• Image of swamp, bayou, and marsh

    Jean Lafitte

    National Historical Park and Preserve Louisiana

Summer Camps

Girls bend over a science project at summer camp

Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center summer campers discover that science is a hands-on adventure.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve will offer day camps at five of its six sites in summer 2012. Through games, crafts, mini-workshops with local artisans, hikes, and hands-on activities, campers will explore the cultural diversity that influences life in south Louisiana as well as local land and ecology.

Wetlands Camp at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux - Camps feature outdoor activities, nature crafts, hands-on experiments, music, games, and cultural explorations. Camps are funded in part by the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program and the Louisiana Science Teachers Association. Register in person at the center, located at 314 Saint Mary Street in Thibodaux. Center hours are Monday-Tuesday 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., and Friday-Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (closed Sunday). For more information, call 985-448-1375.

  • May 28-June 1 for ages 9-12 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. $50.00 supply and material fee
  • June 4-8 for ages 6-9 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. $25.00 supply and material fee
  • June 11-15 for ages 9-12 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. $50.00 supply and material fee
  • June 18-22 for ages 6-9 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. $25.00 supply and material fee

Cultural Camp at the Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette - Through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and programs by master artisans, campers will make old-time toys, take a boat tour of Bayou Vermilion, make coiled clay pots as the American Indians did, explore folklore through storytelling, learn about the Louisiana black bear, experience Cajun and zydeco music, investigate the rich and varied cultures of south Louisiana, become a Junior Ranger, and more! Camp registration is now underway and is limited to 24 campers per session on a first-come, first-served basis. Camper registration is not guaranteed until application and fee are received at the center (501 Fisher Road in Lafayette). Click here for more information and an application or call 337-232-0789 ext. 11. 

  • June 11-15 for ages 6-8 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $25.00 supply and material fee
  • June 25-29 for ages 9-11 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. $50.00 supply and material fee
  • July 9-13 for ages 6-8 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $25.00 supply and material fee
  • July 23-27 for ages 9-11 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. $50.00 supply and material fee

Junior Ranger/Science & Stewardship Camps at the Barataria Preserve in Marrero - Campers 6-11 can become Junior Rangers while exploring south Louisiana's nature, culture, and history through games, hikes, hands-on activities, experiments, crafts, music, and more. Science and Stewardship Camp, for campers ages 12-14 will work on more advanced science projects, assist park rangers and scientists with marsh and swamp restoration, and design their own service projects to complete during camp. Registration for all camps is under way; mail or deliver application and payment to the Barataria Preserve Visitor Center, 6588 Barataria Blvd., Marrero 70072. Applications are available here or at the visitor center. For more information, call 504-689-3690 ext. 10. Camps are presented in partnership with the Barataria-Terrbonne National Estuary Program.

  • June 4-8 Junior Ranger Camp for ages 6-8 Sorry----this session is full!
  • June 11-15 Junior Ranger Camp for ages 9-11 Sorry---this session is full!
  • June 18-22 Junior Ranger Camp for ages 6-8 Sorry----this session is full!
  • June 25-29 Science and Stewardship Camp for ages 12-14 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. $50.00 supply and material fee

Summer Day in the Vieux Carre History Camp at the French Quarter Visitor Center in New Orleans - Campers will explore New Orleans history through museum visits, a steamboat cruise, a carriage ride, and hands-on activities. The center is located at 419 Decatur Street in New Orleans. Registration is now underway; click here for an application. For more information call 504-589-3882 ext. 221.

  • June 11-15 for ages 9-11 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. $75.00 supply and material fee
  • July 9-13 for ages 9-11    Sorry---this session is full!

Summer Culture Fun Days at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice - Campers will discover the many influences on prairie Acadian life. Activities will include games, films, storytelling, displays, spinning and weaving, music, art, and Hadley Castille's presentation "Evolution of the Fiddle." Campers will also learn water safety with rangers from the US Army Corps of Engineers. The center is located at 250 West Park Avenue in Eunice. Camp registration is now under way; call the center at 337-457-7700 or stop by Tuesday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. or Saturday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

  • June 18-22 for ages 9-10 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. FREE
  • July 16-20 for ages 7-8 8:30 a.m.-noon FREE

Satchmo Camp at New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park - Follow the link to the park's website or call 504-589-4841.

Did You Know?

Men dressed as 1815 soldiers fire cannon.

January 8 used to be a national holiday. That's because January 8, 1815, was the date of the Battle of New Orleans.