Registration is open. Click here to register.

Send your child on an adventure exploring nature and biodiversity. Campers spend a week learning about the natural world through participating in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities and games with new friends. Children will explore our 44.5-hectare (110 acre) botanical garden and will also discover other amazing sites on the UBC campus including the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Nitobe Memorial Garden, UBC Farm and UBC Aquatic Centre.

Young Explorers Summer Day Camp is a weeklong summer camp for children aged 7-11. Older and younger children learn side by side in our age-integrated camp. Participants benefit from contributing and learning together though different activities and challenges that can be customized to individual campers needs. The camp accommodates a maximum of 30 children per week with a 1:10 staff-to-camper ratio. 

We have two great programs to choose from:
The Eco Explorer program investigates the remarkable link that humans have with the environment. Together we will explore how different cultures interact with nature, learn about wild and cultivated foods, and discover how to effectively and safely cohabitate with wildlife.  Activities include forest scavenger hunts, photo safaris, cooking, wild plant tasting, and off-site excursions to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Nitobe Memorial Garden and the UBC Aquatic Centre!

The Garden Explorer program teaches skills and knowledge to become a friendly gardener! Campers will get their hands dirty catching squirmy insects, conjure up (almost) magical potions, and cook up a storm with weird vegetables!  Making compost tea, wildlife gardening, water conservation, plant needs and surprising plant allies including beneficial insects and companion plants are just of few of the topics in this program. Visits to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, the UBC Farm and the Aquatic Centre are some of the excursions on the menu!

Click here to see an example of a typical day at the Young Explorer Summer Camp!

*A camp hat can be purchased for $10 during the online registration process. The hat is black with 'Young Explorers Camp at UBC Botanical Garden' written in green letters. Hats are one size fits most and are available in limited quantities.

DETAILS
Schedule: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $210/child per week except for weeks 1 and 6 which are 190$ (4 day weeks)
Weeks:
JULY: Eco-Explorer
Week 1: Tuesday, July 3 – Friday, July 6, 2012 (July 2 is a statutory holiday)
Week 2: Monday, July 9 – Friday, July 13, 2012
Week 3: Monday, July 16 – Friday, July 20, 2012
Week 4: Monday, July 23 – Friday, July 27, 2012

AUGUST: Garden Explorer
Week 5: Monday, July 30 – Friday, August 3, 2012
Week 6: Tuesday, August 7 – Friday, August 10, 2012  (Aug. 7 is a statutory holiday)
Week 7: Monday, August 13 – Friday, August 17, 2012
Week 8: Monday, August 20 – Friday, August 24, 2012
Please note: Each child can register for only one (1) week per program for a total of 2 weeks per summer.

UBC Alumni get a 10% Discount
UBC Alumni may enter the discount code "UBCACARD" during the registration process to receive your 10% off discount. Please bring your ACard on the first day of camp to confirm your eligibility for this discount.
 

Before and After Care
Young Explorer Summer Day Camp operates from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day, but pre-and post-care service is also available for registered campers.
Schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost:
$30/week* for the morning OR afternoon service
$50/week* for morning AND afternoon service <
*Weeks 1 & 6 are only 24$/week and 40$/week since there is only four days of camp during these weeks. Please choose the special price from the list.

Refund Policy
One month notice: 1 month prior to the registered camp week(s), registrants may cancel and receive a full refund, less a $45 administration fee.
Two weeks notice: 2 weeks prior to the registered camp week(s), registrants may cancel and receive a 50% refund, less a $45 administration fee.
Less than two weeks notice: With less than 2 weeks notice no refunds will be granted.
Less than two weeks notice for medical reasons: Participants who experience medical emergencies (injury or illness) may, at the Garden's discretion, receive up to a full refund less a $45 administration fee. A letter from a physician must accompany any such request.

Cancellation Policy
The UBC Botanical Garden reserves the right to cancel a session by 3:00 p.m. one week prior to the start date. In such cases, all fees for a cancelled program will be refunded, or participants will be given the option of joining another session (if space is available).

Click here to view our FAQ (frequently asked questions).

Click here to download the Information Package for Parents. (A PDF document will be downloaded to your computer).