Do you remember the joy of spending childhood summers outdoors? Register for Heard Summer Nature Camps and share those wonderful moments and memories with your child. The Heard’s mission is to inspire children to discover, enjoy, experience, and restore our priceless environment.
Heard Summer Camps feature opportunities for children from north Texas and beyond to delve into the wonders of nature on our 289-acre sanctuary, encounter animal ambassadors, investigate nature-themed topics, and more. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors is not only fun for our children, but also plays an important role in many facets of child development.
Click here to view the message regarding Heard Summer Camps and COVID-19.
These weeklong Heard Summer Nature Camps will feature opportunities to delve into the wonders of nature on our 289-acre sanctuary, encounter animal ambassadors, investigate nature-themed topics, and more! Spots are limited.
Heard Museum* Members-Only Registration
Through 2/21
Registration Now Open to Public
Early Bird Registration
Ends 3/15
5 – 12 Years (as of June 1, 2023)
Member Rate: $225
Non-Member Rate: $250
Pre-registration is required
9:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.
Camp Tadpole
June 12 – 16
June 19 – 23
Camp Chickadee
June 26 – June 30
July 10 – July 14
Information coming soon!
Would you like to receive an email notification when more information is available? Click here.
Youth artists will follow in the footsteps of great artists such as Audubon, Beatrix Potter and Anna Atkins, with unique opportunities to create their own art inspired by nature and live animals. Each day, a different type of medium will be explored.
Projects
Campers will respond to the beauty of the Heard Sanctuary and wildlife through hands on art experiences.
Our Nature Art Camps will be led by Lynne Hubner, who serves as the exhibit curator at the Heard. Ms. Hubner earned a BFA in Drawing from Manhattanville College, New York, as well as an MFA in Printmaking from the University of North Texas. Hubner is the co-founder and past president of the North Texas Printmakers Guild. She runs an active printmaking studio in the Historic District of McKinney, Texas where non-toxic processes are stressed. She is an independent artist, lecturer, educator and workshop facilitator.
Heard Museum Members Pre-sale on Magic Planet Camps through February 28. Reservations open to the public beginning March 1.
6 – 12 Years (as of June 1, 2022)
Member Rate: $170
Non-Member Rate: $195
Pre-registration is required.
9:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
July 11 – 15
July 18 – 22
All art supplies are included.
Campers experience a behind-the-scenes, hands-on adventure with our education and exhibit animals. Learn about our different animals and what it takes to properly care for them. Spots are limited.
Keeper Camp 1:
Campers experience a behind-the-scenes, hands-on adventure with our education and exhibit animals. Learn about our different animals and what it takes to properly care for them. Pre-registration is required.
Keeper Camp 2:
Want more? Continue your adventure and discover even more about taking care of animals and enriching the lives of our animal ambassadors. Prerequisite: must have attended Keeper Camp 1. Pre-registration is required.
Heard Museum* Members-Only Registration
Through 2/21
Registration Now Open to Public
Early Bird Registration
Ends 3/15
Ages: 10 – 15 (as of June 1, 2023)
Member Rate: $270
Non-Member Rate: $295
Pre-registration required.
9:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.
Keeper Camp 1
June 5-9
July 17-21
Keeper Camp 2
July 24-28
Attendees of Keeper Camp 2 must have attended Keeper Camp 1.
Information coming soon!
Journey through our Solar System and beyond! This camp will use the Magic Planet, a digital interactive globe, to explore the unique characteristics of the planets, their moons, and other objects seen in our night sky. We’ll also spend time outdoors exploring the fascinating characteristics of the planet we know best – the Earth! Spots are limited.
Heard Museum* Members-Only Registration
Through 2/21
Registration Open to Public
5*-10
*Participants must have completed one year of Kindergarden prior to camp.
Member Rate: $120
Non-Member Rate: $135
9:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
June 5 – 9
Spots are limited.
Snack time not included.
Fit a little more fun in nature into your summer! Spots are limited. Register today.
July 26, 27 & 28 – More information coming soon
Wednesday, July 5 – Amazing Amphibians
How do you tell the difference between a reptile and an amphibian? We’ll explore the answer as we discover amphibians’ unique life cycle and other amazing facts about them.
Thursday, July 6 – Fossil Finds
How do we know what plant and animals used to live on the earth? We’ll take a look at how fossils are formed and what they tell us about the past.
Friday, July 7 – Bird Basics
Our sanctuary is home to many different types of birds. We’ll see how many of them we can spot or hear. We’ll also explore the purpose of the many different beaks, feet, and feathers they have.
Heard Museum* Members-Only Registration
Through 2/21
Registration Open to Public
6-12 (as of June 1, 2023)
Member Rate: $22
Non-Member Rate: $24
Pre-registration required
Mini Camps are not included in the Early Bird Offer.
(9:30 a.m. – noon)
Wednesday, July 5 – Amazing Amphibians
Thursday, July 6 – Fossil Finds
Friday, July 7 – Bird Basics
Register for Camp Dragonfly, Camp Snapping Turtle or Keeper Camp (full day, weeklong camps) by March 17 and get a $25 Heard Store Gift Certificate. Applications must be complete* to qualify. Limit one per family/household.
*A completed application must include:
The Heard offers Heard Summer Camp t-shirts (available only when ordered by May 1).
Our Medication Policy is for the protection and safety of your child while he/she participates in Museum Programs. Your cooperation with this policy is necessary for the safety of all participants. We appreciate your consideration.
*Please note that the reciprocal admission agreement that the Heard has with the Perot Museum, Fort Worth Museum of Nature & Science and ASTC Passport Program participants does not apply to education programs or special events.
We do not know what the coronavirus situation will be when camp actually occurs. But assuming conditions are the same as they are now, the following procedures, based on CDC guidelines, will be implemented to help reduce potential exposure for campers and staff. If community conditions improve or worsen, we will adjust our policies accordingly.
What About Face Masks?
What Else Are We Doing?
Health Screening
(Policy current as of 1.24.23)
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