Birds & Beasts (single day) Where do owls live and what do they eat? How do some bugs walk on water? These questions and more will be answered with a walk on the wild side of things. Students will investigate different species of birds and their environments. They will build their own birdhouses, create their own blend of bird food, play games that teach the rules of nature, discover the purpose of a gizzard, and dissect their own owl pellet. They’ll learn the parts of an insect, and discover how some bugs walk on water. They’ll also study insect life cycles and behaviors by building a bug house. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Crazy Chemistry (single day) Children will investigate chemical reactions that happen every day— in the kitchen, in the laundry room, in the garden, and even on our walls. Young scientists will investigate water-absorbing chemicals, build crystals, make sidewalk chalk and bath fizzers, create their own chromatograph T-shirts, and use chemical reactions to make their own ice cream. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Creepy Crawly Ecology (3 hour x 5 days) Welcome to the wonderful world of the outdoors. This camp will show you how to use microscopes to investigate parts of plants, animals and insects, and how to develop the skills of a naturalist by tracking animals in the wild. You’ll discover the science of ornithology, investigating different species of birds and how they fit into the environment. You’ll create cool tie-dye designs using nature’s beautiful colors, build your own birdhouse, and create your own blend of bird food. Learn the parts of an insect by creating your own bug model, and study insect life cycles and behavior by building a tiny bug house. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Earth Awareness (single day) Children will discover how science will help us to protect our planet. They will learn about the basics of water pollution and acid rain, and explore the benefits of solar energy. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Junior Engineers (single day) Young engineers will have lots to talk about after a full day of building and testing structures made from a variety of materials. Kids will investigate pyramids, arches and inflatable beams. They'll test the strength of eggs and build bridges and skyscrapers. They'll also have fun playing games and working puzzles that help them to learn about shapes and structures. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Kid's Convention (single day) Kid's Convention is a full day of fun science activities that will spark your child's imagination. Children will see a spectacular Mad Science show, participate in multiple, hands-on Science Fun Shops, play Mad-cap relays, and enjoy hoverboard rides. They'll also receive great take-home science experiments and participate in drawings for Mad Science prizes. There's much more to this day of fun science. Come and see! Camp Schedule          Top of page

NASA: Journey into Outer Space (5 half days) This hands-on program for kids ages 6-12 will take your child from earth's atmosphere, to the outer reaches of the solar system, and beyond. Comets, planets, stars and more are waiting to be discovered. Children will learn about the four forces of flight and the challenges of space travel. Then they'll participate in a rocket launch. Topics include: Earth and Beyond; Astronaut in Training; Solar Launch; and The Space Race. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Outdoor Explorers (ages 4-6, 2½ hours/day x 5 days) This camp offers young children an exciting introduction to basic environmental science. Kids study different aspects of the outdoors, enriching their understanding of how living things grow and how they interact with the environment around them. Children will perform hands-on experiments, play themed games, and enjoy a snack and story related to the theme of the day. A mural will grow through the course of the program as children illustrate their latest discoveries. Topics include: Soil & Seeds; Sun, Wind & Rain; Plants & Leaves; Flowers, Fruits & Vegetables; Butterflies, Ladybugs & Bees. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Rocket Camp (single day camp) Children will discover the principles of flight, the parts of a rocket, rocket design, the stages of a rocket flight, and the history of space travel. Indoor exploration will be balanced by outdoor launches of several model rockets of varying sizes and designs. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Rockets & Robots (3 hour x 5 days) What would it take to build a robot to clean up your messy room? What exactly is a robot, anyway? This fun and interactive course will introduce kids to the world of robotics. They'll learn about the history of robot design and Asimov's robot law, program a robot to do a series of maneuvers, participate in robot relays. The rocketry section of the camp will help children to discover the principles of flight, the parts of a rocket, rocket design, the stages of rocket flight, and the history of space travel. Indoor exploration will be balanced by outdoor launches of several model rockets of varying sizes and designs. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Rockin' Robots (ages 7-13, 3 hours x 5 days) Learn about the history of robot design and find out how robots sense and carry out tasks. You'll program a robot to do a series of maneuvers, participate in robot relays, and build a working robot to take home. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Science of Sport (1 day) Discover how science has helped us to understand sports and performance. Dive into biological questions such as the importance of toes, the role of chemistry in your blood, and the breathing capacity of your lungs. Then find out why physics is part of baseball, football and even acrobatics. This full day of fun science is all about energy transfer, gravity and forces. Camp Schedule         Top of page

Secret Agent Lab, Week I (3 hours x 5 days) Ages 6-13 Step into the shoes of a detective. Become a super sleuth and uncover the science involved in evidence-gathering and analysis. Learn clever ways of discovering clues in this hands-on view of the science used by spies. Campers will have the opportunity to decode messages, to check out metal detectors and night vision equipment, and to investigate other kinds of spy equipment. Come discover the technological tools of detection. Topics include: Discover Detection; Science of Security; and Spy Academy I. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Secret Agent Lab, Week II (3 hours x 5 days) Ages 6-13 Focus on the science of forensics in this hands-on look at crime scenes. Identify and collect evidence that comes from fingerprints, tracks and trash. Recreate the scene of a crime using clues and detailed observations. Campers will use hands-on science techniques to sniff out the suspects, to connect the dots, and to solve the crime. Have fun with the science of sleuthing. Topics include: Funky Forensics; Sleuths on the Scene; and Spy Academy II. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Secret Agent Lab (5 full days) Ages 6-13 Step into the shoes of a detective. Become a super sleuth and uncover the science involved in evidence-gathering and analysis. Learn clever ways of discovering clues in this hands-on view of the science used by spies. Campers will have the opportunity to decode messages, to check out metal detectors and night vision equipment, and to investigate other kinds of spy equipment. After discovering the technological tools of detection, campers will focus on the science of forensics in a hands-on look at crime scenes. Kids will identify and collect evidence that comes from fingerprints, tracks and trash, and recreate the scene of a crime using  clues and detailed observations. Then they'll sniff out the subjects, connect the dots and solve the crime. Have fun with the science of sleuthing. Topics include: Discover Detection; Spy Academy; Sleuths on the Scene; Funky Forensics; and Science of Security. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Shutterbugs (1 full day) Discover the secrets of light. Find out how to break up light and put it back together. Learn about light waves and colors, and investigate the wonders of reflection, refraction and diffraction. You'll make your own multi-colored Sun Catchers using only three primary colors, and make messages disappear using colors and patterns that deceive the eye. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Weather Wonders (preschool, 1 hour/day x 5 days) Your mini-meteorologists will learn the components of the weather and the mysteries of how it works. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Academic Camp Triathlon (ACT)  Each camp combines Math, Reading and Science based around a central theme, then each day's sessions are linked to a single topic. Provided in partnership with Math Monkey of Leawood and Carver Learning Systems.   ACT-Creepy Crawly Ecology (3 hour x 5 days) Welcome to the wonderful world of the outdoors. This camp will show you how to use microscopes to investigate parts of plants, animals and insects, and how to develop the skills of a naturalist by tracking animals in the wild. You’ll discover the science of ornithology, investigating different species of birds and how they fit into the environment. You’ll create cool tie-dye designs using nature’s beautiful colors, build your own birdhouse, and create your own blend of bird food. Learn the parts of an insect by creating your own bug model, and study insect life cycles and behavior by building a tiny bug house. We’ll read together from "The Falcon’s Feathers," by Ron Roy. Camp Schedule          Top of page ACT-Chemistry of Art (3 hour x 5 day) Children will investigate chemical reactions that happen every day—in the kitchen, in the laundry room, in the garden, and even on our walls. Young scientists will investigate water-absorbing chemicals, build crystals, make sidewalk chalk and bath fizzers, create their own chromatograph T-shirts, and use chemical reactions to make their own ice cream. We will study famous artists such as Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso, and we will read the book "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankeiler," by E.L. Koningsburg, which describes the adventures of two children who decide to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Camp Schedule         Top of page   ACT-Newton's Wonderland of Physics (3 hr x 5 days) We use it to ride bicycles, play games and even just to stand still. One of nature’s most powerful laws is usually taken for granted — but not anymore. Learn to appreciate and understand the wonders of gravity. We’ll experiment with inertia and centripetal force, and we’ll build amazing devices that show these awesome forces at work. Math, reading and science concepts will be integrated with the wonders of physics through games, puzzles and hands-on activities. Camp Schedule          Top of page   ACT-Mad Messages (3 hour x 5 days) Learn how to talk with numbers — just like computers do. You'll also create your very own "code crackers" and make multi-colored Sun Catchers, using only the three primary colors. You'll create your own code wheel, send and receive messages via Morse code, learn how to make messages appear and disappear using visual illusions, and discover fingerprinting. Then you'll become a detective, practicing the skills of group cooperation and problem-solving to unravel The Mystery of the Secret Slime. Camp Schedule         Top of page

ACT-Rocketry: Shoot for the Stars (3 hour x 5 days) Children will discover the principles of flight, the parts of a rocket, rocket design, the stages of rocket flight, and the history of space travel. Indoor exploration will be balanced by outdoor launches of several model rockets of varying sizes and designs. We will read "Midnight on the Moon," by Mary Pope Osborne, as well as other books about rocketry and space. Math, reading and science concepts will revolve around a rocket theme with games, puzzles, and hands-on activities. Camp Schedule          Top of page

ACT-Simple Machines & Inventions (3 hour x 5 day) Campers will learn how gizmos like wedges, screws and levers help us in our daily lives. They'll be introduced to the concepts of simple machines such as the wheel and axle, pulleys, levers, wedges, inclined planes and screws. Kids will observe the awesome power of pneumatics and hydraulics, investigate the force of friction, experiment with pulley systems, and participate in a pincher relay. Take-home projects include mega- and micro-pinchers, as well as a miniature catapult. Campers will read together from "The X-ed-Out X-Ray," by Ron Roy, and talk about how to combine simple machines to make complex ones. Camp Schedule          Top of page

Links to: Camp Schedule       Camp FAQ