Hundreds of children explore the wonders of the natural world at NH Audubon’s summer and vacation camps.
See registration links below.
For questions about camp at McLane Center in Concord, please contact Shelby Morelli by email or call 603-224-9909 x333.
For questions about camp at Massabesic Center in Auburn, please contact Slater Roosa by email or call 603-668-2045.
Financial Assistance is Available! NH Audubon is pleased to offer financial assistance to families who may be in need thanks to the contributions of members and past camp families, and generous donations from local organizations. Funding is available on a first come, first served and need-driven basis, with household income as a calculated factor. Please contact the camp office for an application.
Camp Discounts: NH Audubon Family Memberships include a 10% discount on camp rates for Explorers & Wonders aged campers. Become a member at the time of registration to help support NH Audubon’s mission and receive your savings.
COVID policy (subject to change): masks are recommended but not required inside the buildings. Masks are not required outdoors.
Before and After Care: Before Care will begin at 8:00am and After Care will go until 5:00pm.
June 26-August 25
For campers ages 4-15.
This summer we return to our regular nature day camp, in-person at McLane Center in Concord and Massabesic Center in Auburn.
Wonders/LIT: $180 Member/$200 Non-Member
Discovery/Explorers: $270 Member/$300 Non-Member
9am–noon (estimated)
Note: Wonders will be held at the Massabesic Center for Session 1-4 and at the McLane Center for Session 5-9.
This half-day session gives your child the opportunity to begin experiencing the wonders of camp. Our instructors develop age appropriate activities that connect your little one to the natural world.
9am–4pm (estimated)
Discovery Campers spend their days exploring nature and making new discoveries. Activities include short hikes, pond explorations, craft making, storytelling, interactive nature-based games, and live animal presentations.
9am–4pm (estimated)
Explorer campers will spend their days learning about the wildlife and landscapes within the diverse habitats around the Center, explore how we take care of our ambassador animals, and work together on projects focused on conservation and stewardship.
*See special Conservation Quest filmmaking camp during Session 7 for ages 10-14 at Massabesic Center*
9am–4pm (estimated)
Participants work alongside camp counselors to hone their skills as leaders. Learn how to plan the day’s activities and maintain the safety of your group. This is the perfect opportunity for those wishing to become future camp counselors. Participants must complete an application process and have finished grade 7. Download the LIT application.
Session 1: June 26-30
THE WORLD BELOW US
Dig deep into the mysteries of the dirty things in our forest. Discover the importance of soil, fungus, and the critters that help our forest decompose. Learn about insects, compost, and scavengers! Campers should come prepared to get dirty during this week filled with activities aimed at getting us up close and personal with the mucky and messy side of the natural world.
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Session 2: July 5-7
POLLINATOR POWER
Discussing the relationships between plants and their pollinator pals by introducing campers to the basics of plant anatomy and entomophilous (insect!) pollination. From beetles and ants to moths and butterflies, explore the unique and specialized insects that rely on plants for their energy needs. Explore our gardens and learn ways in which we can help these amazing creatures.
Session 3: July 10-14
SURVIVAL STRATEGIES
Explore our sanctuaries through the eyes of a coyote or black bear. How do these animals survive in the forest? What might we learn from them to help us survive? Our most popular session is back complete with fire building and safety, edible plants walks and developing the skills to not get lost in the woods. These sessions fill early. Register soon to ensure your space.
Session 4: July 17-21
WHOOO IS OUT AT NIGHT?
Spend time learning all about the animals that come out at night. Talk about bats, owls, fireflies, and more, and discover how they have adapted to thrive in the dark. What’s your favorite nocturnal animal?
Session 5: July 24-28
WET AND WILD
Ever wonder where our water comes from? Join us as we examine the intricate nature of our local water shed. Follow a drop of water as it falls from the sky and makes its journey through the water shed. We explore the habitat surrounding Great Turkey Pond and Lake Massabesic in search of plants and animals. Games and activities will have you exploring our wetlands for aquatic creatures and playing watery games.
Session 6: July 31-August 4
COLD BLOODED CREATURES
Explore the natural world through the eyes of a herpetologist. This session is all about the reptiles and amphibians that call New Hampshire home. What makes reptiles and amphibians so unique? We will spend lots of time getting to know the ones that live in our centers. Then we will head out on adventures to discover how many we can locate in the forests, fields, and wetlands that surround us.
Session 7: August 7-11
SURVIVAL STRATEGIES
Explore our sanctuaries through the eyes of a coyote or black bear. How do these animals survive in the forest? What might we learn from them to help us survive? Our most popular session is back complete with fire building and safety, edible plants walks and developing the skills to not get lost in the woods. These sessions fill early. Register soon to ensure your space.
**New This Year: Conservation Quest filmmaking camp for Ages 10-14 at Massabesic Center**
Conservation Quest Camp is a filmmaking partnership experience with Media Power Youth all about outdoor adventures and protecting our natural world. Campers will hit the trails and create video footage of wildlife, while learning about endangered species in NH. Campers will learn how to harness media for good by producing short films that advocate for the conservation of these species. Join us for this unique week of camp and learn more about filming techniques, scripting, storyboarding, editing, leadership, and collaboration while you and your film team spend the week making a complete film!
Media Power Youth is a youth development organization that inspires young people to engage with media in thoughtful and creative ways that support well-being.
Session 8: August 14-18
WINGS AND THINGS
Unlock the mysteries of flight by studying the birds, bats, insects and other flying creatures around us. Experiment by designing and building your own flying craft and seeing how far it can go. This session is complete with up-close encounters with flying creatures that call our nature centers home.
Session 9: August 21-25
NEW HAMPSHIRE WILDLIFE
Dive into a wide variety of wildlife, including plants and animals, plus their interactions and habitats. It’s a little bit of everything for everyone, with a focus on things you might see in both the wilds and the backyards of New Hampshire.
April 24-28, 2023
For campers ages 6-12.
In person April Vacation Camp is held at the McLane Center in Concord only. Camp runs all day, from 9am-4pm.
Member: $55/Day
Non-Member: $65/Day
9am – 4pm (Camper drop off begins at 8:30am)
Spring vacation camp is the perfect way to prepare for a season of outdoor exploration and discovery. Each day is designed to build the skills of budding naturalists through hands-on activities, storytelling, crafts, games, outdoor exploration, and live animal observation. Register for the individual days or participate in the entire week. Children should bring lunch and snacks and be prepared to spend much of each day outside.
Meet Assistant Camp Directors Ari Leo and Henry Harman As a child, Ari was a frequent visitor of the Massabesic Center to explore the trails, see the animal ambassadors, and
Nature Day Camp is overflowing with summer fun and we’ve only just begun. Camp is in full swing at both McLane Center in Concord (meet the camp staff, pictured here)
Have you met Our Peep, Shelby Morelli yet? Shelby is a New Englander who loves spending time outdoors with her family. She grew up in Maine where her love of
Have you met Our Peep, Willa yet?! Willa Coroka (C as in “cinnamon”) is a wild child, her heart at its fullest while flitting through the New England forests amidst
We are pleased to introduce Slater Roosa, Massabesic Center’s new Education Coordinator. A born and bred New Englander, Slater received a B.S. in Biology from Salve Regina University, where he
February 27-March 3, 2023
For campers ages 6-12.
In person February Vacation Camp is held at the McLane Center in Concord only. Camp runs all day, from 9am-4pm.
Member: $55/Day
Non-Member: $65/Day
9am – 4pm (Camper drop off begins at 8:30am)
February vacation camp is a great time to get out and explore nature no matter what the weather brings! Each day is designed to build the skills of budding naturalists through hands-on activities, storytelling, crafts, games, outdoor exploration, and live animal observation. Register for the individual days or participate in the entire week. Children should bring lunch and snacks and be prepared to spend much of each day outside.
Photo, top: dip netting at Turkey Pond by Shelby Morelli, kids exploring the pond at Massabesic Center (staff photo), camp friends by Hilary Chapman.
