Sciencenter Summer Camp 2013
General Summer Camp Information
Want to provide your kids with a fun, exciting and science-filled summer? Sciencenter Summer Camp combines fun and games with exciting, hands-on science activities, experiments, field trips, visits from special presenters, and museum exploration. Camp days begin and end at the Sciencenter, and include trips on foot to offsite venues. Our small camp size of 28 campers per session and a low camper-to-staff ratio allows your camper to participate in high-quality programming and develop personal relationships with the staff.
Sciencenter summer camp is open to children entering grades 2 through 6 in September 2013.
Science enthusiasts entering grades 7 to 9 are invited to apply for volunteer positions as Counselors-in-Training (CIT).
Sessions
We are offering four two-week sessions and two one-week sessions this summer. In order to serve more families, each camper, at the initial registration, may register for a maximum of two weeks. If space is available, campers may request additional sessions.- Session 1: Explore! Space Science, June 24 – July 5 (no camp on July 4)
- Session 2: Investigate! Science, July 8 – July 19
- Session 3: Build! Robotics and Engineering, July 22 – July 26 *SESSION FULL*
- Session 4: Experiment! Nano and Chemistry, July 29 – August 2 *SESSION FULL*
- Session 5: Discover! Life on Earth, August 5 – August 16
- Session 6: Investigate! Science, August 19 – August 30
Our themed camps this year are as follows:
Explore! Space Science (Session 1, June 24 – July 5) – Campers will learn about astronomy, engineering and space exploration. Activities will include a space exploration challenge with remote controlled robots, rocket building and extended time with our Starlab planetarium programs. Join special presenter Wicked Device on a remote mission to Mars!
Investigate! Science (Session 2, July 8 – 19) – Campers will focus on general science and classic Sciencenter experiments. Activities will include alka seltzer rockets, egg drop competitions, and fun with liquid nitrogen. Guest presenters will introduce hands-on activities like paper-making.
Discover! Life on Earth (Session 5, August 5 – August 16) – Campers will learn about environmental science, fossils and the living organisms that inhabit our planet. Activities will include up close encounters with birds of prey, dissecting owl pellets, geological expeditions, participating in citizen science projects and special time with the Sciencenter's animals. Special presentations will include "Birds of Prey" by the Cornell Raptors Club!
Investigate! Science (Session 6, August 19 – August 30) - see description above.
A Typical Day at Summer Camp
... is loud, messy, fast-moving and full of fun! Camp days begin and end at the Sciencenter, and include museum exploration and so much more. Your child will interact with other kids and Sciencenter staff in our friendly camp community.
A typical day involves both indoor and outdoor hands-on activities, games, challenges, experiments, field trips, and special presentations all in the context of the Sciencenter's interactive museum. Every week there are field trips designed to engage and delight children entering grades 2-6 in the fall of 2013.
Only at Sciencenter Summer Camp will your kids interact with real scientists for fun hands-on demonstrations on topics varying from amphibians to paper-making to robots!
Science experience not required - a full variety of topics and activities will appeal to all levels of science knowledge.
Registration
Sciencenter members may register for camp beginning March 28 at 10 am. In order to qualify for this early registration and the special member rate, you must be an active member at the time of registration as well as through the duration of your camp session. Please bring your membership card and ID with you to register. (To purchase or renew a membership, click here or call 607.272.0600.)
Nonmembers may register starting April 4 at 10 am.
Each person may register only one household. Please do not register for other families. Membership benefits are not transferable, and membership discounts for camp cannot be used to register extended family members.
Please note that a 50% deposit is required to secure your place in camp.
How to Register
Camp registration is completed on a first come, first served basis. Sciencenter staff will process in-person and faxed registration forms based on the time they are received.
There are two recommended methods for registration:
- In-person at the Sciencenter: Sciencenter staff will provide you with the camp registration forms, which you can immediately fill out and submit, beginning at 10 am Thursday, March 28. You may also bring completed forms with you.
- By fax: Registration forms will be made available on this web page starting on March 28 at 10 am. After filling out the forms, you may fax them to 607-277-7469.
For security reasons, it is not recommended that you email forms that include credit card information.
2013 Summer Camp Registration Form (PDF)
- Click on the link to open the registration form in a new window.
- You may type your information directly onto the .pdf form.
- Once completed, right click on the form to save a copy to your computer for your records.
- Right click on the form again and select "Print" to print the copy for the Sciencenter.
- Please sign and date Page 2 on the printed copy.
- You may then bring the signed and printed copy to the Sciencenter or fax it to 607-277-7469.
Printed copies of the registration form are also available at the Sciencenter.
Can't open the .pdf? Get Adobe Reader for free.
Cost
Early Bird Registration (Before June 15, 2013)
Late Registration (From June 16, 2013)
Financial Assistance
Limited scholarship support is available to those who qualify for free and reduced cost lunch at school. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and cover 50% of the cost of camp. Please see the registration form for more information.
Hours
Camp hours are from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm Monday through Friday. Drop-off time is between 8:30 am and 9:00 am each day in our Community Room. We will begin camp activities or field trips at 9:00 am and camper pick up is at 3:30 pm.
The Sciencenter provides a mid-morning snack each day. Campers need to bring a lunch from home that does not need to be heated or refrigerated. Depending on each day's weather and activities, we may eat in the classroom, the science park, or at a field trip site.
After-camp Care
After-camp care is available from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm each day of camp, for an additional cost of $45 per week (pre-registration required). We reserve the right to cancel after-camp care if a minimum number of participants are not met.Volunteer Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program
Science enthusiasts entering grades 7 to 9 are invited to apply for volunteer positions as Counselors-in-Training (CIT). CITs will spend a portion of each day assisting camp staff and providing companionship and care for campers. In addition, CITs will be given leadership roles delivering museum programming and participating in scientific research projects.
Selection Process
The selection process for 2013 CITs has been completed and all CIT volunteer positions have been filled.
Need More Information?
For more information, please send an email to info@sciencenter.org
