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   and Registration

EDUCATION — CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

After-school Programs

Camp Out at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Download a registration form (PDF)

Come and pitch your tents in our Outdoor Classroom for a low-stress camping experience — with flush toilets and running water! Enjoy nature games and activities, go for a night hike, and cook s'mores. (S'mores and continental breakfast are included.)

Saturday, May 16, 2009	Rain date: Friday, May 22
Saturday, May 23, 2009	Rain date: Friday, May 29
Saturday, June 6, 2009	Rain date: Friday, June 26
Saturday, August 29, 2009	Rain date: Friday, September 4
Saturday, September 5, 2009	Rain date: Friday, September 11
Saturday, October 3, 2009	Rain date: Friday, October 9

Where do we camp?

Campouts are held in the Outdoor Classroom, a garden designed especially for children. Explore the willow tunnel, dig in the worm bin, and check out the larger-than-life butterfly. The Outdoor Classroom is conveniently located near electricity, running water, and bathrooms.

What will we do?

Campers and their chaperones arrive at the Garden between
5 – 5:15 p.m. on Saturday night. Hop aboard the tram with all of your gear, and enjoy the ride to the Outdoor Classroom. Upon arrival, campers eat their picnic dinner, set up their tents, and explore the Outdoor Classroom. Programming begins at 6:30 p.m., and includes a scavenger hunt, environmental education games, and a dusk prairie walk.

Once the stars come out, enjoy a campfire, s'mores, and a bedtime story, and drift off to sleep in your garden bed. A continental breakfast is provided at 7:30 a.m., and the tram departs for the parking lot at 8:30 a.m. All participants receive a Chicago Botanic Garden activity patch.

What do we bring?

Bring your tents, sleeping bags, a picnic dinner, and come prepared for fun. The Garden does not provide any camping gear.

How do we sign up?

A $200 nonrefundable deposit is required at the time of registration, with payment in full due two weeks prior to the camp-out date. Note that the Outdoor Classroom fits 60 children plus chaperones. There is a flat fee of $1,400 for up to 40 children, with an additional cost of $35 for each scout above 40 (there is no cost for adults). Please call (847) 835-8239, to reserve your date!

Online registration for this program will be available shortly.

What if it rains?

In the event of a rainy forecast, Chicago Botanic Garden staff will contact group leaders Friday morning to discuss rescheduling for the selected rain date (please note rain date when registering). In the event of rain during the night, a covered shelter is available.