Connecticut Science Center’s Vacation Exploration Camps provide your children with hands-on science enrichment through fun and engaging activities.
Your child can explore a different science activity each day or come just for one day! A fun-filled day includes structured activities with staff scientists and counselors plus,
supervised free time to explore the Science Center’s galleries and exhibits. After hours care is available from 4-5PM for $25 per day/$15 per day for Members.
February and April Exploration Camp
(February 20-24; April 16-20)
Monday through Friday
Drop off - 8:30AM
Pick up - 3:30 to 4PM
Extended Care from 4 to 5PM ($25 fee)
Students can be registered for one of the following 3 groups:
Grades 1-2
Grades 3-4
Grades 5-6
Parking:
Please park in the Science Center/Riverfront Garage. Parking is free for the first 20 minutes ONLY for Exploration Camp drop
off's and pickups. Please inform parking attendant when leaving.
Forms:
Please download, complete, and return all of the following forms:
Note on Camp Registration form:
To expedite the registration process, we have made this
form fillable and able to be saved. Please save this form on your computer, fill
it out, and click the submit via email button on the last page of that form.
After, please print it and fax or email the form to us so that we may have a
record of the signatures.
General Forms
Cost:
- $60 per day for Non-members
- $57 per day Employees of Businesses in Downtown Hartford (5% discount)
- $54 per day for Members and Corporate Members (10% discount)
February Exploration Camp: February 20-24
February Camp Registration Form
Monday, February 20: Crime Scene Investigations
Would you like to be a Crime Scene Investigator? Enter the world of Forensic Technology by completing a series of hands-on laboratory investigations. Take on the role of a forensics lab technician and examine evidence to determine a person’s guilt or innocence. Use FBI Software to identify suspects. Solve the crime, we need you!
Tuesday, February 21: A Picture of Science
Ever wonder how the things we see with our eyes become photographs? By creating your own simple camera, you will learn how artists use light to create photographic images. Watch as your own photographs develop right before your eyes with a light sensitive chemical process with photographs you can actually take home to hang as your own art work!
Wednesday, February 22: Roving Robots
Back by popular demand! Investigate the fundamentals of robotics as you program a real microprocessor-controlled robot. Program your robot to perform a variety of challenges and tasks! Meet the newest member of the Science Center’s robotics team. If you have come before, use your experience to add sensors or other gadgets to your robot! This will be a non-stop day of hands-on experiences in robotic artificial intelligence.
Thursday, February 23: DON’T Chew your Food!
Did you know that owls swallow their food whole?!? They eat food in a way few other birds do! Break out the gloves and prepare to dissect their food because it’s time to become a detective into the diet of the elusive owl!
Friday, February 24: Let Go of My LEGOs!
The great people of CSC-ville need your help. Build solutions to their problems using LEGOs and other materials and save the day. Simple machines have never seemed so…simple.
April Exploration Camp: April 16-20
April Camp Registration Form
Monday, April 16 - Roving Robots
Those robots are back again! Investigate the fundamentals of Robotics as you program real microprocessor-controlled Robots. If you have come before, use your experience to add sensors or other gadgets to your Robot! You will also have an opportunity to work with our newest robot members, the NAO’s! This will be a non-stop day of hands-on experiences in the practical application of artificial intelligence and fun.
Tuesday, April 17 - Here Comes the Sun
As our fossil fuels run out, humans need other ways to make our cars move! Today you will be a “green” car engineer. Investigate solar cells and electricity to help you design and build your own solar powered SunZoom!
($10.00 material fee for car)
Wednesday, April 18 - Dinosaurs!
Although we can’t see real dinosaurs today, we can see some of the animals that lived during their reign on the Earth. Meet some of these real life ancient animals. Discover how fossils happen and make some of your own. Take a tour through the Dinosaur period in our newest exhibit Dinosaurs Unearthed and of course experience our new movie “Flying Monsters”!
April 19 – The Hidden Planet
What is it really like in space? Although we can’t go there today, use modern technology to investigate new discoveries in space and planets. Investigate radiation, temperature, gravity, pressure and search our newly discovered planet for interesting features using our own rovers!
Friday, April 20 - Earth Day 2012
Earth Day falls on April 22nd; however, at the Science Center, we are jumpstarting the celebration today! We will dedicate the day to the study of Earth and the wonders that it contains, as well as to the ways in which we can preserve its beauty. Come join us in planting seeds, making our own paper, and exploring other ways in which we can care for our home planet, Earth!
Summer Exploration Camp:
Weekly, July 30 - August 24, 2012
Summer Camp Registration Form
July 30 – August 3 : Surviving Science Island
Stranded on Science Island with a hurricane on its way. . . No problem! To survive, you must investigate the environment, the plants and animals! Discover what the human body needs to live. Meet our newest wild animals. Generate electricity from natural sources and filter your own water! Where would you sleep? It is up to you as you design your own mini tree house built to survive the oncoming hurricane! Find your way on Science Island.
August 6 - 10 : Digging Dinosaurs!
Although we can’t see “real” dinosaurs today, we can see some of the animals that lived during their reign on the Earth. Meet some of these real life ancient animals. Discover how fossils form and create some of your own. Take a tour of dinosaurs through our travelling exhibit, Dinosaurs Unearthed and of course view our new dinosaur movie! Even more will be “unearthed” this week.
August 13-17 : Robotics Now
Building a robot is an easy task; programming them that is a challenge! Using our robots, learn about modern day robots. Become experts in how to program these robots to compete in our first time ever robot challenges, The Robo Race and The Robo Dance Off. In addition, build your own robot to take home. Repeat campers welcome, many new activities.
($20 materials fee for Robot)
August 20-24 : Going, Going. . . .Gone!
Automobiles are not the only way to travel. Throughout the week discover what it takes to build a successful vehicle by building hot air balloons, airplanes, hovercrafts, maglev cars, and even jet power! Investigate the forces that would affect your vehicle. Why? You will use your new knowledge and vehicles to assemble your own vehicle of the future.
(An additional material fee of $12 for the jet car is required.)
Contact Us:
To learn more or to make a reservation, phone our Youth Programs Hotline
at (860) 520-2177 or email
us at camps@CTScienceCenter.org
Michael Ross - Camp Director mross@CTScienceCenter.org
Tanisha Whitter - Assistant Director twhitter@CTScienceCenter.org