Summer Guided Discoveries

2023 Summer Guided Discoveries Registration is open!

Guided Discoveries are week-long outdoor natural adventure camps for children ages 4 to 12.Programs, taught by experienced naturalist educators, give children an in-depth exploration of nature and science. We are delighted to offer Guided Discoveries this summer and look forward to a fun and safe experience for everyone.

Guided Discoveries Cancellations... Yours and Ours!

A $25 administration fee will be charged for all cancellations. Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the start of a session will be issued a full refund (less $25 fee). Cancellations made 14-30 days prior to the session start date will be issued a 50% refund (less $25 fee). Cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the start of a session will not be refunded. If there is low enrollment, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center will cancel week-long programs on the Wednesday prior to the scheduled start date and will fully refund your payment at that time. The Science Center will make every effort to alert participants to possible cancellations one month in advance. Registration and payment may be transferred to an alternative session at no additional cost if space allows. Any cancellations due to COVID-19 illness or quarantine requirements will be refunded in full.

Summer 2023 Guided Discoveries

June 26 - 30

Woodland Wonders - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6
Our explorations will introduce the wonders of woodlands. Through many outdoor activities and discoveries we will explore, enjoy, and learn together.
Cost: $200/member; $225/non-member

Things with Wings - SESSION FULL
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9
How many things can you think of with wings? Explore the world of flight as we learn about birds, insects, mammals, and even plants that take to the sky. Each day we will meet a live animal ambassador that relies on its wings to survive.
Cost: $200/member; $225/non-member

Animal Art - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Ages 9-12
Let animals and their habitats serve as your inspiration as we create art from and of nature. Explore the Science Center grounds from the top of Mt. Fayal to the shores of the lower pond as we study form, examine color, and observe light to inform the art we create. Focus on detail through up close encounters with animal ambassadors. Use a variety of media to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional art and share your work at an art show for family and friends.
Cost: $330/member; $360/non-member

July 3-7

Adventures in Nature - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6
Our adventures will introduce the wonders of the natural world. Through outdoor activities and discoveries we will explore, excite, and learn together.
Cost: $200/member; $225/non-member

Mad Science
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9
Experience a week of wacky, hands-on, fun as we explore science inspired by the natural world around us. Each day will be filled with mixing, growing, fizzing, bubbling, and more as we ask questions and see what kinds of answers explode around us!
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member

Be A Survivor
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Ages 10-14
Learn bushcraft and wilderness living skills. We will explore fire making and responsible use, outdoor shelter making, and making and using simple tools. Learn about our ecosystem in a hands-on way by keeping weather journals, pressing plants, and learning about the animals that inhabit the world around you, including up close encounters with live animal ambassadors.
Cost: $330/member; $360/non-member

July 10-14

Flap, Hop, and Wiggle - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6
Flap like a falcon, hop like a hare, and wiggle like a worm! It's all about movement as we explore different groups of animals and focus on the ways they move. Become an expert on animal locomotion through up-close observations of our animal ambassadors, outdoor activities, and stories.
Cost: $200/member; $225/non-member

Predator-Prey - SESSION FULL
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9
Who eats what? How do predators catch their prey? How do prey avoid predators? Become an expert on the adaptations of predators and prey as we explore the fascinating relationships between these groups of animals.
Cost: $200/member; $225/non-member

The Nature of Clay I
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Ages 10-14
Want to take earth and turn it into art? Using wild animal ambassadors and the natural beauty of ponds, fields, and forests as inspiration, we will transform our ideas into ceramic treasures. Under the guidance of Community Clay Center instructors and Science Center staff, explore a variety of ceramic techniques to create functional and sculptural projects.
The ceramic process will be completed at the Community Clay Center in Plymouth. Finished projects will be ready for pickup by August 21. Shipping is available for an additional fee.
Cost: $340/member; $370/non-member

July 17-21

Sky Hunters (Morning) - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6
Learn about the hunters that command the skies. Investigate the world of flying predators. Visit with live owls, hawks, and falcons. Meet other airborne predators too, such as dragonflies and bats. Please note that morning and afternoon sessions are identical, and campers may not register for both sessions.
Cost: $200/member; $225/non-member

Sky Hunters (Afternoon) - SESSION FULL
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6
Learn about the hunters that command the skies. Investigate the world of flying predators. Visit with live owls, hawks, and falcons. Meet other airborne predators too, such as dragonflies and bats. Please note that morning and afternoon sessions are identical, and campers may not register for both sessions.
Cost: $200/member; $225/non-member

The Nature of Clay II - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9
Want to take earth and turn it into art? Using wild animal ambassadors and the natural beauty of ponds, fields, and forests as inspiration, we will transform our ideas into ceramic treasures. Under the guidance of Community Clay Center instructors and Science Center staff, explore a variety of ceramic techniques to create functional and sculptural projects.
The ceramic process will be completed at the Community Clay Center in Plymouth. Finished projects will be ready for pickup by August 21. Shipping is available for an additional fee.
Cost: $340/member; $370/non-member

July 24-28

Animal Superheroes (Morning) - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6
You may not consider animals to be superheroes, but they do have super powers. We call them adaptations. Learn about nature's super powers as we explore ways animals find food, avoid being eaten, and protect themselves from the elements. Discover some of these adaptations through experiments, games, and visits with live animals. Please note that morning and afternoon sessions are identical, and campers may not register for both sessions.
Cost: $200/member; $225/non-member

Animal Superheroes (Afternoon) - SESSION FULL
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6
You may not consider animals to be superheroes, but they do have super powers. We call them adaptations. Learn about nature's super powers as we explore ways animals find food, avoid being eaten, and protect themselves from the elements. Discover some of these adaptations through experiments, games, and visits with live animals. Please note that morning and afternoon sessions are identical, and campers may not register for both sessions.
Cost: $200/member; $225/non-member

Yoga Wild - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9
Come along on a journey and get wild with yoga! Meet a live animal each day and learn new yoga poses expressing its movements and postures. Practice yoga outdoors in fields and forests. Adventures will include nature scavenger hunts, nature journaling, mindful listening, relaxation in the forest, and fun yoga games.
Cost: $230/member; $250/non-member

July 31 - August 4

Summer Sensations (Morning) - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6
Explore New Hampshire’s summer environment with a focus on each of the five senses. Smell, taste, touch, see, and hear your way through a week full of fun. Please note that morning and afternoon sessions are identical, and campers may not register for both sessions.
Cost: $200/member; $250/non-member

Summer Sensations (Afternoon) - SESSION FULL
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6
Explore New Hampshire’s summer environment with a focus on each of the five senses. Smell, taste, touch, see, and hear your way through a week full of fun. Please note that morning and afternoon sessions are identical, and campers may not register for both sessions.
Cost: $200/member; $250/non-member

Outdoor Survival Basics I - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9
Learn the basics of bushcraft and the wilderness living skills necessary to survive outdoors comfortably. We will explore fire making and responsible use, outdoor shelter making, and making and using tools like rope. Learn about our ecosystem and the animals that inhabit the world around you, including up close encounters with live animal ambassadors.Please note that sessions I and II are identical.
Cost: $330/member; $360/non-member

August 7-11

Junior Animal Keepers I - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 9-12
Otter popsicles? Training time for a skunk? Treats and puzzles for opossums? Do you love caring for animals? Do you wonder what the Science Center’s animals eat for dinner? Learn how New Hampshire’s wild animals survive. Then apply that knowledge by helping to care for and feed the wildlife at the Science Center. Go behind the scenes to watch staff members train animals and help make puzzles and treats to engage our resident animals.Please note that sessions I and II are identical.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member

Marvelous Mammals - SESSION FULL
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6
Discover what makes mammals special as we focus on this diverse group of animals. From herbivores and insectivores, to carnivores and omnivores, mammals serve a range of functions in the natural world. Meet a mammal up close each day and learn about the role it plays and the adaptations it has to survive.
Cost: $200/member; $225/non-member

Outdoor Survival Basics II - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9
Learn the basics of bushcraft and the wilderness living skills necessary to survive outdoors comfortably. We will explore fire making and responsible use, outdoor shelter making, and making and using tools like rope. Learn about our ecosystem and the animals that inhabit the world around you, including up close encounters with live animal ambassadors.Please note that sessions I and II are identical.
Cost: $330/member; $360/non-member

August 14-18

Junior Animal Keepers II - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 9-12
Otter popsicles? Training time for a skunk? Treats and puzzles for opossums? Do you love caring for animals? Do you wonder what the Science Center’s animals eat for dinner? Learn how New Hampshire’s wild animals survive. Then apply that knowledge by helping to care for and feed the wildlife at the Science Center. Go behind the scenes to watch staff members train animals and help make puzzles and treats to engage our resident animals.Please note that sessions I and II are identical.
Cost: $210/member; $235/non-member

Tales and Trails - SESSION FULL
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 4-6
Stories of animals and nature will serve as our inspiration. We will meet live animal ambassadors from the books we read and explore the forests, ponds, and fields these animals call home.
Cost: $200/member; $225/non-member

Animal Art For Young Artists - SESSION FULL
9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Ages 7-9
Let animals and their habitats serve as your inspiration as we create art from and of nature. Explore the Science Center grounds from the top of Mt. Fayal to the shores of the lower pond as we study form, examine color, and observe light to inform the art we create. Focus on detail through up close encounters with animal ambassadors. Use a variety of media to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional art and share your work at an art show for family and friends.
Cost: $330/member; $360/non-member

Background Check Policy

For program questions email us at .

Linda Chignola, 06/15/19
We visited a few years ago but it was blazing hot with high humidity :-( Despite that, we were very impressed and always planned to return at a future point when the weather was more agreeable! The animals were well-cared for, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable and the trails/exhibits were wonderful. We couldn't even explore it all because it was too hot for us! So happy to say that we are vacationing in NH next week and cannot wait to return as the weather looks more reasonable for outdoor adventures!
C. Heather Moody, 10/22/19
Great place to take the family for a day trip. Lots to see, beautiful area with some unique animals & very friendly staff. Good volunteer opportunities several times per year including hiking, fall clean up & more. Also have camps (day, some overnight, week long or longer) during school vacation, etc. Nice place.
Howard Nash, 10/08/18
Very well presented exhibit on the wildlife of New Hampshire. Coming from the UK, we had some concerns about the moral question of keeping wild animals in cages. This was set against the very obvious great condition of the animals on display and the effort taken to educate on the natural world - a video or even holograph would not have the same impact. The reason we give it only 4 stars is that not enough effort is made to explain why the animals, particularly the large animals, are kept in relatively small enclosures. Looking at the negative reviews that focus on the moral question, your responses are very encouraging. Perhaps you should cut out the middleman and make more effort at the Centre to explain why the animals are maintained in captivity from a conservation perspective.
Barbee & Hayden, 09/03/18
Great enclosures for the animals with water features and lots of shade! And for taking pictures, no cage lines in my pictures because they use thick glass for viewing. Animals looked very healthy especially the lion she was fat :) Loved the walking trails too. It was just lots of fun and we will be back when its not so hot!
Jason Plant, 12/21/18
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a wonderful place for kids and adults alike. The animals are amazing and they are all rehabilitated from either injuries or abandonment at a young age. The atmosphere of this place is great and I highly recommend going and becoming a member to support all of their community efforts and animals!