Starting July 20, Mass Audubon will be bringing a little bit of the outdoors inside and online through a week-long nature education series of virtual camps.

Designed for kids in two different age groups — kindergarten through grade 2 and grades 3-5 — the series starts next week and runs through late August.

Each week, Mass Audubon teacher-naturalists will invite campers online to embark on different nature quests that start indoors to connect with others in their age groups, then find their way outside to explore nature close to home.

The one-week sessions feature hours of live virtual discussion and instruction with other campers, daily themed quests and activities designed to get children exploring, a "Wacky Wednesday" dress-up theme, and a Thursday evening all-camp program.

“Nature-based education has been a foundational element of our mission for generations, and we are committed to this important work especially in such challenging times,” Mass Audubon Director of Education Kris Scopinich said. “Studies have shown that spending time outside in nature can bring significant benefits to our health. It can help to relieve stress, help us feel more connected, and build resiliency.”

“A long legacy of experience has also shown us that children who forge early links with the natural world tend to carry those connections through their lives, placing value on the curiosity, responsibility, and empathy to restore and protect nature for future generations,” Scopinich added.

Each week-long session costs $150 for Mass Audubon members and $175 for non-members.

To learn more or to register, visit massaudubon.org/virtualcamp.