Junior Naturalists

Plan a summer adventure for your middle schooler! Instructors challenge young naturalists to use their observation skills to understand how nature is a part of every day life. Budding ecologists will take on garden projects, learn how to identify local plants & animals, conduct scientific experiments, explore topics in environmental justice, and more!

Junior Naturalists is for those entering 6th-9th grade in fall 2025.

***Please read all program information below before registering. If you have questions and would like to speak to someone on our team, contact [email protected] or 718.886.3800, ext. 218.***

Cost Per Session: Two-Week Sessions (8 days): $900 Non-Member / $810 Family-Level+ Member

Ages: Students entering 6th-9th grade

Schedule: Mondays - Thursdays, 9am-3pm.* See session dates below. Three sessions available.

*Extended Hours until 5:30pm (For an additional $40/day, Extended Hours are available as add-on at checkout.)

• This program is for drop-off only, with a combination of time outdoors in all weather, and with indoor program space.
• We welcome families & children of all identities to our youth programs. QBG is dedicated to fostering an inclusive learning environment for our participants to the best of our ability. If you or your child require any accommodations, please email [email protected].

Session I: Botanical Builders: Mondays-Thursdays, July 7-17

Discover how humans learn from nature to build our cities and farms through observing natural patterns and creating models of plant and animal-made structures.

Session II: The Kitchen & Beyond: Mondays-Thursdays, July 21-31

Explore the many ways people use plants to create a sense of home, through cooking, medicine, craft, and more.

Session III: Growing Artists: Mondays-Thursdays, August 4-14

Forage for materials in the garden and draw inspiration from nature to create art, music, poetry, performances, and more.

• Vaccines are strongly encouraged but not required.
• Masks are no longer required at QBG.
• If you or your child are showing symptoms of sickness, please do not attend.
• More information on our website here.

We have a no-refund policy within 30 days from the program start date. If you must cancel after registering, notify the Kids Programs staff at 718-886-3800 x218 or [email protected] at least 30 full days before the start of the program and we will refund 75% of the program cost.

Refunds and credits are not issued for partial attendance or after the program begins. Registrations are nontransferable.

We do not offer make-up classes for any absences or lateness.

During inclement weather, we do not plan to cancel unless the weather is extreme. In the rare case that an event is cancelled, you will be notified via email. Only in the event of cancellations by QBG do we offer a make-up day (typically the weekend following the final session) or a partial refund.

Discount codes must be entered at the time of registration and cannot be applied after your transaction is processed. Only one discount code may be used per purchase and cannot be combined.

Family+ Members get a 10% discount on all Kids Programs, with code MEMBER. You will be prompted to enter your Member ID # at checkout to verify eligibility for discount. For information on membership, visit queensbotanical.org/membership.

Families enrolling multiple children within the same program qualify for a 5% sibling discount, with code SIBLING. Limited scholarships are available. Apply at: queensbotanical.org/scholarship/.

For directions and more information, please visit our website. Parking is free for a 15-minute drop-off period. If you are planning to stay in the garden for longer than 15 minutes, on-site parking is available to participants for a discounted rate of $5 per vehicle.

Your registration supports Queens Botanical Garden, the place where people, plants, and cultures meet! QBG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.queensbotanical.org or call (718) 886-3800.

Host or Publisher Queens Botanical Garden