Casey Trees’ TreeWise spring break and summer camps give students the opportunity to discover the wonders of nature, spend time outdoors, and flex their creativity—all while becoming active caretakers of our planet. Activities are rooted in STEAM themes, including science experiments, crafts, neighborhood hiking, and a field trip.
Our programming is focused on local wildlife, climate change, pollinators, urban forestry, caring for our local watershed, and environmental stewardship. Campers will explore the natural world while working as a team, making new friends, and developing a connection to the outdoors.
Drop off is from 8:30am-9:00am and pick up is from 3:00-3:30pm. Each week is limited to 20 campers who live in or attend school in DC, with priority given to students in Wards 5, 7, and 8.
Spring Break Camp
Green Guardians (for 4th and 5th graders)
Campers will learn about the DC environment, our natural world, and how to care for it. This camp is especially fun because campers will get to participate in a tree planting at the Franciscan Monastery in Brookland!
| Dates: | Monday, April 13 to Friday, April 17 (9am-3pm) |
| Location: | Casey Trees HQ, 3030 12th St. NE, Washington, DC |
| Cost: | $250 with scholarship available. Email education@caseytrees.org for more details about financial assistance. |
| Field Trip: | The US National Arboretum |
Summer Camps
Branching Out in Brookland (for rising 4th and 5th graders)
Campers will explore nature and learn about trees in the Brookland community. Please, only register your camper for one of the two weeks!
| Dates: | Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7 (9am-3pm) OR Monday, August 10 to Friday, August 14 (9am-3pm) |
| Location: | Casey Trees HQ, 3030 12th St. NE, Washington, DC |
| Cost: | $250 with scholarship available. Email education@caseytrees.org for more details about financial assistance. |
| Field Trip: | The US National Arboretum |
Choose ONE Summer Camp Week:
Sample Schedule
| 8:30-9:00AM | Drop-off at CT Headquarters |
| 9:00-10:20AM | Group activity to review the day and camp rules, nature games, and working in the Junior Urban Forester Guide |
| 10:20-10:40AM | Bathroom break and morning snack (provided) |
| 10:40AM-12:00PM | Science experiments: Air quality measurement, Urban heat island investigation, modeling a watershed |
| 12:00-1:30PM | Picnic lunch and play time |
| 1:30-2:45PM | Afternoon nature craft hour and free play |
| 2:45-3:00PM | Clean up and afternoon snack (provided) |
| 3:00-3:30PM | Pick-up at CT Headquarters |
Sample Activities
- Creating insect houses
- Neighborhood nature scavenger hunt
- Leaf press crafts
- Building a watershed model
What to Bring!
- A backpack
- A packed lunch (Casey Trees will provide a morning and afternoon snack)
- A water bottle
- Sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat for protection
- Comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers (no flip flops or crocs!)
- A raincoat if rain is in the forecast
- Light colored layers if temperature is high
Required Documents
- DC Universal Health Certificate
- After completing registration through Eventbrite, look for a link in the confirmation email for a more detailed registration and waiver form. You will upload your child’s DC health certificate through this form.
Support Our Education Programs
Outdoor learning experiences are vital to developing a child’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being. By supporting our education programs, you are helping another child learn about the natural wonder of trees and our environment.
Meet the Casey Trees Educators
Madeline Carreno Karp, Youth Programs Manager
Madeline oversees youth programming at Casey Trees, including in-school & out-of-school programming and school tree plantings, and supports the development of meaningful partnerships across the District. Originally a high school teacher in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Madeline taught environmental science and honed her skills around culturally responsive teaching. She then transitioned to working in the non-profit sector, supporting parents and students access high quality school options in DC, which gave her deep familiarity with the DC education landscape. Most recently, Madeline managed programming across the country at The Climate Reality Project, creating a community of highly dedicated volunteers educating and taking action at the local, regional, and federal levels. Madeline earned her B.Sc in Biology from The College of William & Mary and her M.Ed from American University.
Emma Joy, Youth Programs Associate
At Casey Trees, Emma supports the education team in facilitating activities for K-12 youth, designing meaningful outdoor experiences, and partnering with other environmental educators/community members. She has a background in outdoor education curriculum development and implementation from working at numerous hands-on programs in outdoor spaces including the Reeves Reed Arboretum in New Jersey. During the height of the pandemic, she founded and directed a neighborhood-nature camp for the youth on the street she grew up on in New Jersey. She has multiple outdoor education certifications including Social Emotional Learning certification, Project WILD, Aquatic WILD, MWEE training and is First Aid and CPR certified by the Red Cross. She holds a BS in Environmental Science from The American University.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are scholarships available?
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Yes! Email education@caseytrees.org for details. Our programs are supplemented thanks to generous funding from grants and foundation donations. We can offer low-cost programs and scholarships thanks to these funders.
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Does my child have to attend the entire week?
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Yes! Due to high demand, we want to ensure this camp is available to children who wish to attend the entire week.
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How many students attend each camp?
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Each week is capped at 20 students, with priority given to students in Wards 5, 7, and 8.
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Is lunch provided?
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Casey Trees will provide a morning and afternoon snack, but campers need to bring a packed lunch. Financial assistance for lunch is available. Please email education@caseytrees.org for more information.
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What time are drop off and pick up?
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Drop off is from 8:30am-9:00am and pick up is from 3:00-3:30pm.
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What if there’s bad weather?
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In poor weather conditions, camp will be held indoors at the Casey Trees headquarters. In the event of a weather emergency, families will be notified of camp cancellation or program changes via email.
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What is your cancellation policy?
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All registrations are final. Please contact us if you have questions or are no longer able to participate, so we can open a space for another camper.
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I have another question!
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We are happy to help! Just email your question to education@caseytrees.org