Cultivating Science

Summer Camp for 6th through 8th Graders

Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17, 2026 – 8:30 am–4:00 pm

Dive into a Week of "Ag-ventures" Exploring the Natural World.

Rising 6th through 8th graders will see nature and science from a new angle. This field trip based camp will present STEM topics in horticulture and agriculture to campers through hands-on building activities, experiments, recipes and field trips. This highly interactive camp aims to inspire a new appreciation and curiosity for everyday science and plant the seeds for a lifelong interest in horticultural and agricultural sciences.

Cultivating Science camp is based on a proven model of garden work, field trips, connections and learning developed through a partnership with 4-H, NC State University Department of Horticultural Science and the JC Raulston Arboretum.

A new theme is explored each day through hands-on building projects and experiments like solar ovens, hydroponics systems, beehives and connected further with visits to local farms and industries where campers meet scientists, owners, researchers and farmers connected to the day's theme. In past years, campers have visited Bayer Bee Care, Sweet Pea Urban Farms, the Well-Fed Community Garden and toured the horticultural facilities at NC State among other destinations … and we have many more exciting destinations for this summer!

Camp is limited to 20 campers. Campers bring their own lunch and snacks. Campers will need to provide their own transportation to and from camp, but transportation for field trips throughout the day is included in the registration fee. This camp is on a multiyear rotation allowing campers to return year after year and experience new field trips and activities.

Ages

Rising 6th through 8th graders — Campers should be entering the listed grade levels in the upcoming school year (2026-2027).

Cost

$360.00 per camper.

Camp Schedule

Camp is the full week, Monday through Friday with camp activities between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. Lunch and snack times will be during scheduled camp time.

Camp drop-off begins at 8:00 am each morning. Camp pick up begins promptly at 4:00 pm.

Camps take place rain or shine. Camp activities may be adjusted due to weather (including heat and air quality), but campers can expect to be outside as much as possible!

2026 Summer Camp Registration Information

• Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 12:30 pm — Registration for JCRA Members at the Family/Dual level or above
• Monday, February 2, 2026 — Public registration

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 26 at noon to gain access to early registration. Become a JCRA Member or renew your membership today!

JCRA Members at the Family/Dual level or above will receive an email the morning of Tuesday, January 27 with 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 27, 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 27 to gain access to the registration links.

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 27–February 1) 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!

Registration links will be posted to each camp page when registration opens to the public on Monday, February 2.

Waitlist

When a camp session fills, a waitlist will be started in the registration system, Reporter.

During the members-only registration period (January 27–February 1), only JCRA Members at the Family/Dual level or above will be placed on the waitlist. Others who join the waitlist during this time will be placed after all JCRA Members (Family/Dual level or above) who registered for the waitlist during the members-only period.

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 22, 2026 to Elizabeth Overcash, at elizabeth_overcash@ncsu.edu. If the withdrawal request is received by May 22, 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 22.

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 pickup 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 the JCRA Education Team at jcraprograms@ncsu.edu.