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 through our Youth Resiliency program. 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 Saturday, 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, June 2nd 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 9th - 13th
Nature's Dirty Jobs- All parts of an ecosystem are important... even some of the gross parts! Get your hands dirty as we learn about balancing an ecosystem from decomposers to the dirt, and how do we help keep our ecosystem clean?
Summer Session 2: June 16th - 20th
Fairytales, Swamps, and Ogres! - For both the mythical and true, there can be so much life in a swamp! From the roots of the plants to the bugs, birds, and all sorts of green beings, let's learn from and imagine all the stories from our swamp! What story will you bring?
Summer Session 3: June 23rd - 27th
Fairytales, Swamps, and Ogres! - For both the mythical and true, there can be so much life in a swamp! From the roots of the plants to the bugs, birds, and all sorts of green beings, let's learn from and imagine all the stories from our swamp! What story will you bring?
Summer Session 4: July 14th - 18th
Operation Sustainable- We only have one Earth, so how can we treat the Earth with kindness? And what skills can we gain to live more in-tune with nature?
Summer Session 5: July 21st - 25th
Operation Sustainable- We only have one Earth, so how can we treat the Earth with kindness? And what skills can we gain to live more in-tune with nature?
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.
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, 207KB) 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, 207KB)
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 7th 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 2025 application and submit by Friday, March 14th.
Junior Naturalist Application(PDF, 63KB)
- For more information, please call 352-393-8240 or email earthacademy@gainesvillefl.gov.