Summer Nature Camps 2025
Ladew camps provide an entertaining and educational experience for children aged 3 to 12 years. Ladew’s beautiful 250-acre property includes formal gardens, a native butterfly and caterpillar house, forests, meadows, ponds and streams. Staffed by our year-round, adult environmental educators and art instructors, we provide a low teacher/volunteer to camper ratio and incorporate engaging STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities throughout our curriculum.
Ladew is a Maryland Certified Youth Camp (MCYC) through the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Space is limited. Each child may only enroll in one camp session to allow other families the opportunity to experience nature camps. However, if space is available, 9-to12-year-olds may register for a second camp starting February 18.
Full payment is due at registration. For questions or to be added to the wait list, contact Sheryl Pedrick at 410.557.9570, x226 or spedrick@LadewGardens.com.
Registration begins:
Tuesday, February 4 at 9:00 am for Members
Tuesday, February 11 at 9:00 am for Non-members
Tuesday, February 18 at 9:00 am for 9–12-year-olds wishing to add a 2nd week of camp
***MUST HAVE A FAMILY MEMBERSHIP ($100 LEVEL) OR HIGHER TO RECEIVE THE MEMBER FEE. GRANDPARENTS WITH THIS MEMBERSHIP LEVEL ARE PERMITTED TO REGISTER & PAY FOR THEIR GRANDCHILDREN.***
NATURE TOTS CAMP
Parents, grandparents and/or caregivers are invited to share in the wonder of discovering nature through the eyes of a preschooler. We’ll explore the gardens, ponds, Nature Walk trail and Butterfly House. We’ll incorporate activities practicing fine motor skills, counting, colors, shapes, ABC’s and more. Songs, stories, games and snack time are part of every day.
Ages: 3 – 4 years (with an adult; one child only per adult)
Time: 9:15 am – 11:45 am
Fees: $150 Members / $175 Non-members
Please note: Each registered child must have their own accompanying adult. Only one child permitted per adult. No additional younger or older siblings are permitted.
| Session 1 | June 16 - 20 |
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| Session 2 | June 23 - 27 |
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NATURE PALS CAMP
Waiting for Wings
Join us as we encounter the many caterpillars, butterflies, and moths that call Ladew home. We’ll visit the gardens, meadows, forests, and Butterfly House in search of these metamorphic wonders. Activities include outdoor discovery walks, storytime, crafts, games, and puppet shows.
Ages: 4 - 5 years
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 noon (no lunch time; snack time is included)
Fees: $180 Members / $220 Non-members
| Session 1 | June 16 - 20 |
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| Session 2 | June 23 - 27 |
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NATURE DETECTIVES
Monarchs, Milkweed and Mexico
Come discover the life of the monarch butterfly from its start as a tiny egg, to its 2,000-mile journey to the mountains of Mexico. We’ll also explore some Mexican culture and the relationship between monarchs and the Mexican region where the butterflies overwinter. Additional butterfly, moth and caterpillar species, as well as other animal co-habitants will be investigated. Activities include outdoor exploration, experiments, stories, arts & crafts, cultural studies, games and puppet shows.
Ages: 6 - 7 years & 7 - 9 years
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fees: $275 Members / $325 Non-members
| Session 1 | July 7 - 10 |
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| Session 2 |July 14 - 18 |
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BE A SCIENTIST CAMP
Insect Investigations
Welcome junior scientists, to a week of entomology, exploration, and experimentation! Using scientific techniques and STEAM tools, we will explore Ladew’s gardens, meadows, Nature Walk and Butterfly House to discover Maryland’s many native butterflies and the ecosystems they depend on.
Ages: 9 - 12 years
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fees: $275 Members / $325 Non-members
| Session | July 21 - 25 |
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ART IN NATURE CAMP
Artists of the Past and Present
Creativity awaits us as we take inspiration from artists throughout the years. In this camp, we will experience the animals, plants, and landscape of Ladew's gardens, Butterfly House, Meadows, and Nature Walk trail through the perspectives of the greatest artists of all time. We will transform our observations into artwork by learning the techniques of Vincent Van Gogh, Gustav Klimt, Ladew's 2025 Artist-in-Residence, Walter Matia and many others! Using recycled, found, or professional art materials, we will create sculptures, paintings, prints, sketches and more. The week will culminate in a group art show in Ladew's Barn Gallery.
Ages: 9 - 12 years
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fees: $300 Members / $350 Non-members
| Session | July 28 - Aug. 1 |
| Register |
Camp Volunteer Opportunity for Teens and Adults
Volunteer with Ladew’s nature camp, while learning and having fun at the same time! Assist staff with daily activities including outdoor explorations, games, crafts, program set up, program breakdown and overall supervision of camp children, ages 4 – 9 years. (New volunteers require an interview and background check/fingerprinting.)
Ages: 14 years & older
Time Commitment: 3 -5 days per week; June 16 through July 18;
4-6 hours per day, depending on camp week.
For more info or to schedule an interview, contact Sheryl Pedrick at 410-557-9570, ext. 226 or spedrick@ladewgardens.com.