Earth Academy Day Camp

Earth Academy Day Camp awakens your child's innate curiosity while encouraging an environmental ethic and appreciation of the natural world! This nature-based day camp is held at Morningside Nature Center and uses hands-on fun to focus attention on natural and cultural history. Instructors are career educators and science professionals experienced in working with children. Earth Academy Day Camp is offered to rising 1st- 6th grade children.

Camp is offered in one-week sessions during Alachua County School's summer break. In addition to a variety of theme-based, multidisciplinary projects campers have fun with character development activities demonstrating trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Camp tends to fill quickly, and space is limited so be sure to register early! Sign up for our mailing list below to receive updates and reminders!


Registration Information

  • Summer Camp registration opens Friday, March 1st at 9 a.m. for city residents.
  • Summer Camp registration opens for all on Friday, March 8th at 9 a.m.
  • Summer Camp registration closes Monday, May 27th at 11:59 p.m. 

Space is limited and registration is handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes one week prior to camp. If camp is filled, you may sign up for our waiting list. Under-registered sessions may be canceled with a full refund.

Summer Session 1: June 3rd-7th
Creatures of the Wild: From the smallest of insects to the largest mammals that roam the earth, we share our world with some wonderful and wild creatures! Let’s learn what lurks in our own neighborhoods and beyond!

Summer Session 2: June 10th-14th
Sensational Nature: How do living things in nature sense the world around them? Get ready to explore the sights, sounds, and smells of nature! Let your senses run wild as we find out how uniquely sensational nature really is! 

Summer Session 3: June 17th-21st
How it Works: There’s a whole wonderment to the magic of machines in nature! How does nature adapt to survive and how can we learn from these mechanisms? Discover and broaden your horizons of the natural systems around us! 

Summer Session 4: July 15th-19th
How it Works: There’s a whole wonderment to the magic of machines in nature! How does nature adapt to survive and how can we learn from these mechanisms? Discover and broaden your horizons of the natural systems around us! 

Summer Session 5: July 22nd-26th 
Sensational Nature: How do living things in nature sense the world around them? Get ready to explore the sights, sounds, and smells of nature! Let your senses run wild as we find out how uniquely sensational nature really is! 

Fees: City residents $147.75; non-city residents $184.50. Proof of residency (GRU bill or voter ID card) is required at the time of registration. Fees are due at the time of registration (Prices effective Oct. 1, 2023).

If you are registering for the first time and your address is within city limits, you may get a “non-resident fee” applied to your registration charge. If you experience this, please call 352-334-5067 and we can confirm your address and make the appropriate changes in our system. Please do not proceed with the check out, as this is not refundable once the transaction is completed.

Lunch is not provided; campers should provide their own lunch that does not require heating.  Two snacks are provided daily.

Register Online

You will need an Active Net profile to register. If you do not already have a profile set up in Active Net, please follow this link to do so. This will make online registration quicker on opening day, as spaces will fill up quickly.  If you already have an Active Net account, please do not create another one. 

Register Online

Register In Person

In-Person Registration:
Neighbors may register online or in person at our front office. Our office is located on the third floor of the Thomas Center at:
Thomas Center, Building B
306 NE Sixth Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32601

Registering in person does not guarantee a spot.

Scholarships

Friends of Nature Parks, our non-profit support group, is proud to support Earth Academy Day Camp programs by offering a limited number of scholarships(PDF, 480KB) that cover 100% of registration fees to successful applicants. Scholarships are based on availability and eligibility. Scholarships are available for families that qualify through the School Board of Alachua County (SBAC) for free or reduced lunch. You may request proof of free or reduced lunch through your child’s school by calling the SBAC’s Food Service Office at 352-955-7539, extension 1569. Ask that the letter of proof be emailed to earthacademy@gainesvillefl.gov

Apply for a Scholarship(PDF, 480KB)

EADC Junior Naturalists

Rising 7th-12th graders are eligible to apply for the Junior Naturalist Program. Junior Naturalists volunteer from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for one-week camp sessions and assist with camp activities. Additional volunteer opportunities are available for special events and programs throughout the year.

  • In order to participate, candidates must complete an application each year. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Applicants will be interviewed and successful candidates must attend an orientation on Saturday, June 1st to participate in the program.
  • Junior Naturalists who have volunteered previously may apply to volunteer for multiple sessions. First year JNs are eligible for just one session. 
  • Fill out the 2024 application and submit by Friday, March 15th. 
    Junior Naturalist Application(PDF, 172KB)
  • For more information, please call 352-393-8240 or email earthacademy@gainesvillefl.gov.