A hands-on fall week on Maui for kids ages 6–11, combining ecology, Hawaiian culture, crafts, and a field trip. Meet at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens and expect a practical, outdoor-rich program run by Hawaiʻi Nature Center.
A hands-on fall week on Maui for kids ages 6–11, combining ecology, Hawaiian culture, crafts, and a field trip. Meet at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens and expect a practical, outdoor-rich program run by Hawaiʻi Nature Center.
Book with Hawaii Nature Center
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Hawaii Nature Center · Kahului, HI
On Maui's leeward shore, the Fall 2026 Maui Nature Adventure Camp offers kids a week-long immersion in the island's living landscapes. Run by Hawaiʻi Nature Center and meeting at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens • 150 Kanaloa., Kahalui, HI 96732, this five-day session (8:30am - 3:30pm, October 5–9, 2026) turns curiosity into outdoor skill-building for ages 6–11. The camp blends hands-on ecology, cultural learning, and active play, with a rotating field trip to a coastline, farm, fishpond, or local museum. The curriculum centers on Hawaiiana: lā‘au lapa‘au (plants as medicine), Makahiki games, mele and music, and lei making. Kids practice observation and group problem-solving through guided hikes, art projects, and low-impact exploration. Staff emphasize safety and stewardship; organizers note, “We will not be swimming during any part of fall camp…but we will get wet and muddy!” which keeps activities shoreline-focused without open-water risk. Key features of the experience are the island's coastal ecosystems, traditional Hawaiian cultivation sites like fishponds, and Maui’s dryland and wetland plants showcased at the botanical garden. Participants may encounter native hala, hau, and a variety of coastal shrubs; the site is also good for spotting shorebirds and kalo gardens on field trips. The program links natural history and cultural practice, reflecting Hawai‘i's long relationship between people and place. Logistics are straightforward: plan for full days, bring weather-ready clothing, and expect a mix of trail time, craft stations, and a guided field trip to an external site. Registration details include a cancellation policy that refunds fees with at least seven days' notice minus a $50 nonrefundable fee per child per week and administrative processing fees. Booking closes at 8:00 am on the Saturday prior to the start date; email [email protected] for waitlist requests. Why this camp stands out: it’s local, curriculum-driven, and run through Hawaiʻi Nature Center with field trips that connect classroom concepts to real island places. For families seeking an active, culturally informed outdoor week on Maui, this program is a compact, practical way for keiki to learn native plant stories, practice traditional games, and build confidence in outdoor settings. The meeting point and program times make it easy for Kahului-area families and visitors to join a single week that feels like a small, curriculum-rich expedition into Hawaiian nature. Sessions are designed for children ages 6–11 and run Monday through Friday the week of October 5, 2026, from 8:30am - 3:30pm. Families may become members at registration to receive savings on HNC programs; the listed rate does not include administrative processing fees at checkout. Staff keep groups sized for supervised exploration, and parents receive check-in details before the first day. This camp grounds young learners in Hawaiian place-based knowledge. It’s an active, curriculum-rich alternative to screens.
The program is for children ages 6–11.
Participants should bring lunch and snacks; the description does not list provided meals.
No — organizers state, “We will not be swimming during any part of fall camp…but we will get wet and muddy.”
Meet at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens • 150 Kanaloa., Kahalui, HI 96732 for check-in.
With at least seven days' notice the program fee is refundable minus a $50 nonrefundable fee per child per week and administrative processing fees.
Yes — email [email protected] to be placed on a waitlist or to reschedule if a week is full.
Hawaii Nature Center connects children to Hawaiian ecosystems through hands-on environmental education programs and seasonal camps. The organization offers the Summer 2025 O'ahu Nature Adventure Camp for children ages 6–11, blending themed weekly curricula, outdoor field trips, and experiential learning to build environmental awareness and practical skills. Each week highlights a different theme — from sustainability superheroes to ocean voyaging — and includes activities designed to encourage curiosity, teamwork, and respect for local habitats. Programs emphasize direct interaction with nature, combining classroom-style learning with guided outings that expose campers to coastal and island environments. Activities include thematic adventures, stewardship projects, and age-appropriate exploration that aim to foster long-term appreciation for Hawaiʻi's natural resources. The Summer Nature Adventure Camp is structured to promote safe, supervised experiences; programming details outline daily schedules, field-trip components, and hands-on learning objectives appropriate for the stated 6–11 age range. Hawaii Nature Center coordinates seasonal camp sessions and partner-led field trips on O'ahu, offering families clear information about camp themes, weekly focuses, and expected outcomes. Communications for the Summer 2025 O'ahu Nature Adventure Camp provide registration details, curriculum summaries, and contact information for program coordinators. Families considering enrollment can review the camp's themed weeks, activity descriptions, and age guidelines to determine fit. Hawaii Nature Center presents a focused, camp-based approach to environmental education that centers on experiential learning, community connections, and respectful engagement with island ecosystems. Program materials list daily itineraries, staff-to-camper ratios, safety protocols, and required registration steps for Summer 2025 enrollment available through Hawaii Nature Center contacts online.
Book with Hawaii Nature Center