Chicago Botanic Garden
Programs give 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds the opportunity to explore nature with caregivers. We’ll learn about fruits & vegetables, discover animals, experience the changing seasons and more! Each class begins with an interactive group period, followed by time for children to try a variety of hands-on activities. Classes include potting plants and a walk outdoors or in the Greenhouses (weather permitting).
Club CBG at the Chicago Botanic Garden welcomes school-age children to come once a week for fun, hands-on, educational opportunities outside of school. Three six-week program sessions allow children in grades 2 to 5 to discover the Garden in winter, spring, and fall.
They will use scientific tools, plan and plant a garden, explore native habitats, and more! These fun outdoor and indoor attractions offer kids in Chicago’s north shore suburbs a wide variety of activities that take advantage of the facilities and expertise at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Camp CBG provides exciting and enriching learning experiences for your child, with programs for children ages 2 to 15. The Garden offers week-long camps each summer with morning, afternoon, and all-day options from June to August.
These fun outdoor camps offer kids in Chicago’s north shore suburbs a wide variety of activities that take advantage of the facilities and expertise at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Children will participate in high-quality learning activities with certified teachers who use inquiry-based, hands-on activities. Highlights include a VIP pass to Wonderland Express.
Children will participate in high quality learning activities with experienced teachers who use hands-on activities. Programming connects nature to a range of themes including art, cuisine, and conservation.
Brookfield Zoo
Conservation Leadership Program for Youth
Whether exploring the natural backwoods of Illinois, talking to zoo guests about dolphins, or researching penguin DNA, the Chicago Zoological Society’s Career Ladder has something for you!
Youth ages 3-18 from the Chicagoland area are taking advantage of the Career Ladder to learn about the zoo’s animals and exhibits, make new friends, go to different natural areas and cool places, and get connected with jobs in the summer. Kids and teens make their way through Brookfield Zoo, following their own interests and enthusiasm.
Zoo Summer Camp
Forest Preserve District
The Mighty Acorns Program is a way to connect children with nature through stewardship and exploration of “adopted” forest preserve sites. The program teaches third through seventh grade students the importance of preservation and restoration through fall, winter and spring stewardship activities such as planting native seeds, and pulling and or cutting invasive weeds and brush. Volunteers from local communities receive training to help guide small groups of students in their experience of nature in the forest preserves, kindling their excitement, while promoting a respect for nature.
Junior Naturalist Program
