Nature Detectives

Full—Waitlist Full

Summer Camp for Rising 1st through 3rd Graders


Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11, 2025 – 9:00 am–3:30 pm


Who or What Is Wreaking Havoc in Our Gardens?

group planting in white garden

Our young Nature Detectives learn a variety of green and growing lessons as they trail a "Mixed-up Gardener" who does everything in the garden exactly the wrong way.

Designed by elementary education and horticulture specialists, this active, outdoor curriculum gives campers the satisfaction and confidence that comes from solving problems with their newly acquired knowledge.

pictures of children at camp

Campers bring lunch and snacks from home. Camp size is 16 campers.

Have a Nature Detective from a previous year? No worries, curriculum is on a three-year rotation to allow campers to attend multiple years without repeating activities!

Other Camps for Rising 1st Through 3rd Graders
Ages

Rising 1st through 3rd graders.

Cost

$330.00 per camper.

2025 Summer Camp Registration Information

Registration begins at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 for JCRA Members at the Family/Dual level or above. Public registration begins February 3.

Registration is completed through our online system, Reporter. Full payment for camp will be due at the time of registration. Camps are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. When a camp fills, a waitlist will be started.

You must have an active JCRA Family/Dual level or above membership by Monday, January 27 at noon in order to receive the email with registration links prior to registration opening. Become a JCRA Member or renew your membership today! Enjoy early camp registration and other year-long benefits through membership.

JCRA Members at the Family/Dual level or above will receive an email the morning of Tuesday, January 28 with early registration links and instructions. Emails will be sent to the email address on file in your membership record. If you have not received the email by 11:00 am on January 28, check your spam or junk email and search for an email from jcraprograms@ncsu.edu. If not there, please contact Elizabeth Overcash at elizabeth_overcash@ncsu.edu or 919-513-7011 before noon on January 28.

A JCRA Family/Dual level or above membership does not guarantee a spot in camp. If the camp you want is full, we encourage you to join the waitlist.

Registrations received during the members-only period (January 28–February 2) not associated with a current Family/Dual level or above membership will be refunded minus a 15% administrative fee. To make sure your registration is completed, join or renew now!

Waitlist

When a camp session fills, a waitlist will be started.

During the members-only registration period (January 28–February 2), only JCRA Family/Dual level or above members are placed on the waitlist. Nonmembers registering for the waitlist during this period will be reordered behind any JCRA Members registered for the waitlist during members-only registration.

If a space becomes available, families will be contacted and given the opportunity to accept or decline the space. The open camp spot will be held for 24 hours. Upon accepting the open space, payment will be due within 24 hours of acceptance.

Cancellation

Participants wishing to withdraw from a camp must provide a written request by Friday, May 23, 2025 to Elizabeth Overcash, at elizabeth_overcash@ncsu.edu. If the withdrawal request is received by May 23, a refund will be processed minus a 15% cancellation fee per child per camp. No fees will be refunded if registration is canceled after May 23.

If the JCRA cancels a camp, a full refund will be made.

Memberships purchased in association with a camp registration are not refundable.

Location

JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606.

Camp drop off and pick up will be in the brick circle at the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center.

Directions
Need directions? Click here.
Questions
Try our frequently asked questions, or contact Elizabeth Overcash, at elizabeth_overcash@ncsu.edu or 919-513-7011.