Camps Return Summer 2025
Join us for Desert Discovery Camps, where campers explore nature and learn about the beauty of the desert. This year’s camps feature outdoor skills, nature-inspired art, sustainability and science. All summer camps include hands-on activities, guest speakers and exploration of the Garden trails. Camps are available for ages 6-8 and 9-12.
Save the Date
Get Outdoors | June 2-6 | Ages 6-8 and 9-12 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Embark on an adventure of outdoor exploration and desert survival in the Garden. Enjoy wilderness activities like building shelters and campfire construction and an immersive exploration of the Garden.
Nature Art | June 9-13 | Ages 6-8 and 9-12 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Embrace your creativity to create art using natural materials and with nature as your inspiration. From nature journals and storytelling, to painting and illustration, come explore the beauty of the desert and create unique art projects.
Planet Protectors | June 19-23 | Ages 6-8 and 9-12 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Conserve and care for the environment with eco-activities like composting and creating designs inspired by nature. Learn about sustainability from experiments on water conservation to exploring insects for food and go green one adventure at a time.
Desert Laboratory | June 26-30 | Ages 6-8 and 9-12 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Discover the science of nature with hands-on experiments and exploration. Activities blend desert adventures and fun scientific discovery with engineering challenges, microscope investigations and labs focused on desert plants and animals.
SUMMER CAMPS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much of the camp is outside?
Campers enjoy the Garden trails in the morning before the heat of the day and we participate in water play activities to keep campers cool. The afternoons feature indoor hands-on activities in air-conditioned classrooms.
What is the camp schedule? Is before or aftercare available?
Desert Discovery Camps are a week long camp, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. At this time there is no before or aftercare available outside of the camp hours.
Does you program fee include lunch?
No. During each day of camp, campers must arrive with a pre-made nut-free lunch.
What is the deadline to enroll in a camp?
Enrollment closes the Thursday before each camp begins, which allows adequate preparation time for campers and the education team. Please note that there is limited space in each camp. Once enrollment is reached, registration will close for that camp.
The camp I want to attend is sold out. Is there a wait list?
Yes, when you attempt to register for a camp that is sold out an option to be added to a wait list is provided. If a participant cancels, a Garden staff member will reach out to the provided number to add you the registration list.
My child does not meet the listed age or grade level requirements, but they are very mature. May I still enroll my child in camp?
No. The curriculum is based on the set age limit.
I have enrolled my child in a camp but their younger sibling, who does not meet the age level requirements, wants to attend as well. Can I enroll my younger child too?
No. We are unable to make exceptions in the age limits listed.
Who should I contact with any other questions regarding camp?
Want to join camps as a community partner?
Desert Discovery Camps includes exciting guest visitors and hands-on programming from partner organizations. Past partners have included Arizona Game and Fish, Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary, Arizona State Parks, and more! Contact gpaduano@dbg.org to learn more and join us for summer camp.
Inclusion: Our camp is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all campers. If you have questions on camp inclusivity or would like to inquire about accommodations for your camper, please contact the Children’s Education Manager at gpaduano@dbg.org
Cancellations: Desert Botanical Garden reserves the right to cancel a camp due to low enrollment. Camp participants will be notified and refunded in full for cancelations. Desert Botanical Garden is not responsible for any travel related expenses due to cancelation.
Refunds: We are unable to give refunds for camp within two weeks of the start date of camp. Participants who withdraw two weeks before their camp starts will be charged a 15% cancelation fee. We are unable to refund for missed days of camp.
Transfers: We are unable to do transfers within two weeks of the start of the registered camp. A $10 transfer fee will be applied to each transfer per child. Space is limited for each camp. Transfers will be applicable only if space is available.
