Summer Nature Camp at Irvine offers children an immersive experience in the outdoors.
Do you have a child that asks why? Is eager to discover and explore? Lights up with each small discovery? Enjoys animals, games, running around, and doesn’t mind a little mud? Irvine Nature Center’s SUMMER NATURE CAMP is for them!
At Nature Camp, we fill our days with adventures throughout the stunning 211-acre campus. Campers learn about the animals, habitats, and conservation issues right here, in the Maryland Piedmont. The vast forests, meadows, and wetlands are our classroom, and our unique collection of Animal Ambassadors serve as teaching assistants.
Led by professional educators and naturalists, we offer weekly themed programs for five age groups. Day camps for ages 5-12 runs from 9:00AM – 4:00PM. For campers age 3-4, we offer Saplings Camp as a half day. Returning this year is Little Birds Summer Camp (formerly called Buds) – a caregiver & toddler camp for children under 3.
Young teens (ages 13-16) can apply for our Counselor-in-Training program and continue enjoying the summer fun of camp while developing early leadership skills. CITs must be available Mon-Fri, for 2 consecutive weeks. Applications will be accepted through April 16, 2024.
Located in Owings Mills, Irvine’s Summer Nature Camp 2024 will run from June 17-August 23, 2024. We hope you’ll join us!
CAMP OVERVIEW
• Weeklong day camps from June 17 – August 23, 2024
- 9AM – 4PM for Discovery, Explorers & Adventure (5-12 year olds)
- 9AM – 12PM for Saplings (3-4 year olds)
- 9:30AM-11AM for Summer Little Birds (formerly Buds) (2-3 year olds & caregiver)
• NEW! Offering Before (starting at 8AM) and After Care (ending at 6PM) for campers
• NEW! Bus transportation from Downtown Baltimore during the week of June 24-28. Save time & gas daily, while your child enjoys the great outdoors!
• NEW! Single Days offered during the week of July 4th. Attend 1-4 days of your choosing. Daily themes described on registration portal.
• Every week of Nature Camp features daily outdoor exploration and plenty of animal encounters. Campers visit several different locations on our 211-acre property every day – spending the majority of our time outdoors!
• Small group sizes allow for individualized attention, hands-on learning and a great bonding experience.
• Each camper receives a Summer Nature Camp T-shirt
• Summer Nature Camp is a Maryland State-Certified Youth Camp.
Summer Nature Camp at Irvine is sponsored in part by the following organizations. We are grateful for their support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many campers are in each camp group?
Each camp group contains a maximum of 16 children and will be supervised by at least two staff members.
What can I expect my camper to do while at Irvine Summer Nature Camp?
Nature Camp includes daily excursions throughout Irvine’s 211-acre property. Campers will experience games, crafts, animal encounters, and general exploration through meadows, wetlands, and forests. Each week of Nature Camp has a different theme for each age group, making it fun to return week after week.
What if I need to drop my child off before 9:00AM?
Before Care is offered weekly from 8AM-9AM for a cost of $75/week. On Mondays, arrival for all campers begins at 8:30AM for the weekly Meet & Greet.
Can my child off stay at Irvine after 4:00PM?
After Care is offered weekly from 4PM-6PM for a cost of $150/week. This option is available for campers ages five and up. (NOTE: For families choosing Before & After Care, the combined weekly fee is $200 per child.)
What Covid-19 safety protocols will be in place this summer?
At Irvine, the health and safety of our community is always our highest priority. As the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly changing, we cannot be sure what regulations will be in place by summer. Regardless, we will abide by the Maryland Department of Health Youth Camp Directive at that time and have in place safety precautions which may include face masks, social distancing, and/or daily health screenings. More specific information will be sent to camp families in the late Spring.
Do you require campers have the COVID-19 vaccine?
While we encourage everyone to be vaccinated, it is not a requirement for campers to have had the COVID-19 vaccine.
Will there be any overnight campouts this summer?
Yes! Adventure Camp (ages 10-12) offers a variety of unique components for our oldest campers, including an evening program, campout, or field trip. Plus, Explorers Camp (ages 7-9) will include an evening program each week. Check the weekly descriptions for specific details.
How much does a week of camp cost? Does my child need to attend the whole summer?
Prices vary by age; in general, camps for older age groups cost a little more. Our camp sessions are all one-week long; while there is no discount for signing up for multiple weeks of Summer Nature Camp, many families do. Please refer to the camp brochure for the full listing of camp dates, themes, and prices.
Are there any discounts to attend Irvine Summer Nature Camp?
There are two ways to save on Summer Nature Camp. 1) Sign up before February 15, 2024 and save an early bird 5%. 2) Irvine Members save! Become a Member of Irvine, at the Pacesetter level ($100) or higher, and your family will receive a discount on our Summer Nature Camps. Plus, members enjoy free admission to Irvine, for your entire household, for a full year. Additional benefits and discounts on most of our other education programs can be found HERE.
What Families Are Saying
My daughter just finished two weeks of camp at Irvine and is already talking about next year! She loved it even more than I imagined. From hikes, to crafts, meeting new creatures, and playing in the rain, it was hands down the best camp experience. Thank you Irvine staff for a fantastic experience!
