2023 Sciencenter Summer Camp

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.

2023 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, please read 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.

2023 Summer Camp Session Details!

Session Details (Grades 2-6)

Below is information for our 2023 in-person summer camp sessions.

Please note: Since space is limited this year we are limiting campers to only ONE session.

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.

Due to limited availability children may participate in one session of Build, investigate, and Explore in 2023. If a child is enrolled in multiple weeks of camp, the extra sessions will be refunded, minus a processing fee.

Build, Investigate, & Explore (Grades 2-6)
Week 1— July 3-7 (no camp on July 4th – price is prorated)
Week 2— July 10-14
Week 3— July 17-21
Week 4— July 24-28
Week 5— July 31 – August 4
Week 6— August 7-11
Week 7— August 14-18

Cost (per session):
$365 for members
$395 for non-members

Camp aftercare is available for an additional cost of $60/week. Aftercare runs from 3:40-5:00pm and includes a snack and some quiet time for campers at the end of the day. If you’re unable to pick your camper up by 3:40pm, please add aftercare when you complete the registration.

Session Details (Grades 7 - 9)

Below is information for our 2023 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.

Due to limited availability teens may participate in one session of FSL Camp in 2023. If a teen is enrolled in multiple weeks of camp, the extra sessions will be refunded, minus a processing fee.

Week 4— July 24-28
Week 5— July 31-August 4

Cost:
$365 for members
$395 for non-members

Safety & COVID Protocols

Summer Camp Health and Safety Guidelines
Please review our Sciencenter Summer Camp Health and Safety Guidelines for this year’s camp. Please note that these measures may change over time, based on recommendations from the State of New York, Tompkins County, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We will adjust and communicate accordingly.

Masks
NY State’s guidelines for summer 2023 are still to be determined and are subject to change. Sciencenter will continue to encourage mask wearing, and will follow state guidelines on requiring that all campers and staff wear a mask while at camp. Face shields are not acceptable forms of masks. If masks are required, and campers are not able to manage their masks they may be asked to leave. Snack and lunch will happen outdoors as much as possible or with appropriate physical distancing. If masks are required, all campers, staff, and adults who are picking up or dropping off a camper must wear a mask. Mask breaks (during meals and various points throughout the day) will be provided when we can ensure physical distancing.

Sick Policy
The Sciencenter works to provide a safe and healthy environment for all our guests. Towards this end, the following Sick Policy will be followed by our campers, 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.

The following guidelines are more specific and we request that campers with these symptoms not come to camp. Staff may be called upon to identify the following symptoms and to call for camper pick-up.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Flu
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 chicken pox

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 7th at 10:00am. 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*.

Member Discount

To qualify for special member discounts, your membership must be current at the time of registration through August 2023.

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 membership@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 1st we will refund your tuition minus the $50 non-refundable processing fee. No refund will be given for withdrawals starting June 1st. 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

A Day At Camp

- 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!
- Mid afternoon – Snack and mask break (socially distant)
- 3:30 pm – Camper Pickup (Pickup for those participating in aftercare is 5pm)