Dive into nature and take full advantage of a place where your kid can unplug. Camp Schuylkill provides a summer of immersive outdoor exploration, discovery and wonder for campers ages 4-12. They will have intimate access to 340 acres of forest, fields, streams and ponds while exploring nature through hands-on discoveries and play. This will be a summer to remember where your kid will be truly present to appreciate the wonder of the outdoors.

REGISTER NOW

Welcome to our exciting 2024 camp season! Registration is open. Please browse our Camp Schuylkill 2024 Family Handbook and Policy Guide for in-depth information about our camp. 

“We had high expectations from so many other parents and we were not let down AT ALL!! Beyond excited to send our child again next year.”

“He came home thoroughly dirty each day, and with a deeper knowledge and appreciation of nature.”

FAMILY HANDBOOK
The Camp Schuylkill 2024 Family Handbook and Policy Guide provides families with an introduction to our summer camp program, registration policies and procedures, daily life during a typical camp week, our strategies and expectations for effective family/staff relationships, and our policies and procedures for keeping children healthy, safe, and supported during camp.

MEMBER BENEFITS & 2024 RATES
Membership benefits are changing in 2024. Members have access to priority registration for summer camp starting on January 15th, 2024. (Members will receive an email on the morning of January 15 with a registration link.) Non-Members will be able to register starting on January 22nd, 2024.

BECOME A MEMBER

Rates for 2024 Summer Camps:

  • Age 4-5 (Half-Day)
    • $375.00
  • Age 4-5 (Full-Day)
    • $475.00
  • Age 4-5 (July 4th Week)
    • $285.00
  • Age 6-9
    • $475.00
  • Age 6-9 (July 4th Week)
    • $285.00
  • Age 10-12
    • $585.00
  • Age 10-12 (July 4th Week)
    • $370.00

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please check out our FAQ page!

CONTACT
Questions about Camp Schuylkill? 215.853.6249, beatrice@schuylkillcenter.org

IN THE NEWS
Check out this article in The Philadelphia Inquirer “My Summer Job: A South Philly educator goes to the forest, taking hikes with tikes at Camp Schuylkill.”

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
We continue to monitor recommended guidelines for COVID-19 set out by the state and city. We will follow guidelines set forth by the Philadelphia Department of Health at the time of camp. A document outlining all of our COVID-19 protocols will be emailed to all registered families.

AGES 4-5 PROGRAM (adult:child ratio is 1:6)
Children ages 4-5 will grow and learn while immersed in nature. We will explore ponds and streams, observe tadpoles and butterflies, and build knowledge and relationships. Camp Schuylkill is the perfect place for young children to deepen their connection to the natural world while getting messy and having fun through unstructured, imaginative play. Uncover the skills that we need to improve our world and take simple steps to care for the earth.Children attending our full-day program will participate in a mid-day siesta to rest before afternoon activities. We also offer a morning option until 12:30 pm. Children must be toilet trained and toilet confident to attend our program.Children ages 4-5 are divided into three groups: Crawling Caterpillars, Slimy Slugs, and Wiggly Worms. If coordinating with others to attend camp together, please be sure to communicate your group selection before registration.

Weekly Themes For The Age 4-5 Campers

  • Bird Buddies | June 17-21
    Tweet, chirp, flutter, and quack! We’ll keep our eyes on the sky this week as we look and listen for the sights and sounds of our feathered friends. Paint with feathers, use binoculars to scan the treetops, and make a bird feeder to take home. This week is sure to be a hoot!
  • Wildlife in Your Backyard | June 24-28
    Have you met your nature neighbors? Raccoons, opossums, foxes, pigeons (and more!)-they live in our parks, in our yards, and all around us! Come help us discover how urban wildlife plays such an important role in our city. We’ll spot squirrel nests, listen for bird calls, and discover all the creatures great and small that call our city home.
  • Dive into Water | July 1-3
    Note: Shortened week due to observation of the July 4 holiday Splash through streams, run through sprinklers, and paint with mud as we dive into the wacky world of water. From providing shelter to habitats to clean drinking water and more, explore the many reasons why water is important as we meet some of the aquatic creatures that call streams, ponds, and even puddles their home.
  • Magic in Nature | July 8-12
    There is magic all around us! Paint with color-changing pigments, look for fairy houses in our forests, and try to spot our animal friends hidden in their camouflage. Learn to see the wonder that exists in our forest, our meadows, and more! A little imagination and a whole lot of fun are sure to make this week feel magical!
  • Incredible Insects | July 15-19
    What would it be like to be as small as an ant? Or to see through the complex eyes of a dragonfly? Come face-to-face with the creepy, the crawly, and the incredibly cool insects that fly, flutter, and forage through our forests. Search for pill bugs under logs, examine leaves for caterpillars, and spot butterflies overhead in a week that’s sure to be buzz-worthy.
  • Nature’s Artists | July 22-26
    Let’s put our imagination and creativity to the test by looking at the forest in a whole new way. Can pine needles be turned into paintbrushes, or sticks into musical instruments? Create beautiful works of art from natural materials as we explore the many reasons that we’re all nature-ally artistic.
  • Plants and Pollinators | July 29-Aug 2
    Come explore what plants are growing all around us! Blades of grass to tall tree canopies. Let’s make art with flowers and leaves while we’re at it! Search for seeds, buds, and branches! Who uses plants for food? Learn about the native plants that live here at summer camp and why they are so important to our pollinator friends!
  • Marvelous Mammals | August 5-9
    Mammals come in all sorts of shapes and sizes in our forests, from the smallest mice to our largest deer! What makes them similar? What makes them different? Fur or Fluff, hooves or paws. Come join us as we search for what makes our mammals so marvelous!
  • The Dirt on Decomposers | August 12-16
    Get ready to get dirty as we flip over rocks, poke into logs, and dig under dirt to discover the super tiny but incredibly cool creatures that call the underground home. What role do decomposers play in our ecosystem? Why do worms create tunnels? Grab a shovel and get ready to make a mess as we unearth the hidden secrets of what’s below the surface

AGES 6-7 PROGRAM (adult:child ratio is 1:8)
Campers ages 6-7 will hike, canoe, create and investigate while learning about the natural world – enjoying a mix of environmental education and unstructured free play. Crafts, games and incredible discoveries will make learning about nature fun and create wonderful lasting memories. Children ages 6-7 are divided into three groups: Amazing Ants, Busy Bees and Dashing Dragonflies. If coordinating with others to attend camp together, please be sure to communicate your group selection before registration.

Weekly Themes For The Age 6-7 Campers

  • Urban Wildlife | June 17-21
    Let’s explore the wildlife that calls our city home. Have you seen a caterpillar inching along? Or a fox dash into the safety of the woods? Did you know that the only marsupial on our continent lives right in our backyard? These animals play a very important role in the ecosystem of Philadelphia and many other cities. Come discover what’s hiding in plain sight!
  • Feathered Friends | June 24-28
    From feisty blue jays to majestic bald eagles, we’ll learn about the distinct characteristics of local birds-what they eat, where they migrate, and how they build their nests-and break out the binoculars to see who resides in our forest. To help out our feathery friends, we will build birdhouses and create pinecone bird feeders to hang throughout the forest.
  • Dive into Water/Wonderful Water | July 1-3
    All living things need water to survive, but what exactly is this amazing liquid that is so essential to life on Earth? This week get ready to splish and splash as we dive into the wonderful world of water! Explore its properties with dewy experiments, wade into our streams, and discover the slimy and scaly creatures in their depths, and don’t be afraid to get wet as we cool down by playing fun water games.
  • Nature-ally Artistic | July 8-12
    Let’s put our imagination and creativity to the test by looking at the forest in a whole new way. Can pine needles be turned into paintbrushes, or sticks into musical instruments? What can we turn into paint? Create beautiful works of art from natural materials as we explore the many reasons that we’re all nature-ally artistic.
  • Plants and Pollinators | July 15-19
    Fluttering butterflies and buzzing bees fill our meadows and fields throughout the summer months. Pollinators and their relationship with plants play an enormous role in our ecosystem and even more so in our food. This week take a closer look at the different native plants that attract pollinators, learn about the secret lives of bees, and even plant our own native wildflowers.
  • Magic in Nature | July 22-26
    Get ready to unlock the enchantment of nature! From potion-making with plant ingredients to fairy tale hikes where every tree holds a secret. It’s a week of whimsy, wonder, and the kind of magic that only nature can provide. Join us as we sprinkle a dash of imagination into the great outdoors – where every rustle of the trees and bird song carries a hint of the extraordinary!
  • Stewards of the Forest | July 29 – August 2
    It takes a lot of work to keep our 365-acre forest healthy, vibrant, and beautiful. Go behind the scenes and meet with our land stewardship team to learn just how it’s done. Get your hands dirty tackling projects aimed at improving the beauty and biodiversity of our forest – from caring for young trees to improving habitats and trails to removing invasive species and more.
  • Marvelous Mammals | August 5-9
    Are you as fast as the sly fox, or as silly as a squirrel? What mammals live at the Schuylkill Center? Prepare for a week of fun with our four-legged friends! We will explore the fascinating world of mammals. Unleash your creativity with our crafty critters, where we design our own animal masks, transforming into our favorite mammals for a day. Let’s search for signs of mammal life, make treats for some friends at the Wildlife Clinic, and more!
  • The Dirt on Decomposers | August 12-16
    Get ready to get dirty as we flip over rocks, poke into logs, and dig under dirt to discover the super tiny but incredibly cool creatures that call the underground home. What role do decomposers play in our ecosystem? Why do worms create tunnels? Grab a shovel and get ready to make a mess as we unearth the hidden secrets of what’s below the surface.

AGES 8-9 PROGRAM (adult:child ratio is 1:8)
Campers in the 8-9 age group will delve a bit deeper into environmental topics while spending plenty of time exploring, hiking, canoeing and playing. Campers will participate in environmental stewardship projects, helping to develop their knowledge, a sense of pride in their accomplishments, and a lifelong appreciation of the natural world. Children ages 8-9 are divided into two groups: Wild Wolves and Radical Raccoons. If coordinating with others to attend camp together, please be sure to communicate your group selection before registration.

Weekly Themes For The Age 8-9 Campers

  • Incredible Invertebrates | June 17-21
    Unleash your curiosity and explore the incredible world of invertebrates! Grab your magnifying glass as we explore these small but mighty creatures. Learn about what makes these animals unique, from the smallest slug to the biggest beetles. We will make creepy crawly crafts, talk beetle biology, and explore our ponds to see what we can find. This week will surely be a buzzing good time!
  • Junior Birders | June 24-28
    From feisty blue jays to majestic bald eagles, we’ll learn about the distinct characteristics of local birds-what they eat, where they migrate, and how they build their nests-and break out the binoculars to see who resides in our forest. To help out our feathery friends, we will build birdhouses and create pinecone bird feeders to hang throughout the forest.
  • Urban Wildlife | July 1-3
    Note: Shortened week due to observation of the July 4 holiday Let’s explore the wildlife that calls our city home. Have you seen a caterpillar inching along? Or a fox dash into the safety of the woods? Did you know that the only marsupial on our continent lives right in our backyard? These animals play a very important role in the ecosystem of Philadelphia and many other cities. Come discover what’s hiding in plain sight!
  • Budding Naturalists | July 8-12
    Calling all young naturalists! Our junior naturalists will immerse themselves in hands-on adventures, from decoding animal tracks to uncovering the hidden stories in the soil. Get ready for amazing hikes, tree identification challenges, and even a BioBlitz where we’ll observe the many living things around us. It’s a week of discovery, curiosity, and fostering a lifelong love for the great outdoors.
  • The Dirt on Decomposers | July 15-19
    Get ready to get dirty as we flip over rocks, poke into logs, and dig under dirt to discover the super tiny but incredibly cool creatures that call the underground home. What role do decomposers play in our ecosystem? Why do worms create tunnels? Grab a shovel and get ready to make a mess as we unearth the hidden secrets of what’s below the surface.
  • Plants and Pollinators | July 22-26
    Fluttering butterflies and buzzing bees fill our meadows and fields throughout the summer months. Pollinators and their relationship with plants play an enormous role in our ecosystem and even more so in our food. This week take a closer look at the different native plants that attract pollinators, learn about the secret lives of bees, and even plant our own native wildflowers.
  • Stewards of the Forest | July 29-August 2
    It takes a lot of work to keep our 365-acre forest healthy, vibrant, and beautiful. Go behind the scenes and meet with our land stewardship team to learn just how it’s done. Get your hands dirty tackling projects aimed at improving the beauty and biodiversity of our forest – from caring for young trees to improving habitats and trails to removing invasive species and more.
  • Aquatic Adventures | August 5-9
    All living things need water to survive, but what exactly is this amazing liquid that is so essential to life on Earth? This week get ready to splish and splash as we dive into the wonderful world of water! Explore its properties with dewy experiments, wade into our streams, and discover the slimy and scaly creatures in their depths, and don’t be afraid to get wet as we cool down by playing fun water games.
  • Happenin’ Herpetology | August 12-16
    Unleash your inner herpetologist! From croaky choruses in the wetlands to the sneaky salamanders hidden under logs, our campers will embark on a journey of discovery. They will learn to distinguish between the cold-blooded characters that make our ecosystems so vibrant. It’s a week where curiosity meets camouflage, and every encounter brings us a step closer to understanding the enchanting world of scales, tails, and slime. Get ready for a slithering good time!

AGES 10-12 PROGRAM (adult:child ratio is 1:8)
Campers ages 10-12 will be challenged to improve their outdoor knowledge and skills in a supportive setting with seasoned instructors and outdoor guides. As each week’s destination and focus changes, campers will engage in a wide variety of activities and habitats.Campers start the week bonding at home base-the Center’s 365-acre forested oasis. Every Tuesday, we will go off-site to explore the Wissahickon. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, we will take day trips to nearby state parks, natural areas and cultural institutions. The day trips vary each week, depending on the theme. On weeks with an asterisk, campers will spend Wednesday night (Thursday if inclement weather) camping at the Schuylkill Center.

Weekly Themes For The Age 10-12 Campers

  • Up in the Trees | June 17-21 (No Overnight Camping)
    We’ll reach new heights as we take a closer look into forest ecosystems. Learn about the animals that call the treetops home, take part in a restoration project to help revitalize our forests, and spend time swinging, climbing, and zipping from tree to tree at a local high ropes course.
  • Wonderful Water | June 24-28*** (Overnight Camping)
    Water is one of the most important resources we have. It provides us with so many things, including drinking water, habitat for our aquatic life, and so much more! Join us as we visit Ricketts Glen State Park to hike the waterfall loop and see over 15 waterfalls! This week is sure to make a splash!
  • Rock On | July 1-3 (Note: Shortened week due to observation of the July 4 holiday/No Overnight Camping)
    From dust-like mica to large, towering boulders, we will spend the week exploring the geological landscape that surrounds us. Adventure through a real life mine! Did you know that mines stay the same temperature all year long? Learn about the geological history of our amazing Wissahickon! End the week with a climbing excursion where guides will teach us how to properly climb and belay.
  • Birding | July 8-12*** (Overnight Camping)
    With its proximity to one of the main migratory bird flyways, Philadelphia offers an abundance of birding hotspots. Learn to identify common birds by sight and sound before putting our knowledge to the test at John Heinz Wildlife Refuge and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. End the week with a stewardship project to help conserve wild bird populations.
  • State Park Week | July 15-19*** (Overnight Camping)
    With our prime location near both mountains and shore, Philadelphians are fortunate to have an abundance of state parks nearby. Hike at Hickory Run State Park and kayak on Lake Nockamixon as we take in all of the wonders right in our backyard.
  • Philly’s Hidden Treasures | July 22-26 (No Overnight Camping)
    Have you ever thought about the adventure that could be in your backyard? Philadelphia has plenty of hidden gems throughout its urban jungle. Take in the marvelous view at the Discovery center – where tons of migratory birds pass through every year! Play disc golf at the oldest course on the East Coast (second oldest in the world), and join us for a kayak tour in our very own Schuylkill River as we discover what makes Philadelphia so special.
  • Young Naturalists | July 29-August 2*** (Overnight Camping)
    Time to put your naturalist skills to the test! Get your feet wet as we test water quality and soil samples with the Wetland Institute. Visit their spectacular wetlands, marshes, and even their maritime forest – one of the last left in America! Then join us as we host our own mushroom foray! We’ll even end the week hosting a BioBlitz at the Schuylkill Center!
  • Amazing Arboretums | August 5-9 (No Overnight Camping)
    Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia region are filled with so many wonderful green spaces! Join us as we visit some of the amazing arboretums that we share with our home. Take a tour of Morris Arboretum, which has more than 13,000 labeled plants, representing plant life from around the world! Next, we will visit Tyler Arboretum – filled with natural beauty and history dating back to the time of William Penn!
  • Summer Send Off | August 12-16*** (Overnight Camping)
    Kick off the end of summer exploring with us! We’ll spend this week having tons of fun (and s’mores) before we go back to school! Join us as we ride railbikes from the heart of Cape May. We will be sure to spot their expansive native wildflower meadows and flora, as well as migrating songbirds, raptors and pollinators. Then make your way to the Elmwood Park Zoo to learn more about the wildlife from Philadelphia and beyond!