Camps

Campers in grades 1-6 will experience hands-on science enrichment through fun and engaging activities. Camps include structured activities with our STEM Educators, as well as supervised free time to explore the Science Center's galleries and exhibits.

We offer Day Camps during school vacation as well as week-long programs in the summer. Each camp's theme helps develop science concepts, guiding campers to greater understanding of science material and its application to the real world. Kids can explore a different science theme at each camp!

Questions? To learn more or make a reservation, contact us at (860) 520-2177 or email us at camps@CTScienceCenter.org. Our fax number is (860) 727-9821.

Summer Vacation Exploration Camps are presented by:

Thank you for your interest in our Vacation Exploration Camps!
Here’s some logistical information to make your Camp experience even more amazing.

• When: We offer day camps during school vacations (December, February, April) and week-long camps during the summer. Check this web page often to see upcoming camp dates and themes as they are added throughout the year.
• Drop-off: Campers should arrive between 8 and 8:45AM.
• Pick-up: Please pick up your child between 3:30 and 4PM.
• Extended Care: We offer affordable after care from 4 to 5PM. The cost for after care is $10 per child for Science Center members and $15 per child for non-members.

• A medical form that includes immunization records, and is signed by a physician (Exam must be within the past 3 years – we will accept a copy that you’ve sent to school or another camp)
• DPH Authorization for the Administration of Medication (completed by your child's physician if the camper will be taking medication during camp)
• Individual Care Plan (completed by a guardian if your child’s medical form requires medication)
• Letter of No Medication Necessary (If child’s physical states that the camper takes medication but the child will not be taking medication at camp, a note from the child's physician must be submitted that the camper does not need the medication at camp)

• Medications:Medications must meet the following criteria in compliance with OEC requirements to be accepted:
  • In order for you to leave your child’s medicine with us you must have completed the Authorization for the Administration of Medication form signed by a physician and parent/guardian.
  • Must be in its original container with the pharmacy’s original label
  • Must have the following information visible on the container:
  • Child’s name
  • Name of the medication
  • Expiration date
  • Prescription number
  • Pharmacy name and address
  • Prescribed over the counter medication must have the following:
  • Child’s name
  • Name of the medication
  • Expiration date

  All medications (except for those classified as emergency medications such as inhalers and epi-pens) will be kept in a locked box until the time the campers need to take them. The box will be kept locked in accordance with state regulations.

Drop-Off Parking

• Licensure: We are licensed by the State of Connecticut as a Youth Day Camp.
• Staff: Connecticut Science Center’s Vacation Science Exploration Camp will be staffed by the Vacation Camp Director and Alternate Directors. In addition, there will be Connecticut Science Center STEM Educators and Vacation Science Exploration Camp Counselors. Each camp group will have at least a ratio of 1 staff member to every 12 campers. STEM Educators and Counselors will run the science programs as well as all other games and activities. Every child will be supervised by camp staff at all times. All camp participants are expected to show the utmost respect for the Science Center and Camp staff, and they can expect to receive respect from Science Center and Camp staff in return.
• Age: Campers currently in grades 1-6 may register for camp. (Campers must have completed Kindergarten and are 6 years old by July 3rd, 2020 to attend our camps.)
• Groups: We have three groups of no more than 24 campers. After registration is closed campers are grouped by age and grade to give every camper the support to enjoy their day with us at camp.
• Group Requests: Activities are carefully planned to accommodate the grade level of the campers in that group. *Parent may request that their camper be grouped with a friend via email. Please understand that we will attempt to accommodate request if campers are the same age and grade level, but cannot guarantee all requests can be met.
• Cancellation/refund policy: No refunds will be given within 4 weeks prior to start date of your camp session. Cancelations made between 8 and 4 weeks prior to the start date of your camp session will not be refunded their 50% deposit or processing fee. If you have paid in full, 50% of the session cost will be refunded. All processing fees are non-refundable.
• Camp Attendances: No Refundswill be granted for absenteeism. All campers are required to attend camp for the date(s) he/she is registered. If a registrant fails to attend camp due to illness, vacation travels, or a parent decides to take that child out of camp, no refund or credit will be offered. If camp is canceled by the Connecticut Science Center you will be given an option of a refund or applied to allow attendance during another day(s) of camp.
• Late Pick-up: We offer affordable after care from 4 to 5PM. The cost for after care is $10 per child for Science Center members and $15 per child for non-members. If you will be picking up your child late, we request that you inform the camp as soon as possible. In the case where a camper is not picked up within 10 minutes after the close of camp the parent/guardian will be contacted and charged an additional $10 per child for Science Center members and $15 per child for non-members for each 10 minute interval.
• LUNCH/SNACK:Campers should bring a bagged lunch and snack with them every day. Lunches will be refrigerated per Connecticut Department of Health Regulations. However, there is no access to a microwave so please make sure their lunch does not need to stay warm or be reheated. According to Department of Public Health Regulations, no food item (even if it is soup or pasta) can be left outside of the refrigerator. In addition, please make sure that the lunches do not include glass bottles.

• Camp Policies NEW
• Individual Plan of Care for a Camper With Special Health Care Needs or Disabilities NEW
• Medical Form OR Ct Dept. of Ed Health Assessment Record (Must be completed by your child’s physician to attend camp)
• Authorization for the administration of Medication Form
• Camp Behavior Agreement

• Droid Design: Session A- July 10-14
• Seven Wonders- July 17-21
• Droid Design: Session B- July 24-28
• Enchanted Engineering- July 31-August 4
• Earth Unlocked- August 7-11
• Best of Science- August 8-14