Stony Brook Camp Programs & Pricing

Every day is an adventure at Stony Brook Nature Camp

Trail explorations, hands-on activities, games, crafts, and more provide full ecosystem immersion for an enhanced learning experience, while small group sizes ensure a welcoming, supportive environment.

Hand-on Learning in Nature

Campers are encouraged to explore and appreciate the miracles and mysteries of our natural world. Through hands-on learning, they come to understand their place in nature as well as the importance of preserving it.

We strive to educate children about nature so that they will be motivated and empowered to maintain a healthy environment for generations to come. Activities are carefully planned to meet these goals and, at the same time, create fun and memorable experiences.

Get to Know Stony Brook Nature Camp

Learn more about our philosophy, staff, and daily schedule, or scroll down for a list of programs and session for the upcoming summer.

About Stony Brook Nature Camp

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Stony Brook Nature Camp Programs & Sessions

Learn more about our programs and see session dates for the upcoming summer camp season.

Nature Camp

Monday–Friday • 9:00 am–3:30 pm
Themed weekly sessions from June 24–August 23

Age-appropriate activities deepen campers’ knowledge and awareness of nature as they return throughout the summer and over the years. Each one-week session has a different theme to investigate, including Trash to Treasure, Planet Protectors, STEM Science, and "Fossils, Stones, Water, Bones".

Age Groups

Preschool Camp • Ages 4–5

Counselor–to–Camper Ratio: 1 to 5

Led by Stony Brook’s Nature Preschool Director Hilary Johansen-Silve, this program will spark curiosity and wonder for young campers as they explore the sanctuary. Through outdoor explorations, crafts, games, songs, and stories, campers are introduced to the wide diversity of life around them.

See available sessions

Wanderers • Ages 5–6

Counselor–to–Camper Ratio: 1 to 5

Wanderers learn about Stony Brook’s many ecosystems and what may be found within them. Simple observations and investigations build a foundation of interest and desire to learn more in years to come. Wanderers begin their initiation into the natural world through short hikes, hands-on activities, and creative endeavors.

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Ramblers • Ages 7–8

Counselor–to–Camper Ratio: 1 to 8

Ramblers conduct ecosystem investigations on daily outings, using their senses to identify familiar species of plants and animals. Ramblers are encouraged to explore their own areas of interest and further develop their social skills as they participate in activities, games, and crafts.

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Explorers • Ages 9–10

Counselor–to–Camper Ratio: 1 to 10

Explorers study their surrounding environment in-depth, learning about complex ecological concepts. This group explores the far reaches of Stony Brook as they participate in activities, games, and crafts.

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Specialty Sessions (Ages 9–15)

Delve deeper into specialty science topics or art with programs designed for older campers, ages 9–15.

Counselor–to–Camper Ratio: 1 to 10 

Catapults, Contraptions, and Conundrums

July 1–3 • Ages 11–13 

What makes the best catapult? Can you make plastic from Jell-O? Can you really cook anything edible in a solar oven? Join us for three days of experiments and invention.

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Adventurers 

July 10–14 • Ages 11–13

Who knew that studying the ecosystems at Stony Brook could be so much fun! Venture into the science behind the sanctuary’s research programs. Activities will include dragonfly mark and recapture, turtle and wetland surveys, biodiversity, and conservation-based games, and more.

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The Nature of Massachusetts

July 15–19 • Ages 12–14

Massachusetts has many wonderful places to explore. Each day this group will travel by van to visit many different habitats, including the beach, rocky outcroppings with vistas of the surrounding towns, and beautiful wetlands full of unique critters. While out and about, they will learn why these places are so special and participate in fun group activities and games. An emphasis will be placed on environmental awareness, ecology, and group dynamics.

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Survivor Stony Brook 

July 22–26 • Ages 9–11

Get out. Play hard. Rock on. Experience surviving in the wilderness. Build backwoods shelters to block out the elements. Learn skills that will keep you from being voted off the island! This program includes an optional late night Thursday evening. Campers may stay until 10:00pm or leave at the regular time. 

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Outdoor Leaders

August 5–9 • Ages 13–15

Do you have what it takes to be a leader? Challenge yourself to find out! Develop your leadership skills while having fun with time-honored camp activities. Develop a community service project and kid-friendly nature activities that will prepare you to become a Counselor–in–Training (CIT).  Spend Thursday at Hale Reservation for team building and challenge course experience. Then return to Stony Brook and enjoy dinner and a campfire (pick-up from Stony Brook at 10:00p.m).

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CSI: Wildlife Detectives

August 12–16 | Ages 9–11

There's mystery afoot at Stony Brook! Break out your magnifying glass and fingerprint powder. Search the scene, pursue the clues, find the signs, and solve the crime. Join Stony Brook's CSI (Camp Scene Investigation) team and see if you have what it takes to 'follow the evidence. This program includes an optional late night Thursday evening. Campers may stay until 10:00pm or leave at the regular time.

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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

7:45–8:00 am • Ages 4–10
Weekly rate: $74 ($45 for week of July 4)

After Camp Program

3:30–5:00 am • Ages 4–10
Weekly rate: $112  ($67 for week of July 4)

Teen Programs

Outdoor Leaders • Ages 13–15

Do you have what it takes to be a leader? Challenge yourself to find out! Develop your leadership skills while having fun with time-honored camp activities. Develop a community service project and kid-friendly nature activities that will prepare you to become a Counselor–in–Training (CIT).

See available sessions

Counselors-in-Training • Ages 15–17

Experience the fun, challenges, and rewards of camp as you assist camp counselors. Gain valuable leadership skills and participate in the planning of weekly camper activities, such as nature projects, crafts, songs, and games.

Please note: an application is required. Contact Camp Director Marla Cohen at [email protected] to request an application. Application Deadline: May 23

2024 Camp Session Pricing

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.

How Much Is Summer Camp?

Each camp program is priced based on programmatic content and adjusted for each sliding scale pricing tier. Please see the program catalog for detailed, tiered pricing for each program.

Sliding Scale 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.

Find Your Sliding Scale Tier

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.

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