VanDusen Nature Camps
VanDusen’s camps are immensely popular and sell out quickly. Our carefully crafted blend of science, exploration, games and crafts gives children the opportunity to learn and play throughout the beauty of VanDusen Botanical Garden, while fostering positive stewardship of the environment. Days are spent almost entirely outdoors with access to indoor and covered spaces available in extreme weather.
Our outdoor camps create a unique learning experience tailored for children ages 5-10. Please note that all campers must be at least 5 years old and have completed or currently be attending kindergarten.
Pro-D Camps
Pro-D Camp Fees:
| VBGA Members | $70.20 per day |
| Non-Members | $78 per day |
Pro-D Camps at VanDusen Botanical Garden take place entirely outdoors and require children attending to be at least 5 years of age on the date of the program and have completed or currently be attending kindergarten.
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+-January 17: Winter Wonders REGISTRATION OPEN
Date: Wednesday, January 17
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pmJoin us at VanDusen Botanical Garden to experience a winter wonderland! Discover what it takes to be an evergreen, help fuel local birds with a hand-crafted feeder, and learn about which species hibernate, migrate, or tolerate the season. Enjoy a sweet taste test and experiment with the physics of maple syrup.
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+-February 16: Urban Wildlife
REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 1
Date: Friday, February 16
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pmIn the middle of a sprawling urban city, VanDusen Botanical Garden’s 55-acres of green space provides home and shelter to many creatures! Spend a day at the Garden searching for urban wildlife and exploring footprints and bird calls. Learn about how we can support the animals we share our neighbourhoods with and understand how we all depend on one another.
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+-April 22: Flower Power
REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 1
Date: Monday, April 22
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pmWith spring rains and colourful blooms, the Garden comes to life for this flower-themed camp. Explore seasonal changes at VanDusen, inspect parts of flowers up close, and get to know some common pollinators. Campers will create a spring craft and learn about how different plants flower through time or invite pollinators in for a visit.
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+-June 28: Bogs to Beaches
REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 1
Date: Friday, June 28
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pmDive into the wonderful world of wetlands and uncover what hides just under the surface of Cypress Pond. Recreate an aquatic environment to take home, learn more about the water cycle and where our water comes from, and explore the Garden in search of aquatic plants and animals in different water bodies and features!
Spring Break Camps 2024
Member Priority Registration: Tuesday, January 16th 12pm (noon)
General (Public) Registration: Thursday, January 18th 12pm (noon) (additional spots released)
View camp themes and more to find the best fit for your family, here.
March 18th-28th (*no camp on March 29th STAT)
Spring Break Camp Fees:
| Registration Type | VBGA Members | Non-Members |
| Camp (Per Day) | $70.20 | $78.00 |
| After Care (Per Day) util 5pm | $13.05 | $14.50 |
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+-Spring Break: Registration Information
- Member Priority Registration** Tuesday January 16th 12pm noon
- General {Public} Registration Thursday January 18th 12pm noon (additional spots released)
- Waitlists available through same registration links after January 18th spots are sold out
- **In order to qualify for Member Priority Registration, you must hold, purchase, or renew a valid Family or Individual-Plus-Child membership type before January 15th (no exceptions); instructions and access link/code will be emailed to qualifying members on or before January 15th.
- From January 18th onward, all remaining spots can be accessed through our storefront here, no code or secret link required.
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+-How to Prepare for Camp Registraiton
- Preview themes & more information here to find the best fit for your family here.
- Ensure your membership is the valid type and up to date (if applicable) before the deadlines listed above.
- Create an account on our booking system, Amilia, or if you already have one, make sure all of your information is as current as possible.
- Sign up here for our newsletters if you haven’t already.
- Please reach out to us for assistance and ask questions ahead of time – our capacity to assist via phone or email during high-volume registration periods is limited or delayed.Membership (membership@vandusen.org or 604-257-8675)
Youth Programs (nfriedmann@vandusen.org or 604-257-8443)
Health & Safety Measures
Our Camps follow any current guidelines and recommendations from the BCCDC, Vancouver Coastal Health, WorkSafeBC, and the BC Ministry of Health.
Current Measures:
- Staff and volunteers may wear masks at their own discretion and will welcome any campers and families who choose to wear one. Disposable masks are available upon request.
- Tabletops and similar surfaces in camp spaces are cleaned and disinfected daily and as needed.
- Our planning approach ensures that games, crafts, and activities can all be done outdoors, as camps operate rain-or-shine; this means campers will be asked to carry backpacks out in the Garden for up to 15 minutes at a time.
- Campers will have access to and be encouraged to use outdoor porta-potties and handwashing stations to decrease congestion around shared indoor washrooms (though still available).
- We are unable to provide 1-to-1 care for campers; please contact us to discuss further details if your child requires concentrated support or an aide.
Cancellation Policy
If you would like to cancel your registration, please provide a written request at least three weeks (21 days) in advance of the start of the program(s) to nfriedmann@vandusen.org. If we receive the request with the required notice and are able to fill the spot, we will provide a refund minus a $15 administrative fee. If we receive the request with the required notice and are unable to fill the spot, we will provide an equivalent credit to be used in future programs, valid for 365 days.
No refunds or credits (either complete or partial) will be issued for the following:
- Requests made with less than three weeks’ (21 days’) notice.
- Requests made over the phone, by voicemail, or in person.
- Expulsion due to disruptive/unsafe behaviour or inappropriate fit for program, or similar.
- Absence from a program due to illness or COVID-19 symptoms, family matters, injury, travel, or similar.
- Individual COVID-19 regulations, as mandated by the Federal and Provincial governments
Program cancellation by the VBGA due to Public Health Restrictions will result in education program credit equivalent to the value lost.
Camp Bursaries
The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association is pleased to provide bursaries for families in financial need.
Bursaries are available on a limited basis for all camps programs. Please indicate which date/theme/cohort you would like covered under the bursary when you submit the application form by email.
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+-Applications
The VBGA’s mission is to connect people with plants and we believe all children should have the opportunity to experience nature-based camps regardless of family circumstance or income.
Apply for a bursary here or contact nfriedmann@vandusen.org or 604-257-8443 for more information.
Here's what parents have to say about our camps!
“Excellent protocols, best of any camp of school we attended.”
“This summer it was wonderful for him to have time to socialize and play with other kids – he has some good social distance games he can now share with friends.”
“This camp has ignited a spark – that it’s cool to be interested in nature, and all that’s in it.”
“My child gained an appreciation for plants, nature, and relationships humans have with nature.”
“The leaders were enthusiastic, professional and caring, and got to know my child really quickly.”
Contact Us
For camp-related inquiries, please contact Natasha Friedmann (Youth Programs Assistant Manager) at nfriedmann@vandusen.org or call 604-257-8443.