Whether school’s out for a day or the whole summer, The Nest offers enriching camp experiences for curious kids ages 4–8. Each camp day is packed with discovery, creativity, and play!
Registration opens January 20 at 1pm for members and January 27 at 1pm for non-members.
Join us for another summer filled with creative exploration, tinkering, and making at Summer Camp!
Age Range: 4-8
Hours: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Location: The Nest
Check out 2026 Summer Camp Dates and Themes
Calling all future architects, engineers, and demolitionists. We’ll learn from the ground up as we design and create our own columns, city, and transportation. Then, we’ll knock them all down! $200 non-members / $160 members
We’ve combined the BEST moments from our 2026 Summer Camps into this 5-day camp! Enjoy our Summer Camp fan favorites, including Pirate Adventures and Robots and Rockets. It’s the perfect sampling with a variety of different topics to explore. $500 non-members / $400 members
Tired of home? Travel around the world with The Nest! Campers will explore a different continent each day to discover the beauty, diversity, and fun of planet Earth. Campers will craft, dance, and play games inspired by a variety of cultures. We will virtually explore landmarks and unique animals around the world to spark curiosity and create a sense of adventure! $500 non-members /$400 members
Campers share in the discovery of nature and learn about our dependence on bees, bats, and butterflies. Your little one will play games while exploring native, pollinator-friendly plants and depart with seeds or seedlings to plant at home from our Outdoor Learning Garden. $500 non-members / $400 members
Boom! Pow! Wham! The Nest is looking for children with heroic hearts to join us as we create our own superhero personas, discover the science behind super powers, and combine our talents to “do good!” $500 non-members / $400 members
3, 2, 1…Blast off! We’ll engineer our own creations and become inspired by joining Summer Camp for a week of STEAM-based, technological FUN!nvestigative play with The Nest’s robot friends. The excitement continues as we learn about our solar system and how advancements in technology have shaped space exploration. $500 non-members / $400 members
Take a look at the inner workings of your body-from bones to brains! How do our body systems function together to work, to play, and to interpret the world around us? $500 non-members / $400 members
We’ll conjure up spells, create our own fairy gardens and wands, make potions, and MORE. Children will experience the magic of summer camp at The Nest together with hands-on, sensory play! $500 non-members / $400 members
Explore light and shadows with The Nest this summer! Come experiment with light and colour and learn about the orbit of earth around the sun. This camp is a great combination of art, astronomy and physics and will appeal to the creative scientists in your household. $500 non-members / $400 members
3, 2, 1…Blast off! Join Summer Camp for a week of STEAM-based, technological FUN! We’ll engineer our own creations and become inspired by investigative play with The Nest’s robot friends. The excitement continues as we learn about our solar system and how advancements in technology have shaped space exploration. $500 non-members / $400 members
Arrgg! Set sail on an adventure through the seven seas! Explore the wonders of the ocean with water play and make way for an exciting week with boats, moats, and buried treasure. Build your own ships and create eyepatches and hooks to get into the pirate spirit! $500 non-members / $400 members
Unfortunately, no. Your child must be within the given age range by the first day of camp to register for the camp session. NCCM also requires that each child be bathroom independent.
Drop-Off: Caregivers arrive with their campers at The Nest, 1712 Willow Dr. Chapel Hill (next door to Binkley Preschool). Drop-off will take place in the Nest Outdoor Learning Garden or inside at the front desk (weather dependent) between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM.
Pick-Up: Caregivers return to the Nest Outdoor Learning Garden or front desk (weather dependent) to pick up their camper any time between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM. No camper will be released until an authorized adult has shown valid ID and signed the camp check-out form with a staff member. During camp registration, there is space to list multiple individuals authorized for pick-up. Arriving after 4:00 PM may result in a late pick-up fee.
Yes. Children must be bathroom independent to attend this program. Being bathroom independent means a child is able to communicate the need to go to the bathroom and complete the entire process on their own. While staff supervise multiple group bathroom breaks during this program, they are not able to facilitate bathroom visits for children.
Your camper should bring 2 snacks and lunch that are both free of nuts and nut-products. Snacks and lunch will not be provided by NCCM.
Campers should be ready to move! They should wear something comfortable that can get messy. In the event of an accident, pack a change of clothes in a labeled backpack. Close-toed shoes are recommended. Campers are currently not required to wear masks.
We do not accept lunch delivery services (ie Uber Eats). If lunch is forgotten at drop off, we ask that the caregiver delivers the lunch to camp by 11am.
The registration form has a section regarding allergies and other health concerns. Please be aware that NCCM does not administer any medications with the exception of Epinephrine. If your child has an allergy that requires the use of an epipen, you will be asked to provide one.
If you would like to talk with our team about your child’s abilities and/or restrictions, please contact us at camp@ncchildrensmuseum.org
Please refer to our policy on cancellations due to illness. We require all children to stay home if they are feeling ill, including, but not limited to: fever, cough, chills, new loss of taste or smell, or shortness of breath. Please contact the camp team at camp@ncchildrensmuseum.org if your camper is feeling unwell and unable to attend camp.
Yes! The NCCM 2025 School's Out Camp Scholarship Application is available here.
Based on your application and the generosity of Kidzu’s Susan Ross Education Fund, your family may qualify for a scholarship camp registration. Please note: Due to the volume of applications, we are only able to provide 1 camp scholarship spot per camp, per family.
Spaces and funds are limited, so please submit this application as soon as possible. We will respond to all pending Scholarship Applications in the order they were submitted. Please expect us to reply within two weeks from the date of receipt.
Yes! There will be time allotted for free play in the exhibit areas at each camp.
You may fill out the following Google Forms to add yourself to our camp waitlist.
Please reach out to camp@kidzuchildrensmuseum.
There are no single day registrations available for summer camp. The registration is for the entire duration of the camp listed on the website.
Aftercare is not currently offered for Kidzu’s Camps.
Please contact NCCM's Camp Team at camp@kidzuchildrensmuseum.org if you have questions about the camp your little is enrolled in.
Nest members receive a 20% discount on camp registration!
To receive membership discounts, you must be logged into NCCM's online member portal at the time of registration. Member discounts will apply automatically and be reflected in your cart prior to submitting payment. If you don’t yet have an account, please create one here using the email and contact information associated with your membership. If you encounter any issues during registration, please email our Director of Operations at varney@ncchildrensmuseum.org