Family on boardwalk Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
Family on boardwalk Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
A boardwalk cutting through tall green shrubs and trees.
Boston Nature Center, Mattapan

Boston Nature Center Camp

Boston Nature Center Camps in Mattapan and Hyde Park combine outdoor exploration, hands-on activities, and science education, helping campers to grow and connect with the world around them. 

Our caring and experienced camp staff work hard to create a safe and inclusive atmosphere for all children. Set amidst acres of beautiful habitat, our camps provide a unique nature experience in the middle of the city!

Two smiling campers link arms and swing each other around during a song and dance activity during an all-camp circle time at Boston Nature Center Camp.
Boston Nature Center Camp, Mattapan

Programs & Pricing

See a list of camp programs and pricing info for the upcoming summer.

Four campers at Boston Nature Center Camp smiling and posing for a photo; one is holding a pink water bottle and other has a blue plush lizard
Boston Nature Center Camp, Mattapan

About Camp

Learn more about our camp, daily schedule of activities, camp staff, and more.

campers with nets in meadow

Camp Policies

Find policies for all Mass Audubon camps including information on deposits, deadlines, and health.

Locations

We offer two-week nature camp sessions for ages 5–13 at both the Boston Nature Center (BNC) in Mattapan and Hyde Park. We also offer specialty and teen camps at BNC in Mattapan.

Boston Nature Center, Mattapan

Boston Nature Center in Mattapan features acres of a beautiful wildlife sanctuary that provide a unique nature experience for the urban explorer. Campers can explore the vast colors of nature in our Butterfly Garden, observe Tree Swallows in the meadow, or pick kale in one of the largest community gardens in Boston. The sanctuary has trails, meadows, forests, gardens, and beautiful indoor spaces at the George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center.

Hyde Park

We are excited to host the satellite camp this summer at Boston Trinity Academy in Hyde Park. Boston Trinity Academy is an amazing setting for summer camp: just a short walk from Stony Brook Reservation, campers will have access to 12 miles of trails to explore and learn in an urban forest. When not outside discovering ponds and local wildlife, campers will have indoor classroom space for hands-on science experiments and art activities.

How to Register

All initial camp spaces are filled through a lottery registration process, which is intended to be less stressful for families and more equitable for everyone. The lottery closed on January 14 at 11:59 pm.

If you are interested in attending camp, please fill out the waitlist.

How It Works

  1. Sign up for the BNC Camp lottery any time between January 3 and January 14 at 11:59 pm. Submit one interest ticket per child. You will be asked to select a pricing tier based on your family's size and gross income; see the Tier Eligibility Chart for camp sliding scale pricing to find the right tier for your family.
  2. Registrations will be randomly ordered and registered internally by the BNC staff. Session preferences and friend request will be honored when possible.
  3. A confirmation email will be sent on January 24; please review the details before paying the deposit, which is due by February 5.

What Others Are Saying...

"Our children came home tired, sweaty, and VERY happy! They were singing songs they learned at camp and talking nonstop about their camp counselors, the new friends they made, their team activities, and things they learned about nature." —2023 BNC Camp Parent