Summer Camp in the Gardens

Summer Camp in the Gardens offers children a unique outdoor experience. We offer a variety of themed, hands-on activities tailored to a specific age camper. We make sure the activities are developmentally appropriate, educationally relevant, and most importantly fun! At the Gardens, campers will be able to learn about relevant environmental subjects through hands-on activities, work together with their peers, and spend time outdoors!

Refund policy: refunds (minus a 15% admin fee) are issued when requested 2 weeks prior to the first day of camp. Each refund is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Read the full-length Summer Camp in the Gardens Parent Handbook here. By completing registration for Summer Camp in the Gardens you are agreeing to adhere to the Parent Handbook.

Preschool Camps (3-4yo)

Fee: $120 non-member/$100 member
Schedule: Mon-Thurs 8:30-11:30am

Flora, Fauna, & Fungi Oh My!: June 13-16 SOLD OUT
Spend the week exploring all the living things that the Gardens have to offer, great and small! We’ll do some bird watching, practice some flower pressing, and even meet some mushrooms. Come learn about some of our favorite flora, fauna, and fungi at the Gardens!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: June 27-30 SOLD OUT
Is rainbow your favorite color? Ours too! We will spend the week making colorful creations, learning about how rainbows are made, and daydreaming about pots of gold. Exploration of light, prisms, and color theory will guide us on our magical journey.

Tracks & Trails: July 11-14 SOLD OUT
Put your detective hats on, we’re going on an animal-tracking adventure! We’ll collect our trusty tools, like magnifying glasses and field guides, and go off the beaten trails to track the animals that call the Gardens home.

Budding Botanists: July 25-28 SOLD OUT
If you love plants, art, and quiet contemplation you may be a budding botanist! Each day, we’ll spend time learning all about the history of plants and their many uses (edible, medicinal, crafts, etc) and writing/drawing about what we’ve learned in our nature journals.

Guardians of the Gardens: Aug 8-11 SOLD OUT
We need your help! If you like getting your hands dirty and helping things grow, you may have what it takes to be a garden guardian. Learn about everything that goes on behind the scenes to make the Gardens great.

Elementary Camps

Fee:$140 non-member/$120 member (unless otherwise noted)
Schedule: Mon-Fri 8am-12pm (unless otherwise noted)

Grossology: June 6-10 (9-12yo)
Do you love all things that make others go, “YUCK!”? If so, you’re the perfect grossologist! We’ll explore all things ewwy, gooey, slimy, stinky, and downright gross in the name of science. Make snot, study scat, check out the fungus among us and more!

Flora, Fauna, & Fungi Oh My!: June 13-17 (5-6yo)
Spend the week exploring all the living things that the Gardens have to offer, great and small! We’ll do some bird watching, practice some flower pressing, and even meet some mushrooms. Come learn about some of our favorite flora, fauna, and fungi at the Gardens!

Aquapalooza: June 20-24 (7-8 yo)
Do you love life at the pond’s edge!? Come spend the week catching frogs, collecting water samples, and learning about all the creatures that call the pond home. Pack your water shoes, we’re going to get wet!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: June 27-July 1 (5-6yo)
Is rainbow your favorite color? Ours too! We will spend the week making colorful creations, learning about how rainbows are made, and daydreaming about pots of gold. Exploration of light, prisms, and color theory will guide us on our magical journey.

Wild Wisconsin (FULL DAY): July 5-8 (9-12yo)
Did you know that the largest Wooly Mammoth ever excavated was found right here in Wisconsin? Did you know that glacial activity is responsible for making us “America’s Dairyland”? Or that the rest of the country doesn’t call it “bubbler”? From native edible plants to wacky Wisconsin wisdom, spend the week learning about what makes our state great!

Full Day Camp Fee and Schedule: $200 non-member/$180 member
Dropoff 8-8:30am, lunch at 12pm, pickup 3-3:30pm
Campers should come prepared with a snack (or two if they want), a sack lunch, and a full water bottle.

Tracks & Trails: July 11-15 (7-8yo)
Put your detective hats on, we’re going on an animal-tracking adventure! We’ll collect our trusty tools, like magnifying glasses and field guides, and go off the beaten trails to track the animals that call the Gardens home.

Where the Wild Things Are: July 18-22 (5-6yo)
If you love animals and playing pretend, you don’t want to miss this camp. Using natural materials and craft supplies we’ll build a stick fort village and dream up the animals that live there. With a little imagination, we’ll create our own world where the wild things are!

Budding Botanists: July 25-29 (7-8yo)
If you love plants, art, and quiet contemplation you may be a budding botanist! Each day, we’ll spend time learning all about the history of plants and their many uses (edible, medicinal, crafts, etc) and writing/drawing about what we’ve learned in our nature journals.

It’s a Bug’s Life: Aug 1-5 (5-6yo)
We’ll spend the week checking out the creepy crawlies at our feet and the winged wonders flying above our heads. With nets, bug jars, and bug ID guides we’ll have all the tools we need to explore what makes up a bug’s life.

Guardians of the Gardens: Aug 8-12 (9-12yo)
We need your help! If you like getting your hands dirty and helping things grow, you may have what it takes to be a garden guardian. Learn about everything that goes on behind the scenes to make the Gardens great.

Summer Camp in the Gardens

By Monk Botanical Gardens

Summer Camp in the Gardens