Nature Summer Camps: Nature camps and summer camps with nature studies as a major activity

Find Nature Studies Summer Camps

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Nature Studies Camps

For a child, the world is a big, exciting place, especially the outdoors. Insects are interesting, tall trees are impressive, and a trip to the park can feel like going to a whole new planet. If you live in a big city, however, your chances to explore nature are limited.

Going to a nature studies summer camp is an excellent opportunity for the budding naturalist in your life. They’ll get to learn more about geography, ecology, plant life, and animal behavior firsthand while getting plenty of fresh air and exercise and making new friends.

The Benefits of Nature Summer Camp

Nature camps provide an educational experience your kids simply can’t get in a classroom. They’ll gain a much better understanding of the natural world from being immersed in a great outdoors environment than they will from a book, and they’ll have help from counselors and instructors who specialize in nature studies.

Being knowledgeable about nature will deepen your child’s connection with it. Taking time to appreciate natural settings and absorb the idyllic sights and sounds without modern technology in the way has been shown to improve one’s mental health and strengthen their sense of self. Nature studies also encourage resourcefulness, teaching people how to live off the land and find their way home if they get turned around on a hike.

Overnight camp programs give your kids the best opportunity to explore nature in depth, but if they aren’t ready to spend too much time away from home, they’ll still learn plenty at a nature day camp. Some camps focus exclusively on nature studies, while others work them into a broader academic program or adventure camp activities. If your kids are jacks of all trades, they can do a bit of everything.

Search for Nature Camps

A nature camp is the perfect place for your child to learn new skills, bond with a close-knit community, and foster a love of the natural world that they can pass on to their own kids someday. Use our camp index to find a nature summer camp in your state.

Featured Camps

Teton Valley Ranch Camps Residential summer camp with separate sessions for boys and girls

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

(307) 733-2958 Website
Camp Muddy Sneakers

Brevard, NC

828-862-5560 Website
Northwaters & Langskib- Canoe Trips with Heart & Meaning Girls and Coed Wilderness Adventure Program

Temagami, Ontario

(866) 458-9974 Website
Park Shore Country Day Camp Coed Day Camp

Dix Hills, New York

(631) 499-8580 Website
Seacamp Residential Coed Camp

Big Pine Key, Florida

(877) SEACAMP Website
Explorer and World Bound Wilderness adventure - Canada

Locations Throughout British Columbia & Yukon

604.241.9169 Website
Catalina Sea Camp Residential coed summer camp

Avalon, California

(800) 645-1423 Website
Langskib- Canoe Trips with Heart and Meaning Wilderness canoeing adventures for boys

Temagami, Ontario

(866) 458-9974 Website
Camp Hidden Meadows Residential coed summer camp

Bartow, West Virginia

(800) 600-4752 Website
Ekone Ranch Summer Camps Coed Sleepaway Camp

South Washington State

509-773-4536 Website
JCC Ranch Camp Wilderness Adventure Program

Denver, CO

303-316-6384 Website
Camp Fitch YMCA Residential Coed Summer Camp

N. Springfield, Pennsylvania

(814) 922-3219 Website
Les Elfes International Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring Camps Coed Camps with Residential and Day Camp Sessions

Verbier, La Tzoumaz and Crans-Montana, Switzerland

+41 (0)277753590 Website
Midwest Region Summer Camps- Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, WisconsinSoutheast Region Summer Camps- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, TennesseeCentral Canada Summer Camps- Manitoba, Ontario, SaskatchewanNew England Summer Camps- Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, VermontSouth Central Region- Summer Camps in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, TexasWestern Canada Summer Camps- Alberta, British Columbia,  Northwest Territories, Yukon TerritorySouthwest Region and Hawaii Summer Camps- Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New MexicoEastern Canada - Québec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, NewfoundlandMid-Atlantic Region Summer Camps- Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West VirginiaNorthwest Region Summer Camps- Alaska, Oregon, WashingtonMountain area Summer Camps- Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, WyomingTristate area Summer Camps- New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania Midwest Region Summer Camps- Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, WisconsinSoutheast Region Summer Camps- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, TennesseeCentral Canada Summer Camps- Manitoba, Ontario, SaskatchewanNew England Summer Camps- Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, VermontSouth Central Region- Summer Camps in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, TexasWestern Canada Summer Camps- Alberta, British Columbia,  Northwest Territories, Yukon TerritorySouthwest Region and Hawaii Summer Camps- Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New MexicoEastern Canada - Québec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, NewfoundlandMid-Atlantic Region Summer Camps- Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West VirginiaNorthwest Region Summer Camps- Alaska, Oregon, WashingtonMountain area Summer Camps- Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, WyomingTristate area Summer Camps- New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific