O‘ahu Nature Adventure Camps for Keiki
O‘ahu Nature Adventure Camps
2131 Makiki Heights Drive, Honolulu | Call: 808.955.0100 x126 | Email: nac@hawaiinaturecenter.org
Our week-long Nature Adventure Camps for keiki, ages 6 to 11, are held during school breaks and one of the best things for kids to do on O‘ahu as a science-based, environmental exploration. Kids can go tech-free and high-touch in nature in this five-day program (unless there’s a holiday) held Monday through Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. Reservations may be booked for one week or multiple weeks at one time. The programs are led by expert environmental educators.
Scholarships are available on a limited basis for O‘ahu students enrolled in a Free/Reduced Lunch program at any Hawai‘i Department of Education school. Scholarships are not guaranteed. Parents must provide DOE’s Parent Notification of School Meals Eligibility Letter that indicates your child receives the benefit for the current school year or the school year that just ended for Summer NAC program. Click here to apply and email the application here.
Summer Camp | June 2 - August 15 | For Ages 6 to 11
Registration is open!
Prices vary due to weeks with holidays
5-day program: $420 for members | $495 general public or 4-day program week: $335 for members | $410 general public
8 am to 3 pm (drop-off as early as 7:45 am) | Extended Care Is Not Available. Closed/No Camps: Wednesday, June 11: King Kamehameha Day | Week of June 30: No program offered this week. Wait List: If sold out, contact NAC@HawaiiNatureCenter.org for wait list. Include number of spots, age of child(ren), and your best phone number. Scholarships may be available. Title One school students and other families financially in need can apply for full or partial scholarships, which are limited and not guaranteed. Click here to apply. Email the completed application here.
Summer 2025: Connecting to Nature and Beyond!
Get ready to dive into nature exploration this summer with Hawaiʻi Nature Center’s Oʻahu Nature Adventure Camp that helps us deepen our connection to and curiosity about nature, the outdoors, and each other. The four themes (see below) for Summer 2025 will rotate throughout our ten weeks of camp. Each theme offers hands-on experience, engaging and active games and crafts, and opportunities to problem-solve and build lifelong skills, friendships, and appreciation for the natural world. Whether exploring the science, culture, and art of ocean voyaging, becoming a sustainability superhero to protect our incredible ecosystems here in Hawaiʻi, learning new ways to connect with nature through our five senses, or getting our hands dirty in the garden, your student will walk away with newfound knowledge and wonderful summer memories of fun, exploration, and connection to nature. Every week features a field trip to learn about the theme in an inspiring new setting. Locations will rotate throughout the summer but will likely include locations such as our stunning coastline and beaches, farms and gardens of all shapes and sizes, and new trails to traverse.
*We will not be swimming during any part of these weeks … but we will get wet and muddy!*
Join us for a fun and action-packed summer at the Hawaiʻi Nature Center with our Summer Nature Adventure Camps!
Registration is open!
2025-26 O‘ahu Nature Adventure Camp Schedule
Day Camp Hours
8 am to 3 pm with drop-off as early as 7:45 am. Extended care Is not available.
Gear Up & Get Ready
- Eat a hearty breakfast.
- Wear clothes and closed-toe (hiking or athletic) shoes that can get wet and dirty.
- Put on mosquito repellent and sunscreen at home.
- Leave anything expensive, valuable, or fragile at home.
What to Pack Daily
- Small backpack
- Water bottle
- Morning snacks and a big lunch (no refrigeration)
- Extra change of clothes, raincoat/poncho and water shoes
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- Swimsuit and towel for beach day field trip
- COVID face masks (optional)
CANCELLATION POLICY We reserve the right to cancel if minimum enrollment is not met. In this rare case, we will contact you as soon as possible and refund the program cost. If you cancel within 7 days of the first day of each camp, enrollment is non-refundable for any reason. If you need to cancel your registration for any reason, email us as soon as possible. Camps are non-transferable and cannot be resold or exchanged. Cancellation fee policy does not apply to scholarship recipients registering for Nature Adventure Camp.
REFUND POLICY With at least seven-days notice prior to the program’s start, we will refund your tuition. A $50 cancellation fee per child per week and administrative processing fees will be charged. Memberships purchased during enrollment are considered tax-deductible donations and non-refundable.
THIRD-PARTY REGISTRATION POLICY Hawai’i Nature Center does not accept third-party registrations on behalf of other friends or family–the registering child’s parent or guardian must be the individual to complete and submit all registration information. If we determine that a third party has completed your child’s registration, your registration will be cancelled and we will refund your tuition. A $50 cancellation fee per child per week and administrative processing fees will be charged.
COVID-19 SAFETY Keeping children, families and our staff safe is our highest priority. Health and safety measures are in place to keep participants safe. Modifications include smaller group size to accommodate social distancing. We’ve added six feet of social distancing in our seating arrangements. Masks must be worn inside and on field trip buses. More frequent and easier-to-monitor hand washing is required. Frequent disinfecting of surfaces and high traffic areas are performed. Since our programs are outdoors, we have lots of room to spread out and enjoy the fresh air while exploring nature.
Summer 2024: Hawaiian Habitats
Our main theme this summer, Hawaiian Habitats, will take us on an island-wide exploration of four different ecosystems: forests, wetlands, coastlines, and streams. Each week, we will feature a place representing one of these four ecosystems. We will learn about that specific place and the science and culture behind it, then visit it on our field trip so we can experience everything we’ve learned. Locations will rotate throughout the summer but will likely include: Mānoa Cliff Trail, Judd Trail, Hāmakua Marsh, Hūnānāniho, Moanalua Valley Trail, Maunalua Bay, and more.
*We will not be swimming during any part of these weeks … but we will get wet and muddy!*
Spring 2025 Nature Adventure Camp
March 17 - 28 | For Ages 6 to 11
Week 1: Magnificent Mountains: The Mountain Ranges of O‘ahu
5-Day Program: $420 for members | $495 for general public
March 17 – 22, 2025 | This week is sold out.
Oʻahu was born from two shield volcanoes. We call their remains the Koʻolau and Waiʻanae mountain ranges. Learn more about Hawaii’s magnificent mountains and the unique native and endangered species that dwell here. Learn how the islands were formed and the important role of mountains in our watersheds.
Week 2: Nature’s Reading Adventures
4-Day Program: $335 for members | $410 for general public
March 24 – 28, 2025 (Closed Wednesday, March 26 – Prince Kūhiō Day)
Each day’s exploration reveals a new story. Storytelling and some of our favorite books reveal the importance of coexistence of native marine species. Discover different environments of native birds from shoreline to summit. Explore our precious water resource and freshwater stream habitats. Trek into a Hawaiian rainforest in the footsteps of our book’s main character.
8 am to 3 pm (drop-off as early as 7:45 am) | Extended Care Is Not Available. Wait List: If sold out, contact NAC@HawaiiNatureCenter.org for wait list. Include number of spots, age of child(ren), and your best phone number. Scholarships may be available. Title One school students and other families financially in need can apply for full or partial scholarships, which are limited and not guaranteed. Click here to apply. Email the completed application here.