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, forested 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 5:1), 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.

Quick Links:

2024 Registration Dates
Early Member Registration
Registration Procedures & Policies
Wait List
Cancellation Policy
Camp Sessions
Contact
Camp Scholarships
Teen Volunteers


2024 Registration Dates

  • Early registration for Household, Sustainer, or Director’s Circle members: January 30; 12 noon
  • General Public: February 1; 12 noon

Early Member Registration:

  • You must be an active Household, Sustainer, or Director’s Circle member by January 26 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.
  • 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 29, the day before registration opens.
  • If you have not received your access code by 5 p.m. on January 29, please check your spam filter. If not there, please contact David Michaud at ncbgregistrar@unc.edu or 919-962-4882. Access code requests must be submitted no later than 10 a.m. on January 30.
  • 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.
  • Registration will temporarily close at 10 a.m. on February 1 and reopen to the general public at 12 noon.

Registration Procedures & Policies:

  • Registration is online and first-come, first-served through our registration system Learning Stream.
  • Don’t wait to register! Space is limited and camps sell out fast. Your best bet is to register at 12 noon.
  • Setup or verify your account 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.
  • Full payment is due at the time of registration.
  • 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 $50 administrative fee. Membership status is subject to verification.
  • 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 “Things with Wings”.
  • 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.
  • After registration, you will automatically receive a confirmation email and a receipt for your payment. If you do not receive this email within 30 minutes, please check your spam filter.
  • Health/Release Forms: UNC-Chapel Hill uses CampDoc, a secure online platform to collect health information and authorizations. You will receive an email in early March from CampDoc with an invitation to complete your camper’s Health Profile, including uploading immunization records.
  • Camp Welcome Packet: You will receive a Camp Welcome Packet via email three weeks before your camp’s start date that includes important information about learning themes, what to bring, what to expect, and health/safety protocols.
  • Registration questions? Contact David Michaud at ncbgregistrar@unc.edu or 919-962-4882.

Wait List

If the camp you have selected is full, we encourage you to join the wait list during online registration. After you add to the wait list, you will automatically receive a confirmation email that includes your waitlist position. If a space in the camp comes available, you will be notified by email and have 48 hours to accept or decline. Full payment is due upon acceptance.

Cancellation Policy

If you remove your child from a camp session before it begins, the cancellation refund policy is as follows:

  • If the Garden cancels a session, all fees will be fully refunded. We reserve the right to cancel a camp due to insufficient enrollment.
  • Membership fees are non-refundable.
  • To cancel your registration, select the cancellation link found in your registration confirmation email, or submit your cancellation request by email to David Michaud at ncbgregistrar@unc.edu.

Contact

For questions about registration, email David Michaud at ncbgregistrar@unc.edu or call 919-962-4882.
For all other questions about camp, email Elisha Taylor at taylores@unc.edu or call 919-537-3770.

Camp Sessions

4-5 year-olds

SENSING NATURE

June 3-7; 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

June 10-14; 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

June 17-21; 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

*No camp will be held on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. This will be reflected in camp pricing.

*Drop-off: 8:45-9 a.m.; Pick-up: 12 p.m.*

Curious preschoolers will love this camp, designed to provide playful, hands-on experiences with the natural world in a small group setting. Young campers will use all of their senses to watch for frogs, listen for birdsong, smell the flowers, touch slimy worms, and taste from the herb 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 Household & above Members)

6-7 year-olds

THINGS WITH WINGS

June 24-28; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

July 8-12; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

July 15-19; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

July 22-26; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

*Drop-off: 8:45-9 a.m.; Pick-up: 3-3:15 p.m.*

Learn about the native birds, bats, bugs, and even seeds that fly as we search the gardens, forest, and ponds for nature's winged wonders. Campers will investigate the lives and habitats of our high-flying neighbors and enjoy hikes, games, puppets shows, stories, and crafts. Each session has 14 campers.

Fee: $360 ($324 Household & above Members)

8-10 year-olds

NATURE DETECTIVES

July 29-August 2; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

August 5-9; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

August 12-16; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

*Drop-off: 8:45-9 a.m.; Pick-up: 3-3:15 p.m.*

Grab your magnifier and dig in to the mysteries of the natural world! Campers will unravel nature’s secrets through hands-on field experiences and experiments, take part in citizen science projects, and see how their observations can contribute to our understanding of the world around us. Each session has 14 campers.

Fee: $360 ($324 Household & above Members)

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 1, 2024. All scholarship applicants will be notified by email on or before March 3. 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@unc.edu or 919-537-3770.

Teen Camp Assistants

The teen camp assistant 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. Teens work 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. nature walks, games, crafts, puppets shows, set-up/cleanup, and meal times. Service-learning hours granted. This is an unpaid volunteer position.

TIME COMMITMENT: Minimum of 2 weeks; 20-35 hours per week, depending on session. Must be able to attend mandatory camp training on Saturday, June 1.

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 on June 1

HOW TO APPLY: Please complete the application in the link below. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on March 31, 2024. Finalists will be contacted by email to schedule interviews in early April. Questions? Email Elisha Taylor at taylores@unc.edu.

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.”