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Registration

Madison Children’s Museum’s summer day camps are the perfect combination of fun and learning! Registration for 2012 Summer Camps is now under way. Download your camp registration form here.

Junior/Senior Camps

For children entering grades 2–6 in the fall

June 18–22

Biomimicry (9 a.m.–1 p.m.)
How would you like to climb walls like a gecko, live in a termite mound or ‘see’ at night like a bat? Become inspired by nature’s best biological ideas and find out what we can learn from natural wonders. Explore biomimicry in engineering, technology, science, invention and art, and help us live more sustainably on our planet.

Local Treasures (1–5 p.m.)
Become a local treasure hunter as we explore our neighborhood around Capitol Square. Using a variety of mobile media, campers will interview residents, business owners, politicians, and people on the street to find out why they come to the Square.  We will investigate foodways, transportation methods, art, and many other cultural traditions found in this unique neighborhood.

June 25–29

Young Explorers (9 a.m.–1 p.m.)
Learn about animals, habitats, trees, life cycles, and adaptations through hands-on exploration. Take a tree walk, visit the Dane County Farmers’ Market, conduct science experiments, and investigate living organisms.

Mission Impossible-opolis (1–5 p.m.)
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to join the Possible-opolis team in a creative problem-solving camp using found materials and recycled goods to make towers, bridges, and other amazing constructions.

Senior Camps

For children entering grades 4–6 in the fall

July 2–6 

Nature Photography (9 a.m–1 p.m.) No camp on July 4.
Learn the basics of nature photography and sketching in nature. This fun-filled week will include photography field trip expeditions and gallery tours. Children will work with museum staff and guest photographers to create sun prints, hand-tinted photos, and film and digital photographs, and will create an exhibition for the Museum’s Art Gallery.

Amazing Automata (1–5 p.m.) No camp on July 4
Explore the creative and kinetic art of Automata and find out more about this fascinating art form which combines whimsy with simple machines. Design and build your own moving sculpture using recycled materials to take home with you.

July 9–13

Rooftop Ramble (9 a.m.–1 p.m.)
Take part in a week-long adventure on a living urban green roof that includes a chicken coop, homing pigeons, greenhouse, vegetable and herb gardens, alternative energy demonstrations, and native Wisconsin animal collections.  Hands-on activities allow kids to explore gardening, cooking, chicken-keeping, composting and outdoor games on the rooftop of the museum.

LEGO Lab (1–5 p.m.)
Step into our LEGO Lab and experiment with different motors, sensors, and various doodads to design and build your own robotic contraption.

July 16–20

Project FUNway (9 a.m.–1 p.m.)
Have you ever wondered how clothes are designed? In this camp we will look at some of the newest fashion trends, take a trip to rummage through recycled material and purchase fabrics. With guidance from local artists you will learn all you need to turn creative fashion ideas into one of-a-kind-creations. After choosing fabrics, making design drawings and learning stitches and sewing techniques you can bring your vision to life.

 Native Madison (1–5 p.m.)
History comes alive as students discover the history of Native Americans in the Madison area. With hands-on activities at the Brand Log Cabin and at various locations in Madison students will learn about the past and present histories of Native Americans in the Four Lakes region, and how these rich cultures have shaped our community as we see and experience it today.

July 23–27

Build Your Own Opera, Week 1 (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) Week one of two-week session
Music, theater, and design come together as teaching artists from the museum and Opera for the Young help children create and perform their very own opera. Campers will work as a group to tell a story with music and create an original production design, all while learning about the many elements of an opera.

Space Science and Rocketry (1–5 p.m.)
Come blast off with us and learn about the wonders of our solar system, galaxy, and universe. Activities will mix exploration of aviation, weather, and space travel with creativity, art and design culminating in making and launching your very own hot-air balloon and rocket!

July 30–Aug. 3 

Build Your Own Opera, Week 2 (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) Week two of two-week session (see week one for description)

World in Motion Camp (1–5 p.m.)
Hop from continent to continent to learn how people all over the world move using dance, games, and exercise. No passport required! Join us for a week of Tai Chi, Capoeira, Yoga, African Dance, and cultural games throughout the museum and various locations around the Capitol.

Fees

Regular session: $120/child
July 2–6 sessions: $100/child (four-day camp week)
Build an Opera: $240/child (two-week camp)
MCM member discount: 10 percent discount on all camp fees

Scholarships

Access for Everyone scholarships are available for summer camps; just view and complete the 2012 Summer Camps Scholarship Application Form to see if your child qualifies.