Summer Guided Discoveries

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 discovery programs are limited to children who are residents of New England. Please contact us for guidance about participants from outside of New England.
View full Day Camp guidance from the State of New Hampshire

Guided Discoveries Cancellations... Yours and Ours!

If you cancel at least two weeks prior to the start of the program, your payment will be refunded minus a $20 handling fee. If you cancel within two weeks of the start of the program, your payment will not be refunded.

If there is low enrollment, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center will cancel weeklong 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.

Summer 2021 Guided Discoveries

June 28 - July 2

Woodland Wonders FULL, waitlist available
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: $140/member; $160/non-member

Things with Wings FULL, waitlist available
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: $140/member; $160/non-member

July 5-9

Tales and Trails FULL, waitlist available
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 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: $140/member; $160/non-member

Building in Nature I: Forts, Boats, and More
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 9-12
We will construct a fort village in the midst of trees in the forest, build boats to float on the pond (not human sized!), dam a stream, and even build small scale shelters for tiny make believe creatures!
Cost: $140/member; $160/non-member

July 12-16

Flap, Hop, and Wiggle FULL, waitlist available
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: $140/member; $160/non-member

Building in Nature II: Forts, Boats, and More FULL, waitlist available
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9
We will construct a fort village in the midst of trees in the forest, build boats to float on the pond (not human sized!), dam a stream, and even build small scale shelters for tiny make believe creatures!
Cost: $140/member; $160/non-member

July 19-23

Junior Animal Keepers I FULL, waitlist available
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 & II are identical.
Cost: $150/member; $170/non-member

Sky Hunters FULL, waitlist available
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.
Cost: $140/member; $160/non-member

July 26-30

Animal Superheroes FULL, waitlist available
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.
Cost: $140/member; $160/non-member

Mad Science FULL, waitlist available
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: $150/member; $170/non-member

August 2-6

Junior Animal Keepers II FULL, waitlist available
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 & II are identical.
Cost: $150/member; $170/non-member

Marvelous Mammals FULL, waitlist available
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 uses to survive.
Cost: $140/member; $160/non-member

August 9-13

Summer Sensations FULL, waitlist available
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.
Cost: $140/member; $160/non-member

Hooray for Herps FULL, waitlist available
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Ages 7-9
Join us for adventures in herping. Turtles, snakes, frogs, and salamanders are all herps! We will learn all about reptiles and amphibians during this week of exploring forest, pond, wetland, stream, and field in our search for herps. Meet some of the Science Center’s resident herp ambassadors up close and personal.
Cost: $140/member; $160/non-member

August 16-20

Adventures in Nature FULL, waitlist available
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: $140/member; $160/non-member

Predator-Prey FULL, waitlist available
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: $140/member; $160/non-member

Registration will open in mid-March. For program questions email us at or call 603-968-7194 x 7.

Michelle Whisnant, 07/13/19
Loved my visit here. Animals are well cared for, great old school exhibits. So many extra areas and playgrounds for kids. Nice shady walk and lots of extras to do in the area.
Cailin Nelson, 08/03/18
Very nice place, clean and informative. Different from other places - lots for kids to learn hands on. I was a little apprehensive due to the cost and not many animals but felt like it was worth every penny. I would recommend packing a lunch and taking advantage of the trails - make a full day out of it.
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.
Shane Fowler, 05/05/19
We had a lot of fun. This is great for kids. Lots to learn about plants animals in the white mountains. lots of educational exhibits. Live animals including Bear coyotes deer fox owl etc.. Awesome playground and indoor play area with multiple levels and a spiraling staircase.
Eben Gannett, 03/26/19
This is by far one the best not so hidden gems of Central New Hampshire! While it functions similarly to a zoo the goal of the facility is to rehabilitate and care for local animals found in the white mountains fo NH. The animals who stay are there for medical or other legitimate reasons to keep them from living in the wild and are given wonderful care. The staff that works there is knowledgable and kind, eager to answer any questions about the animals you may have. The path to see all the animals is fun and equivalent to many easy day hikes with spots to picnic, and a wonderful play/learning area for the young and young at heart. It is a place my family loves to visit time and time again, never getting board of the wonderful animals, new things to learn, and great day that always ensues.