Youth Summer Camps 2023
The Montana Natural History Center hosts a variety of hands-on nature exploration camps for youth. Our mission is to promote and cultivate the appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of nature through education. Youth summer programs focus on getting kids out in nature, exploring public lands in and around the Missoula area, and exploring things that ignite curiosity and passion for nature. This summer, join us for the following summer camps:
Outdoor Discovery Day Camps: Join us for nature adventures in summer 2023. Our camp age groups are as follows:
- Pre-K – Kindergarten*
- 1st – 2nd Grade
- 3rd – 5th Grade
*4 and up: Must be able to use the restroom independently.
The Montana Natural History Center is hosting a total of 10 weeks of camp. Each theme week runs twice throughout the summer.
Camps run from 9:30-3:30. Before and aftercare is available for free for those who need it (no extra charge, no additional registration) from 8:30-9:30 & 3:30-5:30.
Cost: $315 for members, $335 for non-members
Dates and Themes
Nature Detectives
Nature Detectives (Session I: June 12-16, Session II: July 24-28)
Nature is full of discoveries waiting to be unearthed, and mysteries waiting to be solved! This week, we’ll follow our curiosity as we investigate local nature—from plants to insects to birds to unidentified objects. We’ll use naturalist tools like binoculars, microscopes, nets, field guides, and our own creativity to ask questions, find clues, collect evidence, and solve mysteries about the world around us.
Water Wonders
Water Wonders (Session I: June 19-23, Session II: July 31 – August 1)
Summer is a great time to fish Montana’s rivers and ponds. Wade right in this week and get ready to reel in adventure. We’ll explore stream ecology, learn about fish and their ecosystems, discover how fish grow and survive, practice our fishing techniques, and try to catch the big one!
Rockin' Rocks
Rockin’ Rocks (Session I: June 26-30, Session II: August 7-11)
Calling all rock-hounds and fossil lovers: join us for a rockin’ good week of camp! Experience the rock cycle, investigate the different types of rocks and fossils, start a rock collection, create rock art, and explore the geography of local natural areas as we dig in and discover the geology of Montana.Â
Nature's Architects
Nature’s Architects (Session I: July 10-14, Session II: August 14-18)
Nature has many incredible builders. From beavers to bees to streams, all sorts of nature’s wonders can build and create. Join us this week to explore Nature’s Architects and engineer and build a few things along the way.
Citizen Scientists
Citizen Scientists (Session I: July 17-21, Session II: August 21-25)
Did you know that anyone can be a scientist? This week is all about collecting data and learning more about the scientific method. We will explore our community and help our ecosystems by becoming citizen scientists! This can look like collecting water samples, counting birds, or discovering what biodiversity can mean for our community.
Butterfly House & Insectarium Collaboration: We’re collaborating with the Missoula Butterfly House for two weeks of camp this year!
Grades 1-2: June 12-16
Grades 3-5: June 26-30
**Please note: These two camps are not eligible for member discounts or scholarships.
Creative Creatures (Grades 1-2: June 12-16; Grades 3-5: June 26-30)
This camp sits right at the exciting intersection of art and science. Each day we’re going to create art projects inspired by nature! Thanks to our partnership with the Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium we’ll be holding live Bug Ambassadors from around the world and will go on bug hunts to look for local ones to inspire our creative projects. Whether we’re holding bugs, observing the natural world, or creating art, we’re going to have a STEAM-tastic time together. This camp is perfect for all young bug, nature, AND art lovers alike!
The STEEM Program provides middle school girls with a professional mentorship opportunity while simultaneously building their confidence and competence in the sciences.Â
The Summer Institute focuses on a different STEEM topic each week. The week is spent building trust, confidence, and courage in the fields of science, technology, engineering, environment, and math. Activities include hands-on experiential learning opportunities with leaders in STEEM fields, practice in science communication, and setting personal goals for professional and academic careers.Â
This year, we have expanded our programming to include four weeks of camp!Â
- June 19-23: Sustainability
- July 10-14: Limnology
- July 24-28: Forestry
- August 7-11: Wildlife
Cost: $230 for members, $250 for non-members
Duration: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm*
*Some camp weeks may have an overnight element.Â
Please feel free to contact our Camps Coordinator, Alyssa Giffin, if you have any questions.
High School Girls Conservation Corps
MNHC is partnering with the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation to host an overnight backpacking trip. For these few days, girls ages 16-17 will be hiking in the Bob Marshall Wilderness with guides and MNHC staff to learn about conservation, do some trail work, nature journal, and enjoy the fresh mountain air. Please reach out to our Camps Coordinator, Alyssa Giffin for more information:
Cost: $300
Click on the links below to read more about the 2023 Summer Camp Season!
Apply for a Scholarship
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Registration Information
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Camp Notes
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Meet the Instructors:
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.