Garden Camps
Knowledge and fun bloom year-round with the Garden’s updated schedule of day camps offered to children and youth ages 5 – 12.
SOLD OUT: gARTen Camp
February 17 – 19, ages 7 – 9
Spring Celebration Camp
April 9 – 11, ages 6 – 8
Summer Camp
Registration opens Friday, Jan. 31 at 9 a.m.
Magic in the Garden
Dates and Ages:
SOLD OUT: June 2 – 6, ages 5 – 7
SOLD OUT: June 9 – 13, ages 7 – 10
Adventures in the Garden
Dates and Ages
SOLD OUT: June 23 – 27, ages 7 – 10
Seeds to Snacks
Dates and Ages:
July 7 – 11, ages 9 – 12
SOLD OUT: July 14 – 18, ages 7 – 9
SOLD OUT: July 21 – 25, ages 6 – 8
SOLD OUT: gARTen Camp
Get inspired at the Garden! Join us as we turn the beauty of the garden into new works of art including watercolor, printmaking, collage and more.
Dates: Monday, Feb. 17 – Wednesday, Feb. 19
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: 7 – 9
Fee: $225 (Member $200)
Registration Deadline: January 31
Spring Celebration Camp
Celebrate the wonders of Spring while we explore and learn about the Garden’s new blooms, plants, and wildlife.
Dates: Wednesday, April 9 – Friday, April 11
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: 6 – 8
Fee: $225 (Member $200)
Registration Deadline: March 26
SOLD OUT: Magic in the Garden
From Alice in Wonderland to Enchanted Trees, magic will be all over the garden this summer. Join us and discover how the natural beauty of the Garden mixes with magic! Campers will spend each day exploring the Garden, making magical art and playing games.
Dates:
SOLD OUT: June 2 – 6, ages 5 – 7
SOLD OUT: June 9 – 13, ages 7 – 10
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fee: $375 (Member $350)
SOLD OUT: Adventures in the Garden
Explore and discover the marvelous world of the Atlanta Botanical Garden. From tantalizing rainforests to mysterious bogs, campers will spend each day learning about the plants and animals living in the Garden. With the Garden as our inspiration, we will create art, play fun games and go on Garden adventures.
Dates:
SOLD OUT: June 23 – 27, ages 7 – 10
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fee: $375 (Member $350)
Seeds to Snacks
Taste the Garden’s fresh fruits, herbs, and vegetables and discover how they can be used to make delicious snacks. From the plants’ origins in the Edible Garden to their preparation in the classroom, campers will discover how plants grow into the foods they enjoy. Every day we will transform seasonal and freshly picked produce into delicious snacks and will explore the techniques of growing food through games, art and science activities. *Please note: this camp does not include lunch prepared at the garden. Campers must bring a packed lunch.
Dates and Ages:
July 7 – 11, ages 9 – 12
SOLD OUT: July 14 – 18, ages 7 – 9
SOLD OUT: July 21 – 25, ages 6 – 8
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fee: $475 (Member $450)
Ages 9 – 12
SOLD OUT: Ages 7 – 9
SOLD OUT: Ages 6 – 8
Garden Break Camp FAQs
How many campers are enrolled each week and what is your camper to teacher ratio?
School break camp teacher ratio: The maximum number of campers in each school break camp is 14. They will be joined by 2 teachers.
Summer camp teacher ratio: 21 campers are enrolled each week. Two teachers will be with the group the entire time with a third staff member rotating in and out of the group as needed. For the cooking camps, we have an additional 3 – 4 volunteers and a chef so we can ensure adequate supervision during cooking activities. Those extra adults help us break campers into groups of 4 – 5 so they can each participate closely with the cooking activities.
Are you a nut free camp?
Yes! We are a nut-free camp.
What kinds of things do you cook during the cooking camp?
Each day campers will get a chance to harvest and/or investigate where food comes from in order to make a morning and afternoon snack. Examples include the following:
- Homemade focaccia with various toppings (some from the Edible Garden!)
- Apple cinnamon muffins
- Fresh scones and homemade fig jam
Can you accommodate food allergies?
Yes! We will do our absolute best and will work with the parents to ensure that each camper has options to eat throughout the day. We cannot always change our menu for a food allergy, but we can offer a store bought alternative. For example, if a camper has a gluten allergy and we are making homemade flour tortillas, at the time of eating, we will offer the camper store bought corn tortillas. If we are making strawberry lemon tiramisu, we won’t be able to make gluten free lady fingers, but we could give the camper a gluten free sugar cookie to top with the tiramisu toppings.
What do you do if a camper doesn’t want to try something?
We do not force campers to try foods they aren’t comfortable with eating. We will always encourage campers to try what they made, but we do not require them to try everything. What they choose to eat is entirely up to them.
What is your refund policy?
School break camp refund policy: Full refunds will be granted if requested at least 4 weeks before the start of camp. If a refund is requested less than 4 weeks before the start of camp, they will only be granted if the vacancy is filled.
Summer camp refund policy: A $50 administration fee will be charged for refunds requested before May 1. After May 1, a $50 administration fee will be charged and the remaining balance will only be refunded if the vacancy is filled.
Summer camp registration opens online only on February 1, at 9 a.m.
How much time do you spend in the Garden?
Our camp is based in the Mershon Hall Children’s Classroom. Every morning we go on a Garden adventure. Additionally, we are outside for lunch and free time (weather permitting) and outside again for a brief afternoon activity. Each day of camp we try to visit a different area of the Garden.
What are some of the activities the campers do during Garden-based (non-cooking) camps?
Each day we explore a theme, such as rainforest, meat-eating plants, fairies, flowers, etc. We may make a flower crown, dig for earthworms, dissect a pitcher plant to see what kinds of bugs it has been eating, sculpt an imaginary dragon egg, plant a terrarium, or play a pollination relay race. When planning our schedule, each day will include Garden explorations/observations, an open-ended art activity, and lots of games.
What are your COVID-19 precautions?
We will follow CDC recommendations to keep campers safe.
Do you have before or after care?
Unfortunately, we do not offer before or after care for our camps. Camp drop-off begins as early as 8:45 a.m. and all campers must be picked up by 4:05 p.m. Parents will be charged $1 per minute after 4:05 for a late pickup.
Do you provide snacks?
No – we are not providing snacks this year. Campers will need to bring their own snacks, ideally packed separately from their lunch. We have 2 snack times every day (once around 10:30 a.m. and again around 2:30 p.m.)
Do you visit the Splash Pad?
School Break Camps: No. Campers attending in the Fall, Winter or Spring will not visit the splash pad during their camp.
Summer Camps: Yes. Weather (and COVID-19) permitting, we visit the splash pad on Fridays.
What expectations do you have for younger campers?
We expect all campers to take care of their own personal needs and property. Campers should be able to go to the bathroom on their own, change their own clothes, and carry their own bag. We also expect campers to follow directions and stay with the group so we can keep everyone safe.
What is your medicine policy?
Campers are not allowed to bring any medications, prescription or over-the-counter, to camp. The only exceptions are Epipens, an inhaler, or other life-saving medication that must be with your camper during the camp day. If your child brings Epipens, they need to be clearly labeled with his/her name on it and they must always carry it with them (a light backpack or fanny pack is recommended.) Please bring the Epipen set instead of an individual dose. Contact us at ktraina@atlantabg.org if you would like to discuss possible exceptions to this rule.