Dunwoody Nature Center’s outdoor summer camps are week-long day nature-themed camp experiences for children ages 4-13. Combining traditional day camp fun and sleepaway camp activities, we offer the best of both worlds to kids of all backgrounds. A rotating set of themed camps keeps kids engaged in age-appropriate activities that inspire a love of nature through exciting adventures in the great outdoors. Our small class sizes and emphasis on learning through play make our camps some of the most popular in the Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Brookhaven areas. We welcome campers from all around the Atlanta metro area!
SUMMER CAMP 2025
2025 SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 3 AT 9AM FOR DNC MEMBERS!
Dates & themes coming December 15!
CAMP INFORMATION
ABOUT SUMMER CAMPS
CAMPS BY AGE
We offer a special half-day camp for campers that are four years old, with specialized activities that focus on gross and fine motor skills, socialization, and (most importantly) safe summer fun in Dunwoody Park.
Younger campers in grades K-5 enjoy approachable STEM activities, crafts to practice fine motor skills, and new social interactions as they hike, play, and explore for a full day in 22-acre Dunwoody Park.
Older campers age 9-13 are engaged with advanced activities like canoeing, hiking, and science-based nature surveilling at our full-day Island Ford campus at the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area.
CAMP SAVINGS
We offer a 10% off discount on all our Summer Camp offerings for Dunwoody Nature Center members. There’s a reason most camp families have a membership – in many situations, being a member pays for itself within a few weeks of camp! We highly encourage you to evaluate our membership options and see what works best for you and your family.
Member discount code: member25
Memberships will be verified after registration.
SUMMER CAMP FAST FACTS
Half Day CampHalf Day Camp
$ 260
Week- Members receive 10% off!
- For Age 4
- 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- May 27 – 30 & June 30 – July 3 (4 Day Week) Pricing: $206
Half Day program for 4-year-old children operates under the Bright From the Start exemption category #6 which states: Nursery schools, playschools, kindergartens, or other educational programs for children two (2) years through six (6) years of age that operate for no more than four (4) consecutive hours per day.
Full Day CampFull Day Camp
$ 370
Week- Members receive 10% off!
- For Rising K-5th Graders
- 9:30AM – 3:30PM
- Early drop-off and Adventure Club late pickup are available
- May 27 – 30 & June 30 – July 3 (4 Day Week) Pricing: $295
Full-day program for 5-year-old and older children operates under Bright From the Start exemption category #7 which states: Day camp programs for children five (5) years and older that are operated between school terms, whose primary purposes is to provide organized recreational, religious, or instructional activities. The day camp programs may operate during summer and other school breaks and shall operate for no more than twelve (12) hours per day.
Extended Day PricingExtended Day
$ 99
Per MonthEarly Bird drop-off beginning as early as 8:00AM $65 for 5 days, available for full-day campers only
Adventure Club late pick up until 6:00PM $115 for 5 days, available for full-day campers only
- Members receive 10% off!
- May 27 – 30 & June 30 – July 3 (4 Day Week) Pricing: Early Bird $52 | Adventure Club $92
Join or renew today to get discounts on camp registration!
2024 DATES & THEMES
MAY 27 - 30 | Birds of a Feather (Four Day Camp)
Join us as we become ornithologists, mammologists, and entomologists as we study creatures that fly, soar, and zoom through the sky. From birds and bugs to bats and squirrels, if it’s up in the air, we’ll explore all about it! Through interactive games and crafts, campers will learn about unique adaptations that allow these animals to fly. Campers will also learn the obstacles these animals face throughout the seasons. Our campers will be scientists, answering questions like, “How do birds know when to migrate?” or “Do bats still fly during the winter?”
Camps are prorated for the four day week!
- Full Day: $300
- Half Day: $208
There is no camp on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.
This camp week occurs while Dekalb County schools are still in session.
JUNE 2 – 6 | Creek Week I
This is a whole week dedicated to the crown jewel of Dunwoody Park, and our campers absolutely love it! During Creek Week, kids get TWO days in Wildcat Creek and water play every day. The campers will learn all there is to know about our creek: What feeds it? Where does it go? Who lives in there? What grows near it? And, perhaps most importantly, how can we help preserve this local treasure?! Bring campers prepared to get wet and go home happy!
JUNE 9 – 13 | Bugs and Slugs
Kids love bugs! They are just plain fun, especially when they can spend a whole week learning about and scouring the park for ladybugs, roly-polys, ants, water striders, and more. Campers will learn how to identify and classify creepy crawlies from insects to spiders. Bugs are very active at the Nature Center during the summer and it is the perfect place to learn all about them while playing games, hiking, or making cool crafts. Kids will explore the world of bugs as they sing about them, move like them, paint them, and even hold them!
JUNE 16 - 20 | Wonderful Wetlands
Come and spend a week with us to find out why water is so essential for plants, animals, and even our survival. We will study with it, experiment with it, get wet with it, and even see how far it flies. We will explore our wetlands and Wildcat Creek, and also discuss wetlands all over the world. We will follow water on its journey from wetlands to rivers to oceans and even to the clouds. Through games, experiments, crafts, and exploration, campers will learn all about the importance of water in our world.
JUNE 23 – 27 | Ooey Gooey Science
Does your camper love to mix things together to see what will happen or have questions about how things are made? Then this is the perfect camp for your budding scientist! During the week, we will ask questions, hypothesize, experiment, and analyze as only the Nature Center scientists can. Using nature as the subject, we will begin to make sense of the natural world through hands-on experiments. Nature, in all its abstract beauty, is full of things that we can better understand… if we think like a scientist!
JUNE 30 - JULY 3 | Nocturnal Nature (Four Day Camp)
Although we will not be here in the park when it is dark – we can still discover what nocturnal animals do at night. Owls, bats, raccoons and opossums, to name a few, are busy roaming the park at night. Through games and hands-on activities, campers will learn how it feels to be a creature of the night.
Camps are prorated for the four day week!
- Full Day: $300
- Half Day: $208
There is no camp on Friday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day.
JULY 8 – 12 | Creek Week II
Because one week of all things creek just isn’t enough! We have a second week of our most popular camp dedicated to the crown jewel of Dunwoody Park. During Creek Week, kids get TWO DAYS in Wildcat Creek and water play every day. The campers will learn all there is to know about our creek: What feeds it? Where does it go? Who lives there? What grows near it? And, perhaps most importantly, how can we help preserve this local treasure? Bring campers prepared to get wet and go home happy!
JULY 14 – 18 | Claws, Jaws, and Paws
Predators are truly amazing and fascinating creatures, from their sharp teeth to their long claws, they are magnificent! Campers will discover the impressive features and adaptations of several top predators in North America. They will learn how loud a bear can roar or how sharp shark teeth are or if an owl can really turn its head all the way around. Join us as we learn about these and many other predators including some surprisingly small predators like the ladybug and praying mantis.
JULY 21 – 25 | Reptile Roundup!
If it has scales, a shell, or slithers it will be fair game this week as your camper is immersed in all things reptile. Through nature exploration, games, and crafts, campers will leave no stone unturned learning about our cold-blooded friends. Our creek and wetlands are the perfect place to begin to understand what makes reptiles so interesting. Sshhh… if we’re quiet, we’ll probably see some of our cold blooded friends as they bask in the sun, search for food, or swim in Wildcat Creek.
JULY 28 – AUGUST 1 | Creek Week III
We’ve added a third week of our most popular camp dedicated to the crown jewel of Dunwoody Park. During Creek Week, kids get TWO days in Wildcat Creek and water play every day. The campers will learn all there is to know about our creek: What feeds it? Where does it go? Who lives there? What grows near it? And, perhaps most importantly, how can we help preserve this local treasure?! Bring campers prepared to get wet and go home happy!
AUGUST 4 – 8 | We Dig Dirt
At the Dunwoody Nature Center, we know our campers love digging in the dirt. This week, campers will use their senses and powers of observation to explore the different textures, smells, colors, and size of the different materials that make up dirt. Whether looking for cool rocks, examining shiny minerals, casting fossils, digging for artifacts, or searching for hidden treasures, campers will get their hands dirty as they investigate and explore Dunwoody Park’s (literal) bedrock!
AUGUST 11 – 15 | We Love Bugs and Butterflies too | No Full Day Camp
This camp is for four year old campers only! Kids love bugs and butterflies! Nothing captures the attention of our youngest campers more than finding a really cool bug or watching a beautiful butterfly flutter through our pollinator garden. The bugs and butterflies are plentiful at the Nature Center during the summer and we love to show them off. You camper will explore and discover the world of bugs and butterflies as they play games, take hikes, and make cool crafts.
AUGUST 18 – 22 | Where the Wild Things Are | No Full Day Camp
This camp is for four year old campers only! Are they swimming in Wildcat Creek? Are they buried underground? Or are they hiding at the top of the Magnolia tree? Come explore as we discover where the animals of the nature center spend their time. We have three distinct habitats at the park each with unique animals and plants. Let’s travel to each one and see if we can find the wild things!
REGISTRATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I add a membership on February 3 when I register?
You must add a membership on our website, it will NOT be available on the camp registration system.
How do you know if I am a member or not when I register? Do I need to put in a member number?
We will check memberships as we process registrations. There is no member number. If you are not a member and attempt to register during the members-only time frame, your registration will be canceled.
What if I need to cancel camp?
Our cancellation policy is after your registration is processed, we offer an 80% refund if the start of camp is two weeks or more away from your cancel date; if it is within two weeks of the camp start date, there is no refund.
Can I transfer to another camp instead of cancelling?
You may transfer to another Dunwoody camp week with no penalty if we have space available in the week you would like.
My child is a rising kindergartner but is four years old. Can he still come to full day camp?
No. For our full-day option, your child needs to be five years old by the date of the camp you are registering for.
My child is five or older, can they attend a half day camp?
No. Our half-day camp is for four-year-olds only.
Can I add before care or after care later on in the summer, after I am registered?
Yes, as long as there is still space available. Before and after-care classes are capped at 25 campers per week.
Will I be able to prorate before and after care?
Yes, if there is still space available you will be able to prorate before-care and after-care the week of the camp. We will not know if there is space available until the week of camp.
I forgot my password to my Sawyer account, can you help me?
Your email address is your user name and then you will need to reset your password on the Sawyer login.
When will I find out more information about what my child needs to bring to camp?
You will receive an email from the camp director one week prior to your camp starting. You may also find the information below, in the general camp FAQs.
My child wants to be with their friend/sibling during camp, is it possible to have them in the same class?
We do have a buddy request during the registration process. If they are within a few months of the same age it is usually not a problem. But if there is a bigger age difference we will put the older child in the younger child’s class. We do our best to honor your request.
Is there before and after care at Island Ford?
No, we do not offer before and after care at Island Ford. The day runs from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
I have a child at Dunwoody Nature Center and a child at Island Ford this summer. How do I handle the drop off and pick up?
You will need to drop the child off at Island Ford first and then bring the DNC child afterward. When you pick up, you will need to get the DNC child first and then pick up the Island Ford child.
How does the waitlist work?
When a spot becomes available, we will notify all persons on that waitlist by email that there is a spot available. The first one to log into their account and register for the spot will get it. You will not be automatically moved into the camp class.
OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What will my child be doing during the day?
Our campers spend the camp day participating in specific camp-themed nature activities, both inside and outside. They’ll play games, make crafts, do experiments, hike on the trails, and play on the playground.
Each camp has one Creek Day, where there are several water-themed activities planned and campers are allowed to play and explore in the creek. For the creek-themed camps, there are two planned Creek Days. There will be an email sent with specific instructions for what to bring for Creek Day.
What does my child need to bring to camp?
Campers should dress for the weather, wearing comfortable summertime clothes and closed-toe shoes. Campers will need to bring a snack, a lunch, and a refillable water bottle every day. Please apply sunscreen and bug spray prior to drop off. Please send sunscreen and bug spray if you’d like your child to reapply during the day. There will be an email sent with specific instructions for what to bring for Creek Day.
Who are the camp teachers, and what is the teacher-to-student ratio at camp?
Our summer camp teachers are either trained naturalists or formal school teachers. All of our summer camp teachers are First Aid and CPR-certified. We have one teacher to ten campers for our half-day camps. We have one teacher to thirteen campers for our full-day camps. All of our camps also have Junior Counselors (teenage assistants).
My child is on the autism spectrum, has ADHD or other behavioral challenges. Can he or she attend camp at the Dunwoody Nature Center?
We find that if your child is in a regular classroom at school without an aide, then they usually do great at our camps. Our teachers are wonderful, but most are not trained in special education. If your child requires a special education classroom or teacher, then camps at the Dunwoody Nature Center might not be a good fit.
Do you have extended care options?
Yes, we will have a limited number of spots available for our Early Bird (from 8:00 AM) and/or late care (Adventure Club, latest pickup at 6:00 PM). These extended care options incur an additional charge; please see our Fast Facts at the top of the page for current rates.
What happens if my child is sick/injured at camp?
Please monitor your child’s health from home. Please do not send your child to camp if any persons in the home are sick.
If your child is sick at camp, we will separate them from the group and give you a call or the emergency contact you provide. You will need to come and pick up the child as soon as possible. No refunds will be given due to illness.
Do you require face masks?
We are no longer requiring masks for campers or staff while inside or outside. If you wish for your child to wear a mask, please be sure to send them to camp with one.
How do I get a receipt or statement for my childcare spending account?
All receipts will be available on your Sawyer account page. If you need your receipts from 2022, you can login to your CamperReg account here. Your statements will be available for download.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Registration & Payment Policies
Registration is online only; we accept Debit and Credit (MasterCard, Visa, and Discover). Membership will be verified at the time your registration is processed.
Refund & Transfer Policies
If you cancel more than two weeks prior to your camp start date, 80% of your registration fee will be refunded to the card you registered with. Inside of two weeks (and during the camp), no refunds will be issued for any reason.
Alternately, your registration fee can be transferred to another camp week during Summer 2023 that has open spots remaining. Your registration fee cannot be transferred to any other school break camp sessions in 2023 or to Summer Camp 2024. You may also choose to donate your camp fee to the Nature Center for a tax-deductible donation.
All registration changes (including cancelations) must be requested in writing via email to camp@dunwoodynature.org. No phone calls, please.
Behavior Policy
The Dunwoody Nature Center’s goal is for every camper to have the opportunity to have fun and discover their strengths. In order to do this, every child must feel safe at camp. Please review the Behavior Policy with your child before arriving at camp, as this is what helps us ensure everybody’s safety and the quality of our programs. Download the Behavior Policy here.
How do I get a receipt or statement for my childcare spending account?
All receipts will be available on your Sawyer account page.
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