Summer and School Break Camps

Ijams campers experience the wonder of nature with outdoor adventures, make friends, sing songs, and play games. Children learn about the connections between the land, plants, animals, and humans through exploration and play.

Camp Resources

Summer Camp FAQs

Summer Camps

Registration for 2026 Summer Camps will open on Friday January 30 at 6:00pm EST for Members who are level Trailblazer and above, and Friday February 6th at 6:00pm EST for everyone.

NEW IN 2026: Ijams is offering four unique camp programs for campers ages 3-15! Camps will have separate drop-off and pick-up locations, and themes experiences tailored to each age group and camper needs. All camps in 2026 will be 5-day sessions, with the exception of the week on July 4th which will be a 4-day session (No camp on Friday, July 3rd). You can register for one week or multiple! To learn more, visit the Dates and Rates and FAQ pages.

Scroll down to learn more about Ijams Camps!

2026 Camp Dates & Rates

Summer Camp Themes

Summer Camp FAQs

2026 Camp Themes!

Preschool, Discovery, & Adventure Camp Themes

Themes will be the same across all camps. While campers will be exploring the same natural history topic, lessons and activity will be scaled to their relative camp age group.

Feathered Friends - Week 1 (June 1-5)

Take flight into the world of birds! During this week of camp, we will focus on our favorite flighted critters; Birds! Preschoolers will flap, hop, and chirp as we explore birds through songs, stories, feathers, art, and bird nature walks. Discovery and Adventure campers will learn about bird sounds, nests, beaks, and how birds survive in different habitats using their adaptations. We will use real field tools to step into a world of birding, and even get to view the Ijams bird banding station to see ornithologists in action!

Mighty Metamorphosis - Week 2 (June 8-12)

The heroes of this camp week will be the transformers in nature. From slimy amphibians to underground dwelling animals, we will investigate and identify animals that undergo metamorphosis in East Tennessee. Campers will learn to use tools like dipnets, butterfly nets, dichotomous keys and field guides, and beat sheets during their time at camp.

Nature's Palette - Week 3 (June 15-19)

Have the spirit of an artist and a love for nature? This week’s camp is tailored for those who love to express their artistic talents in nature. Our campers will explore using natural materials to gelli print, make fairy houses, create their own clay pinch pots, and try out various other nature art (NART) masterpieces!

Creepy Crawlies - Week 4 (June 22-26)

If your kiddos are buzzing to learn about creepy crawlies, this week is for you! Campers will jump into the whimsy of an insect’s world. From butterfly nets and beat sheets to learning how to safely handle insects and transfer them to bug boxes, your camper will be a little entomologist by the end of the week!

Scales & Tales - Week 5 (July 29-July 2)

Let's scale things up! This week of camp will be all about reptiles and amphibians! Campers will go on herping hikes, dipnet for amphibians, meet the Ijams reptilian animal ambassadors, and learn about the awesome adaptations that make these animals so well suited for life in the wild at Ijams. If your camper is turtally into reptiles, this week could be for you!

kid holding flowers_fall 2019_by Mackenzie Barry.jpg

Plant Palooza - Week 6 (July 6-10)

Spring showers bring beautiful summer wildflowers! This week, campers will investigate the world of plants, using field guides to identify flowers and trees, making beautiful gelli prints with leaves, creating crowns out of English Ivy, and overall learning how plants impact and benefit our ecosystem.

Decomp Detectives - Week 7 (July 13-17)

This week’s camp will highlight the unsung heroes of ecology, decomposers! We will explore the other side of death, investigating the fungi, bacteria, and invertebrates that carry out the essential process of decomposition. As they explore, campers will learn to use field guides, microscopes, and how to make a spore print.

Water Wander - Week 8 (July 20-24)

Splish splash! During the final week of summer camp we will be getting ahead of the late summer heat with ample water play! Campers will also explore the flora and fauna of the waterways at Ijams. From the algae in the ponds to Great Blue Herons by the Tennessee River, this week we’ll go with the flow and see where it takes us.

Wilderness Camp Themes

Avian Adventures - Week 1 (June 1-5)

Take flight into the world of birds! This week explores bird behavior, migration, adaptations, and conservation through hands-on fieldwork and close observation. Campers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the Ijams bird banding station, learning how scientists study and protect birds in the wild. The week wraps up with a creative, collaborative project where campers share what they’ve discovered.

Mighty Metamorphosis - Week 2 (June 8-12)

From wriggly crawling larvae to winged adults, this week dives into the science of life cycles and transformation. Campers will investigate insects, amphibians, and other organisms that undergo dramatic changes, while discussing why metamorphosis matters in ecosystems. Using creativity and teamwork, campers will design a final project that captures the complexity of change in nature.

Eco Engineers - Week 3 (June 15-19)

Nature is full of problem-solvers. In this week, campers explore how animals, plants, and even landscapes act as engineers, shaping habitats, managing resources, and influencing entire ecosystems. Through experiments, design challenges, and outdoor exploration, campers will think like scientists and innovators as they work toward a group project inspired by nature’s smartest designs.

Macroinvertebrate Mayhem - Week 4 (June 22-26)

Get ready to get muddy! This week focuses on the tiny creatures that tell big stories about water quality and ecosystem health. Campers will sample streams and ponds, identify aquatic macroinvertebrates, and learn how scientists use them to assess environmental conditions. The week culminates in a creative project where campers interpret and present their findings in their own unique way.

Preschool Camp

Looking for an all-day camp experience for your preschooler? Preschool Summer Camp gives kids ages 3-5 more time for child-led, age-appropriate, experiential learning. Most of the day is spent outdoors, exploring nature and making a strong connection with the environment. Children learn through play, discovery, and inquiry. Not only do children develop a solid foundation for lifelong learning but also cultivate a love of nature that is the basis for a conservation ethic later in life.

Ages: 3-5 who are fully potty-trained
Homebase: Miller Building
Cost per Session: $315 (Note: Cost is $250 for week of June 29-July 2).
Session Duration: 5-day sessions, Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm. After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost of $150 per session (or $120 for June 29-July 2).

Discovery Camp

Discover the natural world at Ijams! Campers explore creeks, explore rocks at Mead's Quarry, hike trails, build shelters, play games, create arts and crafts, and much more! All campers ages 6-9 are eligible to participate in Navitat, which is reflected in the increased cost for those sessions. The Navitat experience will be split into age groups of 6-7 and 8-9 to accommodate the different needs of the groups during their time on course.

Ages: 6-9
Homebase: Ijams Visitor Center
Cost per Session: $350. This year, the week of June 29-July 2 will be a 4-day camp. The cost of that week will be $280. Campers will still participate in Navitat if they are enrolled in the 4-day camp week.
Session Duration: 5-day sessions, Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm. After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost of $150 per session (or $120 for June 29-July 2).

Adventure Camp

Adventure camp allows children to participate in adventures and activities that build on previous experiences and supports more robust development of skills in areas such as canoeing, fire building, species identification, and leadership. Campers in these sessions are eligible to participate in Navitat which is included in the cost of the session!

Ages: 8-12
Homebase: Visitor Center Overflow Parking Lot
Cost per Session: $350. This year, the week of June 29-July 2 will be a 4-day camp. The cost of that week will be $280. Campers will still participate in Navitat if they are enrolled in the week of June 29-July 2.
Session Duration: 5-day sessions, Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm. After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost of $150 per session (or $120 for June 29-July 2).

Wilderness Camp

Wilderness Camp is an exciting new adventure for teens! This camp is designed to build on outdoor experiences while offering new challenges to develop skills and leadership. Teens will take part in hands-on adventures like canoeing, fire building, species identification, and wilderness navigation, all while fostering independence and teamwork.

With each activity, campers will gain confidence and learn to appreciate the natural world in a deeper way. Wilderness Quest provides the perfect opportunity to explore, grow, and connect with nature alongside like-minded adventurers.

Campers in these sessions are eligible to participate in Navitat which is included in the cost of the session!

Ages: 13-15
Weeks Offered: June 1-5, June 8-12, June 15-19, June 22-26
Homebase: Ijams Quarry
Cost per Session: $350 (These sessions include the cost of Navitat.)
Session Duration: 5-day sessions, Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm. After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost of $150 per session.

Re-Discovery Camp (21+)

*NEW!

Re-Discovery Camp brings all the fun of summer camp—minus the kids! This three-day adventure is designed for adults ages 21+ who want to relive the magic of childhood summer through a new lens, complete with outdoor activities, nature exploration, and an optional overnight camping experience. Bring a partner or a friend and make new connections while immersing yourself in the beauty of Ijams Nature Center.

Age: 21+
Days Offered: July 4-6, 2025
Homebase: 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920
Cost per Session: $400 (Optional Natitat Add-on +$35)
Session Duration:
- Friday, July 4: 9 AM - 5 PM
- Saturday, July 5 - Sunday, July 6:
  - July 5: 9 AM Start Time
    - Overnight Experience
  - July 6
    - Camp ends at 2:30 PM (with Navitat)
  - Camp ends at 11:30 AM (without Navitat)
Learn More HERE

Spring Break Camp 2026
Registration Coming Soon!

Give your camper age 6-12 the ultimate spring break experience and open their eyes to the beauty and wonder of the changing seasons! Spring break campers will search for early signs of spring and celebrate the end of winter by learning basic winter survival skills and winter ecology, with an emphasis on how plants, birds, and other animals use their unique adaptations and keen survival skills to endure the harsh conditions of winter months.

Dates: March 9-13, 2025
Ages: 6-12
Cost per Session: $350
Session Duration: 5-day session, Monday-Friday 9 am-3 pm After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost.

Fall Break Camp 2026 Details to come!

Give your 6 to 12 year-old the ultimate fall break experience that opens their eyes to the beauty and wonder of the changing seasons. The crisp, cool air and spectacular colors of autumn make this one of most enjoyable times of year to explore Ijams' 318 acres of protected wildlife habitat, trails, scenic overlooks, limestone features, nature playscapes, creeks, Mead’s Quarry, and the Tennessee River.

Dates: TBD
Ages: 6-12
Cost per Session: $350 for non-members; eligible members receive 5% discount on all camp sessions and session options. (Cost INCLUDES Navitat Knoxville)
Session Duration: 5-day session, Monday-Friday 9 am-3 pm After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost.

Winter Explorer Camp

Give your camper (ages 6–12) the ultimate winter adventure at Ijams Nature Center! Winter Camp invites campers to explore the wonders of the cold season through hands-on outdoor fun and discovery. From mastering basic winter survival skills to uncovering the secrets of winter ecology, campers will learn how animals, plants, and birds adapt to the chill and thrive in the frozen world around them. Through games, hikes, and creative activities, they’ll celebrate the magic of winter while connecting with nature in a whole new way!

Dates: December 22-23, 2025
Ages: 6-12
Cost per Session: $155
Session Duration: 2-day session, Monday-Tuesday 9 am-3 pm After Care is available from 3-5 pm for additional cost.

Current Camp Specials

Ijams Member Discount: Current Ijams members at the Explorer level or higher receive a 5% discount on camp programs, including After Care. If you qualify, you will receive an email with a unique code to use at checkout. Memberships must be must be current at the time of camp to take advantage of this discount. Members are not eligible for two consecutive summers' worth of discounts for one annual membership (e.g., 2021 Adventure Camp and 2022 Adventure Camp).

Multi-Child Discount: When registering multiple children, save $10 per session for each additional child in the same household

What are parents saying about Ijams camp counselors?

"I appreciate that the staff really tries to learn the kids' names. We live in Blount County, and my son does not know many children at the camp. This makes him feel more included."

Why do campers return every year?

"Excellent staff. Excellent activities. Ijams Nature Aventure Camps are the jewel of Knoxville. I know the boys' love for the great outdoors and adventure will be nurtured without having to drive all the way to the mountains each day. Phenomenal!"