August 13–17
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Ages 4–5
Half-day camp, 9–11:30 a.m. or 1–3:30 p.m.
Water Works
Choose morning or afternoon session
Bubbles and fountains, ice and mist— splash your way through this learning adventure! Discover how, over time, people have adapted to watery worlds. Wade through Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt as you find out how ancient Egyptians made and used boats. Build your own Nile floater for a sink-or-float experiment. Read chilly stories in our Polar World ice house, investigate how ice and snow form, and learn how to make a glacier. Then, turn your eye to microscopic investigations of the aquatic creatures that live in pond water. Keep your studies going by taking a squirmy specimen home!
Ages 6–7
Full-day camp, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Animal Adventure
Hey, animal-loving kids! Enjoy stories of outrageous animal friends and learn how dogs and horses work alongside humans in different cultures. You will smile when you see how some animals show affection. Dig deep to find the animal inside you and uncover clues about why people act the way they do. Experiment with dog and cat food to figure out which ingredients come from nature, and create your own recipe for a healthy pet snack. How are modern pets different from their wild ancestors? Interpret cave paintings of prehistoric animals and get creative in your own mural honoring the animals in your life. Meet special animal guests from the museum’s Discovery Room and from an animal-friendly organization. The week finishes up with an open house that welcomes your family and friends to raise awareness about helping local animals!
Ages 8–10
Full-day camp, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
North American Explorer
From the Arizona desert to the Arctic Circle, from Pennsylvania’s woodlands to the Pacific Northwest—discover how regional environments relate to American Indian traditions. Ponder how life would be if you had to rely only on local resources to survive. Experiment with the conditions for irrigation and sprouting seeds. Grind corn and use your cornmeal to make snacks. Raise a tipi. Compare insulation and water resistance in building materials and clothing. Try different methods for carrying heavy loads across an obstacle course in a transportation relay race. Learn about animals from different ecosystems by examining skeletons, skins, and specimens.
Ages 11–13
Full-day camp, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Youth Museum Institute: Pets: Past & Present
From ancient Egyptian cats to Arctic sled dogs to a take-home bug terrarium for your bedroom, explore the relationships between people and pets. Do you know what it takes to keep animals healthy and happy? Test your knowledge and expand your skills as you learn about pet nutrition, pet first aid, and safe interactions with animals of all kinds. Decode petroglyphs—ancient rock art—to study animal domestication and hunting in past civilizations. Analyze the contents of commercial pet food and create your own recipe for a healthy pet treat. Discover the mini-ecosystems that exist on and inside animals. Meet special animal guests from the museum’s Discovery Room and from an animal-friendly organization. The week finishes up with an open house that welcomes your family and friends to raise awareness about helping local animals!