3 year old camps
Note: 3 year old camps are 2 weeks long.
Becoming a Scientist
Ages: 3 year-old
Dates: Jun. 23-Jul 3* – WAITLIST ONLY
Time: 9AM – 1PM
Price: $840
Aftercare: 1 – 4PM, $825
Campers will unleash their curiosity in the laboratory of life! Concoct mixtures, dissect and inspect plants, craft herbal formulas and discover the dance of light and shadow. Little ones will experiment with tools like beakers, magnifying glasses and light tables as they learn with friends new and old!
Ideal for the kid who is always asking “why?”
Becoming an Engineer
Ages: 3 year-old
Dates: Jul. 7-18
Time: 9AM – 1PM
Price: $930
Aftercare: 1 – 4PM, $915
Let’s Think, Make, Try together! Campers will bring their imagination to life in the Think, Make, Try studio as they explore ideas, experiment with outcomes, and actualize their dreams!
Great for the kid who loves building, problem-solving, and turning big ideas into real-life creations!
Becoming a Naturalist
Ages: 3 year-old
Dates: Jul. 21 – Aug. 1 – WAITLIST ONLY
Time: 9AM – 1PM
Price: $930
Aftercare: 1 – 4PM, $915
Welcome wild ones! Campers become young explorers, venturing through rainforests, tundra, oceans and deserts to learn what makes the earth’s ecosystems (including the Bay Area’s) so wildly wonderful. Into the Wild is an epic blend of science, creativity, and hands-on exploration!
Wonderful for the kid who loves to forage and observe the changing seasons!
4 year old camps
Bookworms
Ages: 4 year-old
Available Dates: Jul. 14-18, Jul. 21-25, Aug. 11-15, Aug. 18 – 22
Waitlist Dates: July 28 – Aug. 1
Time: 9AM – 3PM
Price: 5 Day Camp $620
Aftercare: 3 – 4PM, 5 Day Camp $125
Welcome bookworms, let’s dive into the whimsical, wild and wonderful worlds of books. Each day, campers will read a beloved children’s book together, then explore the lessons learned and ideas inspired through immersive activities and creative projects. Bookworms will discover new stories and authors our education team loves, and will dive into the core of a story in the most meaningful way.
Perfect for the kid who petitions for more bedtime stories.
Once Upon a Camp
Ages: 4 year-old
Available Dates: Jul. 7-11, Jul. 21-25, Jul. 28-Aug. 1, Aug. 4-8, Aug. 11-15
Waitlist Dates: n/a
Time: 9AM – 3PM
Price: 5 Day Camp $620
Aftercare: 3 – 4PM, 5 Day Camp $125
Discover the storyteller within! Campers will journey through the wonderful world of beloved fairytales, bring the crafts and activities from within these worlds to life, awaken their imagination, then create their very own stories! Once Upon a Camp lets campers experience the wonder of fairytales while nurturing their imagination, curiosity, and creativity.
Perfect for the daydreamers who craft stories and play make-believe.
Shake, Make, Create!
Ages: 4 year-old
Available Dates: Jul. 14-18, Aug. 4 – 8
Waitlist Weeks: July 7 – 11, Jul. 28-Aug 1
Time: 9AM – 3PM
Price: 5 Day Camp $620
Aftercare: 3 – 4PM, 5 Day Camp $125
Young creators will explore the wonders of movement, sound, and creativity through hands-on inventions and playful exploration. Campers will study the muses of movement in the world around them, using them as inspiration for projects that explore and celebrate the magic of movement. From flying airplanes to building bridges and painting with marbles, campers will get to experiment with new materials and ideas while creating unique masterpieces.
Ideal for the kid who will turn a cardboard box into a functional spaceship
5 – 6 year old camps
Adventures Around the World
Ages: 5 – 6 year-olds
Available Dates: Jul. 7-11, Jul. 14-18, Aug. 4-8, Aug. 11-15
Waitlist Dates: July 28 – Aug. 1
Time: 9AM – 3PM
Price: 5 Day Camp $620
Aftercare: 3 – 4PM, $125
The world is immense, containing worlds within worlds! Get ready to journey all over the globe and learn as you go! Young adventurers will explore a continent each day, expanding their horizons as they immerse themselves in worldly art, science, and cultural discovery!
Ideal for the kid who is always ready for an adventure!
Dr. Discovery
Ages: 5 – 6 year-olds
Available Dates: Aug. 4-8,
Waitlist Dates: Jul. 14 – 18, Jul. 21-25, Aug. 11 – 15
Time: 9AM – 3PM
Price: 5 Day Camp $620
Aftercare: 3 – 4PM, 5 Day Camp $125
*Note: No camp on June 19 & July 4. Tuition is pro-rated to $500.
Welcome to the Discovery Laboratory, where budding scientists and curious minds will dive into the world of human anatomy! This hands-on camp takes campers on a fascinating journey through the body, exploring how our organs, muscles, and bones work together to keep us moving, thinking, and breathing. From building model lungs to dissecting real specimens, campers will learn all about the incredible systems that power our bodies in an exciting, age-appropriate way.
Recommended for the kid who’s curious how things work and loves hands-on experiments!
Elemental Explorers
Ages: 5 – 6 year-olds
Available Dates: WAITLIST ONLY!
Waitlist Weeks: Jul. 14-18, Jul. 21 -25,Jul. 28-Aug 1
Time: 9AM – 3PM
Price: 5 Day Camp $620
Aftercare: 3 – 4PM, 5 Day Camp $125
Let your creativity soar and explore the natural wonders of the world at Elemental Explorers Camp! Explorers will embark on adventures in art and science, using nature as their guide. From crafting sea glass mosaics to building biodomes and erupting volcanoes, campers will dive into projects inspired by the earth, sky, and sea.
Great for the kid who brings home cool rocks from every hike or beach trip.
Galaxy Quest
Ages: 5 – 6 year-olds
Available Dates: Jul. 7-11, Jul. 28-Aug. 1, Aug. 4-8, Aug. 11-15
Time: 9AM – 3PM
Price: 5 Day Camp $620
Aftercare: 3 – 4PM, $125
Blast off into a week of cosmic creativity and discovery at Galaxy Quest Camp! Young astronauts will journey through our solar system and beyond, engaging in hands-on activities that reveal the mysteries of space. From designing rockets to mapping constellations, campers will learn all about planets, stars, and galaxies far far away, get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure!
Stellar for the kid who loves stargazing, dreams of traveling to Mars, or communicating with extraterrestrial life.
Recipe for Discovery
Ages: 5 – 6 year-olds
Dates: Jul. 7-11,
Waitlist Weeks: Jun. 23-27, Jul. 21-25, Aug. 18-22
Time: 9AM – 3PM
Price: 5 Day Camp $620
Aftercare: 3 – 4PM, 5 Day Camp $125
*Note: No camp on July 4. Tuition is pro-rated to $500.
Welcome to the Cook’s Kitchen! Each day, campers will explore culinary flavors and skills like measuring, mixing, and molecular gastronomy. From making classic comfort foods to experimenting with solar ovens, Recipe for Discovery offers a tasty adventure in cooking and kitchen science. Campers will also learn about the importance of fresh ingredients and basic food prep techniques, empowering them to commence their cooking careers.
*We strive to create inclusive opportunites for all campers. We are a nut-free camp and while nuts will be excluded from this curriculum, we cannot guarantee that this camp will be free from other food allergens. Please email camps@badm.org with any questions.
Perfect for the kid who loves helping in the kitchen or experimenting with food!
7 – 8 year old camps
Archaeology Adventures
Ages: 7 – 8 year-olds
Available Dates: Jul. 7-11, Aug. 4-8, Aug. 11-15
Waitlist Dates: July 21 – 25
Time: 9AM – 3PM
Price: 5 Day Camp $620
Aftercare: 3 – 4PM, $100
Young archaeologists will dig into history and uncover the secrets of the past through hands-on activities that bring ancient cultures and discoveries to life. Each day, campers will explore a new aspect of archeology, from creating cave drawings to panning for “gold,” learning how people from ancient times farmed, created art, and told stories. With creative projects and scavenger hunts, this camp will inspire curiosity and a love for history. By the end of the week, they’ll have new skills, knowledge, and a deeper appreciation for the stories buried in the past!
Rocks for the kid who loves digging in the dirt and uncovering hidden treasures!
Creative Character Workshop
Ages: 7 – 8 year-olds
Available Dates: Jul. 14-18, Jul. 28-Aug. 1, Aug. 18-22
Time: 9AM – 3PM
Price: 5 Day Camp $620
Aftercare: 3 – 4PM, 5 Day Camp $125
*Note: No camp on July 4. Tuition is pro-rated to $500.
Welcome to the Creative Character Workshop, where young performers create puppets, perform, and connect with friends in a week full of laughter, imagination, and theatrical fun! Campers explore storytelling, design dynamic backdrops, play with puppet and marionette characters and by the end of the week, they’ll be ready to host their very own puppet show!
Great for the kid who loves crafting characters and performing stories for family and friends!
Camp FAQs
Do you offer extended care?
Aftercare runs for an additional cost from 3-4pm each day of camp. Aftercare for 4 year-olds is 1-4pm each day of camp.
How do I register for Discovery Camps?
- Once registration is open, you can register and purchase camp online through the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s website.
- From the camps webpage, click on the “Enroll Your Camper!” button.
- If you haven’t already, you will need to create a Campsite account to enroll in camps.
- Once you create an account, you will be able to select camps and checkout online.
What are Discovery Camps?
Discovery Camps are available for children ages 3 through 8* and offer the best of the museum! Our educators provide a well-rounded STEAM experience and campers will get to participate in a variety of art, science, nature and engineering projects in each camp experience.
* School Year Break Camps are only offered for children ages 4 through 7
What are the requirements for campers to attend?
- Be fully toilet trained and able to use the restroom and change their clothes independently
- Have experience separating from caregivers in a drop-off setting, such as school.
- Be at least 4 years old by the camp start date for School Year Break Camps and 3 years old by the camp start date for Summer Camps
What does a typical day of camp look like?
- 9:00 Drop-off/Check-In
- 9:15- 9:30 Opening Circle Time
- 9:30-10:15 Themed stations/activities/museum exploration
- 10:15-10:45 Snack and Bathroom break
- 10:45-11:25 Activity time
- 11:30- 12:30 Lunch
- 12:40 – 1:40 Hike
- 1:40- 2:00 Snack
- 2:00 – 2:35 Game
- 2:35- 2:45 Cleanup and Pack Up
- 2:45-3:00 Pick-Up
Do you provide snacks or lunch?
Meals and snacks from the museum’s on-site cafe, Bean Sprouts, are provided at an additional cost ($54) for Summer Camps. You can add meals from Bean Sprouts up to one week before your camp, either when you enroll or by emailing us at camps@badm.org. You can find a sample menu here. If you choose not to add meals from Bean Sprouts, please send your camper with a lunch and two snacks each day.
If you choose not to add meals from Bean Sprouts, please send your camper with a lunch and two snacks each day.
How will I learn more about what my child is doing?
At the end of each day, a summary of the day’s activities will be sent out via email. It will include a few questions to ask your camper and a hint about what to expect for tomorrow, if applicable.
Do you offer scholarships for camps?
At Bay Area Discovery Museum, we strive to make camp available to all. We offer a limited amount of scholarships for each session of camp. To apply for a scholarship for one of our camps, click here.
What is your refund policy?
- Cancellations for Discovery Camp more than one month prior to a session’s start date are refunded, minus a cancellation fee of $100 per session cancelled.
- Cancellations within one month of a session’s start date will not receive a refund in any amount.
- Transfers between sessions or themes incur a $25 administrative fee per change.
- The museum reserves the right to cancel camps due to insufficient enrollment. If a camp is cancelled, transfers will be offered, or refunds will be issued with no additional fees.
What if I don’t see a camp scheduled for my child’s school break?
Our camp team may be able to run additional sessions of camp based on staff availability. Please reach out to us at camps@badm.org if you’re interested in an additional session.
What is your bathroom policy for campers?
3 Year Old Camps Toileting Policy:
- Our 3-year-old camp program is designed for those campers who are toilet trained. At the Bay Area Discovery Museum, toilet-trained means campers are non-diapered and capable of changing their own clothes without assistance.
- Campers must do their own wiping.
- Our Camp Staff will support in the case of bathroom accidents and stand outside to coach young campers through the process but will not be permitted to be inside the restroom stall with campers during bathroom breaks.
4-8 Year Old Camps Toileting Policy:
- Our 4-year-old to 8-year-old camps are designed to be fun, learning opportunities for children who have turned four before the first day of camp, and are toilet independent. At the Bay Area Discovery Museum, toilet independence means campers are able to use the toilet on their own without assistance and can change their own clothes in case of a toileting accident. To ensure everyone’s safety, Camp Staff are not permitted to aid in the restroom stall or with clothing changes.
In the case of a toileting accident, our Camp Staff will ensure soiled clothes return home with campers in a plastic bag.
Questions?
Have questions about Discovery Camps? Email us at camps@badm.org.
