Wild LA: Introduction to Camping
Join us for a night filled with camping activities, nature, and fun-- all hosted in the museum's Nature Gardens! This unique experience will introduce first-time campers to the basics of tent camping while exploring the wonders of nature in an urban setting.
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025 (afternoon) – Sunday, March 2, 2025 (morning)
Location: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007)
Interested in Spending a Night at the Museum?
Get excited to explore the museum after hours on a night stroll and meet museum scientists who study bats, bugs, and other wildlife! We will also share LA nature stories while we roast marshmallows over a crackling campfire.
This event will take place rain or shine! In the event of wet weather, we will camp inside of the museum.
This campout is an event of the Wild LA: Explore the Amazing Nature In and Around LA grant-funded program*.
[Action Required!] Interest form:
If you are interested in attending the camp-out, please complete the interest form below to sign up for our event waitlist by Friday, January 31st. If selected, you will receive a confirmation email on Wednesday February 5th.
This program is exclusively for Community Partners and a confirmation email is required for attendance.
What is provided:
We’ll take care of the essentials so you can focus on enjoying the experience!
- Parking
- Camping gear (tent, sleep bag, sleeping pad, sleeping bag liner)
- Water bottles
- Flashlights
- Meals
What you would bring:
- Change of clothes - we recommend dressing in layers as weather conditions may change throughout the day.
- Closed-toed walking shoes
- Personal items: toiletries, medications, etc.
Tentative schedule:
Saturday, March 1st
- Arrive at NHM, set up camp
- Dinner
- Introduction to Camping
- Nature Night Hike
- S’mores by the campfire
Sunday, March 2nd
- Breakfast & tent breakdown
- Reflection activity
- End of camp out! Your group will be provided with NHMLA admission passes and will be welcome to explore the Museum after the event concludes.
Check out a video and photos from previous years!
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
The Camp Out at NHM welcomes Community Partners to engage with Museum experts on nature in L.A. and how the can explore wild L.A.! Pictured here is Lila Higgin, Senior Manager of Community Science and participants from KFAM.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Participants are provided with tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads as part of the program. First-time campers are provided with help from Museum staff on how to assemble tents.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
First-time campers gather around the campfire and engage in an introduction to camping, absorbing essential tips and techniques for venturing into the great outdoors.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Participants tap into the nocturnal realm with Miguel Ordenana, wildlife biologist and Senior Manager of Community Engagement, as he shares the science of bat detection.
Questions?
Contact us at wildlace@nhm.org or 213-763-3257.
About Wild LA
*This camp-out is funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants, and Local Services.
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