Awaken your child’s curiosity and nurture their appreciation for nature by registering them for Morris Arboretum’s Nature Explorers Camp. Led by experienced educators, our goal is to inspire new generations of environmentally aware citizen scientists.

Dates and Details
Weekly Camp Sessions: July 3 to August 11, 2023
Duration: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
*We are not able to offer before care or aftercare.

Weather Policy
Camp is held rain or shine. In the case of lightning, activities will be modified and moved indoors. Please dress your child in clothes that can get wet or dirty! If temperatures exceed 90 degrees, activities are modified, and participants will not be doing anything strenuous. In addition to morning creek walks about once a week, we will do water play (sprinklers, wading pools, etc.) whenever there is a heat advisory.

Little Lightning Bugs 2023 Themes:
For Ages: 4 to 5
Week 1 (July 3-7) – Bugs Galore: Have you ever wondered what it is like to be an insect? How do they see? What do they eat? What is it like to have an exoskeleton? Campers will learn about all of this and more when they immerse themselves in the fascinating world of arthropods.
Week 2 (July 10-14) – Roots and Shoots: What makes plants so interesting and important? We will see pollination in action, find different seeds, learn about plant parts, and see how plants support all the other living things in the world. From the tiniest seed to the largest tree, campers will explore our plants here at the Arboretum.
Week 3 (July 17-21) – Tiny Trekkers: Even our youngest campers can learn about surviving in the wild. Learn to tie a basic knot, pitch a tent, ID helpful and harmful plants, and learn the principles of “Leave no trace.” This week will also include discussion of the Leni Lenape, the original inhabitants of this land.
Week 4 (July 24-28) – An Animal a Day: Morris Arboretum is home to many different creatures. From frogs and turtles to birds and mammals, we have an array of animals to choose from. Each day we will choose a different animal, discover that animal’s habitat here at Morris, and learn about animals through games and crafts.
Week 5 (July 31- Aug 4) – Fairy Tale Adventure: In the world of fairy tales, the forests are full of magic and mystery. This week our imaginations will run wild as we read and recreate a variety of fairy tales, look for magical creatures residing at the Arboretum, and build fairy homes.
Week 6 (August 7-11) – When I grow up: Campers will spend the week exploring the lifecycles of different plants and animals. Each journey is unique— some even go through a complete metamorphosis! By the end of the week, we will also be discussing how we grow and change during our lifetimes, and ask what the children envision for their future.

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Bloomfield Buddies 2023 Themes:
For Ages: 6 to 11
Week 1 (July 3-7) – Amazing Arthropods: Are you ready to explore the world of insects and spiders? These small but fascinating creatures live in every habitat on earth, and about 1 million different species are known (with many more yet to be described). During this week, learn all about different species, crazy adaptations, and imagine what it is like to live in the world of arthropods.
Week 2 (July 10-14) – Enchanted by Plants: Plants support all other life on earth through the food chain. We need them to survive, but do they really need us? What happens when plants fight back? Learn all about plant adaptations as well as some of the medicinal uses for plants, and how to ID and stay away from the poisonous plants.
Week 3 (July 17-21) – Wild Survivors: This week we will learn some survival skills as we hike and explore the Arboretum. In this week of outdoor adventure, campers will tie knots, build a shelter, use a compass, and discover edible plants. This week will also include discussion of the Leni Lenape, the original inhabitants of this land.
Week 4 (July 24-28) – Nature Builders: What do bees, birds, ants, and humans all have in common? We all build our own homes! Animals can be excellent engineers and architects. Campers will learn all about different animal homes as well as design and build things themselves.
Week 5 (July 31- Aug 4) – Magic and Mayhem: Every culture has myths about the natural world, often with magical creatures or strange spells. We’ll read stories and use our imaginations to bring these creatures to life! Campers create potions, design wands, cast spells and more.
Week 6 (August 7-11) – It’s all a Cycle: Everything in nature has a cycle— water cycle, weather cycle, rock cycle, etc. We will explore some of these different cycles, including the life cycles of animals. We will end camp with an ode to summer, as campers think about what the next season will bring.
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Typical Camp Schedule Bloomfield Buddies & Lightning Bugs
8:45 to 9:00 Bloomfield Buddies Car Line Drop off/Lightning Bugs Widener Drop Off
9:00 to 9:30 AM Meet and Greet; Circle Time; Announcements; games
9:30 to 10:00 Out on a Limb time for LLB; Morning lesson or begin hike
10:00 to 10:30 Snack; Group activity
10:30 to 12:00 Hike/Garden Exploration; Creek Exploration; Games
12:00 to 1:00 Lunch; Rest for Little Lightning Bugs; Story time; Free choice Activities
1:00 to 2:45 Science time/Experiment; Water activities; Arts & Crafts;
2:45 to 3:00 Afternoon Meeting; Clean up/Pack for home
3:00 to 3:15 Pick up at Bloomfield Car Line / Lightning Bugs @ Widener

*Most weekly camp itineraries include science experimentation, daily hikes, creek exploration, guest speaker chats, craft activities, and water play.