Camp isn't just for summer anymore!

Each of our programs offer playful and creative opportunities for children, ages 5-14, to explore the world around them using a mix of science activities, art and group projects, group games, our vast exhibit collection, and more. Our programs balance curiosity-driven free time with content-based activities that incorporate both structured and open-ended, self-directed learning. And, of course, we make it fun!

Summer
Fall
Winter

Summer:

Summer Camp 2010

Give your child a summer to remember at our fabulously fun Exploratorium Summer Day Camp. Geared to kids of different ages (5–6, 7–10, and 11–14), each camp has its own special age appropriate activities, which include everything from meeting a scientist to exploring archeology. All the camps include private time in the museum before it opens and free time outdoors.

Summer Camp 2010 Registration Form [pdf]

Ages 5-6: Explororama!
If your child’s school begins before the two-week session is complete, you may register for the first week only at a prorated cost of $250.00.

Campers explore daily themes in a variety of ways as they move freely among science experiments and dissections, explorations, and art projects. Each day also includes free time to explore museum exhibits, story time, words of the day, and time to play outdoors. This camp is great preparation for kindergarten or first grade.
Session 1
Monday, August 9 - Friday, August 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.*
Cost: $450
* Optional Extended Care: 8:30 a.m.-9 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Ages 7-10: Exploratorium Insiders
Young explorers become Exploratorium Insiders! In summer camp, kids are connected to the central activities of the Exploratorium by visiting the Tactile Dome, meeting an Exploratorium scientist, taking a peek inside of our exhibit-building workshop, and playing with exhibits before we open to the public. There will also be time for campers’ favorite activities, like Marble Machine or Bottle Blast Off, and to try brand-new activities that the Exploratorium staff is just developing. There are many activities to choose from, including project building with friends, science experiments, art projects, and group games.

Session 2
Monday, July 12 - Friday, July 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Cost: $600

Session 3
Monday, July 26 - Friday, August 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Cost: $600

Session 4
This session is full. To put your child’s name on the wait list, please e-mail memberprograms@exploratorium.edu.
Monday, August 9 - Friday, August 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Cost: $600
* Optional Extended Care: 8:30 a.m.-9 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Ages 11-14: Out and About
Budding scientists begin the day exploring exhibits on the museum floor for an hour before the Exploratorium opens. Then they head out and about in the Presidio to explore the natural history, ecology, and archeology of the area, including a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Our focus is on investigation, thoughtful discussion, and vigorous hiking to get youngsters’ minds and bodies going. Campers keep field journals to record their experiences and observations as they enjoy a big day—every day!

Session 5
Monday, July 12 - Friday, July 16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Cost: $300

Session 6
Monday, July 19 - Friday, July 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Cost: $300

Session 7
This session is now closed.
Monday, August 2 - Friday, August 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Cost: $300

Session 8
Monday, August 9 - Friday, August 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Cost: $300

Session 9
This session is full. To put your child’s name on the wait list, please e-mail memberprograms@exploratorium.edu.
Monday, August 16 - Friday, August 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Cost: $300
* Optional Extended Care: 8:30 a.m.-9 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Fall:

Do you love summer camp? Now, you can come to camp all year long! These one-day sessions for kids ages 5 to 10 let your child have an amazing camp experience on a Saturday or school holiday. Every session includes free exploration in the Exploratorium before it opens it the public, exciting activities, and lunchtime outdoors. We'll do project building with friends, science experiments, art projects, and group games.

Hours

Camp is from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Price is based on the number of sessions. Extended care is available on weekdays, not Saturdays, from 8:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. for $10 per hour.

Price Per Session

1 session	$65.00
2 sessions	$60.00
3 or more sessions	$55.00

Fall Day Camp 2010 Registration Form [pdf]

Ages 5–6

Session 1: Rainbows and Shadows
Monday, October 11, 2010 (Columbus Day)
Play with rainbows and shadows using tools such as prisms, diffraction gratings, and homemade shadow puppets.

Session 3: Mirrors and Symmetry
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Create patterns with mirrors and make funny faces using a variety of curved surfaces.

Session 5: Sound Sleuths
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Learn to use your ears to explore the sounds around you. Play games to make silly sounds and create your own music.

Session 7: a-MAZE-ing
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Practice your problem-solving skills by designing mazes for marbles, moving your body through maze-like spaces, and painting a maze mural.

Session 9: Garden Snail Adventures
Thursday, November 11, 2010 (Veteran's Day)
Get to know a small creature by designing habitats, races, and playgrounds for snails.

Ages 7-10

Session 2: Looking at Seeing
Monday, October 11, 2010 (Columbus Day)
Dissect and look through the lenses of both a cow’s eye and a camera.

Session 4: Connect with Circuits
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Play fun games that involve designing your own circuits to light things up and make them spin.

Session 6: The Spin on Sound
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Explore sound as a vibration and make music using simple materials. Listen to records using only a straight pin and other everyday objects.

Session 8: Illusion Confusion
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Discover ways to bamboozle your brain (and your friends’!) through illusions related to the five senses.

Session 10: Spying on Nature
Thursday, November 11, 2010 (Veteran's Day)
Take a close look at patterns in nature by dissecting flowers, observing sea urchins, and making your own symmetry-based artwork.

Winter:

Do you love summer camp? Now you can come to camp in the winter, too! Every session includes free exploration in the Exploratorium before it opens it the public, exciting activities, and lunchtime outdoors. We’ll do project building with friends, science experiments, art projects, and group games. Bring your raingear—we plan to take a nature walk everyday, rain or shine!

Winter Break Camp: Crafty Science

Get creative with crafts and explore the science that makes them possible. Make your own 3-D drawings and 3-D glasses after exploring stereovision and the science of light using our exhibits and hands-on activities. Play with polarized light to make colorful sun catchers, learn about the science behind making music, and explore lots of other exciting art and science topics!

Camp is from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Extended care is available on weekdays only from 8:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. for $10 per hour.

Winter Break Camp 2010 Registration Form [pdf]