The live animal exhibit trail and all hiking trails are OPEN every day! Squam Lake Cruises run daily.
Two children sitting in the grass looking away.

Summer Guided Discoveries

If a session is full, you may select to join the waitlist.

Summer Guided Discoveries will run weekly from June 24 through August 16, 2024

Guided Discoveries are week-long outdoor natural adventure camps for children ages 4 to 12.Programs, taught by experienced naturalist educators, give children an in-depth exploration of nature and science. We are delighted to offer Guided Discoveries this summer and look forward to a fun and safe experience for everyone.

4 to 6 Year Old Sessions
Please note that you may sign your child up for a morning or afternoon session each week, but not both. Children must be four years old by the start of the session to be eligible to participate.

First Guides Program for 14 to 17 Year Olds
First Guides is a teen volunteer program based on our adult docent program. During the summer, teens between the ages of 14 and 17 attend training to become a welcoming and informative presence on the exhibit trail, often demonstrating animal artifacts alongside volunteer docent mentors with live animals. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year. Mandatory training is held on June 19, 20 , 22, 25, and 26, 2024.Learn More.

Register for Guided Discoveries

Scholarships

Scholarships are available. To apply for a scholarship, complete the scholarship application form during the online registration process. Select scholarship as your payment method at check out. This will hold your child's spot. Scholarship applications are due by April 5; award notifications wi ll be made by April 19. Any remaining balance not covered by a scholarship will be due at that time.

Guided Discoveries Cancellations... Yours and Ours!

A $25 administration fee will be charged for all cancellations. Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the start of a session will be issued a full refund (less $25 fee). Cancellations made 14-30 days prior to the session start date will be issued a 50% refund (less $25 fee). Cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the start of a session will not be refunded. If there is low enrollment , Squam Lakes Natural Science Center will cancel week-long programs on the Wednesday prior to the scheduled start date and will fully refund your payment at that time. The Science Center will make every effort to alert participants to possible cancellations one month in advance. Registration and payment may be transferred to an alternative session at no additional cost if space allows.

Summer 2024 Guided Discoveries

June 24-28

Woodland Wonders
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Our explorations will introduce the wonders of woodlands. Through many outdoor activities and discoveries, we will explore, enjoy, and learn together. Throughout the week we will meet live animals that makes their home in the forest.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Building in Nature I: Forts, Boats, and More
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9

We will construct a fort village in the midst of trees in the forest, build boats to float on the pond (not human sized!), dam a stream, and even build small scale shelters for tiny make-believe creatures! Throughout the week, we will meet live animals to learn about the shelters they construct as inspiration for our own creations.
Cost: $350/member; $385/non-member


July 1-5

Adventures in Nature (morning)
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Our adventures will take us to different natural places at the Science Center each day. Through outdoor activities and discoveries, we will explore forests, ponds, fields, and more. We will meet live animals throughout the week that call these places home.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Herp, Herp, Hooray
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9

Join us for adventures in herping. Turtles, snakes, frogs, and salamanders are all herps! We will learn all about reptiles and amphibians during this week of exploring forest, pond, wetland, stream, and field in our search for these fascinating creatures. Meet some of the Science Center's resident herp ambassadors up close and personal.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Adventures in Nature (afternoon)
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Our adventures will take us to different natural places at the Science Center each day. Through outdoor activities and discoveries, we will explore forests, ponds, fields, and more. We will meet live animals throughout the week that call these places home.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


AquaCamp
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 10-13

We will dive into learning all about water this week. Our explorations will include collecting organisms at the pond, meeting and learning about animals that live in and around water, venturing out onto Squam Lake to measure water quality and learn about lake ecology, and more!
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member

July 8-12

Flap, Hop, and Wiggle (morning)
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Flap like a falcon, hop like a hare, and wiggle like a worm! It's all about movement as we explore different groups of animals and focus on the ways they move. Become an expert on animal locomotion through up close observations of our animal ambassadors, outdoor activities, and stories.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Junior Animal Keepers
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 10-13

Otter popsicles? Training time for a skunk? Treats and puzzles for opossums? Do you love caring for animals? Do you wonder what the Science Center's animals eat for dinner? Learn how New Hampshire's wild animals survive, then apply that knowledge by helping to care for and feed the wildlife at the Science Center. Watch staff members train animals, and help make puzzles and treats to engage our resident animals. Please note that sessions/ & II are identical.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Flap, Hop, and Wiggle (afternoon)
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Flap like a falcon, hop like a hare, and wiggle like a worm! It's all about movement as we explore different groups of animals and focus on the ways they move. Become an expert on animal locomotion through up close observations of our animal ambassadors, outdoor activities, and stories.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Modern Dinosaurs
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9

Dinosaurs are coming to the Science Center this summer! Become a paleontologist as we dig-in to dinosaurs to learn about the species featured on the exhibit trail as well as other favorites. We will discover how fossils form, see what it's like to dig for fossils, and even meet some modern-day dinosaurs through visits with live animal ambassadors.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member

July 15-19

Sky Hunters (morning)
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Learn about the hunters that command the skies as we investigate the world of flying predators. Visit with live owls, hawks, and falcons. Meet other airborne predators too, such as dragonflies and bats.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Junior Animal Keepers II
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 10-13

Otter popsicles? Training time for a skunk? Treats and puzzles for opossums? Do you love caring for animals? Do you wonder what the Science Center's animals eat for dinner? Learn how New Hampshire's wild animals survive, then apply that knowledge by helping to care for and feed the wildlife at the Science Center. Watch staff members train animals, and help make puzzles and treats to engage our resident animals. Please note that sessions/ & II are identical.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Sky Hunters (afternoon)
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Learn about the hunters that command the skies as we investigate the world of flying predators. Visit with live owls, hawks, and falcons. Meet other airborne predators too, such as dragonflies and bats.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Things with Wings
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9

How many things can you think of with wings? Explore the world of flight as we learn about birds, insects, mammals, and even plants that take to the sky. Each day we will meet a live animal ambassador that relies on its wings to survive.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member

July 22-26

Animal Superheroes (morning) FULL, waitlist available
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

You may not consider animals to be superheroes, but they do have super powers. We call them adaptations. Learn about nature's super powers as we explore ways animals find food, avoid being eaten, and protect themselves from the elements. Discover these adaptations through experiments, games, and visits with live animals.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Building in Nature II: Forts, Boats, and More - FULL, waitlist available
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Ages 10-13

Part biology, part engineering, part art - this week is 100% hands-on fun. We will construct different types of shelters, design and build boats to float on the pond (not human sized!), dam a stream, and create sculptures out of natural materials. Throughout the week, we will meet live animals to learn about the shelters they construct as inspiration for our own creations.
Cost: $350/member; $385/non-member


Animal Superheroes (afternoon)
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

You may not consider animals to be superheroes, but they do have super powers. We call them adaptations. Learn about nature's super powers as we explore ways animals find food, avoid being eaten, and protect themselves from the elements. Discover these adaptations through experiments, games, and visits with live animals.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member

July 29-August 2

Discovering Dinosaurs (morning) FULL, waitlist available
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Dinosaurs are coming to the Science Center this summer! We will dig-in to dinosaurs as we learn about the different types of dinosaurs on the exhibit trail and some of our favorites too. Discover how fossils form, see what it's like to dig for fossils, and even meet some modern-day dinosaurs through visits with live animal ambassadors.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Discovering Dinosaurs (afternoon)FULL, waitlist available
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Dinosaurs are coming to the Science Center this summer! We will dig-in to dinosaurs as we learn about the different types of dinosaurs on the exhibit trail and some of our favorites too. Discover how fossils form, see what it's like to dig for fossils, and even meet some modern-day dinosaurs through visits with live animal ambassadors.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member

Earth Camp
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Ages 11-14

We will engage in hands-on projects such as building nest boxes and removing invasive species as we develop skills participants can use to help wildlife and the environment in their communities. This camp is intended for youth interested in wildlife conservation and climate action who are excited to create positive change.
Cost: $0 thanks to a grant from Learning Ecosystems Northeast (LENE)

For questions about Earth Camp please email Phoebe Hartvigsen at .

August 5-9

Marvelous Mammals (morning) FULL, waitlist available
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Discover what makes mammals special as we focus on this diverse group of animals. From herbivores and insectivores, to carnivores and omnivores, mammals serve a range of functions in the natural world. Meet a mammal up close each day and learn about the role it plays and the adaptations it uses to survive.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Nature of Clay I - FULL, waitlist available
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9

Want to take earth and turn it into art? Using wild animal ambassadors and the natural beauty of the Science Center as inspiration, we will transform our ideas into ceramic treasures. Under the guidance of Community Clay Center instructors, explore a variety of ceramic techniques to create functional and sculptural projects. The ceramic process will be completed at the Community Clay Center in Plymouth. Finished projects will be ready for pickup by September 5. Shipping is available for an additional fee.
Cost: $235/member; $260/non-member


Marvelous Mammals (afternoon)
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Discover what makes mammals special as we focus on this diverse group of animals. From herbivores and insectivores, to carnivores and omnivores, mammals serve a range of functions in the natural world. Meet a mammal up close each day and learn about the role it plays and the adaptations it uses to survive.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Nature of Clay II FULL, waitlist available
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 7-10

Want to take earth and turn it into art? Using wild animal ambassadors and the natural beauty of the Science Center as inspiration, we will transform our ideas into ceramic treasures. Under the guidance of Community Clay Center instructors, explore a variety of ceramic techniques to create functional and sculptural projects. The ceramic process will be completed at the Community Clay Center in Plymouth. Finished projects will be ready for pickup by September 5. Shipping is available for an additional fee.
Cost: $235/member; $260/non-member

August 12-16

Tales and Trails (morning) FULL, waitlist available
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Stories of animals and nature will serve as our inspiration. We will meet live animal ambassadors from the books we read and explore the forests, ponds, and fields these animals call home.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Animal Art I - FULL, waitlist available
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9

Let animals and their habitats serve as your inspiration as we create art from and of nature under the direction of artist Jadi Mercer. Explore the Science Center grounds to study form, examine color, and observe light to inform the art we create. Focus on detail through up close encounters with animal ambassadors. Use a variety of media to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional art and share your work at an art show for family and friends.
Cost: $235/member; $260/non-member


Tales and Trails (afternoon)
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6

Stories of animals and nature will serve as our inspiration. We will meet live animal ambassadors from the books we read and explore the forests, ponds, and fields these animals call home.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member


Animal Art II
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 10-13

Let animals and their habitats serve as your inspiration as we create art from and of nature under the direction of artist Jadi Mercer. Explore the Science Center grounds to study form, examine color, and observe light to inform the art we create. Focus on detail through up close encounters with animal ambassadors. Use a variety of media to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional art and share your work at an art show for family and friends.
Cost: $235/member; $260/non-member


Register for Guided Discoveries

Download the 2024 Guided Discoveries Schedule

Background Check Policy

For program questions email us at .
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