Sciencenter Summer Camp

In-Person

Want to provide your kids with a safe, fun, and science-filled summer? Sciencenter Summer Camp combines fun and games with exciting, hands-on science activities, experiments, and museum exploration. Our small camp size per session and a low camper-to-staff ratio allow your camper to participate in safe, high-quality programming and develop personal relationships with the staff.

2021 Sciencenter Summer Camp is open to children entering grades 2 – 6 in the fall. Science experience is not required – a full variety of topics and activities will appeal to all levels of science knowledge. Safety is our top priority for Summer Camp; as a result, sessions are limited to a maximum of 12 campers, and much of our Summer Camp programming will take place outside. Read more about our COVID safety protocols below.

Science enthusiasts entering grades 7 – 9 are invited to enroll in our Future Science Leaders Summer Intensive for middle schoolers. See Camp Session Details for more information.

2021 Summer Camp Session Details!

Session Details (Grades 2-6)

Below is information for our 2021 in-person summer camp sessions.

Please note: Since space is limited this year we are limiting campers to only ONE session. Also, spots are filling up but we highly encourage people to sign up for our waitlist!

Build, Investigate, and Explore! (Grades 2-6)**

Spend a week at the Sciencenter! This one-week camp experience includes hands-on exploration, science experiments, quiet and active times, games, water play, and more. The highly-trained staff, terrific programs, great facilities, and the low camper-to-staff ratio make for a safe, fun, and educational summer camp experience! Each day we will examine physical science concepts and build our understanding through experiments and projects. Children should come prepared to explore outdoors, rain or shine, with weather-appropriate clothing.

Session 1 – July 12-16 – FULL
Session 2 – July 19-23 – FULL
Session 3 – July 26-30 – FULL
Session 4 – Aug 2-6
Session 5 – Aug 9-13 – FULL

Cost (per session):
$300 members
$340 non-members

EngineerGirls Explore (Grades 2-6)

Join us in this special girl-centered week of camp where participants will explore engineering! Campers will engage in guided activities, challenges, and conversations with real women engineers! As they solve problems, build skills, and explore the many different types of engineering, campers will learn more about the field and their potential future in engineering.

Session 6 – Aug 16-20 – FULL

Cost (per session):
$300 members
$340 non-members

**Camp is limited to one session per camper.

Note: We have suspended our Science Explorers sessions, for our youngest campers, during the 2021 season due to limited building capacity.

Session Details (Grades 7 - 9)

Below is information for our 2021 In-Person Middle School Session.

The summer program is an extension of our year-long Future Science Leaders program, which invites middle school students to the Sciencenter to develop science content, communication, and leadership skills. Participants will explore science through a variety of projects including, participating in citizen science, creating short videos for our guests, and designing exhibits.

Session 7 – August 16-20

Cost:
$300 members
$340 non-members

Safety & COVID Protocols

The health and safety of our campers, visitors, staff, and community remain our top priority. With health and safety top of mind and following NY State’s guidelines, we require that all campers and staff wear a mask while at camp. Please note that face shields are not acceptable forms of masks. If campers are not able to keep their masks on, they may be asked to leave. Snack and lunch will happen outdoors as much as possible or with appropriate physical distancing.

Masks
All campers, staff, and adults who pick up or drop off a camper must wear a mask. Mask breaks (during meals and various points throughout the day) will be provided when we can ensure proper physical distancing.

Daily Health Screening
All campers and staff will have their temperature taken and a health screening when they arrive. Anyone with a temperature over 100.4° F or any COVID-like symptoms will be sent home.

Sick Policy
The following Sick Policy must be followed by our campers, museum guests, staff, and volunteers:

If you or your child have a fever or would be too sick to go to work or school, then you are too sick to visit the museum or come to camp.

We request that campers with the following symptoms not come to camp. If a staff member does identify any of these symptoms in a camper, a guardian will be called to pick them up.

- Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath
- Flu-like symptoms
- Conjunctivitis or “pink eye” infection
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Common Cold
- Impetigo
- Lice
- Strep Throat (child must be on antibiotics for 48 hours before coming to the museum.)
- Any of the following contagious diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, roseola, and chickenpox

Camp Staffing
Sciencenter summer camp maintains a low camper-to-instructor ratio (6:1), ensuring individual attention is given to each camper.

Our staff members are well-trained and knowledgeable. Each staff member undergoes extensive training with the Sciencenter’s full-time science educators and is proficient in safety and first-aid procedures.

REGISTRATION

Summer Camp online registration will open on March 24, 2021 at 10 am. Online registration is the most effective way to secure your place in camp. Online registration requires payment in full by credit card. The Sciencenter cannot guarantee spaces in camp prior to completed registration*.

PLEASE NOTE: There’s an error on the camp site when registering. Where it says to select a grade for your camper please select ANY of the available grades, we will follow up after registration to confirm the actual grade of your child. Thank you!

Member Discount

To qualify for special member discounts, your membership must be current at the time of registration through August 2021.

If your membership will expire before September, you must renew it before completing your camp registration to receive the member rate. When you renew your membership now, your new membership year is activated when your current membership expires. To purchase or renew a membership, click here or email ltomik@sciencenter.org

Members Please Note: to receive the member discount on the online registration form, you will need to input your membership ID number and expiration date. This information can be found on the front of your membership card.

No refunds will be given for memberships purchased after camp registration is completed.

Membership benefits are not transferable, and membership discounts for camp cannot be used to register extended family members.

Financial Assistance

If the cost of Camp is prohibitive for your family, please reach out to us. We do not want the cost of Camp to be a barrier for anyone wishing to attend.

Please contact us via email camp@sciencenter.org if you are in need of financial assistance for Summer Camp.

Cancellation Policy

For withdrawals prior to June 30th we will refund your tuition minus the $35 non-refundable deposit. No refund will be given for withdrawals after June 30th. Refunds will not be given if a camper misses any part of the week due to illness or dismissal.

In order to withdraw your camper, you must send an email to camp@sciencenter.org

A Typical Day at Sciencenter Summer Camp

A typical day at Sciencenter Summer Camp will consist of a lot of outdoor experiments, programs, and exploration, and time within the museum as well. Camp is messy, fun, fast-moving, and educational! Days will consist of experiments, games, challenges, and special presentations!

Schedule

- 8:30 am – Camper drop off
- Then a morning full of science exploration, activities, and experiments!
- Mid-morning – Snack and Mask break (socially distant)
- Lunch – (outdoors when weather permits, and socially distanced)
- An afternoon of museum discovery, special presentations, and learning!
- 3:30 pm – Camper Pickup (Pickup for those participating in aftercare is 5 pm)