Summer Nature Program
Registration is OPEN!
Please check our availability before registering.
Fun in the Sun for Summer ’25 is Here!
In-Person: Summer Nature Program
Join us! Right here, in-person, at The Wetlands Institute!
Spend a week (or two or three!) discovering the New Jersey Shore in a fun and
hands-on way. Engage in science experimentation and exploration, play games, go on field trips, explore the beach, create arts and crafts, and so much more all while enjoying a new theme each week.
For children ages 5-13, programs are held weekly from June 25 – August 20, 2025 and include field trips and beach days. Children age 4 can enjoy special programs during the weeks of June 25, June 30, July 14, July 28, August 11
and August 18, 2025.
Children age 4 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 12:00pm and children ages 5-13 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 2:00pm.
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2025 Summer Nature Program
Registration Packet
Pricing and themes vary by week and age level.
Please download a registration packet for complete details.
Please see current availability below before registering.
Have questions about how the week will run?
Click our Full Week Procedures or Short Week Procedures to
find out more about each week.
Additional Questions? Call (609) 368-1211
2025 Summer Nature Program Themes
June 25 – 27 (Wednesday – Friday)
Theme: Nature Art Safari
Discover your wild and creative side! This week we’ll be exploring the connection between art and our natural world. You’ll explore the marshy outdoors and create works of art both created from and inspired by nature.
Registration is LIMITED for ages 4 and 5.
Registration is FULL and CLOSED for ages 6-7, 8-9, and 10-13.
Children age 4 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 12:00pm and children ages 5-13 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 2:00pm.
June 30 – July 4 (Monday – Friday)
Theme: Jurassic Marsh
Find out about New Jersey’s prehistoric past from giant dinosaurs to 30-foot crocodiles to ancient fish and sharks! Awesome, amazing and at times scary, these animals came in all shapes and sizes. Discover how they are related to today’s modern birds and meet a living fossil with its own tale to tell.
Children ages 5-13 will have a field trip to Cape May County Park and Zoo. This is a parent drop-off/pick-up field trip location.
Registration is FULL and CLOSED for ALL AGES.
Children age 4 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 12:00pm and children ages 5-13 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 2:00pm.
July 7 – 11 (Monday – Friday)
Theme: Predators and Prey
In the water, in the air, on the ground and everywhere: the hunters and the hunted. Sharp teeth, amazing speed, camouflage, poison and more! Explore the relationships and adaptations these animals need to survive in the wild, see if you can survive our predator/prey game, and meet some live predators and prey.
Children ages 5-13 will have a field trip to Cox Hall Creek Wildlife Management Area. Bussing is provided from The Wetlands Institute to the field trip location.
Registration is FULL and CLOSED for ALL AGES.
Children ages 5-13 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 2:00pm.
July 14 – 18 (Monday – Friday)
Theme: From Titanoboa to Terrapins
Learn about New Jersey’s living reptiles – lizards, snakes and, of course, turtles! See live diamondback terrapins and go behind-the-scenes to help The Wetlands Institute scientists with terrapin research. We’ll also recreate the largest snake the world has ever known – Titanoboa!.
Children ages 5-13 will have a field trip to Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve. Bussing is provided from The Wetlands Institute to the field trip location.
Registration is FULL and CLOSED for ALL AGES.
Children age 4 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 12:00pm and children ages 5-13 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 2:00pm.
July 21 – 25 (Monday – Friday)
Theme: All Hands on Deck!
There are all kinds of boats for all kinds of activities. Some are on top of the water, some underneath. Some go fast and some go slow. Some are for fishing and some are for catching. Hit the deck sailor because our Salt Panne Regatta has everything you need to float your boat.
Children age 5 -13 will have a field trip to Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. Bussing is provided from The Wetlands Institute to the field trip location.
Registration is FULL and CLOSED for ALL AGES.
Children ages 5-13 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 2:00pm.
July 28 – August 1 (Monday – Friday)
Theme: Explore the Shore: OG Edition
Crabs, sea stars, shrimp, urchins, terrapins, seahorses and shorebirds. Just some of the animals you’ll meet this week as you discover New Jersey from ocean to bay and everything in between. Explore unique habitats including ocean, beach, salt marsh and forest to find what thrives there.
Children age 5 -13 will have a field trip to Cape May Point State Park. Bussing is provided from The Wetlands Institute to the field trip location.
Registration is LIMITED for age 4.
Registration is FULL and CLOSED for ages 5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10-13.
Children age 4 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 12:00pm and children ages 5-13 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 2:00pm.
August 4 – 8 (Monday – Friday)
Theme: Eco-Trails and Treasures
Living outdoors, making and using maps, and locating the Earth’s natural treasures are all part of this week’s adventure. Join The Wetland Institute’s mascot and master Geocacher Scute in playing a worldwide treasure hunt game and finding what it takes to be at home in the Great Outdoors.
Children age 5 -13 will have a field trip to Belleplain State Forest. Bussing is provided from The Wetlands Institute to the field trip location.
Registration is FULL and CLOSED for ALL AGES.
Children ages 5-13 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 2:00pm.
August 11 – 15 (Monday – Friday)
Theme: Marine Mammals: Oceanopolis
There’s an entire world below the sea! Learn how ocean creatures interact together as you team up with your fellow campers to survive the PIT. You’ll dive into the life of mammals under the sea exploring whales, dolphins, manatees and more. You may even get to see one!
Children age 5-13 will have a field trip to Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center. Bussing is provided from The Wetlands Institute to the field trip location.
Registration is LIMITED for age 4.
Registration is FULL and CLOSED for ages 5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10-13.
Children age 4 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 12:00pm and children ages 5-13 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 2:00pm.
August 18 – 20 (Monday – Wednesday)
Theme: Weird Science
In three jam-packed days, fill your brain with the weirder side of science! Learn about the creepiest, grossest, slimiest animals on earth, create a Mentos® geyser, chew on moon rocks and meet some animals that glow on their very own. All this and more during weird science!
Registration is LIMITED for age 4.
Registration is FULL and CLOSED for ages 5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10-13.
Children age 4 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 12:00pm and children ages 5-13 attend programs daily from 9:30am – 2:00pm.