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Summer Camp

Sciencenter Summer Camp

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 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 kindergarten through grade 6 in the fall. Science experience is not required – a full variety of topics and activities will appeal to all levels of science knowledge. Each session accepts up to a maximum of 24 campers.

Science enthusiasts entering grades 7 – 9 are invited to apply for intern positions in the Future Science Leaders Counselor-in-Training+ Program. See Camp Programs for more information and application.

2019 Summer Camp Programs

Registration for 2019 Summer Camp is now open.

Itty Bitty Scientists: Space Exploration
(SESSION 1, July 1 – 5, No session July 4)
(SESSION 3, July 15 – July 19) – SESSION FULL
(SESSION 5, July 29 – August 2) – SESSION FULL
(SESSION 7, August 12 – August 16) – SESSION FULL

Sessions 1, 3, 5, 7 are identical. Please choose only one.

In this special session only for children entering kindergarten through 1st grade, campers will focus on exploring space through fun activities geared towards a younger audience. Activities include sun prints, ice orbs, constellation tubes, and more.
Cost: $300 member, $340 non-member.
Session 1 cost (reduced): $270 member, $310 non-member

Itty Bitty Scientists: Explore Science
(SESSION 2, July 8 – July 12)
(SESSION 4, July 22 – July 26) – SESSION FULL
(SESSION 6, August 5 – August 9) – SESSION FULL

Sessions 2, 4, & 6 are identical. Please choose only one.

In this special session only for children entering kindergarten through 1st grade, campers will focus on general science processes and classic Sciencenter experiments geared towards a younger audience. Activities include building boats, mixing slime, launching rockets, and more.
Cost: $300 member, $340 non-member.

BUILD! Circus Engineering
(SESSION 1, July 1 – July 5, No session July 4) – SESSION FULL
(SESSION 4, July 22 – July 26) – SESSION FULL
(SESSION 7, August 12 – August 16) – SESSION FULL

Sessions 1, 4, & 7 are identical. Please choose only one.

Come one, come all and get ready for a spectacular summer of engineering challenges! Campers will explore the physics of balance, strength, and more to design their own big top circus show! Activities include designing roller coasters, creating a light show, building whipped cream catapults, and more.
Cost: $300 member, $340 non-member.
Session 1 cost (reduced): $270 member, $310 non-member

INVESTIGATE! Water, water, everywhere
(SESSION 2, July 8 – July 12) – SESSION FULL
(SESSION 5, July 29 – August 2) – SESSION FULL
(SESSION 8, August 19 – August 23) – SESSION FULL

Sessions 2, 5, & 8 are identical. Please choose only one.

Splish splash your way through the science of water! Stay dry while exploring the wonderful world of water in a variety of ways. Campers will experiment with how water behaves, investigate the creatures who call water home, and how humans use it in their day to day life. Activities include designing boats, outdoor water games, stream exploration, and more.
Cost: $300 member, $340 non-member.

EXPLORE! Journey to space
(SESSION 3, July 15 – July 19) – SESSION FULL
(SESSION 6, August 5 – August 9) – SESSION FULL
(SESSION 9, August 26 – August 30)- SESSION FULL

Sessions 3, 6, & 9 are identical. Please choose only one.

3…2…1…Liftoff! In this session, campers discover what it takes to put humans in space! Explore astronomy, geology, and biology as you and your fellow campers prepare to explore the solar system and beyond! Activities include building rockets, designing an egg-stronaut’s space capsule, using robotic “rovers” to explore uncharted lands, and more.
Cost: $300 member, $340 non-member.

FUTURE SCIENCE LEADERS COUNSELORS-IN-TRAINING+

Science enthusiasts entering grades 7 – 9 are invited to apply for the Future Science Leaders Counselor-in-Training+ (FSL CIT+) program. Participants will spend a portion of each day as a CIT alongside our Young Scientist or Itty Bitty summer campers assisting camp staff, leading hands-on science activities, and providing companionship and care for campers. In addition, FSL CITs will be given leadership roles delivering museum programming, developing digital media pieces about camp activities, and participating in scientific research projects. They will also engage with our water and land animals here in the museum, and help to design and prototype a new watershed exhibit on the Science Playground.

Program hours for FSL CIT+ participants are 8 am – 3:30 pm.

FSL/CIT+ participants must commit to a full two-week session, or select the single-week option in the middle of the summer.

Cost:
Early Bird Applicants: $400*
Regular Applicants: $450*

*Program cost will be pro-rated for Session A

Sciencenter membership is not required to apply for this program but you must commit to having a current membership by June 1 that expires after September 30, 2019 if accepted.

Financial assistance
To qualify for a scholarship you must be a MAP Member. Details about MAP Membership can be found here. Please indicate if you need financial assistance on your application.

For more information about the FSL CIT+ program, contact Emily Belle at ebelle@sciencenter.org.

Apply today to be an FSL/CIT+ at the Sciencenter this summer.

CIT+ participants are eligible to be a part of the Sciencenter’s Future Science Leaders program.

REGISTRATION

Summer Camp online registration is open. 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*.

*Waitlists are available for all sessions. Use the link below.

Register Here

In order to qualify for special member discounts, your membership must be current at time of registration through August 2019.

If your membership will expire before September, you must renew it before completing your camp registration in order 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 call (607) 272-0600.)

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.

Scholarship Opportunity Guidelines

  • To qualify for a scholarship you must be a MAP Member. Details about MAP Membership can be found here.
  • If camper is awarded a scholarship, it can be used for a single camp session
  • Number of scholarships awarded is limited
  • Scholarship applicants must fill out and Submit an application either in person or by email
  • Please complete scholarship application form by March 15, 2019. After that date we will no longer reserve spots for scholarship applicants

Submitting a scholarship application does not guarantee a space in camp. If you are approved for a scholarship, you will receive an email with instructions to register for camp after registration opens in early March.

For questions about scholarships, please contact Elizabeth McDonald at (607) 272-0600 ×148 or email emcdonald@sciencenter.org

Camp fees will only be refunded if camper is withdrawn before June 1, 2019.

A $30 processing fee will be charged for all refunds. No refunds will be given after June 1.

In order to withdraw your camper, you must send an email to emcdonald@sciencenter.org by June 1.

A Typical Day at Camp

It’s loud, messy, fast-moving and full of fun! A typical day involves both indoor and outdoor hands-on activities, games, challenges, experiments, field trips, and special presentations.

Camp Hands-on
Hands-on Activities

Making slime, launching rockets, and dropping eggs is all in a day’s work. We’ll play games and experiment indoors and outdoors every day (weather permitting).

Museum Exploration
Museum Exploration

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. We plan an assortment of active, physical games, focused science experiences, special presentations, and free exploration of the museum and the science playground.

Field Trips
Field Trips

Every week there are field trips designed to engage and delight children entering kindergarten through grade 6 in the fall. Each session includes a walking field trip to a venue within one mile of the Sciencenter, 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.

Special Presentations
Special Presentations

Guest presenters are scientists and experts in their fields who offer fun hands-on demonstrations on topics varying from amphibians to paper-making to robots!

Camp hours are 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. 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 Playground, or at a field trip site.

After-camp care is available 3:30–5:00 pm, at an additional cost of $45 per week. After-camp care requires pre-registration.

Questions?

For more information, email camp@sciencenter.org or call (607) 272-0600.

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