Eco Explorers Summer Camps
It is time to get excited for summer as the Arboretum gets ready to host our annual Eco Explorers Summer Camps! Campers will be immersed in the beauty of nature while utilizing our 200 acre outdoor classroom to enjoy unforgettable hands-on learning and the opportunity to meet other adventurous kids like them! Campers must be prepared to be outdoors most of the day weather permitting.
Camps will be held Monday – Friday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm for kids ages 5-11.
Member early registration price is $290 only through March. *Your membership must be current through the date of your child’s camp.
General registration opens April 1st at $360.00 per camper.
5 scholarships are available for each session. Please fill out the scholarship application for consideration. Opens April 1st.
Please note that camps are held at the Arboretum and require parent transportation to and from camp each day via Woody Mountain Rd.
**Refunds will not be given for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the start of your registered camp. Cancellations more than 14 days prior to the start of your registered camp will receive a 50% refund.
Email questions to Helena.Murray@thearb.org
Scroll down for camp descriptions and dates.
Wilderness Explorers June 8-12
Get ready for an exciting adventure in the great outdoors! Campers will embark on daily expeditions through the Arboretum’s grounds, gardens and trails, learning basic outdoor skills like using a compass for navigation, identifying landmarks, and reading maps. Along the way, campers will discover the secrets of the wild, such as spotting animal tracks and understanding the importance of Leave No Trace principles. This week is perfect for young explorers ready to build confidence, teamwork, and a deeper connection to nature. This week ends in a camp out under the stars for campers ages 8-11. *Additional fee for camp out.
Garden Guardians June 15-19
Calling all Garden Guardians! This week, campers become protectors of the Arboretum as they uncover the hidden world of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and more. Through daily garden explorations, active games, and hands-on projects like building bee hotels, kids learn how pollinators help plants grow and why they need our help. Campers will explore colorful blooms, observe pollinators up close, and discover simple ways to care for gardens and wild spaces. By the end of the week, every camper leaves knowing they play an important role in keeping our gardens healthy and buzzing.
Birds of a Feather Jun 29-Jul 3
Get ready to look up! At Bird Discovery Camp, campers dive into the incredible world of birds through unforgettable, up-close experiences This camp offers a structured, science-based exploration of birds and ecosystems through activities that emphasize experiential learning and direct observation. Campers participate in daily educational sessions using live birds of prey as part of carefully designed activities that connect raptor biology, behavior, ecology and conservation science.
All raptor programming is led by Dr. Michele Losee, founder of the International Raptor & Falconry Center, a Raptor Ecologist, Master Falconer and Educator with more than two decades of experience. Live raptors are integrated into activities that support understanding of behavior, predator-prey relationships, flight and hunting adaptations, and the role raptors play in healthy ecosystems.
Campers also participate in field activities, species identification by sight and sound and habitat exploration where kids discover the vital role birds play in biodiversity and why protecting habitats helps both wildlife and people.
Weird Plant Science July 6-10
Plants are stranger than you think! At Weird Plant Science Camp, campers dive into the unexpected side of the plant world, from bizarre seed pods and surprising plant chemistry to the hidden networks of fungi and roots beneath our feet. Through hands-on experiments and close-up investigation, kids discover how plants grow, survive, and do some truly strange things. Campers will explore native plants of the Colorado Plateau, investigate how plants make color, and uncover the underground connections that keep ecosystems alive. This curiosity-driven week is perfect for kids who love asking “why,” getting their hands dirty, and discovering that science can be weird, wild, and fun.
Creature Detectives July 13-17
This week campers investigate the Arboretum to uncover the many animals that call it home, from tiny insects and hidden amphibians to mammals that move through forests and fields. Through guided nature hikes and up-close animal encounters, kids learn how animals survive and adapt within their environments, discovering the connections between habitat, behavior, and survival.
Campers will search for animal signs like tracks, scat, and burrows, building real wildlife detective skills as they observe carefully, ask questions, and piece together clues left behind in nature. Along the way they’ll practice scientific thinking, teamwork, and respectful outdoor ethics while developing confidence exploring the natural world. Each day blends hands-on investigation, creative games, and expert guidance from our educators to spark curiosity, independence, and a lifelong appreciation for local wildlife.
Membership, Donations, Nursery
NATIVE PLANT NURSERY
Our greenhouse grown native plants are the best choice for your high elevation garden.
The Arboretum at Flagstaff is a charitable 501(C)(3) organization located in the Coconino National Forest in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Arboretum relies on contributions to support its hands-on and educational mission. Your tax deductible donation helps sustain this local treasure.
Thank You To Our 2026 Season Sponsors!
Click below to become a sponsor, if you have questions about sponsorship email: nate.omeara@thearb.org
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