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Browse and/or share our 2026 NDC Summer Science Camp Brochure
Because they are short and sweet and you can register for single or multiple days, these mini-camps are perfect for kids who are too young for our regular camps or who have never attended full day, weeklong camps before.
Your new campers will get to experience what Summer Science Camp is all about in short sessions where they will be engaged and entertained with hands-on activities, games, art projects, new friends, and more all while learning the ropes of camp!
Weather permitting, campers will spend the majority of their time outdoors.
Ages: 4 to 7
Times: Camps run from 9 am to 12 noon. We can not offer pre or post camp care at this time.
2026 Dates & Topics:
May 26 | Butterfly Buddies
Flutter into this fun camp to discover the magical world of our butterfly buddies! Through crafts, action games, and hands-on activities, you will learn about the butterfly life cycle, the basics of butterfly bodies, and the important role butterflies play in nature—all while having fun and letting your creativity take flight.
May 27 | Feathered Friends
Soar through our nature park as you explore the fascinating lives of birds! Through games, crafts, nature hikes, and hands-on activities, you will learn basic bird biology and behavior. Don’t be surprised if you go home practicing bird songs!
May 28 | Reptile Round-Up
Get ready for a scaly adventure discovering the amazing animals we call reptiles! You will meet live lizards, snakes, turtles, and alligators, create fun reptile-themed crafts, and search for local reptiles while exploring our nature park.
May 29 | Fuzzy & Furry
Come explore the lives of mammals, our fuzzy and furry friends! In this hands-on camp you’ll get to pet Clover the bunny and Buttercup the opossum and touch mammal specimens from bones to furs. Out in the park, you will observe squirrels and play mammal games. Together we’ll discover what makes mammals special.
August 25 | Incredible Insects
Let’s explore the amazingly diverse world of insects! You’ll search for and observe insects in our nature park, touch live insects in our Discovery Rooms, and learn what makes insects so cool in an interactive lesson. And it wouldn’t be a complete camp experience without a chance to make a fun insect-themed craft to take home.
August 26 | Fabulous Fish
Dive into this mini-camp to discover fabulous fish! You’ll find out what makes a fish a fish, dip net for fish in our ponds, and watch fish swim, breathe, and eat in our aquaria. You’ll also create beautiful Japanese fish prints (an artform called Gyotaku) to take home. This short and sweet camp experience will be fin-tastic!
August 27 | Awesome Amphibians
Jump into the amazing world of amphibians with us! You’ll learn about their special life cycles, meet local frogs and toads, go on a tadpole hunt at the pond, and practice fun frog and toad calls. Crafts and active games will help you learn what makes amphibians so incredibly cool.
August 28 | Sensational Spiders
In this mini-camp you’ll sneak up on spiders under logs and in the bushes of our nature park. Look carefully and you may find delicate spider webs that spiders have left behind. You’ll learn about spider body parts and how to tell spiders apart from other invertebrates in an interactive lesson before making super sensational spider crafts.
Cost / day: Family Level (or higher) Members $50 / Non-members $65
Advance registration is required.
REGISTER HERE when registration opens Jan 15 for members or January 30 for Nonmembers
Please notify the Center via phone call (713.667.6550) and detailed email (alagrone@naturediscoverycenter.org) of any change in your plans or need to withdraw from camp for any reason.
Read our FAQ for Camp Registrations Here (includes cancellation and refund policies)
