There is NO summer camp like Discovery Camp!

Check here for 2012 School's Out Camp and Spring Break Camp sessions.

Discovery Camp is a co-ed summer day camp right here at The Franklin Institute Science Museum. As always, our themes this year are all new and designed to engage our campers as hands-on learners.

Our goal throughout is to get our campers excited about science and to nurture their spirit of inquiry and discovery!

 

2012 BROCHURE COMING SOON

ALL NEW in 2012 - Discovery Camp is branching out!

We are excited to announce a partnership with Valley Forge National Historical Park, which will provide Discovery Camp with a special opportunity to take the program beyond the walls of the museum. For four weeks this summer, Discovery Camp programming will also occur in Valley Forge Historical Park.

CLICK HERE for information about Discovery Camp at Valley Forge Historical Park!

2012 Discovery Camp Schedule

One Week Sessions

Theme

Dates

Deconstruct It!
Put it together, take it apart. We give you permission to take apart toys, machines and tools—even check out the inside of a real eyeball! Find out why "the small stuff" is important to figuring out how things work, then think like engineers to build new things to make our world a better place.

June 18 - June 22

Space is the Place
Let's get out of this world and discover why "space is the place" in this fun week of stellar exploration. From the Fels planetarium to the Joel N. Bloom Observatory, join us for a journey around our amazing universe as we find out what's out there, and why it's important to us Earthlings!

June 25 - June 29

Kitchen Science
Did you ever wonder why bread rises or how smell affects the way things taste? Can you pick up juice with your fingers, make ice cream in an instant or invent a new type of cheese? During this tasty session we will play with our food and learn the science that happens in your kitchen every day.

August 13 - August 17

Catch a Wave
What do sound, light, wind, oceans, gravity, electromagnets, and your brain have in common? Waves! Jump, jive, and surge your way through the ups and downs of summer as we experiment with how waves work and why they are so important!

August 20 - August 24

Eww, That's Gross!
Whether it's inside the human body, under the soil, or deep down in a storm drain, there is some pretty gross stuff going on all around us every day! Find out why these are some of the best places to look for science in action. Through scientific investigations, we will turn your "Eeew's" into "Aha's!"

August 27 - August 31

Two Week Sessions

Theme

Dates

Medieval Science
The Franklin Institute goes medieval on science in this two-part session. From stained glass to trebuchets, jousting to jesters, draw bridges to dragons—people during medieval times were doing and discovering some very interesting science! Join the fun as we go back in time to re-create some fantastic experiments that still inform science today. Field trip fee: $15

July 2 - July 13 (no camp 7/4)

Weather Wonders
In partnership with CBS3, Discovery Camp explorers will discover the power and beauty of weather, and how we can use science to predict what's coming next. Create a tornado, build a storm, meet a real meteorologist, and take a trip to CBS 3's weather headquarters! Field trip fee: $15

July 16 - July 27

Creature Feature and Cool Creations
For all of Earth's creatures, survival is about adaptation. Find out what it takes to survive on our wild planet as we look at strange creatures and creepy critters, and make some cool creations of our own. We'll even investigate the connection between superheroes and real animal heroes! Field trip fee: $15

July 30 - August 10

2012 Discovery Camp Fees


Price

Member

Non-Member

Campers entering K-8 Grade
1 week session
2 week session


$275
$550


$300
$600

Pre-K campers
1 week session
2 week session
Pre-K half days available


$300
$600


$350
$700


OTHER FEES

Early Arrival

8:00AM-9:00AM

$7/day

Late Departure

4:15PM-5:30PM

$9/day

Fieldtrip Fee

select sessions, noted above

$15 (K-8 campers only)

DISCOUNTS

Full summer: Take 10% off!

Sibling Discount: Take $20 off per additional sibling!

Note: Children who arrive before 9:00AM or stay later than 4:00PM without the Extended Day Program will be charged a $15 per day penalty.


Camp Structure
Each day of Discovery Camp includes hands-on science activities, a snack, and break for lunch, outdoor play (weather permitting) and museum exploration. Depending on the sessions, campers may also have the opportunity to take field trips, hear from invited guest speakers, see theater shows and educational films, and take part in large-scale, camp wide projects. Each session's theme is independent of the others, so campers need not attend sessions consecutively, allowing flexibility to work around your family vacations. Campers should attend a full session to experience the greatest academic value. Split sessions are not recommended.

Campers will receive a Discovery Camp t-shirt, drinks provided by Coca-Cola, a daily snack, weekly camp newsletter, and all activity supplies. Entrance to the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit is not included, but will be an option for all campers at an additional cost.

Age Groups
Campers are grouped based on the grade or home-school level they are entering (typically Pre-K, K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8). Groups have a 1:7 counselor to camper ratio.


About Discovery Camp

We challenge each camper to take a closer look at the world and see that science is a part of everything. No matter where science fits into their future plans, the scientific discoveries that campers make at Discovery Camp will enrich their lives forever.

Discovery Camp counselors are teachers and college students with a proven interest in science and child care experience. In addition to our core staff, counselors-in-training (CITs) and interns provide extra support.

Applications for spring and summer Discovery Camp counselor positions are posted in the Employment Opportunities section of our website. To enter the CIT program, you must be at least 15 years old. You may also find information on Volunteer Opportunities offered during the summer on our website or you can contact the Volunteer Department directly at 215.448.1163.






 

Camp Information

General Information: discovery.camp@fi.edu
Registration Information: Group Sales - 215.448.1200



IMPORTANT FORMS
Registration Contract - Coming Soon!
Permission & Release Form
Health Information Form
Discovery Camp Survival Guide


Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available based on academic achievement and financial need, as well as scholarships for minorities and girls who exhibit an interest in science. Applications may be found online ONLY. 2012 scholarship information coming soon!


Benefits of Membership
Become a Member of The Franklin Institute to take advantage of member discounts, plus your family will receive free museum and planetarium admission all year long! Mention that you found membership information through Discovery Camp. Membership information also available at 215.448.1231.



Discovery Camp is Sponsored By: