Kids can have a wild summer at these family favorite animal and nature camps near Los Angeles! Parents are sharing their picks for the best local summer camps where kids can explore the outdoors, learn about the environment, and get up close with animals. Check the map to find one near you.

If your kid has gone to one of these nature and animal summer camps, please add a comment to share your review! Or submit a new recommendation to tell us about another camp we should add to the list.

Find more parent-recommended options for all interests on our Los Angeles summer camp guide.


 
    Oak Canyon Nature Center - OAKS Day Camp

     (2810.3 mi)

    1 week, half day

    $110

    Age 5-12

    Erynn:  OAKS Day Camp will get kids out and explore nature with programs that introduce them to themed art, nature, Native American traditions, games, and more!

    Ocean Institute Summer Camps

     (2810.3 mi)

    1 week, half & full day

    $320-$580

    Age 5-17

    Erynn:  Kids have the opportunity to learn about ocean habitats, the animals that live there, and to go on appropriate ocean adventures, including boating trips and eco-expeditions in the Dana Point Marine Protected Area.

    Environmental Nature Center - Summer Nature Camps

     (2822.6 mi)

    One Week Sessions

    Half Day Camp

    $275-$325/session

    4-13 years

    The Environmental Nature Center's Summer Nature Camps fill up quickly and that's because each day is filled with a variety of fun hands-on and nature-themed learning activities. Campers spend most of their time outside getting to use microscopes and binoculars to observe nature in action. Science concepts are introduced with crafts, games, and fun activities.

    LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden - Summer Nature Camp

     (2827.8 mi)

    1 week, full day

    $430

    Age 4-10

    Kelly R.:  The Arboretum's summer camp program boasts a low camper-to-counselor ratio, a unique theme for each weekly session, and include counselor-guided exploration of the gardens, scavenger hunts, and classes in art, gardening, and science. Themes include Critter Camp, Budding Artist, Cosmic Camp, and Mystery Science Camp.

    Child Educational Center - Descanso Discoveries

     (2838.4 mi)

    One Week Sessions

    Full Day Camp

    $590/week

    Entering 1st-7th Grade

    Children will enjoy adventurous weeks with a stimulating learning atmosphere at Descanso Discoveries Summer Camp. Descanso Gardens teams up with Child Educational Center to bring campers child-initiated discoveries by tending to their own garden plots, preparing healthful snacks in an outdoor kitchen, and exploring nature with both science and art-based activities.

    Aquarium of the Pacific - Aquarium Summer Camp

     (2840.9 mi)

    1 week, half day

    $285

    Age 7-12

    Dive into fun at the Aquarium of the Pacific's Summer Camp. Each week, campers will learn all about animal adaptations and habitats. There will be opportunities for animal interactions, fun activities, games and more!

    Los Angeles Zoo - Zoo Camp

     (2843.8 mi)

    1 week, full day

    $400

    Grade K-8

    Kelly R.:  Kids get up close and personal with the animals at Los Angeles Zoo's Zoo Camp! Campers explore the zoo through a series of animal experiences, tours, games, activities, and more.

    Natural History Museum - Adventures in Nature Day Camp

     (2845.3 mi)

    1 week, full day

    $350

    Grade K-5

    Kelly R.:  The Natural History Museum invites kids to participate in hands-on weekly science and nature summer camps that are themed around museum topics like dinosaurs, oceans and treasures from the Tar Pits.

    Star Eco Station - Summer Camp

     (2852.2 mi)

    1 week, full day

    $475

    Grade TK-9

    Kiddos get the exciting opportunity to learn about exotic animals during the Eco Station summer camp at the environmental science museum and exotic wildlife rescue facility. Each week focuses on fun themes: Marvelous Mammals, Surfing Safari: All things Aquatic!, Winged Wonders, Reptiles Rock, and more. Throughout the camp, kiddos will also learn simple ways to protect the environment and learn how to feed and care for rescued wildlife.

    Ballona Discovery Nature Camp

     (2855.0 mi)

    One Week Sessions

    Full Day Camp

    $300/session, scholarships available

    8-11 years

    At Ballona Discovery Nature camp, their educational activities meet California curriculum standards. The camp focus is on nature in an urban environment where campers get to explore different wildlife of the wetlands. Through various science-based activities and projects, campers will also learn about the importance of water and its role in wetlands, the oceans, and more. Campers will dive into different workshops during the day, and field trips are part of the itineraries, too.

    Wildlife Learning Center - Summer Zoology Camp

     (2855.9 mi)

    One Week Sessions

    Half Day Camp

    $395/session

    6-12 years

    Kelly R.:  Young animal lovers can spend a week getting up close and personal with Wildlife Learning Center's displaced, rescued, and zoo-born animals, including foxes, porcupines, tortoises, and more. Campers experience what it's like to be a zookeeper from the facility's wildlife biologists, who guide kids through learning about the facility's animals, preparing diets, maintaining enclosures, providing veterinary care, and training. The week wraps up with campers delivering a presentation for friends and family.

    LA Nature Kids - Summer Camp

     (2856.8 mi)

    Weekly Sessions

    Full Day Camp

    $100/day

    5-10 years

    At LA Nature Kids, their motto is "school might be closed, but nature is always open!" LA Nature Kids takes the kid-driven approach where they offer unstructured daily adventures that focus on free play and outdoor exploration. Kiddos observe animals, plants, and enjoy drawing inspiration from nature when creating tools, toys, and more.

    Heal The Bay Aquarium - Science Camp

     (2859.5 mi)

    1 week, full day

    $350

    Grade PreK-8

    Kelly R.:  Campers will discover and explore ocean animals through fun science experiments, activities, games, and crafts at Heal The Bay Aquarium's Science Camp!

    Camp Wildcraft

     (2869.0 mi)

    1 week, full day

    $475

    Age 4-15

    Kelly R.:  Days at Camp Wildcraft are spent deepening respect for the natural world through a series of guided activities and exploration, with a special focus on appreciating nature through art. Campers participate in nature hikes, identify animals and plants, and create nature-inspired mixed media art. Kids can explore individual interests in subjects ranging from watercolor painting to woodworking.

    Underwood Family Farms - Farm Camp

     (2881.9 mi)

    1 week, half day

    $300

    Age 5-14

    Erynn:  Kids can become little farmers with this hands-on camp at Underwood Family Farms. They'll learn real-world tasks like how to shear sheep and grow food. They'll play games, do crafts, put on an animal show, and bring home fresh produce, too.

Primary photo:   Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.

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