education

Campouts

Experience the Chicago Botanic Garden the way few visitors can — by sleeping over! Enjoy a low-stress camping experience, complete with flushing toilets and running water. Campers will explore the outdoor classroom, take a nature hike at dusk, cook s'mores around the fire, sleep outside, and have breakfast served to them the next morning. S'mores and breakfast will be provided. (See "What to Bring" below.)

Registration

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

Group size
Groups of 10 to 30 children may be combined with other small groups but a campout cannot exceed 40 children. A campout is subject to cancellation if fewer than 20 children are enrolled, in which case a full refund will be issued. At least one adult is required for every five children.

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

Fees
$40 per child (no cost for adults); minimum of 10 children required.

Location/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.

Dates

Saturday, September 18 — SOLD OUT
(rain date Friday, September 24)

Saturday, October 2 — SOLD OUT
(rain date Friday, October 8)

Please check back for spring campout dates in mid-December.

location

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

activities

PHOTO: Walk in the Prairie Campers and their chaperones arrive at
the Garden between 5 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. on Saturday night. After meeting in parking lot 6, we will board and load all gear onto the tram by 5:30 p.m. and enjoy the ride to the outdoor classroom. Upon arrival, campers will set up their tents, eat picnic dinners, and explore the space. Programming will begin at 7 p.m. and include a scavenger hunt, nature games, and a dusk prairie walk.

Once the stars come out, campers will cozy up to a campfire, make s'mores, and a listen to a bedtime story before it's time to drift off to sleep. A continental breakfast is provided at 7 a.m., and the tram departs for the parking lot at 8 a.m. All participants receive a Chicago Botanic Garden activity patch.

what to bring

Bring your tents, sleeping bags, a picnic dinner, and come prepared for fun. Dress for the weather. The Garden does not provide any camping gear.

PHOTO: Willow tunnel how to register

Please call (847) 835-8239 to check availability of dates and register. Plese note the rain date for your campout. Two weeks’ notice of cancellation is required to receive a full refund less the $200 deposit. In the case of low enrollment cancellation, a full refund will be issued. At least one adult chaperone is required for every five children.

rain date

In the event of a rainy forecast, Chicago Botanic Garden staff will contact group leaders Saturday morning to discuss rescheduling for the selected rain date (please note rain date when registering). In the event of rain during the night, a covered shelter is available for campers.