Summer Camp

June 29-August 21, 2026

For campers in grades K-6.

Join us this summer for nature day camp, in person at the McLane Center in Concord and the Massabesic Center in Auburn.

Fees:

$311/week Member; $345/week Non-Member

**Prices are prorated for shortened camp sessions.

See session descriptions and registration links below.

For questions about summer camp registration or programming, contact the Camp Programs Manager, Claire Adams by email or call 603-224-9909 x404.

Camp Programs

Wonders (Kindergarten)

9am–4pm

Wonders Campers will receive an introduction to the world of our Nature Day Camp through age-appropriate and hands-on activities, games, and crafts that meaningfully connect them to their wonder-filled surroundings and local wildlife. This group is capped at 10 campers per week.

NEW THIS YEAR! Observers (Grades 1 and 2)

9am–4pm

Observers Campers will observe our local habitats and wildlife up close through guided nature exploration and games. Activities include short hikes, craft making, storytelling, and live animal presentations. This group is capped at 12 campers per week.

Discovery (Grades 3 and 4)

9am–4pm

Discovery Campers spend their days being out in nature and making new discoveries. Activities include hikes, science experiments, crafts, interactive nature-based games, and live animal presentations. This group is capped at 12 campers per week.

Explorers (Grades 5 and 6)

9am–4pm

Explorer Campers will spend their days learning about the wildlife and landscapes within the diverse habitats around the Center by exploring our hiking trails, observing how we care for our ambassador animals, and building a community of friends through team challenges. This group is capped at 12 campers per week.

2026 Session Themes & Dates

Session 1: June 29-July 2

Have to Have a Habitat – 4 days only

NH Audubon’s wildlife sanctuaries are home to many species of wildlife, thanks in large part to the diversity of habitats that they contain. Early summer is an exciting time for the plants and animals that call NH Audubon home, and campers will spend this session exploring those habitats up close. Learn why it’s important for grasslands to have flowers, how many creatures make homes in trees, and what plants and animals make the lifecycles of ponds and lakes possible.

Session 2: July 6-July 10

Feathered Friends

Here at NH Audubon, we work to protect all of New Hampshire’s birds, both our year-round residents and seasonal visitors. During this camp session, we’ll learn what makes birds unique, while we explore bird behaviors and habitats through games, crafts, and plenty of time on the trail with binoculars. The week will culminate with a visit with an ambassador raptor (Massabesic) or a guided mew tour (McLane).

Session 3: July 13-17

Wet and Wild Watersheds

Ever wonder where water comes from? Join us as we examine the intricate nature or our local watershed. Follow a drop of water as it falls from the sky and makes its journey through nearby waterways. We’ll explore the habitat surrounding Great Turkey Pond and Lake Massabesic in search of the plants and animals that live there. Of course, we’ll find plenty of opportunities to experience the cooling effects of water with various water games.

Additional Session 5 Option for ages 10-14 in Concord: Conservation Quest Filmmaking Camp.

Session 4: July 20-24

Invertebrate Investigation

Insects and other crawling critters are all around us and play incredibly important roles in nature. From pollination to decomposition, our world wouldn’t function without them! Each day of this week will focus on one group of insects or invertebrates. Campers will learn what makes each group unique, including where they live, what they do for the environment, and why we should appreciate rather than fear them. We’ll dig in the dirt, use nets in the pond and in the air, and explore the gardens and trails to investigate the invertebrates around us.

Session 5: July 27-30

Becoming Scientists – 4 days only

Get ready for a week of STEAM-inspired fun! Run exciting experiments, use a microscope, and practice the scientific method to uncover mysteries happening right in our sanctuaries. We’ll end the session with a science fair of projects and experiments the campers have done throughout the week. Families are invited to join us for the science fair on Thursday at 3:30 pm. All materials, tools, and necessary safety equipment will be provided; all you need to bring is your curiosity!

Session 6: August 3-7

Becoming Nature Stewards

Exploring the outdoors can be tons of fun, but in order to have fun, be safe, and help protect the habitat you’re in, it’s important to learn how to Leave No Trace. During this session, we’ll learn how to read and make maps, how to safely build and maintain a fire, and how to construct a lean-to shelter (and knock it down)! We’ll also go on a long hike to practice using some of those new skills and learn how to pack a backpack for an adventure. We’ll provide all the tools you need to participate during camp, so please leave your pocketknives and fire starters at home.

Session 7: August 10-14

Scales, Scutes, and Skins

During this camp session, learn to explore the world through the eyes of a herpetologist. Summer is a great time to observe the many reptiles and amphibians that call New Hampshire home. What makes reptiles and amphibians so unique? We will spend lots of time getting to know the animal ambassadors that live in our centers. Then we’ll head out on adventures to discover how many we can locate them in our surrounding forests, fields, and wetlands.

Session 8: August 17-21

Moose to Mice

During this final camp session, we’ll learn all about the marvelous mammals that live in New Hampshire. From the smallest rodents to the largest whales, we’ll dive into what all mammals have in common and what makes them all unique, including humans! Discover specialized mammal adaptations, explore their habitats and diets, and learn to read their tracks, scat, and signs. We’ll finish the summer with a game simulating mammals’ predator-prey relationships.

Photo, top: dip netting at Turkey Pond by Shelby Morelli, goodbye hugs on the last day of summer camp.

Explore our birding-specific websites:

Register for a program

Register for a program

Nature Day Camp

Summer Camp

Summer Camp

Camp Programs

Wonders (Kindergarten)

NEW THIS YEAR! Observers (Grades 1 and 2)

Discovery (Grades 3 and 4)

Explorers (Grades 5 and 6)

2026 Session Themes & Dates

Have any questions or comments?