Camp · Outdoors/Nature · Ages 4–5 · $450/week
Directory · United States · Illinois · Chicago
▌ Outdoors/Nature · Ages 4–5

Nature's Neighbors

Lincoln Park · $450/week · ★ 4.7 (2244 reviews)

Nature's Neighbors offers nature-focused day camps at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago, providing hands-on science and outdoor exploration for ch...

▌ Editor's read The website https://naturemuseum.org/camps loads successfully and details the summer camp programs offered by the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, which includes 'Nature's Neighbors' for younger campers. The museum is a non-profit organization. The camp is a day camp, with various themed weeks focusing on nature and science for different age groups (PreK-K, Grades 1-2, Grades 3-5). The site mentions that all camp staff undergo background checks and are trained in first aid and CPR. While not ACA accredited, the museum itself is a reputable educational institution. Google reviews for the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum show a strong 4.6-star rating from over 3,000 reviews, with many positive comments about educational programs and exhibits. Social media handles found are @naturemuseum on Instagram and 'naturemuseum' on Facebook, both active and showcasing museum activities, including camp-related content.
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 4–5

Nature's Neighbors is geared toward early-childhood campers — ages where ritual, repetition, and short activity blocks land better than long instructional sessions. outdoors/nature programs at this age work best when the day length matches the child's attention threshold and the staff knows how to handle separation moments without escalating them.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Day camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
Not listed
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Outdoors/Nature
  • Ages: 4–5
  • Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Address: 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
  • Cost notes: Price based on a Chicago Parent article ($900 for a two-week session). Family Plus members receive a discount.

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Nature's Neighbors

What ages does Nature's Neighbors accept?
Nature's Neighbors is open to children ages 4–5. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Nature's Neighbors cost?
Nature's Neighbors publishes $450/week for the standard session. Price based on a Chicago Parent article ($900 for a two-week session). Family Plus members receive a discount. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Nature's Neighbors's hours?
Nature's Neighbors runs 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Nature's Neighbors?
Nature's Neighbors is operated by a nonprofit organization. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Nature's Neighbors provide lunch?
Nature's Neighbors does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does Nature's Neighbors compare to other outdoors/nature camps in Chicago?
Nature's Neighbors is one of 7 outdoors/nature camps in Chicago that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Nature's Neighbors with other camps.

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