Youth Education
Idaho celebrates Week of the Young Child
Saturday, April 20th
The Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (Idaho AEYC) is partnering with the Idaho Botanical Garden to host a family-friendly outdoor celebration that recognizes our youngest Idahoans and everyone who makes a difference in children’s lives. LEARN MORE +
Stepping Stone Adult/Child Workshop
Saturday, May 11th
Adult/child pairs work together to create two stepping stones decorated with a choice of materials – leaf prints, tiles, or glass pebbles. Pick up your finished product the following weekend. LEARN MORE +
Bug Day
Saturday, August 24th
Learn about the exciting world of bugs in an adventurous environment! LEARN MORE +Idaho Botanical Garden offers a variety of educational classes, camps, and school field trips for children of all ages. Over 11,000 youth visit the Garden each year for exciting discoveries with nature.
Upcoming Youth Education Classes
Garden on the RoadYouth Group ToursNature CampSeedlings
Garden on the Road
When the plants are dormant in January & February, the Garden goes on the road to visit area daycare centers, preschools, and kindergartens.
This program engages student interest in the world of living things through lively audio/visual presentations, role-playing, and craft activities. Garden on the Road is appropriate for children 4 to 6 years of age.
The fee is $2/child, minimum group size is 10–24 children. For groups smaller than ten, $20 will be charged.
Contact Idaho Botanical Garden to be added to the mailing list, (208) 343-8649.
Youth Group Tours
These tours are designed to supplement school science curricula. They run mid-April through October and last approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes. A minimum group size of 10 students is required, or a payment of $25.
Contact Idaho Botanical Garden at (208) 343-8649 to make reservations or to discuss the program.
Dates/Times
Monday–Friday, April-October
Spring/Fall tour times: 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m.
Summer tour times:
Call for availability, Wendy Irwin, Youth Education Coordinator, (208) 275-8612.
Cost
Students preschool through middle school/junior high: $2.50/student.
Adults (one with every five students): Free, $2.50/each additional adult.
Students high school through college: $4/student.
Chaperones (one with every five students): Free, $4.00/each additional adult.
Tour Types
Nature Camp
Nature Camp is a morning science program designed for children ages 4–9 to participate in games, crafts, and nature walks at Idaho Botanical Garden during July and August.
Each class meets Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.–noon. The campers are divided into two classes by age. Each class is limited to 20 children and is supervised by an adult teacher and two aides.
Camp Fees:
Members: $80 per camp
Non Members: $105 per camp
Due to high demand, each child may register for no more than two sessions. Please register your child’s name.
Nature Camp Descriptions:
SEASONS OF FUN CAMP
July 15-19 Classes: Ages 5-6, 7-9
How do you measure a year? In snowballs, in rainstorms, in flower buds, or animal migrations? Join the Idaho Botanical Garden this week and experience seasons of fun! Campers will make
instant snow, dissect flowers, learn how to stay cool like a salamander, and migrate like Canada geese.
ICKY-AWESOME NATURE
July 22-26 Classes: Ages 4, 5-6
Does the thought of a worm make you squirm? Do you say “Eeew!” when you step on poo? Are you taken aback by an animal’s track? Come explore all things creepy, crawly, smelly, and icky-awesome this week at the Idaho Botanical Garden!
WIZARDING CAMP
July 29-August 2 Classes: Ages 5-6, 7-9
Welcome to another term at the Idaho Botanical School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Try your skills at the sport of Quidditch! Attend classes, from
Care of Magical Creatures to Herbology. And test your bravery when you come into contact with one of the ghosts of gardens past…
OUTBACK IDAHO CAMP
August 5-9 Classes: Ages 5-6, 7-9
G’day, campers! It’s time to put on your hiking shoes, grab your binoculars, and go on a backyard exploration. Discover the critters who live in Idaho’s dry deserts, deep canyons, green forests, and rocky mountains. You may even find some amazing things living in the big city!
GROWING GARDENERS CAMP
August 12-16 Classes: Ages 4, 5-6
Calling all young gardeners! Put on some gardening gloves and see what green things are sprouting at the Botanical Garden this week! Dig in the soil, search for earthworms, plant seeds, and harvest vegetables for a summer snack.
To Register Online:
If not a current member, receive member rates by joining or renewing your membership online. Become a Member, complete the online membership form and add it to the cart.
Please note that camps are specific to the age ranges listed. Ages younger or older than the camp chosen are not recommended. All age requirements are set to benefit the children and make instruction more consistent. Please contact Wendy at (208) 275-8612 with questions.
Register Online Today +
- Once on the Nature Camp registration page, sign in/register, choose the camp session, and enter the child’s registration information. Enter the guardian’s information under “billing contact.” Add the camp registration to the cart. Garden member discount will show during checkout.
- Go to the cart to submit payment information.
If you experience problems with the online system, have questions, or would like to sign up over the phone, please call the Garden office at (208) 343-8649, Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Register through the Garden Administrative Office:
Call 208-343-8649 to register over the phone or stop by the Garden Office, Monday–Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. to register in person.
Note:
Payment is refundable up to two weeks prior to the first day of camp class, minus a $10 processing fee.
*To request financial aid, please complete and submit this form.
What to Bring:
Children should bring a snack each day and wear closed-toed shoes and sunscreen.
Following registration, please fill out this Medical Form and bring back to camp first day. If you do not, there will be paperwork to fill out when you arrive.
Seedlings
Children aged 3–5 years are invited to come, with an adult, to play and learn at Idaho Botanical Garden’s Seedlings program in July and August.
During this program children will listen to a story, go on a nature walk and make a craft related to that day’s theme. The program starts at 10 a.m. and lasts for one hour.
Each child should come with an adult who will help during the activities. There is limited space, so please register in advance.
To sign up, contact the Garden, (208) 275-8612 or register online. Let us know the child’s name, the adult’s name, a phone number we may call if there is a problem, and which time and date you would like. If registering online, enter the child’s name as the registrant and your name in the billing information.
Admission:
Applicable Regular Garden adult admission, plus $2 per child:
- Member adult/child pair: $2
- Senior Non-member/child pair: $7
- Adult Non-member/child pair: $9