Summer
Camps
Important Camp Info
- Camps are first come, first served.
- Online payment is required in order to reserve your child's spot in camp. Refunds will not be issued after May 11.
- Inclement weather: Activities will be conducted indoors if there is inclement weather. Please dress for the weather.
- Children will need to bring a sack lunch during day-long camps.
- Pre-packaged snacks will be offered twice a day for day-long camps and once for half-day camps.
- Each day children will need to pack a water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, hat or sunglasses, and a change of clothes or swimsuit for water games.
- Prior to the first day of camp, parents/guardians will be emailed a detailed letter with any pertinent info regarding the camp your child is registered for.
- A parent or guardian will need to accompany children to any Toadstool camp.
Use the drop-downs below for specific camp information and to register.
Toadstool Camp (Grades PreK - K)
Hop on over to Nahant Marsh for a morning of nature exploring.
Campers will meet live creatures and explore their wondrous world through hands-on activities.
Children should be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
9:00-11:00am.
Limit 16 children.
Cost: $25 per camp
2026 Dates:
June 2 (Life of a Turtle)
Join us to meet live turtles and learn about their habitats and conservation. Through hands-on animal encounters, outdoor exploration, and creative activities, kids will connect with nature while having a shell-of-a good time. Perfect for curious campers who love wildlife and the outdoors!
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Register for Toadstool Camp (Life of a Turtle)
June 16 (Marsh Mysteries)
Curious campers will uncover the hidden wonders of the marsh! Through squishy exploration, critter discovery, and creative activities, kids will learn about marsh plants and animals and the important role these mysterious wetlands play. Perfect for young explorers who love getting a little muddy while solving nature’s mysteries!
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Register for Toadstool Camp (Marsh Mysteries)
June 30 (Tracks & Scat)
Where did you come from, where did you go? From footprints in snow and mud, to bones and fur in scat piles, we will explore the species that are active during this season. Learn how to identify what animals are around, based on what they have left behind- tracks and scat!
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Register for Toadstool Camp (Tracks & Scat)
July 14 (Where the Wild Live)
Discover where wild animals live! From nests and burrows to dens and shells, kids will explore different animal homes through nature walks, hands-on discovery, and creative building activities. Campers will learn how animals stay safe and comfy in the wild while having fun exploring the outdoors—perfect for curious nature lovers!
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Register for Toadstool Camp (Where the Wild Live)
August 12 (Butterfly Explorers)
Explore the magical world of butterflies! Kids will watch caterpillars transform, learn about butterfly life cycles and habitats, and create butterfly-inspired crafts. Perfect for young nature lovers who want to flutter, explore, and discover the beauty of the outdoors!
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Critter Camp (Grades 1 - 2)
Connect your child with nature as they learn about insects, reptiles, and other critters.
Children will be fully engaged with activities such as live animal encounters and outdoor exploration.
9:00am-3:00pm.
Limit 20 children.
Cost: $55 per camp
2026 Dates:
June 4 (Scientific Sorcery)
Welcome to a world where science feels like magic! In this engaging class, young wizards and witches will practice scientific sorcery. Kids will craft their own mystical wands, grow sparkling crystals, and mix “magic” potions while learning how science makes the magic happen.
Register for Critter Camp (Scientific Sorcery)
June 18 (Cryptid Creatures)
Do mysterious creatures really lurk in the shadows—or can science explain the stories? In Cryptid Creatures, campers become real-world investigators, using scientific evidence to explore famous cryptids like Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and more. Perfect for curious minds who love mysteries, nature, and asking big questions.
Register for Critter Camp (Cryptid Creatures)
July 2 (Ectotherm Encounters)
In this camp, you will be immersed in the world of ectotherms. Ectotherms are animals that use the world around them to stay cool or warm, by basking in the sun or spending time in the shade or water. From snakes to frogs and worms, you will get to learn about these animals through encounters at the marsh.
Register for Critter Camp (Ectotherm Encounters)
July 16 (Artsy Arthropods)
Creepy, crawly, and seriously cool! In Artsy Arthropods, campers will explore the amazing world of insects, spiders, and other arthropods through hands-on nature study and creative projects. Campers will build their own bug observation box to safely observe the marsh's arthropods up close and discover how these tiny creatures play big roles in our ecosystems.
Register for Critter Camp (Artsy Arthropods)
July 30 (Dig Into Dinosaurs)
Travel back in time and uncover the world of dinosaurs! In Dig Into Dinosaurs, campers will become junior paleontologists as they piece together clues from the past to learn about dinosaurs and other animals that used to live in Iowa/Illinois.
Multi-Day Camps (Grades 3 - 9)
Outdoor Survival Camp (3rd - 5th)
Get back to the basics!
Campers will master survival skills like building shelters, starting fires, reading maps, and practicing first aid. Through immersive activities, team challenges, and exciting outdoor games campers will build confidence, teamwork, and a love for the outdoors.
On the last day your new skills will be put to the test!
Outdoor Survival Camp is for campers entering grades 3 - 5.
Cost: $165
Dates: June 9 - 11
Register for Outdoor Survival Camp
Nature Adventure Camp (3rd - 6th)
Dive into wetlands, woodlands, and prairies as you explore the beauty of nature with expert naturalists. You’ll get your hands dirty (in the best way) while learning about wildlife and mastering outdoor skills. Plus, there are exciting field trips—fishing, canoeing, swimming, and more!
Whether you’re an outdoor pro or a newbie, this camp promises tons of fun and plenty of opportunities to connect with the wild world around you.
Nature Adventure Camp is for campers entering grades 3 - 6.
Cost: $260
Dates: June 22 - 26
9:00am-3:00pm each day
Register for Nature Adventure Camp
Jr. Naturalist Camp (3rd - 6th)
Dive into the world of plants and animals through exploration and outdoor adventure.
Campers will search for insects, watch birds, discover plants, and learn about reptiles, and mammals through games, and activities.
Each day is filled with fun, wildlife discoveries, and opportunities to connect with the natural world around them.
Jr. Naturalist Camp is for campers entering grades 3 - 6.
Cost: $165
Dates: July 7 - 9
Register for Jr. Naturalist Camp
Outdoor Survival Camp 2.0 (6th - 9th)
In this advanced camp, youth will put their survival skills to the test and expand their knowledge of the wilderness.
Participants will learn alternative ways to start fires, build a fishing pole, craft their own bow, practice archery, and much more!
This three-day camp includes two days onsite at Nahant Marsh, where campers will develop new skills, followed by an offsite adventure to test their fishing poles and lures, canoe and kayak, and explore the trails.
Outdoor Survival Camp is for campers entering grades 6 - 9.
Cost: $175
Dates: July 21 - 23
9:00am-3:00pm each day
Register for Outdoor Survival Camp 2.0
Art in Nature Camp (4th - 6th)
Immerse yourself in the Art in Nature Camp, where youth explore the wild side of creativity!
From foraging to crafting with botanicals to nature journaling and pottery, campers unleash their artistic spirit surrounded by the wonders of the outdoors.
Dive into marsh mysteries, observe wildlife, and let your imagination bloom in this three day-long adventure where art and nature meet.
Art in Nature is for campers entering grades 4 - 6.
Cost: $165
Dates: August 4 - 6
9:00am - 3:00pm each day