DISCOVERY KID'S SUMMER CAMPS 2008
7 weeks of camp fun to choose from!
Monday through Friday, July 7-August 22
Science, Art, History, Drama, and Interactive Outdoor Play!
Camper age groups: 5-7years, 8-12 and 12-14
Internships for 13-15 year olds!
Hours: Half day programs with the option for a full day of fun with our back to back programming!
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Afternoons: 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Camp Fee: members-$55 a week for a half day session, non members-$60
Supervised Lunch
With exploration of our interactive exhibits 12:00-1:00 for Campers registered for both morning and afternoon sessions!
Bring your own bag lunch please!
Early drop-off and late pick-up available
For an additional fee of $1 a half hour
Early drop off: 8:00a.m.-9:00a.m.
Late pick-up: 4:00p.m-5:30p.m.
Registration ongoing-call 773-8661 for additional information
To register for this years camps:
download the registration form
and child information form
then mail or drop off at The Discovery Center
Camp programs for 5-7 year olds... Click here
Camp programs for 8-12 year olds... Click here
Camp programs for 12-14 year olds... Click here
Galumpha, in Partnership with The Discovery Center,
Presents
“The Galumpha Gang” – A Summer Performance Camp
The performers of the internationally acclaimed, acrobatic dance company, Galumpha, in partnership with The Discovery Center, will offer a two-week intensive summer camp in collaborative choreography, dazzling acrobatics, creative costuming, and tantalizing teamwork to area children and youth. Participants will absorb skills while creating a genuine, professional performance, which will be a showcased First Friday event open to the general public as a culmination of the two-week program. The camp is geared for children aged 7—13, running July 21st—August 1st and camper fee will be $400. Registration is first come, first served. There are a limited number of internship positions available for 14-18 year olds. Internship fee is $225.
The Galumpha performers bring thousands of hours of stage and teaching experience into a mind-expanding and body-bending process certain to result in the wildly unexpected.
Visit www.galumpha.com for more info about Galumpha.
Camp Programs For 5-7 Year Olds
Session #1: July 7-11
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Unplugged Play
What ever did kids do before the time of Play Stations, DVD players, I Pods and instant messaging? Explore what kids did for fun before the days of electronics with a historical investigation of play! Make toys using household stuff and learn to play using a whole new outlet!
Afternoons: 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Grow Lab
Welcome to the Discovery Center Grow Lab! Enter and explore the wonderful world of gardening, from seeds and soils to flowers and fruits! We’ll explore all the ins and outs of planting and work in our plot within the story garden! Join us as we dig right in to Discovery Center gardening fun!
Session #2: July 14-18
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
A Day in the Park
The Discovery Center, located in Ross Park, is a wonderful place for young outdoor adventurers. Hike the wooded trails collecting items for collage, make an insect keeper then explore the Discovery Center Story Garden to collect creepy crawly specimens. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for hiking and outdoor play.
Afternoons:1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Make it Move: The Science of Floating and Flying!
Without air to breathe and water to drink there would be no life on Earth. But, what are air and water? Learn about their different properties-how they look, feel and behave in different ways through experiments that will have you diving in and flying high with science fun! What sinks and what floats? Build a water wheel. Design a sail boat and so much more.
Session #3: July 21-25
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Gizmos and Gadgets
Want to build a catapult that sends marshmallows flying? Would you like to design contraptions that glide, wobble and spin? Imaginations will be s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d as every day items are turned into gizmos and gadgets during this week of spectacular science camp!
Mis Amigos! Yo Hablo Espanol?
This camp will introduce campers to the Spanish language with an investigation of Mexican and Latin culture. Taste the foods, create ethnic crafts, make a little music and end the week with a fun filled fiesta.
Afternoons:1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Transformations: Using science to make things change!
Things around us change all the time. Join in an investigation of true transformations as we explore what makes different things change color, size, shape or even their chemical makeup. Why does water expand when it freezes? What puts the pop in your popcorn? Find this out and much more during a week of summer science fun.
Session #4: July 28-Aug 1
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Creature Feature: Dinosaurs!
Dinosaurs roamed the Earth for over 150 million years then mysteriously vanished. These reptiles varied from fierce killers to gentle plant eaters. Learn about what they looked like, what they ate and how their bones help us put the puzzle together as we attempt to solve the dinosaur mystery.
We’ve Got Spirit: Cheerleading
Come full of spirit and energy as we cheer the Discovery Center to victory! Campers will learn the basic arm motions and jumps as well as various cheers and chants to lead their own team to a win! Cheerleaders will shake and move to a simple dance and create their very own team to root, root, root for! Let’s go team!
Afternoons: 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Kids Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics will be celebrated from August 8, 2008, to August 24, 2008 in Bejing, the People’s Republic of China. Join us for a week of Kids Olympics where kids spirits will unite under the Olympic slogan One World, One Dream . Carry a torch for fun with games, completion and a look into Chinese culture.
Session #5: August 4-8
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Myth Busters
Fact or fiction? Our Discovery Center Myth Busters will spend the week examining and testing stories, folklore and urban legends. We will study mysterious rubber eggs, mentos in coke, and make our own invisible ink. Join us as we try to debunk some tall tales!
Afternoons: 1:00-4:00p.m.
Kids on Safari
Lions and tigers and bears-oh my! Join us as we set out on an art safari adventure! We will sharpen our pencils and pack our sketch pads for a drawing expedition at the Binghamton Zoo, meet furry friends here at the museum and uncover critter on the Ross Park grounds. Make animal masks, play animal charades and just have a wildly good time!
Session #6: August 11-15
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Making Good Impressions: Painting
Venture outside for en plein air painting expeditions just like the great impressionists Monet, Cezanne and Renoir did! Indoor painting and drawing activities will also be scheduled throughout the week as we study the effects of shadow and light. Dress for messy/ wet indoor and outdoor activities with old clothes, bathing suit, old sneakers, towel and extra set of dry clothing to change into after class.
Makes Sense to Me!: The Fabulous 5 Senses
Take time out of your summer to stop and smell the flowers with this week of sensational science investigation! Seeing is believing as you try your hand at experiments that will tickle your taste buds and be music to your ears!
Afternoons: 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Pirates
Yoho, yoho…the pirates adventure continues… Ahoy mateys! Come aboard the Discovery Dabloon and sail the Seven Seas if you dare! All hands on deck is required for a week of learning fun as we learn about Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, Sir Fransis Drake and many more. Join in as we make pirate flags, eat pirate foods, learn about the countries where the pirates hailed from and even search for buried treasure!
Kitchen Chemistry
From simple science to complex chemistry, Kitchen Chemistry will be cooking up some fun as we explore the how and why with culinary science! We will turn soda into an erupting volcano, transform corn starch to oobleck, and even make fireworks in milk! Baker’s caps will double as thinking caps as we put a spin on food science!
Session #7: August 18-22
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Princess Camp
Are you ready for a medieval good time? Would you like to be treated like royalty? Learn about some real princesses in history and have some fun doing activities based on your favorite princesses in film and literature!
Super Hero Camp
Super hero school is now in session! We’ll go up, up, and away as we explore heroes of all kinds! Practice the science of Spiderman, the bravery of Batman and the strength of Superman through challenging games, experiments, and activities! Our course of study will include an investigation of real life heroes as we earn a degree in Superheroes 101!
Afternoons: 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Under the Sea
Have you ever wanted to come face to face with finding Nemo and his friends? Come and join us as we learn about the creatures in our very own 250 gallon salt water tidal pool. You’ll actually be able to handle a starfish, horseshoe crab, sea urchin and a decorator crab as we dive under the sea and learn about these fascinating creatures!
return to top of page
Summer Camps For 8-12 Year Olds
Session #1: July 7-11
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
An American Girl’s Summer Adventure: Adventure 1
Travel to a new place and time each day as we explore the lives of girls through history (inspired by the American Girl doll series). Bring you favorite doll and create cultural crafts, play games of the period and just have some good old fashioned fun!

Survivor Australia!
Experience the land down under while taking the survivor challenge absorbed in aboriginal culture. Dress for messy/ wet indoor and outdoor activities with old clothes, bathing suit, old sneakers, towel and extra set of clothing to change into after camp. The Survivor Australian Challenge is on!
Afternoons: 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Around the World in 5 Days!
Take a virtual tour as we travel to Italy, Spain, Ireland, Greece and England tasting cultural foods, learning about the history, the people and the arts that make the world go round.
American Girl’s Adventure goes Mod!
Join the mod squad and have a blast from the past with Julie and Ivy as we check out the “far out” clothes, the “groovy” language and the “be cool” attitudes of the 60’s and 70’s. Step back into the last generation and become a flower child or a disco queen and sample the tasty treats of the times from fondues and Watergate salad to pop rocks and fluffernutters. Let the force be with you as we learn about the space race, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War and Beatle mania. The week will end with a 1976 Bicentennial Celebration!
Session #2: July 14-18
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Unplugged Play
What ever did kids do before the time of Play Stations, DVD players, I Pods and instant messaging? Explore what kids did for fun before the days of electronics with a historical investigation of play! Make toys using household stuff and learn to play using a whole new outlet!
Hogwarts
Be here as The Discovery Center takes you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Just like the students at Hogwarts, campers will learn about magical animals (Hippogriffs and Boggarts!) and unusual plants (Mandrakes and Gillyweed!). Write with a quill pen. Study the ways of the owls and snakes and participate in Discovery Center’s very own Triwizard Tournament. Muggles welcome!
Afternoons: 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Dangerous Camp for Boys
Warning: This camp can be dangerous! This adventurers-only camp will be packed with activities based on the Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn and Hal Iggulden. Make a bow and arrow, learn to tie knots, practice the code talker’s dictionary and explore historical battles. No girls allowed!
An All American Girls Adventure: An American Girl Adventure 2 and 3
Travel through our nation’s past with a journey through time inspired by the American Girl doll series. What was it like to live in Colonial Williamsburg or out west on the prairie or the Santa Fe Trail? Wear period dress, eat authentic food and make crafts. Bring your favorite doll (doesn’t have to be an American Girl doll) as we investigate our American history.
Session #3: July 21-25
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m
Sports Art: Drawing and Painting
Kids get asked all the time “What sport do you play?” Join Team Art and have a sporting good time learning the elements of line, shape, form, color, texture and space with professional Sports Artist Jen Powel! Jen will introduce Olympic art, vintage ski posters, observational drawing with sports equipment, famous historical sports paintings and so much more! Campers should be dressed and ready for outdoor and indoor messy art activities. Bathing suit, old sneakers, towel and an extra set of dry clothing to change into after class are a must!
Afternoons:1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Daring Camp for Girls
Warning: You must be a daring girl to attend! This adventurers-only camp will be packed with activities based on the Daring Book for Girls by Miriam Peskowitz. Tomboys, girly-girls and everyone in between will love to practice double dutch jump roping, make friendship bracelets, perfect their cartwheel, learn to tie knots and so much more. An exploration of famous women through history will be a bonding experience for this club for girls only!
WAZUP!
Haven’t I seen you on T.V? Kids will write and produce their own Discovery News program. Just what are the goings on in the Discovery Center and at large? Kid news will report from news station WAZUP?! to bring you the latest happenings. Wear comfortable shoes because kid reporters and camera crew will be on the field reporting.
Session #4: July 28-Aug 1
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Survivor Australia!
Experience the land down under while taking the survivor challenge absorbed in aboriginal culture. Dress for messy/ wet indoor and outdoor activities with old clothes, bathing suit, old sneakers, towel and extra set of clothing to change into after camp. The Survivor Australian Challenge is on!
Afternoons: 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Kids Athletics
It is time to get off the couch, turn off the T.V., put down that text messaging and get your heart pumping with some good old fashioned sports play! Kick ball, wiffle ball, touch football, badmitten, basketball, tag and all the games your parents played when they were kids will be the name of the game this week of kids athletics!
Session #5: August 4-8
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Girls Rock: An American Girl’s Adventure 4
Explore the bonds of friendship inspired by the American Girl doll Series as we march through history. From colonial times through the present, learn how special friendships can be. Discover new cultures and countries then end the week with a Friendship Tea Party.
Let the Games Begin!: Kids Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics will be celebrated from August 8, 2008, to August 24, 2008 in Bejing, the People’s Republic of China. Join athlete, artist and educator, Jen Powel for a week of Kids Olympics where kids spirits will unite under the Olympic slogan One World, One Dream . Carry a torch for fun with games, completion and a look into Chinese culture.
Afternoons: 1:00-4:00p.m.
King Arthur’s Court
Travel back in time as we enter the realm of King Arthur’s court. Design your own coat of arms, fly your own standard, learn to joust and participate in a masque held at the end of the week. Lords and Ladies alike are invited to join the Round Table as we learn about medieval times, foods and customs!
Session #6: August 11-15
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Pirates
Yoho, yoho…the pirate’s adventure continues… Ahoy mateys! Come aboard the Discovery Dabloon and sail the Seven Seas if you dare! All hands on deck is required for a week of learning fun as we learn about Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, Sir Fransis Drake and many more. Join in as we make pirate flags, eat pirate foods, learn about the countries where the pirates hailed from and even search for buried treasure!
In Style and Fabulous
Strut your stuff walking the catwalk as we explore the basics of fashion design. Draw and design your own clothing collection based on our study and of fashion trends from the early 1900’s through today! Experiment with color, fabric and pattern as campers get to create and produce their own fashion show, fully equipped with music, lights and of course the runway!
Afternoon: 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Soaring
Imaginations and creativity will soar with investigation of flight. Learn about the principles of flight while making your very own kite. Planes, helicopters and parachutes will be flying high with activities sure to bring your summer to new heights!
Session #7: August 18-22
Mornings: 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
2008…A Space Odyssey
Blast off on this adventure as we explore all things outer space. Learn about the planets, constellations and even man’s quest to land on the moon and beyond. See what it is like to train as a real NASA astronaut as they prepare to launch into new dimensions!
Go Van Gogh!: Painting
Vincent Van Gogh lived a life the likes of which we only see on a T.V. drama series. Learn about his struggles and accomplishments with an intensive look at the life and art of Vincent Van Gogh. Did he really cut off his own ear? Who were his post-impressionist friends? These questions and more will be answered as you take part in a hands-on investigation into the unique painting style of the legendary artist Vincent Van Gogh. Dress for messy /wet indoor and outdoor activities with old clothing, bathing suit, old sneakers, towel and an extra set of clothing to change into after class.
Afternoons: 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
Get in the Game!
Get ready to play wild ‘n’ wacky games that are not only fun but also help you stay fit. Get wet and cool off with fun water games, design your own obstacle course and participate in relay races. Be a team player as you participate in cooperative games and learn leadership skills. Get in the game and have some summer fun!
Bon Appetite!
Put on your chef’s hat and stir up some fun in our Discovery Center Cooking Challenge. Will you be an Ace of Cakes or an Iron Chef? Try out your culinary talents and learn some tips from local chefs. Have your taste tester’s ready and bon appetite!
return to top of page
Summer Camp For 12-14 Year Olds
Session #2 July 14-18
Morning and Afternoons: 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
Create a Scene!
With imagination, fun, costumes and scripts…all created by you! Join professional actor, Heidi Weeks for a week of theater games, writing scripts and performing! This is a full day program, with a full day of fun, so clean out your family’s closets, bring in costumes to wear and join us center stage in the Discovery Center Theater. Everyone can be an actor! Everyone can be a writer! Please note this is a back to back full day program. Cost is $110 members, $120 non members
Discovery Interns:
Program for 13-15 year olds!
Explore the arts, science, history, drama, and outdoor fun with an inside look at the workings of a children’s museum. Aid with summer camp programs, try your hand at fun filled activities and meet new friends with workshops designed just for the Discovery Interns! Hours: 8:45a.m.-4:30p.m. Dates: Sign up for any of our one week sessions M-F, July 7-August 22. Workshops: Wednesdays from 4:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Cost: members $20 per week, non members $25 per week
Galumpha, in Partnership with The Discovery Center,
Presents
“The Galumpha Gang” – A Summer Performance Camp
The performers of the internationally acclaimed, acrobatic dance company, Galumpha, in partnership with The Discovery Center, will offer a two-week intensive summer camp in collaborative choreography, dazzling acrobatics, creative costuming, and tantalizing teamwork to area children and youth. Participants will absorb skills while creating a genuine, professional performance, which will be a showcased First Friday event open to the general public as a culmination of the two-week program. The camp is geared for children aged 7—13, running July 21st—August 1st and camper fee will be $425. Registration is first come, first served. There are a limited number of internship positions available for 14-18 year olds. Internship fee is $225.
The Galumpha performers bring thousands of hours of stage and teaching experience into a mind-expanding and body-bending process certain to result in the wildly unexpected.
Visit www.galumpha.com for more info about Galumpha.
return to top of page
60 Morgan Road, Binghamton, NY 13903
Phone: 607-773-8661 Fax: 607-773-8019
email: help@thediscoverycenter.org
|