Registration is open for Summer Day Camp at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands.
This year, the museum is offering all new summer camp subjects with a focus on activity, exploration, and good fun. A generous grant from the Community Foundation Serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties helps support this program and allows the museum to offer a limited number of camper scholarships as well.
· Session 1, June 25-29, Fun and Games Around the World
· Session 2, July 9-13, Activate FUN!
· Session 3, July 16-20, Expressions in Art
· Session 4, July 23-27, Investigating Animals in the Lab & Field
· Session 5, July 30-Aug 3, Fun and Games Around the World
All day camp sessions are held at the museum. Each session is five days, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Campers must be at least 7 years old and have finished first grade. The fee is $155 per child ($135 per child for members of the Museum Association); applications for scholarships can be requested from the museum’s education division at (909) 307-2669 ext. 256. Registration deadlines are one week before the first date of camp. Space is limited. Registration forms can be found on the museum website, www.sbcountymuseum.org, can be picked up at the museum’s front desk, or can be received by post or e-mail by calling 909-307-2669 x256.
“We’re taking Michele Obama’s ‘Let’s move!’ initiative to heart during summer camp this year,” said Jolene Redvale, the museum’s curator of education. “One of the camp sessions, ‘Activate FUN,’ is specifically designed around fitness, both in dietary choices and activities. But every session includes a healthy dose of old-fashioned action—we’ll be doing, not sitting around this summer!”
Parents and guardians are asked for opinions after their children complete a session of Summer Day Camp at the museum. Some of the comments received from past sessions include “Best thing you can do for the summer. Not just something to keep them busy; they are learning so much;” “My child has very fond memories of coming to Day Camp at the Museum;” “This is one of the best education based camps in our are – Top Notch;” and “Going to day camp at the Museum location is really unique and memorable.”
“The grant support from the Community Foundation enables us to expand the scope of our program,” continued Redvale, “and most importantly allows us to offer a limited number of scholarships for Summer Day Camp. These scholarships will cover the entire cost of one session of camp; they are limited to one session for one child per family. Recipients must fill out a scholarship application form and will be asked to demonstrate financial need.”
Fun and games around the world
People everywhere play games and have fun. Place and culture influence the games and toys people invent, but many concepts are universal. Campers will explore the world as they enjoy infinite possibilities for having fun. A blend of active play and brain games will provide campers with many outlets for creative play. Special care will be given to ensure age-appropriate choices for all throughout the week.
Activate FUN!
Staying healthy and fit is not just about the broccoli—dessert can be healthy, and exercise can be fun! Campers will play and invent fitness games, taste-test nutritious foods, set and improve personal goals, and end the week with a fabulous Burrito Cook-Off. Activate FUN rewards campers with activities they will want to do again and again, and share with family and friends. Kids will discover that being active and fueling their bodies for health can be social, energizing, and all about fun.
Expressions in art
Campers will explore art works by various artists to compare and contrast styles, technique, genre, and more. Using various media, they’ll explore the idea that art can be defined very broadly and there are many forms of personal expression. Every effort is valued as a product of the artist’s creative self. Plenty of free form exploration will complement activities that develop skill in design, technique and aesthetics. Each day will feature one of the five senses to fuel creativity.
Investigating animals in the lab and field
What foods do animals prefer? Can you train a mouse to learn a maze? Campers will find out as they observe, collect data, and record their findings, based upon the scientific method. Campers will even design their own research projects. Resident animals and observable wildlife guarantee this camp will be filled with animal encounters of the fun kind!
The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am to 5pm. General admission is $8 (adult), $6 (military or senior), $5 (student), and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sb countymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462.