Chicago Botanic Garden

education

Campouts

PHOTO: campfire

group campouts
family campouts

Experience the Chicago Botanic Garden the way few visitors can — by sleeping over! Enjoy a low-stress camping experience, explore the outdoor classroom, take a nature hike at dusk, cook s'mores around a campfire, sleep outside and enjoy breakfast in the morning.

group Registration

Call (847) 835-8239 to check availability, to register, or for more information.

Group size
Groups of 10 to 40 children (small groups may be combined. At least one adult for every five children. Activities are geared toward children in first – fourth grade.

Times
Arrival time: 5 – 5:15 p.m. Saturday
Departure time: 8:30 a.m. Sunday

Fees
$45 per child
$15 per adult

Registration policies

parking
Please park and meet in parking
lot 6. Bring your confirmation letter with you to receive free parking. Duplicate as needed for additional drivers.

GROUP CAMPOUTS
The Garden welcomes both Girl and Boy Scouts as well as other youth groups. Smaller groups of Scouts may be combined with other groups, but a campout cannot exceed 40 children. At least one adult is required to spend the night for every five children. Activities include a dusk walk through either the McDonald Woods or the Dixon Prairie, a campfire with s'mores and night games. S'mores and breakfast will be provided. Please plan to spend the night as the Garden is unable to accommodate evening-only or "undernight" participants.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Scout leaders, please have an estimated head count (both adults and children) for your group when you register. The Garden will accept credit cards or checks for the deposit, due at registration. Please note: upon registering for campouts, you agree to the terms listed in the registration policy.

Please note the rain dates when registering for campouts and inform Scouts about both dates. Campout fees will only be refunded if both the original date AND the rain date are cancelled by the Youth Coordinator.

Registration for 2012 spring campouts is now available. Please call (847) 835-8239 for dates and information.

SCOUT CAMPOUT FEES
$45 per child
$15 per adult
Groups will pay a $200 deposit is due at the time of booking; final head count and payment are due two weeks before the campout date.

WHAT TO BRING
Bring your tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, a picnic dinner, Registered participants will receive a full gear list with their confirmation letter and deposit receipt. Dress for the weather. The Garden does not provide any camping gear. Due to limited space in the outdoor classroom, please bring a tent that is appropriate for the size of your group. The Garden is not responsible for lost items.

ACTIVITIES & SCHEDULE

  • 5 p.m. Arrive at the Garden & load gear onto the tram
  • 5:30 p.m. Ride the tram to the outdoor classroom
  • 6 p.m. Set up tents, eat picnic dinner & explore the outdoor classroom
  • 7 p.m. Hike, campfire & s'mores and night games
  • 10 p.m. "Lights out"
  • 7 a.m. Breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, and orange juice
  • 7:45 a.m. Tram ride to parking lot

LOCATION
Campouts are held in the outdoor classroom, a fenced-in garden designed especially for children and conveniently located near electricity, running water, and bathrooms.

family Registration

Call (847) 835-8239 to check availability, to register, or for more information.

Group size
Activities geared towards children 6 and up; younger siblings may attend. Limit of three children per adult, please.

Times
Arrival time: 5 – 5:15 p.m. Saturday
Departure time: 8:30 a.m. Sunday

Fees
$50 per nonmember child
$20 per nonmember adult
Garden Plus Members receive 20% off

Registration policies

parking
Please park and meet in parking
lot 6. Bring your confirmation letter with you to receive free parking.

FAMILY CAMPOUTS
Pack up your family for a comfortable, fun, one-of-a-kind camping event at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Bring your own tent, flashlights, camping gear, picnic dinner and don't forget to dress for the weather. Campers will walk through Dixon Prairie at dusk and once the stars come out, enjoy a campfire, s'mores and a bedtime story, then drift off to sleep in your garden bed. S'mores and breakfast will be provided. Campout activities are geared for children ages 6 and up, though younger children may attend; please call (847) 835-8239 for registration, program details and payment. At least one adult is required for every three children. Please plan to spend the night as the Garden is unable to accommodate evening-only or "undernight" participants. For evening family programs at the Garden, please explore Nature Nights.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Please call (847) 835-8239 for more information and to check availability. Please note the rain date for your campout. For Family Campouts, two weeks' notice of cancellation is required to receive a full refund less a $20 processing fee. In the case of low-enrollment cancellation, a full refund will be issued. Please note: upon registering for campouts, you agree to the terms listed in the registration policy.

FAMILY CAMPOUT – NOW AVAILABLE FOR REGISTRATION
Saturday, July 28 (rain date Friday, August 3)

WHAT TO BRING
Bring your tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, a picnic dinner, and remember to dress for the weather! Registered participants will receive a full gear list with their confirmation letter and deposit receipt. Dress for the weather. The Garden does not provide any camping gear. Due to limited space in the outdoor classroom, please bring a tent that is appropriate for the size of your group. The Garden is not responsible for lost items.

ACTIVITIES & SCHEDULE

  • 5 p.m. Arrive at the Garden & load gear onto the tram
  • 5:30 p.m. Ride the tram to the outdoor classroom
  • 6 p.m. Set up tents, eat picnic dinner & explore the outdoor classroom
  • 7 p.m. Hike, campfire & s'mores and night games
  • 9:30 p.m. "Lights out"
  • 7 a.m. Breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, and orange juice
  • 7:45 a.m. Tram ride to parking lot

LOCATION
Campouts are held in the Outdoor Classroom, a fenced-in garden designed especially for children and conveniently located near electricity, running water and bathrooms.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
Please note the rain dates when registering. Campout fees will only be refunded if both the original date AND the rain date are cancelled by the Garden. In the event of a rainy forecast, Chicago Botanic Garden staff will contact you Saturday morning to reschedule for the selected rain date. In the event of rain during the night, a covered shelter is available for campers.