Do you remember the joy of spending childhood summers outdoors? Register for Heard Summer Nature Camps and share those wonderful moments and memories with your child. The Heard’s mission is to inspire children to discover, enjoy, experience, and restore our priceless environment.
Heard Summer Camps feature opportunities for children from north Texas and beyond to delve into the wonders of nature on our 289-acre sanctuary, encounter animal ambassadors, investigate nature-themed topics, and more. We’ll spend time both indoors and outside. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors is not only fun for our children, but also plays an important role in many facets of child development.
Summer 2024 information coming soon.
Would you like updates when information is available? Please sign up here!
Click here to view the message regarding Heard Summer Camps and COVID-19.
These weeklong Heard Summer Nature Camps will feature opportunities to delve into the wonders of nature on our 289-acre sanctuary, encounter animal ambassadors, investigate nature-themed topics, and more! Spots are limited.
Heard Museum* Members-Only Registration
Through 2/15
Registration Now Open to Public
Early Bird Registration
Ends 3/1
5 – 12 Years (as of June 1, 2024)
Member Rate: $225
Non-Member Rate: $250
Pre-registration is required
9:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.
Camp Wolf
June 10-14 – (SOLD OUT)
June 24-28 – (SOLD OUT)
July 8-12 – (SOLD OUT)
Camp Barn Owl
June 17-21 – (SOLD OUT)
July 1-5
July 15-19
Information coming soon!
Would you like to receive an email notification when more information is available? Click here.
Youth artists will follow in the footsteps of great artists such as Audubon, Beatrix Potter and Anna Atkins, with unique opportunities to create their own art inspired by nature and live animals. Each day, a different type of medium will be explored.
Projects
Campers will respond to the beauty of the Heard Sanctuary and wildlife through hands on art experiences.
Our Nature Art Camps will be led by Lynne Hubner, who serves as the exhibit curator at the Heard. Ms. Hubner earned a BFA in Drawing from Manhattanville College, New York, as well as an MFA in Printmaking from the University of North Texas. Hubner is the co-founder and past president of the North Texas Printmakers Guild. She runs an active printmaking studio in the Historic District of McKinney, Texas where non-toxic processes are stressed. She is an independent artist, lecturer, educator and workshop facilitator.
Heard Museum* Members-Only Registration
Through 2/15
Early Bird Registration
Ends 3/1
6 – 12 Years (as of June 1, 2024)
Member Rate: $180
Non-Member Rate: $195
Pre-registration is required.
9:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
NEW DATES ADDED: July 15-19
June 3-7 (SOLD OUT)
July 22-26 (SOLD OUT)
All art supplies are included.
Campers experience a behind-the-scenes, hands-on adventure with our education and exhibit animals. Learn about our different animals and what it takes to properly care for them. Spots are limited.
Keeper Camp 1:
Campers experience a behind-the-scenes, hands-on adventure with our education and exhibit animals. Learn about our different animals and what it takes to properly care for them. Pre-registration is required.
Keeper Camp 2:
Want more? Continue your adventure and discover even more about taking care of animals and enriching the lives of our animal ambassadors. Prerequisite: must have attended Keeper Camp 1. Pre-registration is required.
Heard Museum* Members-Only Registration
Through 2/15
Registration Now Open to Public
Early Bird Registration
Ends 3/1
Ages: 10 – 15 (as of June 1, 2024)
Member Rate: $270
Non-Member Rate: $295
Pre-registration required.
9:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.
Keeper Camp 1
June 3-7 – (SOLD OUT)
July 22-26 – (SOLD OUT)
Keeper Camp 2
July 29-August 2 – (SOLD OUT)
Attendees of Keeper Camp 2 must have attended Keeper Camp 1.
Information coming soon!
Journey through our Solar System and beyond! This camp will use the GeoGlobe, a digital interactive globe, to explore the unique characteristics of the planets, their moons, and other objects seen in our night sky. We’ll also spend time outdoors exploring the fascinating characteristics of the planet we know best – the Earth! Spots are limited.
Heard Museum* Members-Only Registration
Through 2/15
Registration Open to Public
5*-10
*Participants must have completed one year of Kindergarten prior to camp.
Member Rate: $135
Non-Member Rate: $150
9:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
June 3-7
July 22-26
Spots are limited.
Snack time not included.
Information coming soon!
Based on our popular Nature Explorers preschool program, each day we’ll meet one of the Heard’s live animal ambassadors and take a nature hike to explore different habitats from wetlands and forests to prairie and ponds. We’ll also prowl through museum exhibits, participate in hands-on science activities, sing songs, listen to stories, and play nature themed-games! A simple snack (such as animal crackers, goldfish, or pretzels with a glass of water) will be served. Spots are limited.
Heard Museum* Members-Only Registration
Through 2/15
Registration Open to Public
Pre-K campers born between January 2019 and January 2021 (older 3-year-olds through younger 5-year-olds that have not attended Kindergarten)
Member Rate: $135
Non-Member Rate: $150
9:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
NEW DATES ADDED: July 15-19
June 3-7 (SOLD OUT)
July 22-26 (SOLD OUT)
Spots are limited.
Fit a little more fun in nature into your summer! Spots are limited. Register today.
What can make the ground shake? What can shoot rocks high into the sky and even change the weather around the world? Discover how events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have change the landscape, and how studying them have helped us learn more about the earth.
Heard Museum* Members-Only Registration
Through 2/15
Registration Open to Public
6-12 (as of June 1, 2024)
Member Rate: $21
Non-Member Rate: $24
Pre-registration required
Mini Camps are not included in the Early Bird Offer.
(9:30 a.m. – noon)
Wednesday, July 5 – Amazing Amphibians
Thursday, July 6 – Fossil Finds
Friday, July 7 – Bird Basics
Register for Camp Wolf, Camp Barn Owl, or Keeper Camp (full day, weeklong camps) by March 1 and get a $10 Heard Store Gift Certificate. Applications must be complete* to qualify. Limit one per family/household.
*A completed application must include:
The Heard offers Heard Summer Camp t-shirts (available only when ordered by May 1).
Our Medication Policy is for the protection and safety of your child while he/she participates in Museum Programs. Your cooperation with this policy is necessary for the safety of all participants. We appreciate your consideration.
*Please note that the reciprocal admission agreement that the Heard has with the Perot Museum, Fort Worth Museum of Nature & Science and ASTC Passport Program participants does not apply to education programs or special events.
Heard Member discounts are applicable only to persons covered under a Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary membership. Learn more here.
We do not know what the coronavirus situation will be when camp actually occurs. But assuming conditions are the same as they are now, the following procedures, based on CDC guidelines, will be implemented to help reduce potential exposure for campers and staff. If community conditions improve or worsen, we will adjust our policies accordingly.
What About Face Masks?
What Else Are We Doing?
Health Screening
(Policy current as of 1.24.23)
© 2024 Heard Museum Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
1 Nature Pl, McKinney, TX 75069 | Contact | Privacy Policy