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Adults
Thank you for your interest in adult programs at the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum. We do not have any scheduled programs at this time.
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Special Events
Snakes & Shakes Saturday, June 7, 2025 11 AM & 1:30 PM Calling all Snake lovers! We have the perfect program for reptile…
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Toddler and Pre-School
Early Childhood Education Classes Arboretum Sprouts: 18 months to 3 year old children with a caregiver Turtle Tots: 4 year old -…
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Community Science
Here at the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum we believe in leading the way to a more sustainable future, but…
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Birthday Parties
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum Birthday Parties are offered on each Saturday and Sunday: 11:30AM-1:00PM or 2:00PM-3:30PM from September through the first week…
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Camps
It's camp time at CHA! We have 9 weeks of summer camp plus multiple mini camps throughout the year! CHA Family Membership is required for all camp activities. Memberships are valid for one year and can be purchased here or at the same time as your camp registration. Campers must be at least 4 years old and able to use the bathroom alone at the start of a camp session, no exceptions. Squirrel Scouts4 year olds and Kindergarteners Explorers1st and 2nd graders Naturalists3rd and 4th graders June Mini Camp June 16-20 & June 23-27, 2025 Squirrel Scouts: 9 AM-Noon$75/day or $350/week+$30/day for Kindergarten Extension Explorers: 9 AM-3 PM (Available June 23-27 only)$105/day or $495/weekSummer is here are we can wait to explore the lush green forest! We are excited to offer two weeks of June mini camp for Squirrel Scouts and, for the first time, a week of Explorers June mini camp as well! This mini camp offers opportunities to experience nature through stories, crafts, games, scavenger hunts, hands-on science, and animal encounters. The forest is thriving at this time of year and we welcome campers to learn all about the living and non-living things that can be found in the woodlands at this time of year. All campers should bring a snack and an extra set of clothes. Please ensure campers are dressed for the outdoors. Explorers and kindergarteners in extension should also bring a lunch. Pre-registration, health forms, and membership are required. You can register for one day or the whole week. Register Here Registration opened on February 1, 2025 Summer Camp June - August 2025 Close to nature, close to home.Provide your child with the gift of nature this summer! CHA’s Nature Discovery Camp is a place to not just learn about, but also experience nature through hands-on-science, themed story time, crafts, songs, and an abundance of time outside among the trees. With guidance from experienced environmental educators, campers will explore a variety of week long topics throughout the summer. All summer camp sessions require a full week of registration. Pre-registration and health forms are required. Login/Register HereRegistration opened on February 1, 2025 at 6 AM Squirrel Scouts 4 year old to Kindergarteners 9am-12pm Kindergarten Extension Option until 3pm (for rising kindergarteners only) $350 per week +$150 per week for kindergarten extension June 30-July 3Animal JobsThe animals are hard at work, so come on down to the arboretum to see just what they’re up to. Discover how ecosystems stay balanced with builders and clean up crews, as well as planters and pollinators. Learn about animals big and small that make a difference in the wild world around us. July 7-11Plant PowerTrees, leaves, and flowers: do you know that plants have powers? Take a look into the life cycle of a plant, and explore the forest’s trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Identify parts of plants and learn to distinguish between various species of plants in our forest. July 14-18Incredible InvertebratesDive into the world of insects. Get outside and learn about their homes, body parts, and life cycles. Discover what makes various species similar and what makes them unique? What’s more – meet live insects like bees, butterflies, and beetles. July 21-25HabitatsWhat makes a good habitat? Learn all about different habitats around the world and what makes them the perfect place for various plants and animals to live. Get hands-on experience in our deciduous forest habitat and discover deserts, oceans, rainforests, and more through stories, biofacts, and play-based learning. July 28-August 1Brilliant Birds“Soar” through the arboretum as you study birds and what makes them unique. Learn about their eggs, nest building, feathers, and specific adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive in the wild. Identify various species of birds that live in an around CHA during the summer months. August 4-8Art in NatureExplore lines, patterns, symmetry, colors, and shapes that occur naturally in our world. Discover why art is important to scientists and how elements and principles help naturalists observe species. Each day, create works of art with, in, and inspired by nature. August 11-15Water WeekWater is all around us, but where does it come from, and where does it go? Learn about the water cycle and ways in which water serves as a survival tool and enrichment. Don’t forget to cool down with water games and interactive water play. August 18-22So You Want to Work at an ArboretumArboretums don’t run themselves! Learn what it takes to be a botanist, entomologist, forester, or a variety of other nature-based careers from the scientists themselves! Discover how these people keep our natural lands not only beautiful, but healthy as well. August 25-29Nature DetectivesGet your magnifying glass and notepad ready, because it’s sleuthing time! Inspect your surroundings and determine what wildlife has been hanging around. Learn about nature’s most wanted and track them down using your five senses! Login/Register Explorers Additional Camp Sessions Now Available!9am-3pmRising 1st and 2nd Graders$495 per week June 30-July 3MetamorphosisSpring and summer are full of growth and change. Familiarize yourself with the act of metamorphosis and study a variety of animals that go through this incredible process. July 7-11Brilliant Birds“Soar” through the arboretum as you study birds and what makes them unique. Learn about their eggs, nest building, feathers, and specific adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive in the wild. Identify various species of birds that live in an around CHA during the summer months. July 14-18SensesCan snakes smell? How do turtle hear? Using research and observation skills, answer these questions and more! Use your own senses of smell, touch, hearing, and sight to experience the natural world and determine ways in which animals’ senses differ from our own. July 21-25Spineless CreaturesDive into the world of invertebrates. Get outside and learn about their homes, body parts, and life cycles. Discover what makes various species similar and what makes them unique? What’s more, meet live creatures like bees, butterflies, beetles, and spiders. July 28-August 1Wonders of WaterWater is all around us, but where does it come from, and where does it go? Learn about the water cycle and ways in which water serves as a survival tool and enrichment. Don’t forget to cool down with water games and interactive water play. August 4-8Wonders of Water Week 2Water is all around us, but where does it come from, and where does it go? Learn about waterways and the macroinvertebrates that inhabit them. Discover how water can be used as both a survival tool and enrichment. Don’t forget to cool down with water games and interactive water play.*This week is combined with the Naturalists camp group August 11-15Spineless CreaturesDive into the world of invertebrates. Get outside and learn about their homes, body parts, and life cycles. Discover what makes various species similar and what makes them unique? What’s more, meet live creatures like bees, butterflies, beetles, and spiders.*This week is combined with the Naturalists camp group Login/Register Naturalists 9am-3pmRising 3rd and 4th Graders$495 per week August 4-8Wonders of WaterWater is all around us, but where does it come from, and where does it go? Learn about waterways and the macroinvertebrates that inhabit them. Discover how water can be used as both a survival tool and enrichment. Don’t forget to cool down with water games and interactive water play. August 11-15Spineless CreaturesDive into the world of invertebrates. Get outside and learn about their homes, body parts, and life cycles. Discover what makes various species similar and what makes them unique? What’s more, meet live creatures like bees, butterflies, beetles, and spiders. August 18-22Community ScienceFrom in-the-field experience to data collection, community science is the program for all science and nature-loving campers. Use scientific instruments and processes to observe the forest ecosystem. Then make and test hypotheses in search of answers to your own questions. August 25-29SurvivalIf you were lost in the woods, how would you survive? Under the guidance of environmental educators, campers will learn basic skills including shelter building, map and compass orienteering, and first aid. Login/Register Parent/Guardian Handbook Please read through our Parent/Guardian handbook for useful information about Arboretum program rules and procedures. You can download the Parent/Guardian Handbook here: Parent Camp Handbook Cancellation Policy Registrations are accepted in the order in which they are received. All cancellation requests must be made in writing. In order to obtain a refund, cancellations must be made at least 30 days prior to the start of camp. Any cancellations made after the 30 days will only receive a refund if we are able to fill the spot. Refund amounts do not include service fees. CHA reserves the right to cancel any program and CHA will refund the full amount that was paid.
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School Programs
The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum (CHA) offers field trips and classroom programs for grades Pre-K-5. Each lesson has been designed to correlate to NJCCCS and supplement science curriculum as schools…
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Scout Programs
Scout Programs The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum provides many opportunities to observe biofacts, meet a naturalist, and learn to share your world with wildlife….
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