Campers spend the week exploring the unique features, survival techniques, experiences and behaviors of animals all over the world that have developed (at least in part) because of their environment. During this week kids visit places like the coral reefs, the deserts of the American southwest, the rainforests of Southeast Asia, the forests and grasslands of Australia, and the mangrove forests of India.  Daily themes include: Animal Behaviors, Amphibians, Reptiles, India and the Phillipines and Mammals (NEW!).  We will also have a live reptile show!

NATIONAL PARKS

Campers spend the week exploring the world through the eyes of the animals living in America's incredible national parks. Kids will plan what they need for their trip each day and learn about the plants, animals, and conservation efforts in parks like the Everglades, the Redwoods, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, and the icy wonders of Glacier Bay National Park.  Daily themes include: the Everglades, Glacier Bay, the Grand Canyon, the Redwoods, and Yellowstone.

SUSTAINABLE KIDS

Campers take a deep dive into what it means to be sustainable. Our adventures include taking a field trip to Lake Michigan to test the water quality, cleaning the beach, learning the ins and outs of the CTA, planting a kitchen garden, and practicing ways kids can become more sustainable at home.