The summer of 2026 marks the 57th Anniversary that the Summer Ecology Program has been in existence. With this hands-on intense exploration, children will learn some of nature’s secrets, and how important the natural world is. Your child will complete this program with more knowledge of and greater respect for the natural world. It is our hope that these lessons and memories will be carried with your children throughout their lives. Depending on your child’s age, please learn more about the camp they are eligible for. Registration will be made available online by mid-February 2026. Registration will be announced to our email list – subscribe to the QWR email list at the bottom of this webpage.
QWR Members (at Family level or above) receive priority registration through May 11, 2026. Members also receive a discounted camp rate. You can become a member at any time. Memberships are valid through the calendar year. If you were a member last summer and haven’t renewed yet, you can renew your membership below.
Explore the summer camp programs below!
Little Naturalist (for children 4 years old to 6 years old)
When: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM
Where: Quogue Wildlife Refuge
Register for one or multiple sessions for the summer. There are 9 sessions of Little Naturalist offered from late June to late August. Each session is a Tues, Wed, Thurs from 9 AM to 12 PM.
This program is designed to introduce and immerse young children (4, 5, and 6 years old) in nature through outdoor exploration, hands on activities, games, crafts, and meeting many of the Refuge animals up close. The children will learn respect for the natural world and will have lots of fun in the process. A variety of topics will be introduced to the children including forest and pond habitats, food chains, local plants and animals, birds, mammals, reptiles, animal defenses and adaptations, composting and recycling. During this program, the children do not get wet or muddy.
Questions? Read the PDF of Little Naturalist FAQs here »
Summer Ecology Program (for children entering grades 2nd to 6th)
When: Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM
Where: Quogue Wildlife Refuge (Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri) and Dune Rd, Quogue (Thursday)
Please register for ONLY ONE session per child/per summer. Each session is Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM. Multiple sessions of the grade levels will be offered through the summer – please choose the session that works best in your schedule!
This program will explore the infamous areas of the Refuge including the super secret, extra squishy mud trail! We’ll find the magic at Fairy Dell and get a taste of Chocolate Pudding Pond. We will journey to Dune Rd (on Thursday) to seine for slippery fish and quick crabs! Remember to wear closed-toed sturdy shoes and dress to get wet every day!
Thursday is beach day on Dune Rd, parents must drop-off and pick-up at beach.
Young Explorers Camp (for teens entering grades 7th and 8th)
When: Monday to Thursday (time frame of days between 9 AM to 12 PM – 3PM based on scheduled activities, please see below). Ferry tickets and all supplies for kayaking are included.
Where: Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Sunken Forest Fire Island, and a Kayaking Adventure.
Monday– at Quogue Wildlife Refuge from 9 AM – 12 PM
Tuesday – at Sunken Forest, Fire Island from 9 AM to ~3 PM. Parents/guardians drop-off & pick-up at Sailors Haven Ferry Terminal in Sayville.
Wednesday – Kayaking Adventure from 9 AM to ~ 2:30 PM. Exact drop-off/ pick-up locations will be sent to registrants.
Thursday AM – at Quogue Wildlife Refuge from 9 AM to 12 PM.
Thursday PM – Night Hike at Quogue Wildlife Refuge from 7 PM to 10 PM.
Please register for ONLY ONE session per child per summer. Multiple sessions of the grade levels will be offered through the summer – please choose the session that works best in your schedule!
Explorers Camp (for teens entering grades 9th, 10th, 11th)
When: Monday to Friday (time frame of days between 9 AM to 12 PM – 3PM based on scheduled activities, please see below). Ferry tickets and all supplies for kayaking are included.
Where: Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Sunken Forest Fire Island, and Peconic River.
Monday– at Quogue Wildlife Refuge from 9 AM – 12 PM
Tuesday – at Sunken Forest, Fire Island from 9 AM to ~3 PM. Parents/guardians drop-off & pick-up at Sailors Haven Ferry Terminal in Sayville.
Wednesday – Kayaking Adventure from 9 AM to ~ 2:30PM. Exact drop-off/ pick-up locations will be sent to registrants.
Thursday AM – at Quogue Wildlife Refuge from 9 AM to 12 PM.
Thursday PM to Friday AM – Night Hike and camp over at Quogue Wildlife Refuge from 7 PM (Thursday) to 9 AM (Friday).
Please register for ONLY ONE session per child per summer. Multiple sessions of the grade levels will be offered through the summer – please choose the session that works best in your schedule!
Volunteer Assistant Counselor Program (14 years old and up)
The Refuge staff relies on volunteer help for a successful summer camp program. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age and are needed between the hours of 8:30am to 12:30pm. Responsibilities include assisting educators with set up and clean up, as well as helping to guide the children in activities.
If your child is interested, please have your child contact Jake Kommer, at qwrjakek@gmail.com. Teen applicants to reach out via email or phone call and must fill out paperwork themselves. Assistant counselor volunteers must attend an in-person orientation after approval of volunteer application.
Summer Camp Scholarships
Partial scholarships are available to help ensure that financial circumstances do not restrict a child from participating in this program. Please call or email the Refuge at programs@quoguewildliferefuge.org with a brief description of yourself, your child and their interest in camp.