Field Explorer Camps invite curious kids to step into the role of scientist for a week of hands-on discovery inside the Field Museum. Guided by our museum educators, campers explore exhibitions, interact with real specimens, and learn how scientific questions turn into new ideas and insights. Each grade band is grouped with peers, ensuring activities and themes are developmentally aligned and allow every child to feel confident, capable, and deeply involved in the experience.

Campers return year after year to build new skills, investigate new themes, and deepen their sense of wonder about the world around them.

<h3>Registration for Field Explorer Camps 2026 will open to Members on January 13, 2026, and will open to Non-Members on January 26, 2026.</h3>

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Ticket Type</td>
<td>Price</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Member</td>
<td>
Early Bird (1/13-1/26) $450
$500
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non-member</td>
<td>$500</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Here is a quick overview of all the full-day camp offerings and dates for 2026

Little Scientists—Kindergarten

Investigators—Grades 1 & 2

Adventurers—Grades 3 & 4

Science Detectives—Grades 5 & 6

Specialists—Grades 7 & 8

Looking for a downloadable version of our FAQs? 

Before you sign up, take a moment to review the key details below. Please enroll your child in the camp session that matches the grade they&rsquo;ll enter in Fall 2026. For information about daily schedules, policies, and more, check out our Camp FAQs.&nbsp;

Field Explorer Summer Camps FAQ and Policies

What are camp hours? All Field Explorers Camps are one-week sessions. Camp hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00am until 3:00pm. Drop-off is from 8:30&ndash;9:00am and pick-up is at 3:00pm. All campers must be picked up before 3:15pm.

What is the child&ndash;teacher ratio? Each camp of 14 or more campers has 1 instructor and 2 teaching assistants (TAs). Additional support is provided by the Manager of Camp Programs and other Field Explorers Camp Team members.

Who teaches the programs? Instructors are classroom teachers, education professionals, or museum staff. Most TAs are college students majoring in education or a related science discipline. All undergo camp-specific training before the camp season begins.

What are your COVID-19 policies? If your camper feels sick, they should stay home; contact Camp staff for possible rescheduling. Campers who test positive but have no symptoms may return after 5 days of isolation. Campers with symptoms of COVID-19 may return five days after a positive test or onset of symptoms (whichever is later) if symptoms are improving and they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication.

Currently, masks are optional for campers unless they have tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 10 days; however, masks may be required during behind-the-scenes visits, depending on their guidelines. The Field Museum is not requiring proof of vaccination for campers.

These protocols may be updated from time to time in accordance with guidance from the CDC, state and local health departments, governmental public health and safety orders, Museum policy, and evolving best practice. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. By visiting The Field Museum, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

Camp Information

Can I purchase tickets in person or over the phone? Tickets are only available online through our registration service, CampDoc.

Can I purchase multiple tickets for the same camp? Yes. On CampDoc, create profiles for each camper you would like to register.

Can I request my child be grouped with friends or relatives? Campers registered for the same topic and grade band are usually grouped together for the full week.

What is your cancellation policy? Refunds are available if canceled at least 10 business days before the session start date. No refunds will be given within 10 days. Cancellations must be emailed to explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org. Campers may be moved to a different week (pending availability). Partial refunds are not available. Traffic disruptions (ex., Lollapalooza) are not grounds for refunds.

If my schedule changes and we cannot attend camp, what are my options? After the 10-day window, no refunds are available. Campers may be moved to another 2026 week based on availability. Tickets cannot be transferred beyond Summer 2026 or to other departments.

How will you collect my camper&rsquo;s information? In order to improve the collection and management of personal information, the Field Museum is partnering with CampDoc.com. CampDoc is a secure and easy-to-use web-based solution for managing registration, health, and contact information. Only Museum Camps administrative staff and instructors will have access to camper health information, and the CampDoc.com site is secure, encrypted, and password-protected. Once your registration is complete, you will receive an email from noreply@campdoc.com. Please add this email to your contacts so it doesn&rsquo;t go to your spam folder. Your completed registration on CampDoc is due two weeks before your camp begins. Changes and additions to your Trusted Contacts list can be made up to a week before your camp.

Registration

Can we sign up for more than one week? Absolutely! Every grade band for grades K-6 has two camp themes to choose from this summer. Grades 7-8 has one theme to explore.

What are the age requirements? Campers must be entering Kindergarten through 8th grade in Fall 2026. Campers must turn 5 by September 1, 2026 (CPS guideline). Children 6 and under may also be eligible for Crown Family PlayLab camps. Place your child in the grade band they will enter in Fall 2026.

How do I know if my child is ready for camp? Campers should be able to: &bull; Manage restroom needs independently &bull; Stay active all day without a nap &bull; Follow instructions &bull; Demonstrate classroom behaviors (waiting turns, raising hands, separating from caregivers) &bull; Respect others' space and stay with their group

What if my child has developmental or medical needs? Provide this information during registration. Email <a href="mailto:explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org">explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org</a> with further questions.

Camp Groups and Topics

What campers at Field Explorer Camps will do: &bull; Explore real museum exhibitions and collections including dinosaurs, animals, ancient cultures, and more. &bull;Work with museum educators and volunteers trained in hands-on, inquiry-based learning. &bull;Investigate like scientists&mdash;observing, questioning, experimenting, recording, building, sketching, and storytelling. &bull;Participate in guided activities tailored to each grade band, from playful discovery in younger groups to deeper research and interpretation in older groups. &bull;Visit the Pok&eacute;mon Fossil Museum exhibition as part of many sessions, exploring how science and imagination inspire one another.&nbsp; &bull;Build confidence, independence, critical thinking, and teamwork in a supportive environment.

Do Field Explorer Camps provide lunch? No. Send a nut-free lunch and snack that doesn&rsquo;t require refrigeration or heating. Field Explorer Camp is a peanut and tree nut&ndash;free program. Call or email if you forget your child&rsquo;s lunch.

What do I need to send each day? &bull; Nut-free lunch and snack &bull; Backpack &bull; Water bottle &bull; Sunscreen campers can self-apply &bull; Comfortable, messy-play clothing &bull; Closed-toe shoes (no Crocs or sandals) Optional: spare clothes, jacket, sun hat, rain gear, sweatshirt Electronics: &bull; Grades K&ndash;6: discouraged; phones must remain off in bags unless medically necessary. &bull; Grades 7&ndash;8: allowed for camp use or lunch, but not otherwise. Camp is not responsible for lost or damaged electronics.

Will my child spend time outside? Yes. Daily sign-in/out, lunch (weather permitting), activities, unstructured breaks, scavenger hunts, observation time, and sketching all occur outdoors.

Why would camp staff call me? &nbsp;Staff will call if: &bull; Your child is sick or injured &bull; A serious allergic reaction occurs &bull; Severe behavioral issues arise &bull; Emotional distress lasts more than ~30 minutes &bull; You are 15+ minutes late for pick-up

Why would my child be dismissed from camp? &nbsp;Immediate dismissal without refund for: &bull; Harassment or threats &bull; Serious injury caused to others or property &bull; Leaving the group repeatedly &bull; Severe, ongoing disruption &bull; Possession of drugs, alcohol, or weapons

Camp Day

Do you offer before or after-care? No.

How do I check in and out my camper? Check-in: 8:30am Check-out: 3:00&ndash;3:15pm Location: East Entrance of the Field Museum An adult (18+) must check in and out every day. Trusted Contacts must show photo ID. No exceptions. More details and maps will be emailed the week prior. Public transit is highly encouraged.

Do you offer pick-up or drop-off at other times? Early pick-up is from 11:30am&ndash;12:00pm only (email the day before). No pick-up/drop-off outside this window and no after-care.

What is your late pick-up policy? If more than 15 minutes late and we haven&rsquo;t heard from you, we&rsquo;ll call. $20 is charged for every 15 minutes you are late.

How can I get in touch with camp? Email explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org for all non-urgent needs. For urgent matters during business hours, call 312-665-7200.

Check-in and Check-out

The financial assistance price for one 5 day camp session is $250 per child. Our in-person summer camp is designed for children entering grades K&ndash;8 in the fall. Camps run Monday through Friday, 9:00am&ndash;3:00pm. Sessions are available beginning June 15 and ending August 14. This application must be submitted by a parent/legal guardian. You can apply for financial assistance for more than one of your children in this application.

The Field Explorers Camp Financial Assistance Application will be open from January 5 to March 4, 2026. Financial assistance spots are limited, so applications are evaluated based on need and taken on a first come, first served basis. We highly recommend you apply for financial assistance as early as possible, as we will likely reach our limit prior to March 4.

Recipients will be notified on a rolling basis via an email with instructions on purchasing camp ticket(s). Recipients will have 3 weeks to utilize their financial assistance before it is offered to another participant. You may only use the code for the child(ren) listed in this application. The deadline to utilize financial assistance is April 3, 2026.

Please be aware that the email you list for ticket purchase in this application is the only one you may utilize the financial assistance with: unauthorized purchases using the financial assistance code may be canceled and refunded.

<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeP0gvPYXrfgqg13DkWIZP8Kx3w37PREQM8nXsQwZ9ZGb91Q/viewform">Financial Assistance Application</a>

Financial Assistance

How does the waitlist work?&nbsp; If the session you want is sold out, you can join the waitlist on CampDoc. If a spot becomes available, you will receive an email from CampDoc letting you know. Once you accept the position, your account will be charged a balance. Once you pay, you will secure your camper&rsquo;s spot in that session. Spots become available as cancellations occur; we cannot guarantee that your child will be offered a spot in camp.

Waitlist

The Field Museum

Media for Staff Profile

Camps & Classes

Field Explorer Summer Camps

The unlucky fossil bird, preserved with over 800 tiny rocks in its throat (visible as the gray mass next to the left of its neck bones).

This fossil bird choked to death on rocks, and no one knows why

Field Museum scientist Matt von Konrat examining dried moss collected in 2013 in a botanical survey as part of a  homicide investigation. Photo courtesy of Field Museum.