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Summer Camp 2025

June 23 - August 8, 2025

Monday to Friday

9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Camp Schedule Price Early Bird Discount
Week 1: June 23 - June 27 $700 $640
Week 2: June 30 - July 3 (no camp July 4) $560 $512
Week 3: July 7 - July 11 $700 $640
Week 4: July 14 - July 18 $700 $640
Week 5: July 21 - July 25 $700 $640
Week 6: July 28 - August 1 $700 $640
Week 7: August 4 - August 8 $700 $640

Registration Timeline

Early Bird Discount Registration

February 3 - February 23

Current Families and Members Registration Opens


February 24 - March 9

Public

General Registration (Full Price)

March 10

Public Registration

New This Year!

  • Our Hedgehog group will now include 3-year-olds! Activities will be tailored for our youngest campers for an amazing camp experience (must be 3 years old by January 1, 2025)


  • We extended our summer camp program to 7 weeks (Jun 23-Aug 8)


  • New activities and curriculum will include topics like outer space, dinosaurs, and fossils! 

Weekly Themes

Our Living Planet  Weekly Themes

For children ages 3 to 6

Children must be 3 years old by January 1, 2025.

  • Week 1: In The Garden

    We center the first week of camp around the new sensory garden at the Darien Nature Center. Making the connection between nature and our food is an essential first step on a sustainability journey. Campers will learn about seeds, plant life cycles, pollinators, composting, and the joy of growing food. Making applesauce, salads for the animals, and other farm-to-table activities will give campers an appreciation for the planet that feeds us.

  • Week 2: Rocks and Fossils

    Kids are fascinated by rocks and fossils, and using our impressive collection, we will uncover what life on our planet was like a long time ago. Our rock study will include how rocks formed, geological time, minerals, and erosion. We will also examine fossils and explore the secrets they reveal about the past. It's a week of unique learning opportunities that will leave your children excited and intrigued, and you as a parent, thrilled about the educational value of our camp. 

  • Week 3: Nature Detectives

    Who was here? What made that sound? What stinks? Campers will use all their senses and observation skills to understand local wildlife and habitats through tracks, traces, sounds, scat, and animal homes. This week will pique our campers' curiosity as they can ask all their questions, and our educators will guide them to find the answers.

  • Week 4: Animal Kingdom

    Millions of animals are on Earth, and scientists group them based on similar characteristics. In this session, campers will learn about mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians, what makes each unique, and how they are similar. We will spend lots of time with our animal ambassadors and learn about their place in the world.


  • Week 5: Outer Space

    What is the universe? How does planet Earth fit in? Campers will investigate the mysteries of the night sky, including our Milky Way galaxy, black holes, the moon, and our solar system. We will also focus on what makes our beautiful planet so special. It's guaranteed to be an out-of-this-world week!

  • Week 6: Our Blue Planet

    Planet Earth is 71% water, and 93% is in the oceans. What is a watershed? What critters live in our pond, and what is a food web? How do humans harm and help water? Campers will scoop in Cherry Lawn Pond, learn to identify the pond's critters, conduct experiments, and learn firsthand how human activity can affect water quality. 

  • Week 7: We Dig Dirt

    In our last week of summer camp, we will get our hands dirty and investigate the magic of soil! Without soil, the Earth would not survive! It provides a place for plants to grow, covers the Earth, and is a home for many animals and other living things. What is it made of, and how is it formed? We will investigate the connections between decomposers, mushrooms, and bugs and how soil improves our world.

Eco Explorers  Weekly Themes

For children ages 7 to 10

Children must be 7 years old by June 23, 2025.

  • Week 1: Trailblazers!

    We will chart our own course as we learn mapping and orienteering skills. Using a map and compass, campers will navigate their way through a week of fun with games, team-building activities, and ways to blaze their own path without electronics! Additional activities will include exploring the stream and pond, animal encounters, nature art, science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.  

  • Week 2: Out in the Wild

    Campers will learn survival skills such as fire building, outdoor cooking, shelter construction, knot tying, and basic orienteering. This week will include a special evening campfire and night hike program on Wednesday, July 2. Additional activities will include exploring the stream and pond, animal encounters, nature art, science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.  

  • Week 3: Sunshine and Soil: Growing Food

    In week 3, campers will become gardeners as they learn about the connection that takes a seed to a plant to our plate and then to the compost heap to return to the soil. Eco-Explorers will get their hands dirty in our new sensory garden growing food, cooking over a fire, learning about the vital role of pollinators, and composting. We will make salads for our animal ambassadors and begin to understand how nature feeds all living things. Additional activities will include exploring the stream and pond, animal encounters, nature art, science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.  

  • Week 4: Nature Art

    Campers will tap into their creativity to make art from the materials and inspiration we find on our hikes. They will use nature and all things whimsical to make fairy houses, toad huts, nature mandalas, and more. Additional activities will include exploring the stream and pond, animal encounters, science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.  

  • Week 5: Geology Rocks

    Campers will investigate the planet through the lens of a geologist. We will explore questions like: What are the three types of rocks, and how are they formed? What is a fossil? What clues does geology give us to life on this planet millions of years ago? If your child is interested in rocks, fossils, and the prehistoric planet, this week is for them! Additional activities will include exploring the stream and pond, animal encounters, nature art, science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.  

  • Week 6: Creek Critters

    During this week, Eco-Explorers will spend a lot of time exploring the stream and pond in search of critters that make these waters their home. Campers will learn about food webs, freshwater invertebrates, and amphibians and enjoy a lot of time at the stream! Additional activities will include animal encounters, nature art, science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.

  • Week 7: Animal Kingdom

    Campers will learn about animal habitats, behavior, and how science groups the animal kingdom while exploring Cherry Lawn Park’s forest and pond habitats for Connecticut wildlife. Eco-Explorers will also learn to care for our fascinating and friendly resident animals by feeding, cleaning, health tracking, and designing enrichment toys. Additional activities will include exploring the stream and pond, nature art, science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.  

Scholarship Fund

This year, we will offer qualifying families a need-based summer camp scholarship. The scholarship will be based on available funds,

and your tax-exempt donation of any size will help make this initiative a reality!


More information about how to donate or apply is coming soon!

Please note: In the event of the Darien Nature Center's closure or interruption or suspension, temporary or permanent, of sessions resulting from causes beyond the organization's reasonable control, the Darien Nature Center shall not be liable for our inability to provide services. However, rest assured that we have comprehensive safety measures in place to ensure the well-being of our campers. Therefore, camp payments will not be refunded if the program temporarily shuts down due to conditions beyond our control. We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for your child.

If you have any questions, please review the FAQ section below, then email registration@dariennaturecenter.org or call us at 203-655-7459.

Summer Camp FAQs

  • What is our summer camp refund policy?

    Summer Camp 2025 Refund Policy: If you choose to withdraw your child for any reason, the Darien Nature Center must be notified of the withdrawal by Monday, April 28 to receive a 50% refund. For Summer Camp 2025, no refunds will be processed after Monday, April 28, 2025, for any summer camp weeks.

  • What time does camp start and finish?

    Drop-off time: 9:30 AM

    Pick-up time: 2:00 PM

  • Is a membership required for summer camp?

    No. A membership is not required for participation in summer camp. 

  • How can I be added to the waitlist?

    Please submit an application for your preferred weeks. You will automatically be added to the waitlist if none of your preferred weeks are available.

  • What should I expect during pick-up and drop-off?

    Upon arrival, please wait in line until you are waved ahead. On the first day of your session, you will receive a card to be displayed in the driver's side of your front window during drop-off and pick-up. You will then be waved to one of three areas in our circle assigned to your camper's group. 


    When you pull up to the drop-off spot, please do not get out of your car. Your camper's lead teacher will assist your child out of the car and bring them to their groups. At pick-up, you will do the same as drop-off. When you are greeted at the stop sign, we will radio your camper's counselors to bring your child to your car. Again, please do not get out of your car.


    An email will be sent to all summer camp families with a full description of the pick-up and drop-off procedure and accompanied by a demonstration video.  

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