Camps at Discovery Center

Discovery Center is a great place for Teens to volunteer!

Click the volunteer box below to find out more!

	Spend a week at Discovery Center! Camps are available for children in grades K-6. We offer Summer, Fall and Spring Break camps.
	HOW TO Register: Register online - Full payment must be paid through PayPal for online registration. 50% of your camp payment is considered a non-refundable deposit. In Person - Call us at 615-890-2300 or stop by the front desk to register on-site. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at time of registration. Camp reservations can be transferred to a different camp if space allows. However, if you need to cancel a camp reservation, only 50% of your payment will be refundable. Summer Camp registration begins February 1 for members, March 1 for non-members. Camp registration will remain open until all spaces are filled. If the minimum number of participants for a camp is not met, parents will be notified of the camp cancellation 1 week prior to the camp.

Additional Information:

Summer After-camp care:
After-camp care is available for afternoon and full day summer camps only. After-camp Care is supervised by a staff person, and the campers will explore the museum or participate in supervised activities during this time. Any pick-ups after 5:00 pm are subject to a $1 for every minute late charge. Pre-registration by the day of is required.

AFTER-CAMP CARE
3:00pm - 5:00pm	4:00pm-5:00pm
$15/day or $60/week	$10/day or $40/week

Food: Snacks are provided by Discovery Center each day. If you are enrolled in a full day camp, you will need to pack your camper a lunch each day.

Pick-up/Drop-off: Each child must be signed in and out by a parent or guardian each day.

Children picked up later than 15 minutes after camp will automatically be enrolled in After-camp care and you will be billed according to the camp. Please do not drop your child off more than 10 minutes before camp to allow our staff ample time to set up.

Minimum/Maximum: A minimum of 8 campers is needed for most camps. If the minimum number of participants for a camp is not met, parents will be notified of the camp cancellation 1 week before the scheduled session. Maximum campers is usually 12 or 16 depending on the type of camp.

Special Needs/Requests: Please notify us if your child has any special needs such as allergies, food limitations, or disabilities upon registration to ensure your child has a great experience at camp.

You can also register in person at Discovery Center or call Heather Abraham at (615) 890-2300. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at time of phone or in-person registration.

Spring Break Camp
For campers entering 3rd through 5th grades.
Cost: $175/Members, $200/Non-members

Science Camp (Full Day)
March 19-23, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Intrigue yourself with the fantastic world of science during this camp! You will explore the phenomenal world of biology, chemistry, physics and ecology through hands-on activities. Meet the animals of Discovery Center and observe wild animals in our wetlands. Play in the shadow room and test gravity by slipping down our two story super slide.

You can also register in person at Discovery Center or call Heather Abraham at (615) 890-2300. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at time of phone or in-person registration.

SUMMER CAMPS

Lilliput Summer Camp

Entering
Kindergarten or 1st grade

$100/week Members
$125/week Non-members

View Lilliput Camps

Discovery Summer Camp

Entering
2nd-4th grade

$100/week Members
$125/week Non-members
unless otherwise stated

View Discovery Camps

Adventure Summer Camp

Entering
3rd-6th grade

$110/week Member
$135/week Non-members
unless otherwise stated

View Adventure Camps

Lilliput Camps
Campers must be entering kindergarten, turning 5 before September 30, or entering 1st grade.

Cost: $100/Members, $125/Non-members unless otherwise stated.
Member sign-up begins February 1. Non-member registration begins March 1.

Bitty Bugs & Butterflies
Session 1: June 25-29, 9:00 am - noon
Session 2: July 23-27, 9:00 am - noon
Investigate the hopping, creeping, crawling world of insects. Campers will create bug art, enjoy bug snacks and explore bug habitats. The children will go on a "bug safari" in the wetlands daily!

Bright & Beautiful Art Camp
Session 1: June 4-8, 9:00 am - noon

Session 2: July 9-13, 9:00 am - noon

Unleash your inner artist! Spend a week exploring the work of different artists and creating masterpieces of your own. Discover your artistic talents through sculpture, painting, and more!

Cooking Up a Story

Session 1: June 4-8, 9:00 am - noon
Session 2: July 30-Aug 3, 9:00 am - noon
Make stories come alive through art, drama, and creative cooking. Explore books by popular authors such as Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, and many others

Let's Play!
Session I: June 20-24, 9:00 am - noon
Playing is a very important part of child development. Create, cook, experiment and explore places you can only visit through your imagination!

Spikes & Scales & Dinosaur Tales

Session I: June 18-22, 9:00 am - noon
Session II: July 16-20, 9:00 am - noon
Explore the world through the eyes of the T-Rex through stories, and hands-on activities. Children will investigate fossils, create dinosaur art, eat dinosaur snacks, and explore the world of dinosaurs!

You can also register in person at Discovery Center or call Heather Abraham at (615) 890-2300. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at time of phone or in-person registration.

DISCOVERY Camps
Campers must be entering 2nd through 4th grades.
Cost: $100/Members, $125/Non-members unless otherwise stated.
Member sign-up begins February 1. Non-member registration begins March 1.

Artists and Animals (Full Day)

Session 1: July 30-August 3, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Meet the DC animals and learn about how they live. With wetland walks daily you can explore animals in their natural habitat. Then budding artists will learn about art from around the world. From Australian Dreamtime to Henri Rousseau's fanciful paintings of animals and forests, it will be an adventure into the world of animals and art.

Cost: $175/Members, $200/non-members

Game Show Camp
Session 1: June 25-29, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Challenge your competitive spirit and play your way through this camp when we explore the world of game shows! Try your luck at Wheel of Fortune, Minute to Win It challenges, and a Wipeout course.

Let's Play! (Full Day)

Session 1: July 9-13, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Playing is a very important part of child development. Create, cook, experiment and explore places you can only visit through your imagination!
Cost: $175/Members, $200/non-members

Science Wonders
Session 1: June 18-22, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Session 2: July 23-27, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Let your imagination soar as you explore chemistry, physics, biology, and ecology through hands-on science activities. Explore exhibits in the museum along with the wetlands.

Young Naturalist
Session 1: June 4-8, 9:00 am - noon

Session 2: June 11-15, 9:00 am - noon

Explore the natural world around you through hands-on outdoor activities. Learn about our wetlands and the many plants and animals that thrive there through guided hikes, nature journaling, wildlife art, and much more. Learn to identify different species and habitats, help restore an ecosystem, and even learn about animal rehabilitation.

You can also register in person at Discovery Center or call Heather Abraham at (615) 890-2300. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at time of phone or in-person registration.

Adventure Camps
Campers must be entering 3rd through 6th grades.
Cost: $110/Members, $135/Non-members unless otherwise stated.
Member sign-up begins February 1. Non-member registration begins March 1.

Creative Chefs Camp
Session 1: June 11-15, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Cook up creative cuisine in Cissie’s Kitchen. Explore measurements, cutting techniques using a sharp knife, cooking with spices, and much more. Complete your camp experience with a delicious reception for parents on Friday at the end of camp.

Fire It Up! Clay Camp
Session 1: July 16-20, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Aspiring young artists needed! Get your hands dirty as you work with clay. Sculpt and glaze clay pieces and learn how to create pottery using a potter’s wheel. Campers will need to return one week later to glaze their fired pottery. Cost includes use of tools, materials, and instruction from a professional potter. Snack is provided. A minimum of 6 campers must be registered to fill the camp.

Cost: $165/member, $185/non-member

SciTry Camp (Full Day)
Session 1: July 23-27, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Biology and Ecology and Chemistry! Oh My! Change up your summer with this camp: Come and learn about the world of science through a variety of hand-on activities and museum exploration. Put on a pair of boots and wade in the wetlands. You will get a chance to observe wild animals in a unique habitat and also meet the resident animals of the Discovery Center.
Cost: $175/member, $200/non-member

Night Owls Overnight Camp (includes a one night sleep over!)
Session 1: July 9-12, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Experience the Discovery Center after hours as you investigate the lives of nocturnal animals, explore the wetlands, and become “Night Owls”! Visit with Otus, the Screech Owl and other Discovery Center Animals. This camp meets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:30 - 8:30 pm and concludes with a Thursday night sleepover in the museum. Special Night Owl hours on Thursday night are 5:30 pm to 8:00 am Friday morning. This camp does not meet on Friday night.

Survival Science Overnight Camp (includes a one night sleep over!)

Session 1: July 30-August 3, 5:30 - 8:30 pm

Campers will learn the science behind primitive technology and how to use it to survive in an emergency situation. Build your own survival kit and use it throughout the week in different real life scenarios. Learn how to make a fire with different common tools, how to make a solar still, and emergency medicine, make a primitive shelter and much more. This camp meets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:30 - 8:30 pm and concludes with a Thursday night sleepover in the museum. On Thursday night help cook a campfire dinner and then pitch a tent in the museum to stay the night until 8:00 am Friday morning. This camp does not meet on Friday night.

You can also register in person at Discovery Center or call Heather Abraham at (615) 890-2300. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at time of phone or in-person registration.