Join us for summer like it used to be! Nature exploration, free play, climbing trees, gardening, circle games, cooking and more.

Challenge Camp is an ACA-accredited day camp in Hartsdale, New York celebrating its 40th year of offering summer enrichment learning opportunities for bright, curious children ages 4-15. The Challenge Camp advantage is that parents and campers customize a program of selections based on the child’s interests, and the students follow their course selections for an entire session. We offer over 100 STEM & Arts electives to create a Summer of FUN & Learning too for your child.

Each of our six weekly camp sessions features a different theme, which is integrated into the activities and programs for the week, taking full advantage of the SM&NC's unique setting. Programs are led by an experienced SM&NC Environmental Educator or Preschool Teacher to provide exciting and engaging interactive experiences both in the classroom and in the natural world. Please ensure that you are registering your child for the correct age/grade camps. Registrations for children outside the listed age/grade of camps will be cancelled and refunded. Camper information and medical forms must be received by SM&NC a minimum of one week before your child’s start date of camp. Campers will not be allowed to attend camp without completed forms and refunds or credits will not be issued should forms not be complete.

Discover a new theme each week, which is tied to the plants and animals that live at the Arboretum. We’ll roam the Bartlett’s grounds from swamp to forest to greenhouse. Along the way we will create art, complete hands-on investigations indoors and out, have lots of time to play, and enjoy nature together!

Discover a new theme each week, which is tied to the plants and animals that live at the Arboretum. We’ll roam the Bartlett’s grounds from swamp to forest to greenhouse. Along the way we will create art, complete hands-on investigations indoors and out, have lots of time to play, and enjoy nature together!

Discover a new theme each week, which is tied to the plants and animals that live at the Arboretum. We’ll roam the Bartlett’s grounds from swamp to forest to greenhouse. Along the way we will create art, complete hands-on investigations indoors and out, have lots of time to play, and enjoy nature together!

Discover a new theme each week, which is tied to the plants and animals that live at the Arboretum. We’ll roam the Bartlett’s grounds from swamp to forest to greenhouse. Along the way we will create art, complete hands-on investigations indoors and out, have lots of time to play, and enjoy nature together!

The earth’s creativity is endless. Campers will find inspiration in her beauty and diversity and discover more about themselves by experimenting with nature’s palette of colors, shapes, and textures. Join us and discover your own artistic voice using materials found in nature.