Nature Day Camp

In the summer, NH Audubon has five (5) different age groups for campers based on the grade they just completed during the school year. These groups range from approximately ages 6-15. Please reference the table below for the breakdown of group names, grades, and weekly capacity:

*For more information on camp groups, please visit the Summer Camp page.

**For more information on the Leaders-in-Training program, please visit the Leaders-in-Training page.

Winter Wonders Day Camp is for campers in grades 4^th-6^th (approximately 10-12-year-olds) and is capped at 16 campers per day.

Signs of Spring Day Camp is for campers in grades K-3^rd (approximately 6-9-year-olds) and is capped at 16 campers per day.

Summer Camp registration runs weekly with a price of $345/week. (If weeks are fewer than five days, the price is prorated.)

Winter Wonders and Signs of Spring Day Camps registration run daily at a price of $69/day. If you register for all five days, it is $345 for the week.

NH Audubon Nature Day Camps also offer Extended Care available during all camp sessions. Before Care runs from 8:00-8:30 AM at a price of $10/day ($50/week); After Care runs from 4:15-5:00 PM at a price of $15/day ($75/week).

Winter Wonders Day Camp occurs during February school break week (typically the last full week of February). In 2026, those dates are February 23-27.

Signs of Spring Day Camp occurs during April school break week (typically the end of April/first couple days of May). In 2026, those dates are April 27-May 1.

Summer Nature Day Camp occurs for eight (8) consecutive weeks from late June to mid-August. In 2026, summer camp will be held from June 29-August 21. (Sessions 1 and 5 are four days, Sessions 2-4 and 6-8 are five days.)

The exact date of registration varies slightly from year to year, but the link for registration on our website goes live for all camp sessions in mid-December. The projected registration opening date for 2026 is December 19, 2025.

For families who have registered for NH Audubon’s camps in the past, they will receive a direct email from the Camp Programs Manager when registration opens. For families who are interested in NH Audubon’s camps but have not yet registered, it is recommended to subscribe to our Enews to receive notification of registration opening.

The themes and activities vary slightly from year to year, but all camp sessions are focused on nature stewardship, wildlife education, and outdoor exploration. Some common themes during the summer include water and watersheds, wildlife survival and adaptations, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). Every summer session concludes the week with a thematic all-camp game on Friday afternoons. Common games are predator and prey, bombardier beetle, and water olympics. For a full list of our current summer session themes and descriptions, please visit the Summer Camp page.

During Winter Wonders Day Camp, campers learn about wildlife adaptations to survive during winter. Each day includes a hike and/or outdoor exploration, nature journaling, thematic games and lessons, and an animal presentation. More activities are held indoors during this session due to the weather, but at least part of each day is held outdoors unless the weather is unsafe. For more information, please visit the Winter Wonders page.

During Signs of Spring Day Camp, campers learn about phenology, or the scientific study of seasonal changes in nature. Each day includes a hike and/or outdoor exploration, a craft, thematic games, and story time. Campers are expected to be prepared for many types of weather to spend most of their camp day outdoors. For more information, please visit the Signs of Spring page.

A day at NH Audubon’s Nature Day Camps runs from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Drop-off starts at 8:30 am, when your parent or guardian signs you in for the day with the Camp Director. From there, you will be escorted to the location for your group’s “homebase” to drop off your backpack, lunchbox, and water bottle.

Between sign-in and 9:00 am, you will join the other campers in free play time outside (during summer). Common activities include everybody’s it tag, soccer, friendship bracelet making, or coloring.

At 9:00 am, the Camp Director calls for Morning Circle, where the whole camp will make a big, seated circle. During Morning Circle, led by the Camp Director, you will be introduced to the staff and Leaders-in-Training, go over camp rules, and expectations, and sing a camp song.

Following Morning Circle, it’s snack time! You will meet up with your group and your Camp Educators to head to your spot for snack. Snack generally lasts for 15-20 minutes (anytime between 9:15-10:00 am), which also makes it a great time to fill your water bottle or use the bathroom before morning activities start.

By about 10 am, your group will start with camp activities. This is usually a game, an animal presentation, or a hike on the trails. You will be with your group doing thematic activities until lunchtime at 12:00 pm.

To start lunch, your Camp Educators will lead you back to your group’s “homebase” to grab your lunchbox. Your group will have a designated lunch location, and you will have until 12:30 pm to eat your lunch.

After lunch is over, you will put your lunchbox away and put another layer of bug spray and sunscreen. Once your whole group is ready, you will head out to the field for free play time (like recess at school). Free play time lasts until 1:00 pm.

At 1:00 pm, the Wonders and Observers campers will gather for Storytime, while the Discovery and Explorers campers will spend about 15-20 minutes doing a quiet activity (e.g., coloring, jigsaw puzzles, animal yoga, stretching, etc.). Again, this is a great time to use the bathroom and refill your water bottle.

From 1:30-2:15 pm, your group will be doing more thematic camp activities. This could be a science lesson, an animal presentation, or a craft.

Most groups take an afternoon snack break from 2:15-2:30 pm (another great time to use the bathroom and make sure your water bottle stays filled). After snack, you have from 2:30-3:15 pm to a final activity with your group, like a craft, game, or visit to the Nature Lab.

At 3:15 pm all campers will head back to their “homebase” to pack up their backpacks and grab their things to bring out the field. By 3:30 pm, the Camp Director calls Closing Circle and the whole camp will meet in a big, seated circle. During Closing Circle, each group will share a few things that they did that day or something that they are grateful for. The Camp Director will make a few announcements for the whole camp (i.e., reminders about camp rules, things to bring or expect for tomorrow, etc.) and announce the Camper of the Day. The Camper of the Day is awarded a certificate and set of IALAC (“I Am Loving and Caring”) beads and calls the end of Closing Circle.

Camp pick-up runs from 3:45-4:15 pm. Between the end of Closing Circle and getting picked up by your parents or guardians, you will have more free play time with your fellow campers. Sports equipment and some craft supplies will be out again for you to enjoy until you get signed out for the day.

Make sure to do a thorough tick check, drink lots of water, and get plenty of sleep to have another great day at camp tomorrow!

Close-toed shoes

Bringing extra shoes that can get wet is also helpful (like Crocs, Keen or Teva sandals, watershoes, etc.)

Hat (optional – but get additional insect and sun protection)

The following items should be packed in a backpack:

• Sunscreen and insect repellant
  • Non-spray options are preferred. Please apply a layer of these before morning drop-off; campers will apply more before or after lunch (depending on daily schedule and weather).
• Rain jacket or sweatshirt
• Lunch and two snacks
• Reusable water bottle
• Extra change of clothes (including socks and underwear)

Please do NOT bring:

• Gum, candy, or soda
• Toys from home
• Money
• Electronics (including cell phones and smart watches)

In general, no. While there are differences in indoor and outdoor spaces, the general flow of the camp day and the type of programming offered is very similar between our two centers. The McLane Center has more animal ambassadors (birds of prey) while the Massabesic Center has longer trails. Both Centers have animal ambassadors, indoor classroom spaces, handicapped accessible entrances and bathrooms, and big outdoor spaces for group games and circle times. If you live somewhere that is near both, please attend our free Camp Open House and Reunion events or plan a visit with the Camp Programs Manager.

And if you accidentally signed up for the wrong location, the Camp Programs Manager may be able to switch your registration back to your preferred Center. Unless the session and group are sold out at one location and not the other, there is no fee for changing your location. Please inform the Camp Programs Manager ASAP if this occurs to ensure you can attend the camp location that works best for your family.

The following forms are required as part of the registration process for campers attending NH Audubon’s Nature Day Camps. Copies of these forms are available to download as part of the Parent Handbook. All forms must be completed, signed, and uploaded prior to a camper’s first day at camp.

NH Audubon Photographic Release

This internal NH Audubon form must be completed and signed by the camper’s parent or guardian to inform NH Audubon staff if that camper has permission for their photo to be taken and shared for marketing and outreach purposes. Permission can be declined. Any photos, videos, or other media of campers will never be shared during the current camp session during which they are taken and will never include personal details about the camper beyond their first name and attending camp location.

NH Audubon Discipline Policy

This internal NH Audubon form outlines our camp’s discipline policy. This policy is followed anytime a camper requires behavioral intervention from a time-out to expulsion, with individual considerations and action plans made for campers with collaboration from staff members and parents. Signing off on reading this policy is required before making a camp registration payment.

NH Audubon Cancellation Policy

This internal policy outlines how NH Audubon processes camp session cancellations. This form is required to be read and signed prior to making a camp registration payment.

Medical Authorization Form

This form is required for all campers to ensure that they are authorized to participate in camp activities by a licensed physician. In place of NH Audubon’s form, a physical examination summary report that is signed by a physician and is no more than two years old, can be uploaded to the registration portal. These are the same or similar reports used for school and sports participation.

Medication Administration Form (if applicable): If your child takes prescription medication, this form must be completed and signed by a parent/legal guardian and a physician. This form also grants permission for the camper to have their Epi-pen and/or inhaler with them during the camp day with authorization for camp staff to help administer that medication if necessary.

Action Plans (if applicable): If your child requires medication administered during the camp day or has an allergy, it is encouraged that you provide administrative camp staff with the action plans for the medical care of your child while at camp. Action plans must be signed by a physician and can either be uploaded with their medical forms through the registration portal or sent with the camper’s medication on their first day of camp.

Immunization Record

As supplemental information for the Medical Authorization Form, all campers are required to include their most up-to-date immunization record. NH Audubon is unable to accept a direct fax from a doctor’s office of this form. This record is uploaded separately from the Medical Authorization Form.

Religious Exemption Form: If your family abstains from vaccinations for religious reasons, you must complete this state exemption form and upload it in the place of a vaccination record.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) (if applicable)

If your child has a one-on-one at school, you need to upload a copy of their IEP. NH Audubon is unable to provide one-on-one support with our staff ratios, which will require your child’s school to provide that support person. The Camp Programs Manager will make a final determination if NH Audubon’s camps are a good fit for your child and that we will be able to provide adequate accommodation and programming for your child. Please refer to the Accessibility section on this page for more information.

Yes, NH Audubon offers three discounts: a NH Audubon Member discount (10%), a referral discount (10%), and a NH Audubon Staff discount (30%). The NH Audubon Member discount is available to all current NH Audubon members at the Family level or higher and is applicable to all regular camp registration fees (does not include Extended Care costs). To check your membership status or to become a NH Audubon member, please email our Membership Coordinator or sign-up today. To apply the Membership discount to your camp registration fees, please click “yes” to answer the question “Are you a current NH Audubon Member?” during registration.

The referral discount is applied to your camp registration fees when the Camp Programs Manager receives written confirmation from both the referring and referred families (e.g., email). A 10% discount will be granted to the referred family, and a $50 bonus will be awarded to the referring family (to be used to cover camp fees by the end of the final summer session). Please contact the Camp Programs Manager for more information.

The NH Audubon Staff discount is available for the dependents of all current NH Audubon employees. This includes children/dependents or younger siblings of seasonal camp staff. To apply the Staff discount, please click “yes” to answer the question “Are you a NH Audubon staff member?” during registration.

Yes! NH Audubon has a Camp Scholarship (“Campership”) fund that is available through an application process. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need (calculated using the previous year’s tax brackets), the number of campers you wish to attend, and special circumstances for your family. In 2025, all families who applied were offered partial to full scholarships to attend camp. Please reach out to the Camp Programs Manager for an application.

Yes! You are required to sign our Cancellation Policy during the registration process, and a copy is provided to you in our Parent Handbook . The Cancellation Policy states: “A $100 administrative fee will be charged for all cancellations. If a cancellation is made more than 14 days (two weeks) prior to the start of the camp session, a full refund (minus the $100 fee) will be given. If it is between 14 days and 7 days prior to the start of the camp session, a 50% refund will be given only if the slot can be filled. If a cancellation is made less than 7 days (1 week) prior to the camp session, no refund will be provided. No refunds will be given without advance notice of cancellation provided to the Camp Programs Manager. Refunds will not be authorized for non-attendance, missed days, weather, or for any other reason that arises during the camp session. If NH Audubon must cancel a session for reasons out of our control, such as extreme weather events, building emergencies, or high incidence of infectious disease, full refunds will be offered upon request.”