Discovery Kids Summer Camps
Your child will be able to spend sunny days learning and playing in our award-winning Story Garden and taking hikes on the trails within Ross Park. If it does rain, they will have plenty of time to explore the region’s one and only children’s museum. Limited museum hours throughout the summer will ensure that campers will have the Museum all to themselves. What better place is there for your kids to spend their summer?
Our talented camp instructors are devoted to enhancing learning and adventure through projects, experiments, art, music, dance, creative expression, game play, outside adventures, and numerous hands-on activities. We are striving to ensure each camper has a full and enriching experience while still remaining diligent with our safety and health protocols. Your child’s safety is our top priority.
Pre-k
Our full day camps are open to 3 and 4 year olds and will help your child adjust to a school-like setting and prepare them for Pre-k or kindergarten in the fall.
Your child will learn new skills as they interact with their peers and adjust to classroom routines.
*To participate in this camp, your child must be toilet trained. You will also need to supply proof of immunizations and last medical physical to complete your registration.
During this week, Summer Camp will be closed on Tuesday, July 4.
Dino Detectives
Attention all dinosaur lovers! This week is all about discovering the land lost to time. We will be learning all about different kinds of dinosaurs, where they lived, and what they ate. Will you be a predator or prey? This week is sure to be jam-packed with crafts, games, and adventure!
Astronaut Camp
An environment with almost no gravity creates challenges for even the simplest of life’s necessities! How do astronauts sleep? What do they eat? And the question on everyone’s mind… how do they go to the bathroom?! Learn about the world, the stars, and everything in between!
Ooey Gooey Art
A mess is a sign of a good day during this week of icky, squishy fun. Messy art activities allow creativity to ooze through your fingers as you learn to color mix, create your own gloop paintings, and really become an art master. You will have your elbows deep in the creative process. Don’t forget to dress for a mess!
Ahoy Matey
Join us mates for a ride on the open seas. We will learn about the ocean, ships, and the pirates that travel on them. Come sing sea shanties on the hunt for our treasure!
You might not recognize us after we join the pirate crew of The Discovery Center.
Fairy Tales
“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” ― Albert Einstein.
Reading is everything and fairy tales are just the beginning. Once upon a time, there was a camp created to build pre-reading skills and venture to lands far far away, making the stories come alive through dress up and puppets. It’s a spark of magic that opens possibilities!
Pets and Vets
Calling all animal lovers! Adopt your own stuffed animal and learn how to take care of your new pet. We will make unique pet homes, craft collars, and make special pet treats for your new pal. Learn all about how veterinarians take care of animals in need just like a doctor would in our Pet Vet exhibit!
Eat, Play, Grow – Cooking Camp
Peter Rabbit grew the vegetables and now it is our turn to think like a chef! We will take a tour of our garden and come up with recipes to embrace different vegetables, tastes, textures, and so much more. Math and reading come into play as we make delicious snacks to share. Join us to become a true farm-to-table chef!
Ages 5-6
During this week, Summer Camp will be closed on Tuesday, July 4.
Dinosauria
Calling all junior paleontologists! Join us as we travel back in time to the land of the dinosaurs where we become dinosaur detectives. Will you be a predator or a prey animal? Learn all about different kinds of dinosaurs and use your paleontology skills to discover terrifying dinosaur teeth and fearsome footprints!
Space Exploration: What’s Out There?
T-Minus 5..4..3..2…1… It’s time to blast off and explore the vast galaxies above. Is there life on Mars? What lies beyond the Milky Way? Remember to pack your space suit for this space adventure!
There will be no after care available on Friday, July the 21st of this week. All campers must be picked up by 4PM.
Land Sports
Here at The Discovery Center we value our time in the big outdoors. Relay races, water balloons, slip and slides, and more await your child as they explore the world around them through physical play.
Ooey Gooey Art
A mess is a sign of a good day during this week of icky, squishy fun. Messy art activities allow creativity to ooze through your fingers as you learn to color mix, create your own gloop paintings, and really become an art master. You will have your elbows deep in the creative process. Don’t forget to dress for a mess!
Class Insecta – All About Bugs
With over a million species of insects and even more that haven’t been studied, it should be no surprise that some of the weirdest creatures on the planet are insects. Get ready – science is about to make your skin crawl with games and activities that are downright creepy! We will investigate the longest insect in the world, the strongest insect on Earth, the animal with the weirdest life cycle, and the prettiest insects on the planet!
Discovery Center Wizarding Academy
The Discovery Center Department of Magical Arts is pleased to announce that you have been selected for a week of wizardry training. Electives will include potion brewing, familiar animal training, bewitching, and fortune telling. Each trainee will design their own magical crest. No prior magical experience necessary!
Paws and Tails Animals in Care
Calling all animal lovers! Join us as we take a look at all walks of life and their needs. Learn about animal behaviors and how you can help the animal kingdom from home. Supporting our environment affects everything including you!
Eat, Play, Grow – Cooking Camp
Peter Rabbit grew the vegetables and now it is our turn to think like a chef! We will take a tour of our garden and come up with recipes to embrace different vegetables, tastes, textures, and so much more. Math and reading come into play as we make delicious snacks to share. Join us to become a true farm-to-table chef!
Ages 7-8
During this week, Summer Camp will be closed on Tuesday, July 4.
Diving Deep into the Ocean
Did you know that there are mountains and volcanoes found in the ocean? The SS Discovery Submarine will take a deep-sea voyage to explore the hidden world in the sea! Who knows what creatures we will find?
Space Exploration: What’s Out There?
T-Minus 5..4..3..2…1… It’s time to blast off and explore the vast galaxies above. Is there life on Mars? What lies beyond the Milky Way? Remember to pack your space suit for this space adventure!
Our 7-8 year old campers will end this week with a field trip on Friday July 21st at Highland Park. This day’s program will run from 9AM-4PM only. Children and staff will have a day full of fun in the sun while investigating this beautiful park! Drop off and pick up will be right at Highland Park.
Land Sports
Here at The Discovery Center we value our time in the big outdoors. Relay races, water balloons, slip and slides, and more await your child as they explore the world around them through physical play
Ooey Gooey Art
A mess is a sign of a good day during this week of icky, squishy fun. Messy art activities allow creativity to ooze through your fingers as you learn to color mix, create your own gloop paintings, and really become an art master. You will have your elbows deep in the creative process. Don’t forget to dress for a mess!
Secret Life of Bugs
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be as small as an ant? Or as wiggly as a worm? Join us as we explore what lives in the grass and dirt beneath our feet. Be sure not to get caught in our webs that Miss Spider left while we learn to fly like flies. Our activities will be sensory-filled, touchy-feely, and bug-tastic!
Discovery Wizarding Academy
The Discovery Center Department of Magical Arts is pleased to announce that you have been selected for a week of wizardry training. Electives will include potion brewing, familiar animal training, bewitching, and fortune telling. Each trainee will design their own magical crest. No prior magical experience necessary!
Paws and Tails Animals in Care
Calling all animal lovers! Join us as we take a look at all walks of life and their needs. Learn about animal behaviors and how you can help the animal kingdom from home. Supporting our environment affects everything including you!
Ages 9-12
During this week, Summer Camp will be closed on Tuesday, July 4.
Mystery Busters
Do puzzles and mysteries make you curious or excited to solve them? Have you ever tried to solve the unsolvable? Bring your sleuthing hats as we take a look at famous mysteries and create one of our own. The mysteries of the Discovery Center and the world will be our case.
Space Exploration: What’s Out There?
T-Minus 5..4..3..2…1… It’s time to blast off and explore the vast galaxies above. Is there life on Mars? What lies beyond the Milky Way? Remember to pack your space suit for this space adventure!
Our 9-12 year old campers will end this week with a field trip on Friday July 21st at Highland Park. This day’s program will run from 9AM-4PM only. Children and staff will have a day full of fun in the sun while investigating this beautiful park! Drop off and pick up will be right at Highland Park.
Land Sports
Here at The Discovery Center we value our time in the big outdoors. Relay races, water balloons, slip and slides, and more await your child as they explore the world around them through physical play
Beyond the Brush
Art is not just painting but letting your imagination run wild with your magnificent brains.
We will be focusing on all aspects of art and learning about our appreciation for the arts. Each day we will dive into a new artist with a different perspective on how they use art media.
Dress for a mess as we go beyond the brush!
Science of Gross Things
GERMS and other gross things are EVERYWHERE and so much fun to learn about! Have you ever wondered what makes you burp? How about where your sweat comes from? This week the gross things come out as we explore germs, burps, farts and more. A burping contest is just the start to all of our gross fun!
Discovery Wizarding Academy
The Discovery Center Department of Magical Arts is pleased to announce that you have been selected for a week of wizardry training. Electives will include potion brewing, familiar animal training, bewitching, and fortune telling. Each trainee will design their own magical crest. No prior magical experience necessary!
Paws and Tails Animals in Care
Calling all animal lovers! Join us as we take a look at all walks of life and their needs. Learn about animal behaviors and how you can help the animal kingdom from home. Supporting our environment affects everything including you!
Eat, Play, Grow – Cooking Camp
Peter Rabbit grew the vegetables and now it is our turn to think like a chef! We will take a tour of our garden and come up with recipes to embrace different vegetables, tastes, textures, and so much more. Math and reading come into play as we make delicious snacks to share. Join us to become a true farm-to-table chef!
2023 Camp Structure
Summer Camp 2023 will run from July 3 – August 25. Our camps are divided into four different age groups: Pre-k, Ages 5-6, Ages 7-8, and Ages 9-12. This summer we will only be offering full day summer camps as this has been shown to be the biggest need for our community.
2023 Camp Rates
Full Day (9AM – 4PM) for 8 weeks
Member: $1,440
Not-Yet-Member: $1,600
Full Day (9AM – 4PM) for 1 week
Member: $200
Not-Yet-Member: $220
Childcare subsidies through the Department of Social Services (DSS) will only be accepted for currently enrolled full time children. Please contact Kristy Wales at 607-773-8661 ext 209 for details.
Extended Camp Options
We offer before-camp care (8-9AM) and after-camp care (4-5:30PM) for 5-12 year old campers. Each option can be purchased separately for $30 per week. Before-camp care and after-camp care require pre-registration. There will be no on-site registration at drop-off or pick-up.
Members can purchase 8 weeks of before-camp care for $200 and after-camp care for $200.
Not-Yet-Members can purchase 8 weeks of before-camp care for $220 and after-camp care for $220.
Registration Fee and Payment
A one-time registration fee ($22) covers the cost of this year’s camp t-shirt. You must pay for your camp in full two weeks before camp begins. To pay this fee, you must choose the session titled “Summer Activity Fee” on the registration page.
Member Discount
In order to qualify for special member discounts, your family membership must be current at time of registration through August 2023. 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 607-773-8661.
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.
A Typical Day at Camp
Adventure and learning are waiting around every corner at the Discovery Center! Every morning, campers will gather in their classrooms and settle in with their instructors. From there they’ll take part in all kinds of engaging activities.
We’ll conduct hands-on experiments, create art, sing, and dress up! Each day includes playtime in our hands-on children’s museum, award-winning Story Garden, or the woods of Ross Park. Structured games like gaga ball, hide and seek, and tag keep kids moving. Everyone will be back in their classrooms for pickup with plenty of stories to tell!
Food
Waitlist and Late Registration
Cancellation Policy
If The Discovery Center’s camps are open and running, we will be unable to issue refunds for any fees paid.
Questions?
For more information, email directorofed@thediscoverycenter.org or call (607) 773-8661 ext 209.
