Educational Programs
Educational Programs > For Kids
Nature Explorers Summer Camps
Fostering a Love of Nature. Tyler Arboretum's summer camps connect kids with nature as campers explore our unique and diverse ecosystems.
Enthusiastic, highly-qualified staff and low student/teacher ratios facilitate fun, interactive learning through nature and stewardship projects, games, naturalist-led lessons, crafts and hikes.
Please call FOR availability before sending in registration. Thank you.
Camps for Tiny Trackers and Young Explorers: ages 4 - 11
Crazy Critters ...June 25 - June 29
Campers spend the week learning about the amazing behaviors of our local insects, frogs, salamanders, chipmunks and birds. They explore the woods,k meadows and streams of Tyler in search for these crazy critters and learn different ways to help protect them.
Survivor: Tyler ...July 2 and 3 or July 5 and 6
Here's your chance to work together with fellow campers and build your confidence out in nature. Friendly competitions will include obstacle courses, scavenger hunts and mental and physical feats as well as rolling down hills, making mud pies and playing games in the grass.
Green Thumbers...July 9 - 13
This camp is for kids who love to get their hands dirty! We will explore the gardens and forests in search of different scents, textures and shapes and learn all about how plants grow. Campers will also learn why animals need plants and will make a garden of their own to take home.
Storybook Gardens...July 16 - 20
Our new summer exhibit, Sit A Spell, will bring our favorite storybooks to life! Explore the nature behind the popular stories like the bats and butterflies featured in the books Stellaluna and Waiting on Wings. Make a crown for the Frog Prince and learn about magic beams with Jack and the Beanstalk.
Bugology...July 23 - 27
Bug lovers, unite! Get to know the little creepy crawlies around you. During this exciting week we will make our own tools to collect and study insects, search for insect homes, make your own insects, and go on six-legged safaris at the Arboretum.
Habitat Hunters...July 30 - August 3
Learn to track animals, make a bird's nest, build a brush pile and turn rocks in the stream. Habitat Hunters will explore the many habitats the Arboretum has to offer - from stream, to forest, to meadows.
Amphibi-kids...August 6 - 10
Do you want to find out about the wildlife that lives among the slippery rocks of the streams and pond? We will explore the plants, animals, birds, and small creatures that call Tyler's wetlands home. Each day we'll learn about something wet, wild, and wonderful. A fascinating world awaits us just beneath the water's surface.
Art at the Arb (ages 7-11)...August 13 - 17
Take an artistic look at the natural world. Nature has inspired artists through the ages. From natural collages to sun printing and nature journaling, this class combines the best of art and nature. Participants will also have a chance to hike, explore, and get wet in the stream to gain first hand inspiration for their art.
New This Year:
Tyler Arboretum is now offering four weeks of full-day camps for 11 - 14 year olds.
Camps for Young Naturalists: ages 11 - 14
These camps are designed for older campers who are ready for a more in-depth experience, focusing on extended activities, team building, and off-site adventure. Every Wednesday, campers embark on a field trip to a local destination. On Thursdays, campers will stay for a sleep-over, camping out in tents and enjoying special activities such as stargazing, roasting marshmallows around a camp fire, and exploring the Arboretum after dark. Dinner and breakfast will be provided and Tyler's historic barn will serve as an inclement weather back-up.
Outdoor Adventure...July 9-13
Do you like the outdoors and do you like adventure? Then this is the camp for you. Discover how to get out of a human knot, walk over hot lava, and participate in trust falls. Wednesday's journey will be to the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education to participate in their low and high ropes course. On Thursday spend the night and participate in a trust wallk, while learning abourt the animals that come out at night.
Creature Feature...July 16 - 20
Do you love animals? Learn about the creatures that call Tyler home and learn about their adaptiations to their habitats. On Wednesday, spend the day at the Philadelphia Zoo and get a behind-the-scenes tour. Meet a caretakeer to learn what it takes to keep the zoo animals healthy and happy. On Thursday night, learn about nocturnal animals and hoot at some owls.
Water Week... July 23 - 27
Get up close and personal with critters in Tyler's streams. Observe them under a microscope and perform chemical tests to see if the stream at Tyler is healthy. On Wednesday, enjoy tubing down the Brandywine River and explore the stream bed to see what lives there. On Thursday night, hike Tyler's Dismal Run stream at dusk to see who else may be visiting.
Woodland Walk-About...July 30- August 3
Tyler Arboretum has many cool garden plants and trees and more than 550 acres of woodlands. Learn some fun things we can do with trees and what they do for us. On Wednesday, visit Morris Arboretum and see the forest from a new perspective - from 50 feet up in the treetops on the Out on a Limb canopy walk. Explore the colors and textures of the garden and visit some awesome big trees. On Thursday night, take a night hike in the woods and discover everything it has to offer after dark!
Camp Details
Tiny Trackers
Camps are half-day programs (9 - 11:30 am) for children ages 4 and 5. Children should bring their own snacks and beverages.
Young Explorers
Camps are full-day programs (9am - 3pm) for children ages 5 to 11. Children should bring their own snacks, beverages and lunches.
Note: Art at the Arb camp is limited to ages 7 - 11. Campers are grouped according to their ages. The decision of camp staff is final.
Young Naturalist
Camps are full-day programs (9 am - 3 pm) for children ages 11-14. Children should bring their own snacks, beverages and lunches.
- Extended childcare is available for Young Explorers and Naturalist campers for an additional fee. Early drop-off is offered from 8 to 9 am, and after care from 3 to 5 pm. Campers must be pre-registered for this service. Fee: $10 per hour/fraction of an hour, or $60 per week. Payment is due on the first day of the camp session.
- Additional information will be sent upon receipt of registration.
- Dress for the outdoors as portions of each program are held outside in fields and forests, along streams and at the pond.
- Junior Counselor volunteer opportunities are available (minimum age: 15). For more information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 610-566-9134, x205.
Camp Prices
Download the 2012 Summer Camps brochure for details and pricing [TylerCamps2012]
-Registrations are accepted in the order in which they are received, and are limited to Tyler members from January 2 - February 15. Registration is open to the public after February 15.
-Registration fees can be mailed, faxed, phoned in, or brought to the Visitor Center. All registration fees are to be directed to Joanne Landau, Registrar, x215.
-For information on becoming a member, please call 610-566-9134. Memberships can be purchased online, in person or over the phone.
-Payment in full, or a $50 deposit per session, must accompany the registration form. If a deposit is submitted, the remainder of the fee is due by June 1. Places cannot be held without payment.
-A full refund will be issued for cancellations made before May 1, less a $10 administration fee. A full refund, less a $50 administration fee, will be issued for cancellations made in writing at least 10 days prior to the start of the program. No refunds will be issued for withdrawal or absence with less than 10 days notice.
Camp Registration Form 2012
Camper Information Form 2012
Parent's Guide 2012
Questions about registration? Call 610-566-9134 x215
Questions about camps? Call 610-566-9134 x202
Questions about volunteering? Call 610-566-9134 x205
Currently we don't have any programs or events schedule related to Summer Camp.
Please check the complete Events Calendar for fun events and programs for your visit to Tyler Arboretum.
