Bug Camp

Summer 2026

We are planning to hold camp in Summer 2026 and will update our webpage as these plans come together.

Insects are the most abundant animals on earth! Not only are these creepy-crawlies everywhere, they provide many necessary benefits to humans and human society. Through a variety of hands-on activities and interactive field trips, Bug Camp: Insects, Science & Society will teach kids how amazing and valuable bugs truly are. Campers will gain experience with science in the field and the lab, and will come away with an understanding of the important relationship between humans and insects.

Bug Camp: Insects, Science & Society is supported by the University of Maryland’s Department of Entomology​ and the University of Maryland Extension, 4-H Youth Development.

Topics & Activities

• Field trips around the UMD campus to local bug habitats
• Bug bodies and life stages
• Interacting with bugs in their natural environment
• Lab experiments with live bugs
• Bug DNA & genetics
• Team building & games
• Arts & crafts
• Pollinators & Pests: How humans and bugs get along
• Bug habitats and houses

General Information

• Bug camp is for youth ages 7-12 (at time of session)
• Camp counselors are trained and accredited by the 4-H Youth Development program and the staff to camper ratio will be approximately 1:7.
• The camp is non-residential and will be held daily from 9:00am – 3:00pm on the UMD College Park campus with after care available from 3:00-4:30pm at additional cost.
• There are two one-week sessions of Bug Camp. The sessions are identical in content.
  • Session 1: TBA
  • Session 2: TBA
• Camp fees: $TBA camp fee (shirt included)
• Camp and aftercare fee: $TBA ($TBA camp fee (shirt included) plus $TBA for aftercare)

Registration

1. Submit the Interest Form
   The 2026 Bug Camp Interest Form opens on TBA. Submitting the interest form does not guarantee your camper’s spot. If space is available, you’ll receive a link to complete registration and payment. Campers are officially registered only after payment is confirmed.
2. Receive Notification to Register and Pay
   If space is available when we receive your form, you’ll get a registration and payment link. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the order your interest form was received. Payment must be completed within 5 business days of receiving the link, or the spot may be forfeited.
3. Registration Confirmation
   Once payment is processed, you’ll receive an email confirming your camper’s registration, session #, and what to expect between registration and the start of camp.

Waitlist
If your preferred session is full, you’ll be notified and can choose to join the waitlist (limited to 15 spots per session). Open spots will be offered in the order waitlist requests were received.