In addition to classic nature camp activities, “No Backbone” campers learn what insects, slugs, rollie-pollies and centipedes have in common. They have no spine! It takes some amazing and wild adaptations to be a creature with no backbone in the natural world. Campers will investigate decomposers, pollinators, predator-prey relationships and games that help us understand the strange characteristics of invertebrates.

For all the details about what your child needs for camp, camp forms and our Summer Camp FAQs, click here!

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

9:30 am-11:30 am

Let your little ones aged 3 to 4 years experience nature this summer! Your children will make summer discoveries as they explore the habitats around the Nature Center. Each week children will meet live animals, hike and play games. Bring a snack, water bottle, a change of clothes and sturdy shoes that can get muddy (No Crocs or flipflops, please.).

Sign up per session.

Members: $76.50, Nonmembers: $90

Join us at the Nature Center for a week of outdoor fun! Each morning we’ll start off with free play as campers arrive and check in. Throughout the day, campers will hike, have live animal encounters, and participate in games and activities that relate to the theme of the week.  Please provide a morning snack, non-perishable lunch, water bottle and change of clothes.  Sturdy shoes that can get wet and muddy are essential at camp! No crocs or flip flops.

9 am – 1 pm

Members: $200, Nonmembers: $235

Staggered drop off and pick up times according to camper’s last name:
(A-H 8:30 am – 3:30 pm),
(I-Q 8:45 am – 3:45 pm),
(R-Z 9 am -4pm)

Members: $310, Nonmembers: $365

Staggered drop off and pick up times according to camper’s last name:
(A-H 8:30 am – 3:30 pm),
(I-Q 8:45 am – 3:45 pm),
(R-Z 9 am -4pm)
Members: $310, Nonmembers: $365

Staggered drop off and pick up times according to camper’s last name:
(A-H 8:30 am – 3:30 pm),
(I-Q 8:45 am – 3:45 pm),
(R-Z 9 am -4pm)
Members: $310, Nonmembers: $365

Get fired up! Campers learn skills associated with different styles of fire building while understanding the importance of fire safety. Campers compete in fire-starting challenges and even do some campfire cooking during this popular survival skills week. 

Staggered drop off and pick up times according to camper’s last name:
(A-H 8:30 am – 3:30 pm),
(I-Q 8:45 am – 3:45 pm),
(R-Z 9 am -4pm)
Members: $310, Nonmembers: $365

M,W,F @ DPNC

T,Th @ MMOA

$350 members/ $415 Non Members *May be a member of either organization.

Explore and create in this cooperative camp opportunity that will bring out the nature-loving artist in your child. This shared camp between the Mystic Museum of Art (MMOA) and DPNC will use the natural landscape of the grounds and it’s animal residents as inspiration for constructing sculptures, textiles, sketches, paintings and more! Discover the wonderful sounds, patterns, colors and rhythms of animals and how that can be translated into art. Get ready to go wild for animals and art!