Summer Camp in Des Moines is taking a walk on the wild side!
Botanical Garden summer camps in Des Moines allow youth to explore the natural world through the lens of their favorite activities. Using the gardens as unique classrooms, our summer day camps inspire youth to create and explore with hands-on experiments, plantings, games and crafts.
All camps run 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and are designed for students in first through fifth grade in fall 2024.
All camps are capped at 14 participants.
2024 Summer Camps
All camps run 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and are designed for students entering first through fifth grade in fall 2024.
All camps are capped at 14 participants.
Summer Camp registration opens Thursday, January 4 for members
Summer Camp registration opens Thursday, January 11 for nonmembers at 11 a.m.
Check out our School Break Day Camps.
Spots are filling fast so grab your spot today!
June 17-21: Junior Botanists – FULL
Learn how plant scientists think, explore, and discover the amazing world of plants as we dive into botanical dissections, plantings, and experiments. With curiosity at its core, this camp is perfect for young budding scientists looking to grow their understanding of the plant kingdom!
June 24-28: Wilderness Rangers – FULL
Become a protector of nature from the plants and animals of your backyard, to endangered species all over the globe! Discover how all parts of nature work together through plantings, wilderness exploration, and discovery of wildlife hiding right under your nose.
July 8-12: Garden Artists – FULL!
The Botanical Garden’s collection of plants and unique garden spaces inspire creativity to artists of all ages. With unlimited prompts from nature, campers will explore their creative side as they grow their artistic expression through painting, sculpting, garden design, flower arranging, and more!
This camp is also offered July 22-26. These camps are identical, so there’s no need to register for more than one.
July 15-19: Garden Artists – FULL
The Botanical Garden’s collection of plants and unique garden spaces inspire creativity in artists of all ages. With unlimited prompts from nature, campers will explore their creative side as they grow their artistic expression through painting, sculpting, garden design, flower arranging, and more!
This camp is also offered July 15-19. These camps are identical, so there’s no need to register for more than one.
July 22-26: Magic in the Garden – FULL
Experience the magic of the Garden through science experiments and imagination. Students will channel their inner wizard as they are sorted into houses, assigned a plant patronus, and create their own magic wand! Enrollment will ensure proficiency in botanical potions, herbology, plant defenses against the dark arts, and more!
This camp is also offered July 29-August 2. These camps are identical, so there’s no need to register for more than one.
July 29-August 2: Magic in the Garden – FULL!
Experience the magic of the Garden through science experiments and imagination. Students will channel their inner wizard as they are sorted into houses, assigned a plant patronus, and create their own magic wand! Enrollment will ensure proficiency in botanical potions, herbology, plant defenses against the dark arts, and more!
This camp is also offered July 22-26. These camps are identical, so there’s no need to register for more than one.
August 5-9: Wonderful Water – FULL!
Discover the unsuspecting force that makes life on Earth possible–water! From the first plants that emerged from deep, dark oceans to predatory aquatic plants lurking in the world today, investigate the vital connection between plants and water.
August 5-9: NEW! Guardians of the Garden – FULL
Team up with the best gardeners in the galaxy as we dig up secrets about the awesome power of plants from all corners of the globe. From medicine and food, to engineering and building materials, plants might just be the heroes this world needs.
Camp Logistics
All camps are designed for students entering first through fifth grade in fall 2024.
All camps are capped at 14 participants.
Prices are listed per child per camp and includes a camp souvenir, supplies for all activities and multiple projects to take home and enjoy.
Youth should bring a sack lunch to enjoy. Refrigeration is not provided.
Multi-Age Classrooms
Advantages and benefits to cross-grade learning:
Encourages youth of all ages to learn together
Promotes cooperation and mentoring
Children learn at their own pace
Younger children look for guidance from the older students
Older students organically develop leadership skills
Allows older children to revisit and fully understand complex concepts while the younger students are being introduced to the idea
Educators have the capability to work with children individually or in a group with similar abilities and understanding regardless of age