About Boston Nature Center Camp

We believe camp is a place where children can grow as individuals, spend quality time outdoors, and have a fun summer experience. Through engaging activities, free play, and wonderful camp traditions, children learn about themselves and others while having a great time. 

A Day at Camp

No two days at Boston Nature Center Camp are alike, but this sample schedule gives an overview of daily activities and flow.

7:30–8:30 am: Before Camp Program (Optional)

Campers can choose from several quiet activities, including board games, cards, or birdwatching using our binoculars. Pre-registration required.

8:30–9:30 am: Camper Drop-Off & Choice Time

Counselors welcome campers and help them decide which activity to try during this supervised, free choice time. Campers can pick from indoor choices like board games or nature-inspired art projects, or they can head outside to spend time in the Nature Nook making mud pies and building forts. 

9:30–10:00 am: Morning Circle

The whole camp starts the day together at Morning Circle. We sing songs, tell silly jokes, and do stretches to get ready for a full day of nature exploration.

10:00 am–12:30 pm: Nature Exploration Activities

Campers explore the week’s theme through a nature-based, age-appropriate curriculum. In small groups they venture out for activities like hiking, gardening, dramatic play, meadow sweeping, designing scientific experiments, nature journaling, and more. Every week includes elements of art, literacy, and math.

12:30–2:00 pm: Lunch & Recess

2:00–3:30 pm: Nature Exploration Activities

Campers continue to explore the week’s theme through a nature-based, age-appropriate curriculum. In their camp groups they reinforce concepts about the nature theme of the week through special art projects, scientific demonstrations, and games. 

3:45–4:00 pm: Afternoon Blob

The whole camp comes together to share Nature Notes from the day, sing more songs, and share what they have learned during their day.

4:00–5:00 pm: Camper Choice Time

Campers can choose if they would like to spend the afternoon relaxing and reading a book, creating beautiful art projects, playing board games with friends, or running around outside in nature.

5:00–5:30 pm: Camper Pick-up

Families can pick up campers any time between 5:00–5:30 pm.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

At Mass Audubon Camps, we strive to create a safe, inclusive, and caring camp environment where each person is respected and supported in their learning and growth. Learn more

Terrain

Due to the outdoor and exploratory nature of our camp program, campers will be moving on uneven terrain throughout the day. The terrain at our sites varies from hard-packed, gently sloped paths to steeper, uneven trails that may have exposed rocks, tree roots, and other obstacles. Additionally, weather conditions could affect our trails’ conditions. We encourage all families to visit the sanctuary prior to enrolling to understand its unique terrain. 

Camp Staff

Well-trained counselors and junior counselors build a safe and supportive atmosphere where campers can learn, have fun, and share in the joy and excitement of the outdoors. Low counselor-to-camper ratios ensure that children stay safe and are engaged with role models who are creative, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic.

We hire a diverse staff, many members of whom are in college or have graduated with an environmental or education degree. We also hire high school students who are former campers and teens from our Willow Tree Youth Leaders Program to act as assistant day camp counselors. We look for counselors who have experience working with children, who are caring and compassionate, and who will join in the fun and silly atmosphere of camp. 

All staff must pass background checks and receive training in safety, child development, and nature study. Camp staff are certified in First Aid and CPR. Assistant day camp counselors receive additional training through the Counselors-in-Training program or BNC’s Willow Tree Youth Leaders program. They are at least 16 years of age and are partnered with and directly supervised by camp counselors.

Camp Leadership Team

Camp Director Kim Baker

Kim Baker (she/her) joined the Boston Nature Center in 2013 as assistant camp director and fell in love with the amazing camp community. In addition to her role as camp director, she is an education coordinator at BNC and works during the school year on adult public programming. Prior to joining Mass Audubon, Kim worked in urban environmental education outreach in New York, Western Massachusetts, and Connecticut. She holds a Master of Science in environmental education and a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies.

Camp Handbook

The Camp Handbook packet contains important information for families, including drop-off and pick-up instructions, health and safety procedures, packing lists, and more. Please be sure to read this prior to the start of your camper’s first session. 

The 2025 camp handbook will be available soon.