Blue Hills Nature Camp Programs & Pricing
Our unique location atop scenic Chickatawbut Hill invites campers to discover nature through hands-on exploration, creating art, and hiking the trails. Each session features age-appropriate activities intended to deepen a child’s understanding and awareness of the natural world. Small camp groups and experienced, caring staff create a friendly and safe atmosphere on “the hill.”
Registration for Blue Hills Nature Camp opens on January 17.
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Blue Hills Nature Camp, Milton -
Blue Hills Nature Camp, Milton -
Blue Hills Nature Camp, Milton -
Blue Hills Nature Camp, Milton -
Blue Hills Nature Camp, Milton -
Arcadia Nature Camp, Easthampton, © Phil Doyle -
Blue Hills Nature Camp, Milton
Nature Camp
Weekly sessions from June 24–August 23
Mini Week July 1–3 (no camp July 4–5)
Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–3:00 pm
Age Groups
Chickadees • Ages 5–7 (Entering K–Grade 1)
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 5
Chickadees experience the wonders of nature through hands-on exploration, games, stories, songs, crafts, and short hikes to discover the wildlife of the Blue Hills and the signs they leave. Campers discover food webs and habitats and how they influence the wild animals that live all around us.
Naturalists • Ages 7–9 (Entering Grades 2–3)
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 8
Grab a magnifying glass, a bug net, and a field guide and learn to be a Naturalist! Campers in this age group investigate the many habitats and animals at Blue Hills through active learning, creative play, science experiments, and hikes. We’ll learn more about the natural world of the Blue Hills and discover how we can be naturalists in our own neighborhoods.
Explorers • Ages 9–11 (Entering Grades 4–5)
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 8
Explorers head out to investigate Blue Hills’ varied ecosystems, awesome views, and amazing wildlife. As experienced hikers, Explorers head to new destinations for even bigger adventures as they play games, develop science experiments, and learn more about the human and natural history of the Blue Hills Reservation.
Adventurers • Ages 11–13 (Entering Grades 6–7)
Counselor-to-Camper Ratio: 1 to 8
Lace up your hiking boots and get ready for adventure! Leadership and adventure combine for this challenging and interactive camp experience where campers learn team-building and outdoor skills as they explore the expansive Blue Hills Reservation and its diverse habitats. Campers will go on long daily hikes on uneven and steep terrain in the Blue Hills Reservation.
Extended Day Options
Pre-registration is required for extended day programming; you may add this option at checkout when you register your child for camp or call later to add to your camper's session. Sliding scale pricing also applies to extended-day programming.
Before Camp Program
7:30–8:30 am • Ages 5–13
Weekly rate: $78/week ($46 for July 4 Mini Week)
After Camp Program
3:30–5:30 pm • Ages 5–13
Daily rate: $31
Weekly rate: $159/week ($95 for July 4 Mini Week)
Teen Programs
Blue Hills Teen Adventurers • Ages 13–16 (Entering Grades 8–10)
Counselor to Camper Ratio: 1:8
Session Dates: July 8–12, July 22–25, and August 5–9
Get ready to explore all the beautiful sites in the Blue Hills Reservation! Campers will learn outdoor/wilderness skills at camp and enjoy time exploring different sites in the park. This experience will culminate in a full day hike along the Skyline Trail with an overnight at Blue Hills Camp.
This program is designed for teens who want to develop their leadership and outdoor skills while going on challenging hikes in new parts of the Blue Hills.
Please note that drop-off and pick-up for this program may take place at different sites within the Blue Hills. The overnight will take place on Thursday night–Friday morning during each session.
Environmental Leadership for Teens • Ages 13–16 (Entering Grades 8–10)
Counselor to Camper Ratio: 1:8
Session Dates: July 15–19, July 29–August 2, and August 12–16
We are looking for the next generation of environmental leaders! The goal of Mass Audubon’s Environmental Leadership for Teens (ELT) program is to equip and encourage teens to be effective environmental advocates, learn about civic action, and be conservation leaders in their homes and communities.
During each one-week session, camp educators will guide teens as they develop leadership and community-building skills and support them as they develop their own style and voice as environmental leaders.
Each group of ELT participants will also focus on learning about and taking action on an environmental challenge or environmental justice issue and how to best apply their community building and leadership skills to make a positive impact on their community and the world.
Please note that drop-off and pick-up for this program may take place at different sites within the Blue Hills.
Counselors-in-Training (CIT) • Ages 14–16
CITs must be at least age 14 by the start of camp.
Mandatory training session: June 24–28
Weekly sessions from June 24–August 23
Monday–Friday • 8:30 am–3:00 pm
If you’re a teen who enjoys being outside in nature, working with children, and wants to learn leadership skills, then our CIT program is for you! Learn what it takes to be a camp counselor: Gain leadership skills and hands-on training, and learn to develop activities and lesson plans.
CITs will be required to attend the training session on June 24–28. This includes an optional overnight experience at Blue Hills Nature Camp. CITs may then volunteer during the summer working directly with counselors and campers. Please note that CITs must be able to volunteer for a minimum of two weeks during the summer to be eligible for the program.
Admission is by application only. If you are interested in being a CIT, please fill out an application form or contact [email protected].
2024 Camp Session Pricing
Mass Audubon is committed to ensuring that every family that wants their child to experience summer camp should have the opportunity to do so. A sliding scale model helps us work toward that goal through an easy and dependable process for families. With the sliding scale structure, every family enrolls for camp at a tuition rate based on their annual gross income and size of family.
Mass Audubon Membership
Registering for camp is one of the many benefits of Mass Audubon membership. In order to register for camp, your membership must be current through the end of your camper's last session; if you need to purchase or renew your membership, you should do so as part of your camp registration transaction.
All camp families registering at Tiers 1–3 will receive a free one-year Family membership (new or renewal), thanks to the generosity of members at the Protector level and higher who chose to donate their free gift membership benefit.
Due to overwhelming need for financial assistance, we have closed registration for Tiers 1-3. Tier 4 Registration is still available by phone only. If you are unable to pay the Tiers 4 or 5 tuition for camp, we encourage you to add your name to our waitlist. As we continue to secure funding across the state, we will open more spaces at lower tiers where possible.
Our statewide goal is to have a healthy balance of campers from all income tiers attend Mass Audubon camps in order to increase equitable access to camp for as many families as possible while still securing enough revenue to continue providing the excellent camp experience our communities have come to expect from Mass Audubon camps.
Prior to Registration
To make sure you’re prepared to register for camp, please read our registration instructions and camp policies, which include changes to pricing and membership.