Camp Flytrap Overview
Join us for a week of hands-on outdoor discovery and natural science learning on our beautiful campus — featuring native plant gardens, woodland trails, ponds, stream, and LEED-certified Education Center. Kids will explore the wonders of North Carolina plants, wildlife, and habitats through nature hikes, games, stories, arts/crafts, and more. Camps feature small group sizes (camper to staff ratio of 4:1), experienced environmental educators and naturalists, and loads of fun! Our unique program is designed to:
- connect children to nature through direct experiences,
- foster respect and appreciation for the environment,
- cultivate a love for science-learning, and
- promote conservation ethics.
All camps offer a balance of indoor learning and outdoor field experiences designed and taught by staff educators, certified in CPR/First Aid, and supported by trained volunteer teen counselors-in-training (CIT).
Quick Links:
➢ 2023 Registration Dates
➢ Early Member Registration Information
➢ Pro-Tips for Registration
➢ Camp Sessions
➢ Camp Registration and Policies
➢ Waitlist
➢ Cancellation Policy
➢ Contact
➢ Camp Scholarships
➢ Teen Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program
2023 Registration Dates
- Early registration for Household, Sustainer, or Director’s Circle members: January 31; 12 noon
- General Public: February 2; 12 noon
Early Member Registration Information:
- An early registration access code with registration instructions will be sent to the email address in your membership record on file by 5 p.m. on January 30, the day before registration opens.
- You must be an active Household, Sustainer, or Director’s Circle member by January 27 in order to take advantage of early registration. Become a member or renew your membership today!
- To confirm your membership status and/or the email we have on file for you to ensure receipt of the early registration access code, contact the Membership Coordinator at NCBGMembership@unc.edu or 919-962-0642.
- A Household, Sustainer, or Director’s Circle membership does not guarantee a spot in camp. If the camp you want is full, we encourage you to join the waitlist.
- If you have not received your access code by 5 p.m. on January 30, please check your spam filter. If not there, please contact David Michaud at 919-962-4882. Access code requests must be submitted no later than 10 a.m. on January 31.
- Registration will temporarily close at 10 a.m. on February 2 and reopen to the general public at 12 noon.
PRO-TIPS for Registration:
- Don’t wait to register! Space is limited and camps sell out fast. Your best bet is to register at 12 noon.
- Get your registration login/password ready before registration opens! Don’t have an account yet? Click “Create Account” in the top right corner HERE. Forgot your login/password? Click “Login” in the top right corner HERE and select “Forgot Your Login ID and/or Password?”.
- Add your child(ren) to your account: You must add your child as a registrant to your account. After logging in, select the “Add Another Person to Your Account” button. You can add more than one child to your account. During registration, select your child as the registrant. *NOTE: If you skip this step, you will register yourself as an adult for camp!
Camp Sessions
GARDEN SAFARI
June 12-16; 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
June 19-23; 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Curious young children will love this camp, designed to provide playful, hands-on experiences with the natural world in a small group setting. Young campers will meet meat-eating plants, catch and release pond critters, learn about animal defenses, and discover how the sun powers all life in the garden. A new theme will be introduced each day through nature walks, crafts, stories, puppet shows, and group play. Each session has 10 campers.
Fee: $180 ($162 Members)
HABITAT EXPLORERS
June 26-30; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
July 10-14; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
July 17-21; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
*After Care available (3 - 4:30 p.m.)
The garden, forest, and ponds are teeming with life in summer! From tadpoles to Venus fly traps, come discover the awesome diversity of plants and animals that call North Carolina home. Campers will investigate the life cycles, adaptations, and habitats of our native neighbors and learn how everything is connected in our wonderful “backyard”. Each session has 14 campers.
Fee: $350 ($315 Members)
THE SECRET LIVES OF BUGS
July 31-August 4; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
August 7-11; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
*After Care available (3 - 4:30 p.m.)
Did you know that 1 out of every 3 bites of food we eat depends on bees? That some butterflies are poisonous? Or that a daddy-long-legs isn’t really a spider? Discover the weird and wonderful world of “bugs” and the important role they play in nature. Campers will investigate different insect habitats and learn how to use collecting and observation equipment, meet guest entomologists, play buggy games, and get creative with an arthropod art project! Each session has 14 campers.
Fee: $350 ($315 Members)
Camp Registration + Policies
- Registration is exclusively online and first-come, first-served through our registration system Learning Stream.
- Early registration with 10% discount opens for Household, Sustainer + Director’s Circle Members on January 31 at 12 noon. Public registration opens on February 2 at 12 noon.
- You must become a Household, Sustainer, or Director’s Circle member by January 27, 2023 in order to be eligible for early registration. There is no opportunity to become a member or renew membership during registration.
- Household, Sustainer + Director’s Circle membership does not guarantee a spot in camp.
- If you register as a member but do not have current qualifying membership, your registration is subject to cancellation and your fees refunded minus a 20% administrative fee. Membership status is subject to verification.
- Full payment is due at the time of registration.
- Your child can participate only in those camps designed for the ages listed for each session. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Your child can participate in a camp of the same name only once during the summer. For example, a camper can only attend one session of “Habitat Explorers”.
- After Care (3 – 4:30 p.m.) is open to all campers enrolled in full-day camps: Habitat Explorers + The Secret Lives of Bugs. The fee is $35 per week. Aftercare includes free play in the classroom (e.g. games, books, art) and outdoors in the children’s garden, as well as an afternoon snack brought from home. There will be an option to add aftercare during registration.
- You can register more than one child during the registration process. NOTE: You must add your child(ren) to your account in order to ensure that you register your child(ren) and not yourself.)
- No pro-rated daily rates.
- No refunds for missed days of camp.
- Look for a confirmation email after you complete registration. If you do not receive this email within 30 minutes, please check your spam filter.
- You will receive a Camp Welcome Packet via email one month before your camp’s start date that includes important information about what to bring, what to expect, learning themes, health and safety protocols, and camp release forms. Camp forms will be due two weeks before your camp start date. NOTE: If you do not receive the Camp Welcome Packet one month before your camp start date, please check your spam folder. Otherwise, please contact Elisha Taylor at taylores@email.unc.edu or 919-537-3770.
Waitlist
If the camp you have selected is full, we encourage you to join the wait list during online registration. You will be notified by email if a spot comes available and 48 hours to accept or decline. Full payment is due upon acceptance.
Cancellation Policy
- The Garden can grant refunds only when a cancellation is received before 5 p.m., four weeks prior to your camp session. Cancellations received fewer than four weeks prior to a camp’s start date will not be eligible for a refund. Please refer to the table below for your camp’s specific cancellation deadline. A $30 processing fee per camp is required for all refunds.
- If the Garden cancels a camp, you will receive a full refund of fees paid for that camp. The Garden reserves the right to cancel a camp if enrollment is low.
- Membership fees are non-refundable.
- To cancel your registration, select the cancellation link found in your original registration confirmation email, or submit your cancellation request by email toDavid Michaud.
Camp Start Date | Cancellation Deadline (for refund less $30 fee) |
---|---|
Monday, June 12, 2023 | Monday, May 15, 2023 |
Monday, June 19, 2023 | Monday, May 22, 2023 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 | Monday, May 29, 2023 |
Monday, July 10, 2023 | Monday, June 12, 2023 |
Monday, July 17, 2023 | Monday, June 19, 2023 |
Monday, July 24, 2023 | Monday, June 26, 2023 |
Monday, July 31, 2023 | Monday, July 3, 2023 |
Monday, August 7, 2023 | Monday, July 10, 2023 |
Contact
- For questions about registration, email David Michaud or call 919-962-4882.
- For all other questions about camp, email Elisha Taylor or call 919-537-3770.
Camp Scholarships
The Garden offers a limited number of partial camp scholarships. Scholarships are awarded on a case-by-case basis based on need and availability. In order to assist as many families as possible, we can offer only one (1) week of camp per recipient. Child must be able to attend all 5 days of camp in order to receive a scholarship. No exceptions. Submission of this application does not guarantee a scholarship.
*NOTE: Applicants do not need to register for camp before submitting the scholarship application.
HOW TO APPLY: Please complete the application in the link below. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on March 9, 2023. All scholarship applicants will be notified by email on or before March 10. Award recipients will have 48 hours to confirm acceptance and pay their camp fee balance in full. If you have questions, please contact Elisha Taylor at taylores@email.unc.edu or 919-537-3770.
Teen Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program
The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) volunteer program is open to all students in rising grades 9-12 who have an interest in and enthusiasm for working with children in an outdoor setting and gaining experience in environmental education. CITs volunteer under the supervision of camp staff to assist with week-long nature camps for children ages 4-10. Responsibilities include engaging and overseeing children during camp activities, e.g. outdoor explorations, games, crafts, puppets shows; set-up and cleanup, snack and lunch; and after care. Service-learning hours granted. This is not a paid position.
TIME COMMITMENT: Minimum of 2 weeks; 20-40 hours per week, depending on session
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be student in rising grades 9-12
- Enthusiasm for and experience working with children, especially ages 4-10
- Self-motivated, responsible, flexible, team player, positive attitude (sense of humor a plus!)
- Interest in science and nature
- Willingness to work outdoors in summer
- Must be able to attend mandatory camp training in early June
HOW TO APPLY: Please complete the application in the link below. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on April 3, 2023. Finalists will be contacted by email to schedule interviews in April. Questions? Email Elisha Taylor or 919-537-3770.
Testimonials
“This is my son’s hands-down favorite summer experience. The educators are great and he loves the activities.”
“It was just lovely. I’ve already raved to anyone who would listen about the great time my child had. We’ll definitely be back next year!”
“It was an excellent program overall and beautiful way for children to get acquainted or reacquainted with nature.”