Seasonal Programs
Blue Hill Observatory offers two, weeklong intensive summer programs for youth interested in weather, climate or the environment, as well as other summer and break program options. See below for more details about each.
▸ Middle School Explore Your Environmental Science Career Summer Program
The “Explore Your Environmental Science Career” program is a week-long program where students explore different STEM careers related to the environment at and around the Blue Hills. Students get in-depth exposure to at least four STEM careers through guest speakers, on-site environmental observations, field trips and a culminating project. Middle school students desire agency so that they can understand and feel prepared to tackle the issues facing our world when they enter the workforce. This program seeks to expose students to those real-time, local community issues and allow them to be stewards of potential solutions alongside the experts. Since many STEM experts are working in their own fields to address certain community problems, such as biodiversity loss, this program allows them to share those issues with students and cultivate a sense of ownership over solutions. Over the first four days of this program, experts in various STEM fields will present a local problem their organization is trying to address and the solutions they are exploring. Students close the week by researching a problem they would like to address within one of the STEM fields they explored throughout the week; they then present their findings and potential solutions to an audience.
This program is open to all rising 6th – 8th graders
Dates: July 27 – August 1, 2026, 8:30am – 3:30pm
Applications Open January 15, 2026 and will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 1, 2026. Scholarships of various levels are available for a limited number of applicants.
Program fee: $650
Partners: We are currently accepting applications for partner organizations for this program! If you want to learn more, click here or contact kfincke@bluehill.org. Apply by January 31, 2026 by filling out this form.
▸ High School Launch Your Meteorology Career Summer Program
The “Launch Your Meteorology Career” program is an intensive week-long program for aspiring meteorologists and those hoping to study meteorology or atmospheric sciences. Students experience an immersive understanding of meteorology through on-site discourse and field trips, learn to accurately observe and forecast the weather, examine proven broadcasting techniques from local meteorologists, and prepare and record a personal forecast. Learners explore different careers in meteorology from researchers to broadcast meteorologists to weather observers and more. Students work one on one and in small groups with veteran meteorologist, Tim Kelley.
This program is open to all rising 8th graders – college freshman
Dates: July 13 – 18, 2026, 8:30am – 3:30pm
Applications Open January 5, 2026 and will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 1, 2026. Scholarships of various levels are available for a limited number of applicants.
Program fee: $850
▸ School Break Programs, Ages 7-12
Students explore the great outdoors of the Blue Hills while learning about weather, climate and their longstanding impact on the environment. Starting their day on a hike, students make observations about the natural world all the way up to the Observatory. Daily activities include scavenger hunts in and around the Observatory, creating their own weather instruments, trail maintenance and art related to the flora on the summit. Spending time outside, students connect what they learn about weather to changes in the environment throughout the week. Children should dress and pack for being outdoors in February. Bring hiking boots or good sneakers for slippery rocks, two snacks, a lunch and water bottle to refill. Children are often divided into two smaller groups of similar ages.
April Weather & Trail Explorer Program
Dates: April 21 – 24, 2026, 8:30am – 3:00pm
Program fee: $390
▸ Weather Inventors Lab, Ages 8-11
During this week-long program, students create their own Micro Weather Station (MWS) to monitor and analyze real-time data at Blue Hill Observatory. Working in teams, students collect and analyze their own data, compare it to real-world observations, and uncover patterns in the environment around them—from local microclimates to broader climate trends. Along the way, they explore how sensors work, how data tells a story, and how science connects to everyday life. Children should dress and pack for being outdoors in February. Bring hiking boots or good sneakers for slippery rocks, two snacks, a lunch and water bottle to refill. Children are often divided into two smaller groups of similar ages.
▸ Weather & Trail Explorer Summer Programs, Ages 7-12
Students explore the great outdoors of the Blue Hills while learning about weather, climate and their longstanding impact on the environment. Explore how patterns within each of these contexts fit into the theme of the week. Regardless of the program theme, participants start their day on a hike, making observations about the natural world all the way up to the Observatory (about 1 mile). Daily activities include scavenger hunts in and around the Observatory, creating instruments, maintaining trails and making art. Spending time outside, students connect what they learn about weather to changes in the environment throughout the week. Children should dress and pack for being outdoors. Bring hiking boots or good sneakers for slippery rocks, two snacks, a lunch and water bottle to refill. Children are often divided into two smaller groups of similar ages.
*if you have a student who is interested but outside of this age range, please email kfincke@bluehill.org to discuss options
Weather Watchers
Dates: June 22 – 26, 2026, 8:30am – 3:00pm
Program fee: $490
cancelled due to snow day make ups
Water, Water, Everywhere!
Dates: June 29 – July 3, 2026, 8:30am – 3:00pm
Program fee: $490
Animals of the Blue Hills
Dates: August 3 – 7, 2026, 8:30am – 3:00pm
Program fee: $490
Not yet open
Surviving the Wilderness
Dates: August 10 – 14, 2026, 8:30am – 3:00pm
Program fee: $490
Not yet open
Protecting the Environment
Dates: August 17 – 21, 2026, 8:30am – 3:00pm
Program fee: $490
Not yet open
▸ Bring Your Summer Program to the Observatory
If you are a summer program organizer who is looking to bring your group of students to the Observatory for a field trip, check out our Field Trips section to see more about our options.
