Discovery Kids Summer Camps
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.
And after months cooped up inside, 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?
Camp Structure and Rates
Our camps are divided into four different age groups: Pre-k, Ages 5-6, Ages 7-8, and Ages 9-12.
Pre-k
Pre-k Camp (9AM – 12PM)
- $90 for members per week
- $100 for non-members per week
For our youngest campers, we are offering Pre-k camps all summer.
These half-day morning 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.
Ages 5-8
Morning session only (9AM – 12PM)
- $90 for members per week
- $100 for non-members per week
Afternoon session only (1PM – 4PM)
- $90 for members per week
- $100 for non-members per week
Full Day (9AM – 4PM)
- $1,275 for members
- $1,400 for non-members
To register for full day, choose both morning and afternoon sessions.
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.
We know some parents are looking for half-day options while others are looking for full. That’s why we offer parents the opportunity to choose what is best for your 5-8 year old campers.
Morning and afternoon camps will follow the same theme but include different activities.
Due to scheduling factors, an afternoon camp may have an opportunity for a special experience that a morning camp does not and vice versa.
Whether you sign up for the morning, the afternoon, or both, your child will have plenty to do!
Ages 9-12
- $1,275 for members
- $1,400 for non-members
Camps for our “big kids” are full-day because they are jam-packed with so many cool projects – your child won’t want to miss a minute.
Designed with numerous opportunities for child-directed fun, your child will be challenged with engaging projects that will develop over the course of the camp session.
Registration Fee and Required Deposit
A one-time registration fee ($20) covers the cost of this year’s camp t-shirt. A $50 deposit is required to hold your child’s spot in each camp. Your deposit will be fully refunded if The Discovery Center is unable to run camps during the week(s) your child is enrolled. You must pay for your camp in full two weeks before camp begins.
Extended Camp Options
We offer before-camp care (8AM – 9AM) and after-camp care (4PM – 5:30PM). Each option can be purchased separately for $28 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. Breakfast will be available for children registered for before-camp care.
Member Discount
In order to qualify for special member discounts, your family membership must be current at time of registration through August 2021. 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!
Pre-k Camp Descriptions
Pre-k Camps run July 5 – August 27, 2021. Bonus week (August 30 – September 3) is not included in full summer tuition and is available on a limited basis.
Sports-A-Palooza
Jump right in as we take part in sports played throughout the year. This week will give us a look into sports as we jump, kick, spin, throw, and move throughout the different sports of the week!
Prehistoric Pets
Let’s travel back in time as the archeologist in you embraces hands on experiences in the prehistoric age. The fun will be endless as we explore fizzy dinosaur eggs, assemble dinosaur bones, and go on a fossil dig!
Out of this World
Your rocket is ready to launch into space as we explore the never-ending galaxies up above. Planets, stars, moons, and meteors await us on our exploration of space!
Down on the Farm
Climb aboard our tractor and visit the Peter Rabbit Garden for a hands on experience of all things farm! Gardening, getting to know farm animals, and all of the jobs that you need to run a successful farm.
Under the Sea
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?
Let’s Go Camping
Get your camping gear ready! Pitch the tent! Build a fire! Let’s have fun fishing, playing and learning all about the safe and fun way to camp at the Discovery Kids Campground!
Mad Science Lab
Calling all scientists! Grab a lab coat as we explore the world around us and embark on some hands-on experiences and experiments! WARNING: We may get messy!
Safari Ride
Pull up those binoculars and climb aboard the safari express! Watch out for the lions, tigers, rhinos, and snakes along the way as we learn about these amazing animals and their habitats!
Ages 5-6 Camp Descriptions
Camps for ages 5-6 run July 5 – August 27, 2021. Bonus week (August 30 – September 3) is not included in full summer tuition and is available on a limited basis.
Wild Wild West
Round up those cowboys and cowgirls for a rodeo of a good time! Time to learn the ins and outs of working the homestead and galloping around here at the Discovery Ranch.
Mad Science Lab
Calling all scientists! Grab a lab coat and some safety goggles as we explore the world around us and embark on some hands-on experiences and experiments. WARNING: We may get messy!
Out of this World
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!
Olympics
Come with us on a journey to Tokyo, Japan to take part in the Summer Olympics. We will learn about baseball, volleyball, gymnastics, golf, swimming and so much more as we explore the history of the Olympics and host our own games!
Superheroes
Is it a bus? Is it a plane? Or is it… Blossom the Bull? The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier puts their spin on the classic superheroes that we all know and love. Let’s embark together to find out what makes us super!
Sports-A-Palooza
Jump right in as we take part in sports played throughout the year. This week will give us the chance to practice our skills in relays and a look into team sports. A sports filled week cannot be beat!
Week at the Beach
Pull out your umbrella and lather up your sunscreen as The Discovery Center takes a walk on the beach! Don’t forget to pack your swimsuits and flipflops as we explore sand and sea!
Artful Antics
Get your creative juices flowing with tie-dye, glue, paint, watercolor, and so much more! All can be found as we embrace our inner artists during our artful antics week.
Bonus Week
Leadership skills, self esteem and cooperative play.
This week will be offered on a limited basis to interested families.
Ages 7-8 Camp Descriptions
Camps for ages 7-8 run July 5 – August 27, 2021. Bonus week (August 30 – September 3) is not included in full summer tuition and is available on a limited basis.
Pirates Week
Ahoy Matey! Become a buccaneer and hoist the Jolly Roger as we buccaneers go on a search for our missing doubloons! Will the map lead us to buried treasure?
Hawaiian Week
E komo mai! We welcome you in for a relaxing and fun time on the Hawaiian islands as we explore our 50th state!
Oceanography Week
Dive in and join us on a journey that covers more than 70% of the earth! We are on a journey to discover all of the creatures that live in the ocean below.
Olympics
Come with us on a journey to Tokyo, Japan to take part in the Summer Olympics. We will learn about baseball, volleyball, gymnastics, golf, swimming and so much more as we learn about the history of the Olympics and host our own games!
Space Week
Did you know that there is no noise in outer space? That’s not the case here at Space Week camp! Join us in our voyage to galaxies far, far away.
Prehistoric Pets
We may not live to be 300 years old like the Apatosaurus, but we will be digging deeper to find the hidden secrets of everything dinosaurs. Join us for a fun-filled week that the archaeologists would be jealous of!
STEAM Week
Calling all engineers! Get your gears moving as we connect science, technology, art, and math to create many fun crafts, projects, and creations. Bring out the inventor in you!
Sports-A-Palooza
Jump right in as we take part in team sports! We will work hard to show the power of teamwork to make some goals and score some points!
Bonus Week
Leadership skills, self esteem and teambuilding.
This week will be offered on a limited basis to interested families.
Ages 9-12 Camp Descriptions
Camps for ages 9-12 run July 5 – August 27, 2021. Bonus week (August 30 – September 3) is not included in full summer tuition and is available on a limited basis.
Sports-A-Palooza
Pass to the left, pass to the right, shoot, and score! Let’s work together to build our team skills while learning about different sports and how they came to be.
The Great Unknown
Did you know that 1 million earths could fit inside of the sun? Have you ever wondered if life exists on other planets? Well, wait no more, and join us as we explore the unknown galaxies above!
Good Vibes
If music helps plants to grow, then imagine what it can do for our campers! This journey will take us through the study of music and all that it has to offer us.
Olympics
Pack your bags and fly with us to Tokyo, Japan for the Summer Olympics! Learn about the traditions of the Olympics while embracing the sports and athletes that are working towards their gold medals.
Invention Convention
Imagine if your house could shrink down to the size of a ring! What if your dog had a collar that helped you understand him? Join us as we look into inventions that have already been created and embrace our own creative thoughts to come up with new ideas!
Exploring Our Earth
Listening to nature, hiking the trails, and exploring the creek all lay ahead to help us understand the environment around us. The Discovery Center sits in a perfect area to help us discover all that the earth has to offer!
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. This is a hands-on experience for our campers to be in the driver seat as we cook together.
Mythology
Goddess of love, God of war, Goddess of hunting, and so much more. We will dive into the lore and facts surrounding different mythologies! Join us for a week of using our inner powers to bring the legends to life!
Bonus Week
Leadership skills, self esteem and cooperative play.
This week will be offered on a limited basis to interested families.
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.
