Explore art, history, nature, and science in one of Atlanta’s most special parks!
Atlanta’s historic Oakland Cemetery is offering week-long camps for spring break and summer vacation. Our camps provide a unique opportunity to explore art, history, and nature through daily creativity-fueling crafts, exciting skill-building games, hands-on problem-solving activities, and engaging experiments that will ignite campers’ imagination and love of learning.
Activities are centered around a different theme each week, so students can attend one or more camps and have a different experience each week. See below for a list of this year’s themes.
Oakland Camps are for children ages 6-11. Your camper must be in this range by the start of camp.
Camp Sessions and Themes
This year we are offering a spring break camp from April 7 to April 11, 2025, as well as eight five-day sessions for our summer camp from June 2 to July 25, 2025.
Camp Hours: 9 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday.
After-care is available daily from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Discover the great outdoors this spring with an active adventure camp! Campers will go on nature hikes, try their hands at beginner-level survival skills, and play tons of outdoor games. It’s a perfect mix of fun and play for kids who love nature and being active.
Each day is a new adventure where campers learn the basics of survival, tackle obstacle courses, and explore natural habitats. There will be exciting games, storytelling, hands-on discovery, scavenger hunts, and plenty of adventure.
Dive into the world of simple machines and become a mini-engineer! Campers will explore the power of levers, pulleys, wheels, inclined planes, and more through hands-on experiments and engaging challenges. Perfect for curious minds ready to learn, invent, and play their way.
Each day, campers will tackle real-world problems by building, testing, and tinkering with simple machines to see physics in action. From constructing catapults to designing pulley systems, kids will discover how these mighty machines work.
Get ready for a week of exciting exploration, teamwork, and outdoor fun! Campers will dive into nature with activities like urban hiking, wildlife spotting, orienteering, and nature crafts, while building confidence and outdoor skills. This camp is perfect for young explorers who want to connect with nature and create unforgettable memories in the great outdoors.
Each day is a new adventure, where campers learn the basics of survival, tackle obstacle courses, and explore natural habitats. Camp activities included games, storytelling, challenges, and hands-on discovery.
Calling all curious minds! At Nature Detectives Camp, campers become real-life nature sleuths, uncovering the secrets of the outdoors. This camp is perfect for budding naturalists eager to explore, ask questions, and unlock the wonders of nature one clue at a time.
Each day, campers will embark on exciting missions to observe wildlife, identify plants, and track animal footprints, learning to solve mysteries hidden in the forest, fields, and streams. Through scavenger hunts, bug investigations, and tree ID challenges, young detectives will develop observation skills, teamwork, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.
Discover the beauty of nature and unleash your creativity! Campers will step into a world where nature becomes the canvas, exploring art inspired by trees, rocks, flowers, and sunlight. Ideal for young artists who love both creativity and the great outdoors, this camp blends art, imagination, and nature into one inspiring experience.
Each day, campers will try new projects, from leaf printing and rock painting to creating sculptures from found objects and crafting nature-inspired mobiles. With endless possibilities for self-expression, kids will learn about colors, textures, and shapes as they create masterpieces in the open air.
Dig into the fascinating world of rocks, minerals, and fossils! Campers will explore local geology through hands-on activities, including rock hunts, gemstone identification, and archeology digs. Perfect for young scientists with a passion for discovery, Junior Geologists Camp brings the science of the Earth to life in a fun, interactive way!
Each day, campers will participate in hands-on science experiments like making crystal gardens and simulating volcanic eruptions. They’ll also explore rock formations, go on rock hunts, and learn to identify minerals and gemstones.
This camp dives into the fascinating world of ecology and environmental stewardship! Campers will engage in hands-on activities that connect them with nature, from exploring local ecosystems to conducting fun experiments about recycling, conservation, and sustainability. Perfect for nature lovers and aspiring environmentalists, Eco-Explorers Camp inspires a lifelong love for the Earth.
Each day features outdoor adventures, nature hikes, and interactive workshops where kids will learn to identify plants and animals, understand their roles in the environment, and discover how to protect our planet. With activities like building birdhouses, creating compost bins, and participating in clean-up projects, campers will become eco-conscious leaders ready to make a positive impact on the world around them.
Welcome to Garden to Table Camp, where campers embark on a delicious journey from planting seeds to savoring fresh, healthy meals! This hands-on camp introduces kids to the joys of gardening and cooking, teaching them how to grow their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Ideal for budding chefs and young gardeners alike, Garden to Table Camp is a flavorful adventure that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joy of gardening.
Each day, campers will tend to the garden, learning about plant care, soil health, and the importance of local ecosystems. They’ll also roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, transforming their harvest into tasty dishes through fun cooking activities. With lessons on nutrition, food preparation, and sustainability, campers will discover the benefits of eating fresh and seasonal foods while developing a lifelong love for gardening and healthy eating.
Soar to new heights where campers will explore the wonders of aviation and the atmosphere! This exciting camp is perfect for young adventurers with a passion for all things airborne. This camp inspires curiosity and ignites imaginations while providing unforgettable experiences that reach for the stars!
Each day, campers will engage in hands-on activities that celebrate flight, from building and launching model airplanes to designing their own kites and exploring the science of aerodynamics. They’ll learn about birds and insects that take to the skies, study the principles of flight, and even participate in birdwatching adventures to spot local species. With creative arts and crafts projects, including sky-themed art and educational games, campers will develop a deep appreciation for the incredible world above us.
Parent Reviews
“My daughter absolutely loved her week at Oakland’s Summer Camp. I could not be more impressed with the communication and care. The small size of the camp lent to each camper getting quality time with the staff. We will absolutely be signing up again next summer!”
—Maggie, mother of James, 7
“Our daughter loved Oakland’s Camp, she learned so much and had so much fun meeting kids from around Atlanta. They have curated an amazing program that included opportunities for the kids to play, learn about each other, discover nature and science, and explore the neighborhood through well planned, innovative field trips.”
—Barrett, mother of Avie, 8
Scholarships
Partial, half, and full scholarships are available to select students attending Atlanta Title I schools. Scholarships are available on a weekly basis and only provided to campers once during the 2025 camp season. To indicate that you’d like to be considered for a scholarship please fill out the form linked below.
Camp Details
Session Tuition
Oakland Members: $300 per week
Not-yet Members: $350 per week
After-care (4 to 5:30 p.m.): $75 per week
Camp Location
Campers will meet in Oakland’s Visitor Center ( 374 M.L.K. Jr Dr SE), located across from Oakland Cemetery’s Main Gate. Camp will take place inside the Visitor Center, the Bell Tower, and on Oakland’s grounds.
Sample Daily Schedule & Activities
Sample Camp Schedule
Camp hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
9 to 9:30 am: Morning group session
9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Morning activities – outdoors
9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Morning nature walk
10:00 a.m. -12 p.m.: Project-based learning
12 to 1 p.m.: Lunch
1 to 4 p.m.: Afternoon activities – indoors or outdoors
1 – 2 p.m.: Team activity / scavenger hunt
2 – 3 p.m.: Project-based learning arts and crafts
3 – 4 p.m.: Interactive play
4 – 4:30 p.m.: Afternoon nature walk
4:30 – 5 p.m.: Daily Yoga / Meditation / Reflection Activity
5 -5:30 p.m.: After care
Sample Activities
- Build a simple machine that can lift 200 pounds
- Compete against other campers on an insect scavenger hunt
- Build your own birdhouse
- See how our preservation team cares for different types of stone monuments
- Test your tree identification skills
Field Trips
There may be onsite and offsite field trips related to the summer camp’s theme. For field trips not within walking distance, transportation will be on MARTA from the King Memorial Station located two blocks from Oakland.
Camp Policies
Cancellation Policy
If minimum enrollment is not met, we reserve the right to cancel a camp session and issue a full refund.
Withdrawal Policy
A $50 administrative fee will be charged for all cancellations.
For spring break camp week, the deadline to receive a refund for cancellation is Friday, March 7th, 2025. After March 7th, 2025, no refunds will be issued for cancellations.
For any summer camp week, the deadline to receive a refund for cancellation is Friday, April 25, 2025. After April 25, 2025, no refunds will be issued for cancellations.
Refunds will not be given for campers who miss camp days for any reason, including illness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Camps will take place rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, planned outdoor activities will take place inside or be revised.
Campers should wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing. Campers should avoid wearing clothing with derogatory/explicit language and sheer clothing. Be aware that we are an indoor/outdoor camp, so clothing and shoes may get dirty. On days where the forecast may include rain, campers can wear rain jackets and rainboots.
Students are required to provide their own lunches and a reusable water bottle. Snacks will be provided for daily breaks. Refrigeration is available for lunches.
Each week has a different theme aligned with environmental and life science. See the schedule above for details.
Campers are led on activities appropriate to their age group. Each group will have its own agenda of activities and groups are typically not in the same space at the same time. A few activities allow all age groups to participate together, and when appropriate.
There is a fee for optional after-care. See above for the weekly fee for late pick-up.
Please review our cancellation policy above for details. A $50 administrative fee will be charged for all cancellations.
The deadline to receive a refund for cancellation is Friday, March 7, 2025 for spring break camp. After March 7, 2025, no refunds will be issued for cancellations.
The deadline to receive a refund for cancellation is Friday, April 25, 2025 for any summer camp week. After April 25, 2025, no refunds will be issued for cancellations.
Refunds will not be given for campers who miss camp days for any reason, including illness.
Disruptive behavior that interferes in our ability to maintain a positive, fun learning environment is not acceptable at our camp. This includes disrespectful speech or behavior targeted toward other campers, staff, or guests of Oakland.
Camp staff and/or Oakland education staff will address inappropriate behavior with campers which may include a conversation with the disruptive individual and quiet time away from others (with supervision). Consequently, the camper will not participate in the activities occurring at the time. If disruptive behavior does not cease, a parent/guardian will be notified to pick up the camper immediately.
In all our programs, we practice inclusion and encourage kindness toward one another, as well as for our natural environment. Repeated disruptive behavior of any type or any level of bullying could result in dismissal from camp.
Campers or parents who witness something they want to report may bring the matter to the attention of the Senior Director of Experiences and Engagement, Jessica VanLanduyt.