The Field Museum

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Make discoveries — and memories!—at the Field Museum seasonal camps. Campers will encounter the natural world and human cultures through exciting and fun experiences. Make friends, learn how Field Museum scientists do their work, investigate using real scientific tools, and discover a whole new side of science.

Field Explorer Day Off Camps are full-day camps for children in Grades K-6, or equivalent. Jr. Explorer Day Off Camps are half-day camps for children in Grades K-1, or equivalent. These camps will be offered several times throughout the school year during typical school break periods.

Find the Perfect Camp

October 12, 2026 – Exploring Native Truths (Grades 3-6)

Half-Day: October 12, 2026 – Exploring Native Truths (Grades K-1)

November 23-24, 2026 – Illinois Underwater (Grades 1-4)

Half-Day: November 23-24, 2026 – Illinois Underwater (Grades K-1)

December 28-29, 2026 – Bones and Stones (Grades 3-6)

February 15, 2027 – Life in Color (Grades K-2)

March 22-23, 2027 – Creature Quest (Grades 1-4)

Half-Day: March 22-23, 2027 – Creature Quest (Grades K-1)

Please sign your child up for a camp session that matches the grade level they are in during the 2026-27 school year. For information about daily schedules, policies, and more, check out our Camp FAQs below.

Day Off Camps FAQ and Policies

What are camp hours?

The 2026–27 Field Explorer &amp; Jr. Explorer Day Off Camps are offered as one- to two-day sessions.

Field Explorer Camps are full-day sessions from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Drop-off is between 8:30–9:00 a.m., and all campers must be picked up by 3:15 p.m.

Jr. Explorer Day Off Camps are half-day sessions from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Drop-off is between 8:30–9:00 a.m., and all campers must be picked up by 12:15 p.m.

What is the child–teacher ratio? Each camp of 24 campers has 2-3 Instructors with them throughout the day. Support is also provided by the Camp Manager and other members of the education team who spend time with the campers during the session.

Who teaches the programs? Our Instructors are museum education staff members. Teen Volunteers may support camp groups through the session. Camp staff undergo camp-specific training before camp season begins.

What are your COVID-19 policies? If your camper feels sick, they should stay at home; Contact Camp staff for possible rescheduling. Campers who test positive for COVID-19, but do not show any symptoms, may return to camp after 5 days of isolation. Campers showing symptoms of COVID-19, may return to camp five days after a positive test or onset of symptoms (whichever is later) if their symptoms are improving and they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

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 and may be required by certain field trip sites, depending on their guidelines. The Field Museum is not requiring proof of vaccination for campers. Field Museum staff are still required to be vaccinated.

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?&nbsp; 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 that my child be grouped with friends or relatives? Campers registered for the same topic within the same grade band are usually in the same group and will be together throughout that session of camp.

What is your cancellation policy?&nbsp; To receive a refund, you must cancel your registration two weeks before the session begins (10 business days). No refunds are given for cancellations after this deadline. Cancellations can be accomplished by contacting Camp Staff at <a href="mailto:explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org">explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org</a>. Unfortunately, no exceptions can be made in the case of illness, but we are happy to move your camper to another session in the 2026-27 Day Off Camp season pending availability. Event traffic patterns are outside of Field Museum control, and when able Camp Staff will share resources to assist in finding alternative routes. Partial refunds are not available for missed days of camp.

All ticket purchases are subject to current federal, state, and institutional COVID-19 policies. Any cancellations or failure to comply with those policies will not be refundable.

If my schedule changes and we cannot attend camp, what are my options?&nbsp; There are no refunds after two weeks (10 business days) before the first day of the camp session, but we are happy to move your camper to another comparable session in the 2026-27 Day Off Camp season pending availability. Unfortunately, tickets are non-transferable to different departments or beyond 2026-27 Field Explorer Day Off Camps.

How will you collect my camper’s information?&nbsp; In order to improve the collection and management of personal information, the Field Museum is partnering with <a href="CampDoc.com">CampDoc.com</a>. 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’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 session of Day Off Camp? It depends on your camper’s age group. In the 2026-27 Day Off Camp season, we are offering a variety of sessions for different age groups. Please see our website for more information about available sessions.

What are the age requirements?&nbsp; Our current offerings for Day Off Camps are for campers in Grades K-6, or equivalent. We request you place your child in the grade band they are currently in, for academic reasons as well as social. To talk about your child’s placement, please contact us <a href="mailto:explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org">explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org</a>.

How do I know if my child is ready for Day Off Camp? Campers are able to:

<ul>
<li>Take care of all restroom needs without assistance.</li>
<li>Enjoy a very busy, active day without a nap.</li>
<li>Follow instructions given by instructors and teaching assistants.</li>
<li>Practice classroom behaviors like waiting turns, raising hands, and separating from parents and caregivers.</li>
<li>Respect the personal space of others and stay with their group at all times.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

What if my child has developmental or medical needs that require support in a classroom setting?&nbsp; Please reach out to us at explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org before registering. We’d be happy to discuss what accommodations we can provide and ensure that our camp is a good fit for your camper.

Camp Groups and Topics

Is lunch provided?

No. For Field Explorer full-day sessions, please send your camper with a nut-free lunch and snack that does not need refrigeration. An insulated lunchbox works well! Should you forget your child’s lunch, please call the camp hotline (312-655-7200) or email <a href="mailto:explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org">explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org</a> when you return with it.

Jr. Explorer half-day sessions include a mid-morning snack break but no lunchtime. Please send your camper with a nut-free snack to enjoy during the break.

We are a peanut and tree-nut-free program. For the safety of all participants, lunches and snacks cannot include any peanut or tree nut products. Please share this information with anyone who might pack your camper’s lunch.

What do I need to send with my child each day? 

<ul>
<li>Peanut AND tree nut free lunch. We encourage you to add extra snacks for your child. Jr. Explorer participants need to bring a nut-free snack only.</li>
<li>Backpack</li>
<li>Water bottle</li>
<li>Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that can get messy: warm coat, gloves, hat, rain gear, sweatshirt (the museum may be cold inside)</li>
<li>Close-toed shoes (Open toed shoes and Crocs are NOT permitted in camp)</li>
<li>Optional: A spare change of clothes, including underwear and socks (this is especially helpful for younger campers!)</li>
</ul>

We recommend that campers do not bring electronics or valuables of any kind. If your child needs to bring a cell phone, please keep it powered off and in their bag throughout the day. If an electronic device is needed for a medical or developmental need, please indicate this during registration. The Field Museum and its staff are not responsible for electronics or valuable items.

Will my child be spending any time outside?&nbsp; Yes! Some of this time is part of the curriculum - for example scavenger hunts, observing and collecting activities, sketching, etc. Some of this time is unstructured and serves as physical and brain breaks. Curriculum outside and inside focuses on inquiry-based, sensory learning that builds observation skills and community.

Why would a camp staff member call me during camp?&nbsp; Camp admin will call:

<ul>
<li>If your child is sick or hurt at camp and needs to go home.</li>
<li>If your child experiences a serious allergic reaction that requires medical care.</li>
<li>If your child is having a severe behavioral incident. Please inform us of behavioral management practices you successfully employ at home so we can reinforce these methods at camp, if needed.</li>
<li>If your child experiences emotional distress for more than 30 minutes. At that point we will call you for assistance and make a plan.</li>
<li>If you are more than 15 minutes late to 3:00pm pick up, and we have not heard from you. See our late policy below.</li>
</ul>

Why would my child be dismissed from camp?&nbsp; If any of the below occur, Camp admin will record the event and call you to pick up your child. These will result in immediate dismissal without refund.

<ul>
<li>Harassment or threats of any nature (including bullying)</li>
<li>Serious injury to campers, staff member, or museum property</li>
<li>Repeatedly leaving their camp group without adult supervision</li>
<li>Consistent, severe disruption of camp</li>
<li>Possession of drugs, alcohol, and/or weapons&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Camp Day

Do you offer before or after-care?&nbsp; At this time we do not offer before or after-care.

How do I check-in and check-out my camper?&nbsp; Check-in begins at 8:30am. Check-out is at 3:00pm for full-day camp, and campers must be picked up by 3:15pm. Check-out is at 12:00pm for half-day camp, and campers must be picked up by 12:15pm. Both are inside the East Entrance of the Field Museum. An adult must be present to check-in and out a camper every day. Campers cannot be dropped off from the car or sent out to a car. To check-out a camper, an adult (18 or older) must be on a camper’s Trusted Contacts list AND have a valid photo ID every day. There are no exceptions to this policy. You can make changes or additions to your Trusted Contacts list on your camper’s CampDoc profile until a week before your camp session starts.

More detailed information about pick up and drop off, including maps, will be emailed to you a week before your camp. Museum Campus has many visitors and events, which can make traffic unpredictable. We encourage camp families to use public transit to minimize traffic and to avoid having to wait in the pick up line.

Do you offer drop off or pick up at other times?&nbsp; To arrange an early pick up for your child for full-day camp, email <a href="mailto:explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org">explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org</a> the day before. Early pick up is from 11:30am-12:00pm during lunch. The camp team does not have capacity to bring campers in and out of the building throughout the day at other times. We do not offer after-care.

What is your policy on late pick up?&nbsp; If you are running late, please call the camp line or email to let us know. If we haven’t heard from you and you are 15 minutes late, we will call you. If you are 15 minutes late or more, you will be charged $20 for every 15 minutes you are late.

How can I get in touch? I have more questions about Field Explorers.&nbsp; Please email <a href="mailto:explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org">explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org</a> with any questions or additional information you need to communicate. During camp, please use email for all non-urgent communications. For urgent communications, please call us at 312-665-7200. These lines are monitored by Camp admin during business hours.

Check-in and Check-out

<h4>Field Explorer Day Off Camp (Full-day)</h4>

The financial assistance for Field Explorers is an 80% discount of the Non-Member session cost. You can apply for financial assistance for more than one of your children in this application. This application must be submitted by a parent/legal guardian. 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.

The Field Explorer Day Off Camp Financial Assistance Application will be open starting in early September. The application window closes two weeks prior to each session. 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.

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.

Please reach out to <a href="mailto:explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org">explorercamp@fieldmuseum.org</a> with any inquiries.

<h4>Jr. Explorer Day Off Camp (Half-day)</h4>

The financial assistance for Jr. Explorer is a 50% discount of the Non-Member session cost. You can apply for financial assistance for more than one of your children in this application. This application must be submitted by a parent/legal guardian. 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.

The Jr. Explorer Day Off Camp Financial Assistance Application will be open starting in early September. The application window closes two weeks prior to each session. 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.

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.

Please reach out to <a href="mailto:playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org">playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org</a> with any inquiries.

Financial Assistance

Waitlist

Events 

Day Off Camps

Left: a spider-tailed horned viper. Photo by Omid Mozaffari. Right: XCT scan showing the normal bones inside the snake’s bizarre tail. Image courtesy of Sara Ruane and Stephanie Smith.

A fake spider at the tip of this snake’s tail helps it lure birds. Scientists got their first look inside the “spider.”

Left: the fossil feather preserved in dinosaur poop. (Credit: O’Connor et al.) Right: an illustration of a tyrannosaur preying on an ancient diving bird. (Credit: Andrey Atuchin)

A fossil feather preserved inside dinosaur poop could help explain why birds survived the mass extinction

Left: Slash’s groundsnake, Lielaphis slashi, in New Guinea. Photo credit: Chris Austin. Right: Slash and Sara Ruane at the Field Museum, with Sara’s copy of Reptiles Magazine featuring Slash on the cover. Photo courtesy of Sara Ruane.