Sciencenter Summer Camp - Summer 2012

Become a Member and Reap the Benefits

Sign up for a membership today so you may enroll your child in summer camp during the members-only enrollment period in the spring. Camp fills up very quickly, so take advantage of this benefit! Members receive a discount off the cost of summer camp, and receive a notification before the members-only enrollment period opens. To be eligible for the member discount on summer camp, your membership must be current and active at the time of camp sign-up through your chosen camp session camp session. Lapsed memberships during this period will result in billing at the non-member camp rate. Sign up or renew your membership online through our Verisign^TM secure web site or call 607.272.0600.

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Subscribe to our monthly Sciencenter eNews to receive the latest information about our programs, exhibitions and events. Delivered straight to your email, our free electronic newsletter is a convenient way to be reminded when Summer Camp registration opens.

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.

2012 Sessions

We are offering five two-week sessions this summer. In order to serve more families, each camper, at the initial registration, may register for a single two-week session. If space is available, campers can request a second session.

Session 1: Space Science, June 25 – July 6 (no camp on July 4)
Session 2: July 9 – July 20
Session 3: Life on Earth, July 23 – August 3
Session 4: August 6 – August 17
Session 5: August 20 – August 31

This year, for the first time, we are offering two themed summer camp options:

Space Science (Session 1, June 25-July 6) – Campers will learn about astronomy, engineering and space exploration. Activities will include experiments with robotics, rocket building and extended time with our new Starlab programs.

Life on Earth (Session 3, July 23-August 3) – Campers will learn about environmental science, fossils and the living organisms that inhabit our planet. Activities will include dissecting owl pellets, geological expeditions, participating in citizen science projects and special time with the Sciencenter's animals.

We are also offering our traditional camp experience, which will focus on general science, in Session 2 (July 9-20), Session 4 (August 6-17) and Session 5 (August 20-31). Activities will include Starlab exploration, egg drop competitions, and fun with liquid nitrogen.

Registration

Sciencenter members may register for camp beginning April 4 at 10am. In order to qualify for this early registration, you must be an active member at the time of registration as well as during your camp session. (To purchase or renew a membership, click [here] or call 607.272.0600.)

Nonmembers may register starting April 9 at 10am.

Camp registration is completed on a first come, first served basis. There are two 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.
By fax: registration forms will be made available on this web page starting on April 4 at 10 am. After filling out the forms, you may fax them to 607-277-7469.
By email: registration forms will be made available on this web page starting on April 4 at 10am. After filling out the forms, you may scan them and email them as an attachment to info@sciencenter.org

Sciencenter staff will process both in person and faxed registration forms based on the time they are received.

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.

Cost

Camp tuition for each two-week session is $525 for members and $575 for non-members.

Hours

Camp hours are from 8:30am – 3:30pm Monday through Friday. Drop-off time is between 8:30am and 9:00am each day in our community room. We will begin camp activities or field trips at 9:00am and camper pick up is at 3:30pm.

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 3:30pm to 5:00pm each day of camp, for an additional cost of $80 per session (pre-registration required). We reserve the right to cancel after-camp care if a minimum number of participants are not met.

Activities

Our activities are designed for girls and boys entering grades 2 - 6 in the fall of 2011. We plan an assortment of active, physical games, focused science experiences, special presentations, and free exploration of the museum and the Emerson Science Park. Each session includes several field trips to venues that are within one mile, such as Stewart Park, Cascadilla Gorge, and the Farmer’s Market Pavilion. We follow safe pedestrian rules and stop for water breaks as we travel on foot. We are happy to make reasonable accommodations for campers with physical limitations.

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 to summer camp assistance, CITs will also assist with museum programming.

The CIT applications forms will be available on April 4th. They can can be downloaded from this web page or visit the Sciencenter to pick up a hard copy. Completed applications are due to the Sciencenter on May 4th, and families will receive notification of acceptance by May 23rd.

Please note that only four CIT positions are available per camp session; and CITs must commit to pre-camp training on June 23rd as well as volunteering for one two-week camp session.

Need More Information?

For more information, please send an email to info@sciencenter.org