Duke Gardens will not be hosting camps in 2025 or spring 2026 while we embark on construction of the Garden Gateway project. We will continue to update this website with information about potential camps as this project progresses. During this transformative time, we will continue to offer ways for you to learn with us at Duke Gardens through our children and family programs.
Camps
Bring your sense of wonder and join us for camp at Duke Gardens.
Explore the outdoors through hands-on gardening, deepen observation skills while practicing art and science, play nature games, and make new friends. We welcome all campers and are happy to work with you to plan appropriate accommodations for your child at camp. Campers may sign up for any or all weeks for their age group. Activities will be different every week.
Camp activities will take place predominantly outdoors.
Registration for Summer Camp opens in mid-January 2026.
REGISTRATION: Registration for camp will be available in January 2026.
SUMMER CAMP HOURS: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday; extended day from 1-4 p.m.
COST: $300 per camp week; extended day fee $125 per week. 15% discount for Gardens members.
A non-refundable $100 deposit per child per week is required at registration. Full payment is due two weeks before the start date of each camp.
A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available. Scholarship application available upon request.
STAFF TO CHILD RATIO: 1:7
LOCATION: Camp activities will take place outside in the Gardens and indoors in a classroom.
Summer Camp 2026 Dates, Topics & Age Groups
JUNE 22-26 Growing Scientists (rising K-2)
JUNE 29-JULY 3 Growing Scientists (rising 3-5)
JULY 6-10 Eco Artist (rising K-2)
JULY 13-17 Eco Artist (rising 3-5)
JULY 20-24 Eco Artist (rising K-2)
JULY 27-31 Plant It, Grow It, Eat It (rising K-2)
AUGUST 3-7 Plant It, Grow It, Eat It (rising 3-5)
AUGUST 10-14 Plant It, Grow It, Eat It (rising K-2)
2026 Camp Themes
Growing Scientists – Join us as we use Duke Gardens as our very own science laboratory. We will spend the week enjoying many different science experiments and participating in real community science projects that help scientists learn about the natural world around us.
Eco Artist– Everyone is an artist! Come play with color, shape, line, and form. We will find beauty exploring nature and use natural materials to make our own unique artworks.
Plant It, Grow It, Eat It – Plant, tend, harvest and taste fruits and vegetables in the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden. Each day will include hands-on work time and play time in the garden.
Volunteer
Do you enjoy mentoring young children and leading them in learning activities outdoors? If you are a high school student who will be at least 16 years old by June 2026, please email Gardenscamp@duke.edu to request a summer camp volunteer application.
Questions about camp?
Please contact us at 919-668-1707 or GardensEducation@duke.edu.