Camps
We have 10 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 Scouts |
| 4 year olds and Kindergarteners |
| Explorers |
| 1st and 2nd graders |
| Naturalists |
| 3rd and 4th graders |
2026 Summer Camp
Registration for all upcoming mini and summer camp sessions is now available
Click on your desired age group to learn more about available camp dates and themes for the summer of 2026.
Squirrel Scouts
+$125 per week for kindergarten extension
| June 22nd – 26th |
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| Habitats |
What 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. |
| June 29th – July 3rd |
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| Plant Power |
Trees, leaves, and flowers: did you know plants have powers? Take a look into the life cycle of a plant, and explore the forest’s trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and more. |
| July 6th – 10th |
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| Incredible Invertebrates |
Dive into the world of insects. Get outside and learn about their homes, body parts, and life cycles. Even more, meet live insects like bees, butterflies, and beetles. |
| July 13th – 17th |
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| Birds in Your Backyard |
“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. |
| July 20th – 24th |
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| Animal Jobs |
The 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, planters and pollinators. |
| July 27th – 31st |
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| So You Want to Work at An Arboretum |
Arboretums don’t run themselves! Learn what it takes to be a botanist, entomologist, forester, or a variety of other jobs that help keep natural lands not only beautiful, but healthy as well. |
| August 3rd – 7th |
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| Enchanted Forest |
Embrace imagination through dramatic play with nature, in nature! Explore nature-based fairytales and create your own stories in the forest through song, scavenger hikes, “magical” crafts, playtime, and more.
| August 10th – 14th |
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| Water Week |
Water is all around us, but where does it come from, and where does it go? Interact with water play, the water cycle, and experience a summer snow day during water week! |
| August 17th – 21st |
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| Art in Nature |
Explore lines, patterns, symmetry, colors, and shapes that occur naturally in our world. Create works of art with, in, and inspired by nature. |
| August 24th – 28th |
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| Nature Detectives |
Get 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! *Kindergarten Extension Not Available* |
Explorers
| June 22nd – 26th |
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| Plants |
Trees, leaves, and flowers: Did you know plants have powers? Take a look into the life cycle of a plant, and explore the forest’s trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and even the plants that we and other animals eat. |
| June 29th – July 3rd |
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| Habitats |
What’s the best habitat for me? Learn all about different habitats around the world and what makes them the perfect place for various plants and animals to live. |
| July 6th – 10th |
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| Animal Adaptations |
Animals have incredible abilities; each helping them survive and thrive in the wild. Uncover the wonders of wild animals in your own backyard and learn what makes each one unique. |
| July 13th – 17th |
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| Water Week |
What is the health status of our local streams, ponds, and rivers? How can we help protect these bodies of water? How can invertebrates help us understand the overall health of our waterways? |
| July 20th – 24th |
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| Rocks, Rocks, Rocks! |
Have you ever wondered how rocks are formed? How do mountains get so tall? Come learn about the different rock types, how those rocks got here, and what kinds of rocks are found in your backyard. |
| July 27th – 31st |
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| Animal Jobs |
The 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 animals contributing to the community of producers, consumers, and decomposers. |
| August 3rd – 7th |
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| Skin You’re In |
Whether furry, slimy, scaly, or smooth, skin is important. Learn about different types of animals and how their bodies are adapted to survive and thrive in their environment. |
| August 10th – 14th |
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| Survival |
If you were lost in the woods, how would you survive? Under the guidance of an environmental educator, campers will learn basic skills including shelter building, map and compass orienteering, and first aid. |
Naturalists
| August 17th – 21st |
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| Citizen Science |
From in-the-field data collecting to data processing, Citizen Science programs are for all science and nature-loving individuals. Use scientific instruments and processes to observe the forest ecosystem. Make and test hypotheses in search of answers to your own questions. |
| August 24th – 28th |
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| Survival |
If you were lost in the woods, how would you survive? Under the guidance of an environmental educator, campers will learn basic skills including shelter building, map and compass orienteering, and first aid. |
2025-2026 Mini Camps
Mini Camps at CHA run in line with local school breaks and most are available for children in the Squirrel Scouts and Explorers age group. Registration begins approximately 2 months before the start of the mini camp session and can be accessed from this page at that time.
September 23rd & 24th
November 3rd-7th
December 29th-31st & January 1st (Squirrel Scouts only)
February 16th-17th
March 30th-April 3rd
June 8th-12th (Squirrel Scouts only)
June 15th-19th
February Mini Camp
February 16th-17th
Squirrel Scouts: 9 AM-Noon
$75/day
Explorers: 9 AM-3 PM
$105/day
Grab your snow pants and hop on over to the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum to explore the forest during the winter season. Enjoy stories, games, hikes, and crafts all while learning about how plants and animals manage the cold winter weather of the northeast. All camp programs are taught by seasoned environmental educators eager to share the beauty of nature with everyone around them. All campers should bring a snack and dress for the outdoors. Explorers should also pack a lunch. Pre-registration, health forms, and membership are required. You can register for one day or both.
Spring Mini Camp
March 30th - April 3rd
Squirrel Scouts: 9 AM-Noon
$75/day
Explorers: 9 AM-3 PM
$105/day
Spring time at the Arboretum gives campers a chance to explore new growth in the forest. From tiny flowers to newly hatched insects, the forest is teeming with life at this time of year. During this camp week, children will identify signs of spring, search for plants and animals throughout the forest, and enjoy the warming weather in the woods. All programs are taught by seasoned environmental educators and include activities such as guided hikes, crafts, games, story time, and animal encounters. All campers should bring a snack and an extra set of clothes. Please ensure campers are dressed for the outdoors. Explorers and kindergartners in extension should also bring a lunch. Pre-registration, health forms, and membership are required for this activity. You can register for one day or the whole week.
June Mini Camp
June 8th-12th & June 15th-19th
Squirrel Scouts: 9 AM-Noon (both weeks)
$75/day or $350/week
Kindergarten Extension for rising kindergartners only: +$30/day
Explorers: 9 AM-3 PM (June 15th-19th only)
$105/day of $495/week
Summer is here are we can wait to explore the lush green forest! This mini camp offers opportunities to experience nature through stories, crafts, games, scavenger hunts, hands-on science, animal encounters, and more! 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 the beginning of the summer season. All campers should bring a snack and an extra set of clothes. Please ensure campers are dressed for the outdoors. Explorers and rising kindergartners in extension should also bring a lunch. Pre-registration, health forms, and membership are required for this activity. You can register for one day or the whole week.
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.
