Garden Critters

Preschool, Half-Day Summer Camp

Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24, 2026 – 9:00 am–12:30 pm

Young campers roam our gardens in search of ladybugs, grasshoppers and more....

What child doesn't love to hold a ladybug, play hide and seek with lizards or jump like a grasshopper?

Our Garden Critters camp builds on a child's innate curiosity and fascination finding a new critter each day during garden explorations, lessons, games and crafts. The camp week concludes with smiles, new friends and a keepsake craft with each day's critter.

This half-day, week-long adventure is a great opportunity to introduce your little garden critter to the JCRA's gardens. Campers bring lunch and a snack from home. Camp size is 12 campers. This camp is on a two-year rotation allowing campers to return multiple years and experience new critters and activities each year.

Note: This week of Garden Critters camp will be the same activities as the Garden Critters camp in June. Campers should not be registered for both weeks of camp since activities will be repeated.

Ages

For 4 and 5 year olds. Must be at least 4 years old by the first day of camp and fully potty-trained.

Cost

$200.00 per camper.

Camp Schedule

Camp is the full week, Monday through Friday with camp activities between 9:00 am and 12:30 pm. Lunch and snack times will be during scheduled camp time.

Camp drop-off begins at 8:30 am each morning. Camp pick up begins promptly at 12:30 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 enjoying the gardens 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.