Summer Adventure Camps
About
Parents looking for some fun and educational activities for their children this summer have found an ally in the Virginia Museum of Natural History. The museum is hosting summer day camps beginning June 20 and running through August 12 for children ages 3 to 11.
2011 VMNH Summer Adventure Camps
*Pre-registration required 1 week prior to each camp by calling 276-634-4185.
Imagine That!
June 20 – 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages 6 – 8
Do you like to make simple things more complicated? Come and explore complicated contraptions through the world of Rube Goldberg. Campers will use Legos® to build and discover the importance of simple machines and trade their Legos® for recycled materials to build their very own Goldberg-like contraption. Also during the week, meet various working scientists in our community for some on-the-job fun.
Fee: $95 members; $105 nonmembers
Registration deadline June 10.
Doodle Bugs Summer Science Explorers: From Farm to Table
June 20 – 22, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Ages 3 – 5 with an adult
Do you know where your dinner came from? Let’s find out! Explore the fun world of gardening and growing your own food. Travel to the Martinsville Uptown Farmers Market to see what farm fresh products are available. Start a mini veggie garden to take home.
Fee: $30 members; $35 nonmembers
Registration deadline June 10.
Around the World in Five Days
July 11 – 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages 6 – 8
Are you ready for a summer vacation around the world? No passport is needed for this week of adventure! Each day, travel to a different part of the world to explore art, culture, nature, food, and many other interesting features. For those who like to stay close to home, learn about Virginia’s Native Americans, unique natural history, and symbols through games and crafts. Bring home a travel log and crafts to share your experiences with family and friends.
Fee: $95 members; $105 nonmembers
Registration deadline July 1.
Wet and Wild
July 11 – 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages 9 – 12
Break the heat of summer with some wet and wild adventures. Explore nature and the great outdoors in area parks and green spaces including Fairy Stone State Park, Philpot Dam, and Beaver Creek Reservoir. Experiment with the wonders of water through fun and wet hands-on activities including canoeing. Caution: you will get wet in this camp!
Fee: $115 members; $125 nonmembers
Registration deadline July 1.
Junior Naturalist Camp
July 18 – 22 and July 25 – 29, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages 6 – 14
Would you like to be a nature expert? Join our new Junior Naturalist program and learn all about Virginia's natural world. After two weeks of fun, interactive nature exploration, you will be awarded your Junior Naturalist certification.
Week 1: Plants, Animals, and Outdoor skills
Week 2: Water, Soil, and the Environment
One week fee: $95 members; $105 nonmembers
Two weeks fee: $170 members; $190 nonmembers
Pre-registration required by July 8.
Doodle Bugs Summer Science Explorers: Build your World!
July 26 – 28, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Ages 3 – 5 with an adult
You and your child will have fun designing and building together, all while developing your little one’s early math and science skills. Let your imaginations soar as we create simple structures and contraptions with every day materials, Legos®, and what ever else we can find!
Fee: $30 members; $35 non-members
Registration deadline July 19.
Engineering Challenge
August 1 – 5, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages 9 – 11
Construct the tallest building, motorize a car, or build a fan to cool off! Campers will use Legos® to build fun creations while exploring basic science and engineering concepts.
Fee: $95 members; $105 nonmembers
Registration deadline July 22.
The Great Lunch Adventure
August 8 – 12, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages 6 – 8
Would you like to know how your dinner came to be? Join us on a food journey from farm to table. Visit a working farm, plant your own vegetables, learn the nutritional and environmental benefits of eating local foods, create a meal, and take part in our local farmer’s market. It will be the best tasting week of the summer!
Fee: $95 members; $105 nonmembers
Registration deadline July 29.
Doodle Bugs Summer Science Explorers: Nature
August 9 – 11, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Ages 3 – 5 with an adult
Discover nature as we explore the woods and stream in Frank Wilson Park behind the museum. You and your child will play outdoor games, create nature crafts, and make new discoveries together.
Fee: $30 members; $35 non-members
Registration deadline August 2.
