Summer Camps
Enjoy Summer Camps at the Museum!
Dive into the sciences this summer and investigate natural history through activities and hands-on exploration. Examine fossils, discover ancient cultures and meet some of the most interesting members of the animal kingdom.
June 11-15
DinoMania (AM 1)
Step aboard a time machine and discover the world of dinosaurs. What was the largest dinosaur to roam the Earth?
What did T. rex eat? Why is the Stegosaurus known as the "roof lizard?" Travel back in time
230 million years to explore the mysterious world of dinosaurs.
Awesome Arthropods (PM 1)
Investigate arthropods such as ants, beetles, crabs, lobsters and more. Compare and contrast their unique characteristics by
examining specimens and learn about their environments. Identify and observe these creatures as we tread lightly on their habitats!
June 18-22
Build It! (AM 2)
Discover why bridges stand and pyramids don't fall. Some of the world's greatest inventions are buildings we live in or
see every day. Learn the basics for creating strong structures and design your own!
Now You See Me (PM 2)
Hide and seek is a game of survival for predators and prey. See the game in a whole new light and learn from the
masters of disguise. Scour the globe to discover how animals hide in plain sight using color, pattern and sound!
Wild about Conservation (FC 1)
Endangered species need our help! See what researchers and advocates are doing in our area to preserve animal and
plant species. Then find out what you can do to help save wildlife and wild places.
June 25-29
A Whale of a Tale (AM 3)
Did you know dolphins, manatees and whales are mammals? Learn about these amazing creatures while exploring
their adaptations for aquatic environments.
Kitchen Chemistry (PM 3)
You don't need a lab to be a scientist! Every kitchen is a treasure trove of chemical reactions. Explore the chemistry
in your kitchen while experimenting with familiar items.
July 9-13
Magnificent Maps! (AM 4)
Discover the many different types of maps and how to read them! Explore ways maps are used to help predict
environmental changes, investigate archaeological sites and more. Then create your own "treasure" map for others to follow.
Fossil Freeway (PM 4)
Florida was once the home to terror birds, lions and giant sloths. Take a prehistoric road trip and learn about the different
epochs, eras and periods of Florida's fossil history.
Nature Photography (FC 2)
Photography is a wonderful way to see nature in a new light. Learn basic photography skills that will help you take amazing
photos in your own backyard. (Please note: Students provide their own digital cameras.)
July 16-20
Fantastic Forests (AM 5)
How many different birds live in a forest? What kind of food can you find right outside your door? Answer these questions and
more as you explore this unique and delicate ecosystem.
Mayans: Lords of the Land (PM 5)
What do chocolate, volcanic glass, and jaguars have in common? Learn about their importance to the Mayan culture in
the past and present. Explore Mayan contributions to your daily life and their impacts throughout the world.
July 23-27
Our Changing Planet (AM 6)
Journey to the center of the Earth and examine our planet's core. Investigate plate tectonics and volcanoes to learn how the
Earth is shaped and changed by inside forces.
Math Mysteries (PM 6)
Discover math all around you – from nature to your favorite websites. Use math skills and logic to solve puzzles and
brain teasers as you learn more about another side of math!
Adventures in Museum Collections (FC 3)
Do you have a cool collection? Have you ever wondered how museums obtain their collections and why they are important?
Follow researchers as they collect specimens in the field to bring back to their labs. Learn how collections are organized
and the importance of preservation!
July 30-Aug. 3
Sharks and Minnows (AM 7)
Sharks are fish too! From the great white shark to the colorful fish inhabiting coral reefs, learn about different fish living in
ocean environments around the world.
Artistic License (PM 7)
Art and science are partners in exploring the world around us. Investigate the creative side of science and ways artists
use science in their work. Then compare and contrast how art might be interpreted by artists and scientists and the impact
art has on both fields!
Camp Times & Fees
| Members / Non-members | ||
| AM (Morning) | 8:30 a.m. - noon | $120 / $130 |
| PM (Afternoon) | 1 - 4:30 p.m. | $120 / $130 |
| All Day (Best Value!) | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | $225 / $250 |
| Field Camps (FC: All Day) | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | $270 / $300 |
How to Register
Registrations are accepted by mail, fax or online only (printable forms will be posted in April). Classes will be filled in the order that registrations are received. You will be notified if your first choice(s) are not available. Confirmation letters will be mailed two weeks from receipt of registration.
Want to register EARLY and SAVE on summer camps? JOIN the Museum! Remember: Membership does NOT guarantee space in summer camps.
- Member registration begins March 5
- General registration begins March 19
Important Information
- Classes are designed for students enrolled in grades 1-6 for the 2012-2013 school year. Pre-registration is required.
- Students should dress for outdoor activities and full-day students should bring a sack lunch.
- Drop-off for the morning and full-day sessions is 8-8:30 a.m.
- Pickup for the morning session is noon-12:30 p.m.
- Drop-off for the afternoon session is 12:30-1 p.m.
- Pickup for the afternoon and full-day sessions is 4:30-5 p.m.
- During field camps, students are transported by trained staff members in a Museum van.
- Limited scholarships are available. Please call 352-273-2061 for more information.
- A refund (minus a $25 administrative fee per child, per class) will be issued if written cancellation is received no less than 10 working days prior to the beginning of a class.
- Registrations will be accepted by mail, fax, or online.
- Camps will be filled in the order registration forms are received.
- Confirmation letters will be mailed two weeks from receipt of registration.
- Waiting lists are available.
- For more information about Summer Camps, please call 352-273-2061.
Sponsor a Smile!
Help a deserving child in our community attend a Museum program. Camps create lasting friendships and memories through hands-on, minds-on activities and exploration. The Florida Museum offers scholarships for children in need. These scholarships are funded by donations from Members, volunteers and Museum friends like you! To make a donation and enrich the life of a child in our community, contact Tiffany Ireland at tireland@flmnh.ufl.edu or 352-273-2061.
More information on how you can support worthwhile programs at the Florida Museum.
Museum programs and activities are sponsored in part by the Florida Museum Associates Board.
Disclaimer: The Florida Museum of Natural History does not consider itself to be nor hold itself out as a dependent care center for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code.