Day Camps for Preschool through 5th Grade
CLICK HERE to register.
CLICK HERE to apply for a scholarship and be *pre-approved* for your award before camp registration opens in March.
**New in 2016!** Each week, all camps will focus on the same nature-related topic, but students will be divided into camp age groups based on their school grade, and content and activities will be geared towards students in a specific grade range. This allows our instructors to plan age-appropriate activities. Our age categories are PreK-Kindergarten, grades 1-2 and grades 3-5. Camps are designed for students entering grade levels noted in the fall of 2016.
Our camps get outside every day. All camps will use our activity buses for field trips. Preschool camps will participate in local field trips within the Missoula area. The 1st-8th grade camps can expect to drive as far as the Bison Range, Seeley Lake, or Beavertail Pond for field trips. Specific field trip and activity information will be provided for you on your first day of camp but you may contact us with questions.
This year, we are also offering a special Animal Handler camp, in partnership with our friends at Animal Wonders, for students entering grades 6-8 in the fall. Click here for more information about our middle school camp.
Programs are subject to minor changes.
 |
Trail BlazersJune 13-17 An adventure begins when you walk out your door! Spend the week on grand explorations to local natural areas, looking for animal signs, searching for insects, watching for birds, and peeking at plants. Using tools of naturalists, we’ll explore the natural world, create projects, play games, and have fun while following our curiosity and adventurous spirits. *All camps are FULL. Please call to be added to the waitlist. |
 |
Art and Nature AdventuresJune 20-24 Inspiration often comes from nature, so what better way to celebrate our natural wonders than through art? Investigate plants and animals outside using different mediums and natural materials. We may explore sculpture, drawing, painting, or even performance art! We’ll host an art opening at the end of the week to show off our creations. *Grades Pre-K-K and 1-2 camps are FULL (grades 3-5 camp still has room). Please call to be added to the waitlist. |
 |
Fantastic Fish and Where to Find ThemJune 27-July 1 Summer is a great time to visit Montana’s rivers and ponds and practice your casting technique! Learn about stream ecology, fish in Montana, and try to catch the Big One. In addition to fishing, we’ll get up close with aquatic invertebrates, explore the aquatic food web and habitats, make our own tackle boxes, and use waders and nets to reel in adventure. Thanks to a generous gift from Hellgate Hunters and Anglers, all campers this week will receive a spinning rod to keep. *All camps are FULL. Please call to be added to the waitlist. |
 |
Incredible InvertebratesJuly 5-8 (No Camp on July 4th) Wiggle your way into the world of invertebrates! We’ll play games, make art, and leave no stone unturned as we learn about insects and other invertebrates, their life cycle, and the food web. Spend the week as an entomologist, using nets and naturalist tools to find Montana’s incredible invertebrates to discover who they are, where they live, what they do, and how they add to the amazing diversity all around us. *Grades Pre-K-K and 1-2 camps are FULL (grades 3-5 camp still has room). Please call to be added to the waitlist. |
 |
Birding Bonanza!July 11-15 Have you ever wanted to know more about that animal soaring in the sky, singing in the tree, or dabbling in the pond? Then join us this week as we investigate the bird world from ravens to raptors and hummingbirds to herons. We’ll get to know our avian neighbors through exploration, stories, and art, using binoculars in the field, and by visiting with scientists from the University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab and volunteers from Five Valleys Audubon to experience their work. *All camps are FULL. Please call to be added to the waitlist. |
 |
Outdoor AdventurersJuly 18-22 If you’re looking for an action-packed week of learning new naturalist skills, this camp is for you! Have a blast while also learning some skills that might help you survive in the woods (or at least, have more fun outdoors!). We will explore natural areas around Missoula, learn about maps and animal sign, build shelters, read a compass, and much more. For our campers in grades 3-5, this week will conclude with an overnight camping trip near Grand Menard/Kries Pond. Campers in age groups PreK-K and Grades 1-2 should register for the regular version of Outdoor Adventurers. Campers in grades 3-5 will participate in an overnight trip Thursday evening of camp and should register for Outdoor Adventures—Overnight, which includes extra food costs. 3rd-5th graders cannot participate in the Grade 1-2 program. *Grades Pre-K-K and 1-2 camps are FULL (grades 3-5 camp still has room). Please call to be added to the waitlist. |
 |
Rockin’ RocksJuly 25-29 Calling all rock hounds! Jump into geology with this rockin’ good camp. We’ll start a rock collection, learn about the different types of rocks, make our own fossils to keep, and explore local areas as we investigate the amazing geology of Western Montana. At the end of the week, we’ll share what we’ve learned with a rock show for parents and other campers. *All camps are FULL. Please call to be added to the waitlist. |
 |
Amazing AnimalsAugust 1-5 Who’s that out in the woods with you? Spend a week learning all about Montana’s amazing animals, from bison to bats. We will explore local natural areas to learn about habitats and search for creatures and their sign. Through exploration, art, stories, and games we’ll learn what Montana’s animals do, where they live, what they eat, and why they are so important to have around. Amazing Animals camps are offered for age groups PreK-K and grades 1-2. Students entering grades 3-5 who wish to attend camp this week should register for Animal Adventurers camp (see below). 3rd-5th graders cannot participate in the Grade 1-2 program. *Both Pre-K and grades 1-2 camps are FULL. Please call to be added to the waitlist. |
|
|
Animal AdventurersAugust 1-5 This week we’ll spend our days with Animal Wonders learning about and meeting their animal ambassadors. We’ll also answer your burning questions about animals and their behavior: can you teach a tortoise to do tricks? How about a cat What do animals need in their environment to survive? The skills we learn can help us understand nature and animal behavior better, and can also be applied to any of our companions at home. This camp is open to students entering grades 3-5 in the fall of 2016. *This camp is FULL. Please call to be added to the waitlist. |
 |
Wild about Wetlands!August 8-12 Explore life in Montana’s ponds and wetlands from waddling waterfowl to tiny tadpoles! We’ll spend the week investigating nearby wetlands and learning about the importance of wetlands and the animals that use them. We’ll use waders, nets, and hand lenses to observe the aquatic critters we find, learn to identify a few wetland birds, and discover why wetlands are important places for plants, animals and people. *Grades Pre-K-K and 1-2 camps are FULL (grades 3-5 camp still has room). Please call to be added to the waitlist. |
 |
Nature’s Greatest HitsAugust 15-19 Close out your summer with a week of greatest hits from the Montana Natural History Center! This week, we’ll experience a smorgasbord of the most fun and unique camp activities from the summer, all the while exploring local natural areas and learning a lot about Montana’s nature and wildlife—from mountains to rivers, and everything in between. It’s the best of the best! *All camps are FULL. Please call to be added to the waitlist. |
Registration must be completed online. Click here to register.
2016 prices before June 1st:
• Preschool-Kindergarten camps: $176/members, $198/non-members
• 1st-2nd, and 3rd-5th grade camps: $158/members, $176/non-members
• Outdoor Adventurers–Overnight (grades 3-5, with additional food cost): $180/members, $198 non-members
• Animal Adventures camp with Animal Wonders: $180/members, $198/non-members
• Amazing Animal Educators camp with Animal Wonders (grades 6-8): $180/members, $198/non-members
2016 prices after June 1st:
• Preschool-Kindergarten camps: $195/members, $220/non-members
• 1st-2nd, and 3rd-5th grade camps: $175/members, $195/non-members
• Outdoor Adventurers–Overnight (grades 3-5, with additional food cost): $200/members, $220 non-members
• Animal Adventures camp with Animal Wonders: $200/members, $220/non-members
• Amazing Animal Educators camp with Animal Wonders (grades 6-8): $200/members, $220/non-members
MNHC memberships can be purchased annually for $50 per family.
Camper Ages
**New in 2016!** Each week, all camps will focus on the same nature-related topic, but students will be divided into camp age groups based on their school grade, and content and activities will be geared towards students in a specific grade range. This allows our instructors to plan age-appropriate activities. Camps are designed for students entering grade levels noted in the fall of 2016.
This year, we are also offering a special Animal Handler camp, in partnership with our friends at Animal Wonders, for students entering grades 6-8 in the fall.
Cancellations/Refund Policy
Program fee is refundable ONLY if a cancellation is made 30 days before the start of camp, minus a $50 non-refundable administrative fee per camp. Withdrawals after this deadline forfeit the full registration fee. Membership fees are non-refundable.
Scholarships
MNHC has limited scholarship funds and does not grant full scholarships for any program. Those interested in a partial scholarship must:
1. Fill out a scholarship request form online.
2. We will review the form and will contact you within 5 business days of receiving the completed form. At this time, if applicable, we will verbally award you a scholarship.
3. If you are awarded a scholarship, are responsible for paying the remainder of the camp fee (minus any scholarship). Your child is not registered until you pay the full remainder of the fee. Please contact MNHC to register with your payment information.
Registrations in camps are on a first come, first served basis.
