Junior Naturalists

Give your middle schooler the summer of a lifetime! Instructors challenge young naturalists to use their observation skills and individual experiences as each discovers how plants, sustainability, and local ecosystems are part of everyday life. Using critical thinking and team collaboration, budding ecologists will learn to hunt edible weeds, identify local birds and mammals, trap insects and freshwater invertebrates, and so much more!

Junior Naturalists is for those entering 6th-9th grade in fall 2024.

***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: Two-Week Sessions (8 days): $800 Non-Member / $720 Family-Level+ Member

Ages: Students entering 6th-9th grade

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

*Extended Hours until 5:30pm (For an additional $35/day, Extended Hours are available as add-on at checkout.)

• Junior Naturalists is for drop-off only, held outdoors for the majority of the time with access to indoor program space.
• The program runs rain or shine.
• We kindly require that all children are able to use the bathroom independently.
• We welcome families & children of all identities! QBG is dedicated to providing the best possible learning environment for our students. If your child requires any accommodations please email [email protected].

Session I: Garden Lab Mondays-Thursdays, July 8-18

Discover the beauty and wonder of nature through science! We’ll use our five senses to understand the many ecosystems and organisms of our garden.

Session II: Botanical Recipes Mondays-Thursdays, July 22-August 1

Explore the many ways people use plants to create a sense of home! We’ll look to recipes from around the world to guide us through cooking, medicine, craft, and more.

Session III: Growing Artists Monday-Thursday, August 5-15

Explore the intersection between art and the natural world! We’ll use foraged, found, and recycled items to collaboratively create art and music projects.

• 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.

During inclement weather, we will bring the group under cover and indoors and do not plan to cancel, unless weather is extreme. In the rare case that an event is cancelled, you will be notified via email. Please note, programming will be conducted outdoors in light to medium rain, with outdoor shelter from the rain. Only in the event of cancellations by QBG due to weather do we host a make-up day, typically the weekend following the final session.

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.

Full and partial scholarship seats available by request on a limited basis. To apply, visit queensbotanical.org/scholarship/.

No discounts may be applied after your transaction is processed. Promo codes must be entered on the first page of registration, as shown in the image below. Only one promo code may be used per purchase.

Members with Family Membership* and above receive a 10% discount by using the code "MEMBER".* Siblings can receive a 5% discount by using the code "SIBLING". If you qualify for both, please use code "MEMBER-SIBLING" for 15% off."

*For QBG Family-Level+ Members only. You will be prompted to enter your Member ID # at checkout to verify eligibility for discount.

For information on membership, visit queensbotanical.org/membership.

Limited-Time Early Bird Discount Promo Codes*:

*Offer ends on Monday, May 13 at 11:59 pm. No Early Bird discounts will be honored past this deadline.

• EARLYBIRD - Code is auto-applied. 10% off registration for non-members.
• EARLYBIRD-SIBLING - 15% off registration for two siblings.
• EARLYBIRD-MEMBER - 20% off registration for family-level members

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