Camps
Where Curiosity Meets Fun
Our ScienceWorks camps provide an exciting opportunity for young scientists to explore, create, and discover during school breaks and holidays. Designed to foster hands-on learning and inspire curiosity, our camps offer a supportive and engaging environment where kids can dive into STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics), make new friends, and build valuable skills. Each camp is thoughtfully crafted to spark imagination and provide fun, educational experiences that will last a lifetime.
Our experienced educators are dedicated to supporting every camper's unique learning style and needs, including those with ADHD and other learning differences. With individualized attention and inclusive teaching methods, we ensure all learners feel comfortable, supported, and empowered to explore their passions and thrive in a dynamic, enriching environment.
Upcoming Camps
All camp prices include a $50 non-refundable deposit.
Find our camp F.A.Q. below
Volcano Camp:
An Evening Camp for Kids
Sunday, May 25
Ages: 4 and up
6 to 8 PM
$15 members | $20 non-members
A Comedy Show for Adults, and Mini-Camp for Kids!
The kids get hands-on, and you get hands-off! While Ben Miller’s Volcano: A Science Comedy Show serves up laughs (and lava facts) for adults, kids ages 4 and up can join our volcano-themed mini-camp next door. Campers will build their own salt-dough volcanoes, then make them erupt for their grown-ups after the show.
Ben’s comedy is recommended for ages 18+, so we’re giving parents a stress-free night out—complete with beer and wine available for purchase—while our instructors keep the kids entertained.
Tickets for the comedy show and mini-camp are sold separately, so book both or just the one that suits your night.
NEW Summer Camp
Counselor-in-Training
June 9 - August 22
Ages: 13 - 15
10 AM to 2 PM
This summer, ScienceWorks is launching an exciting Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program for youth ages 13 - 15! CITs will develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while assisting camp instructors with activities, crafts, and games. They’ll receive hands-on training and mentorship from senior staff, gaining real-world experience and confidence. This is a fantastic opportunity for responsible, energetic young people to make a difference and develop valuable skills while having fun. Don’t miss your chance to grow, lead, and inspire at ScienceWorks this summer!
Summer Camp:
Awesome Oregon
June 9 - 13
Ages: 6 - 12
9 AM to 3 PM
Explore the wonders of Oregon in Awesome Oregon summer camp! Campers will create their own nature journals, exploring the history of scientific illustration while adding notes, sketches, and specimens. Hands-on activities include wildfire ecology, native tree identification, “Scat Kitchen” (yes, edible poop!), and building mini beaver dams. Science and adventure await!
Summer Camp:
Creature Creator
June 16 - 20
Ages: 6 - 12
9 AM to 3 PM
Unleash your imagination at Creature Creator Camp, where campers explore the worlds of biology and engineering through hands-on, creative activities! Design robotic animals for a "petting zoo", craft magnetic-moving slime, and fuse toy parts in Franken-animals. Plus, investigate animal hearing by designing and wearing your own bioenginEARed ears!
This fan-favorite camp runs twice! Each session covers the same exciting activities—choose the week that works best for you.
Summer Camp:
Flying Inventions
June 23 - 27
Ages: 6 - 12
9 AM to 3 PM
Take flight at Flying Inventions Camp! In partnership with Ashland Aerial Arts, campers will experience the thrill of wall dancing on the exterior of the ScienceWorks building! Plus, they’ll engineer egg-saving vehicles in the Egg Drop Challenge and design, build, and test parachutes in a high-flying workshop.
Summer Camp:
Chromatic Quest
June 30 - July 3
Ages: 6 - 12
9 AM to 3 PM
Embark on a Chromatic Quest and explore the science and art of color! Campers will experiment with color mixing, create natural fabric dyes from plants, and craft prism-inspired art. They’ll also build their own spectroscopes to discover how light reveals hidden details about the world. A vibrant adventure in science and creativity!
Summer Camp:
Pokemon Academy
July 7 - 11
Ages: 6 - 12
9 AM to 3 PM
Calling all Pokémon trainers! Pokémon Academy is the ultimate camp for fans who want to explore real-world science through their favorite creatures. Create glowing Pokémon cards with paper circuits, design your own board game, and dig into Pokémon paleontology. Plus, test your skills in a biomimicry hide-and-seek challenge!
This fan-favorite camp runs twice! Each session covers the same exciting activities—choose the week that works best for you.
Kids in Space: An Original "Space Rock" Musical
July 8 - August 17
Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays
Ages: 11 - 13
12 to 4 PM
We’re thrilled to announce a new camp experience that just got added to our offerings this summer: Kids in Space is a 6-week theatrical journey blending science, storytelling, and outer space imagination, created in partnership with the incredible team at
The Human Stage. Campers will workshop an original space rock musical—developing characters, building set pieces, and learning the ropes both on stage and behind the scenes. Whether your child is a performer, a maker, a musician, or just loves science fiction, there’s a place for them on this interstellar adventure.
Summer Camp:
Leonardo's Workshop
July 14 - 18
Ages: 6 - 12
9 AM to 3 PM
Step into Leonardo’s Workshop and explore the fusion of art and science! In this hands-on camp, young inventors will create mini museum dioramas, illustrate scientific notebooks, and dissect frogs. They’ll also study Da Vinci’s flying machines, building paper helicopters, airplanes, and LEGO launchers. Unleash your creativity and curiosity in a camp inspired by one of history’s greatest minds!
Summer Camp:
Life in Orbit
July 21 - 25
Ages: 6 - 12
9 AM to 3 PM
Explore life on the International Space Station at Life in Orbit Camp! Campers will embark on a virtual reality tour of the ISS, conduct exciting microgravity experiments like launching Alka-Seltzer rockets, build robotic arms out of cardboard, and design mini models of astronaut habitats. Dive into hands-on activities and discover the science behind space exploration while having fun!
Summer Camp:
Creature Creator (Repeat)
July 28 - August 1
Ages: 6 - 12
9 AM to 3 PM
Unleash your imagination at Creature Creator Camp, where campers explore the worlds of biology and engineering through hands-on, creative activities! Design robotic animals for a "petting zoo", craft magnetic-moving slime, and fuse toy parts in Franken-animals. Plus, investigate animal hearing by designing and wearing your own bioenginEARed ears!
This fan-favorite camp runs twice! Each session covers the same exciting activities—choose the week that works best for you.
Summer Camp:
Pokemon Academy (Repeat)
August 4 - 8
Ages: 6 - 12
9 AM to 3 PM
Calling all Pokémon trainers! Pokémon Academy is the ultimate camp for fans who want to explore real-world science through their favorite creatures. Create glowing Pokémon cards with paper circuits, design your own board game, and dig into Pokémon paleontology. Plus, test your skills in a biomimicry hide-and-seek challenge!
This fan-favorite camp runs twice! Each session covers the same exciting activities—choose the week that works best for you.
Summer Camp:
STEAM Storytelling
August 11 - 15
Ages: 6 - 12
9 AM to 3 PM
Unleash your creativity at STEAM Storytelling Camp! Explore the science behind fairy tales through fun activities like building castles and designing armor, investigating invisible ink and creating treasure maps. Learn about transparency with shadow puppets, and experiment with DIY disguises to explore how appearance communicates identity. Perfect for young storytellers and curious minds!
Summer Camp:
Junkyard Orchestra
August 18 - 22
Ages: 6 - 12
9 AM to 3 PM
Get ready to make music out of…junk! At Junkyard Orchestra Camp, campers dive into the science of sound and the engineering behind musical instruments. Activities include crafting zithers and shoebox guitars, and investigating how materials like wood and string affect sound production. Explore acoustics and discover how our ears interpret different sounds. By the end of the week, campers will showcase their creations in a final concert for family and friends.
Camp Frequently Asked Questions
When is camp?
- During most Ashland School District holidays between September and April.
- Every week of summer, starting the first full week after Ashland School District dismissal and ending the last full week of August before school starts.
- Camps are held from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Can you tell me more about the age groups?
- Beginner Group is for kids who have completed Kindergarten, ages 6-7.
- Intermediate Group is ages 8-9.
- Advanced Group is ages 10-12.
What should my child bring to camp?
- Lunch, 2 snacks, and water
- Comfortable clothing that can get wet or messy
- Closed toe shoes they can run in
- Do not bring money, phones, toys, weapons, or valuable items
How much does summer camp cost?
- $330/camper (Non-member price)
- $295/camper (Museum member price)
- Some camps vary in price due to fewer days or extra opportunities like our Ashland Aerial Arts classes during our Flying Inventions week.
What are your policies for pollution and smoke?
- Camp staff will regularly check air pollution levels and keep campers inside if it becomes smokey and risky to be outside (AQI over 100).
When and where is drop off and pick up?
- Drop off is in your child’s classroom between 8:45 and 9:00, except on Tuesdays when we meet across Walker Ave at the middle school due to the Grower’s Market. We are unable to accept campers any earlier.
- Pick up is outside on the Plaza or in the classroom at 3:00 pm. Any campers picked up late will incur a late fee of $1 per minute after 3:05
What if I need to drop off or pick my child up early or late?
- Contact the Education department with at least 48 hours notice to arrange early pick up or late drop off.
What if my child will be absent?
- Contact Education department with at least 48 hours notice or as soon as you know in the case of illness.
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Testimonials
As a low-income family having a place like ScienceWorks available to us has been amazing. We have enjoyed every event we have attended, as well as the regular time spent in the museum. Having the opportunity to attend a summer camp was very meaningful for my child and we hope we can do it again!
-Local Parent, Summer 2024
Our staff are heroes who inspire the next generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers. Without the work they do, we would not have a ScienceWorks.
-Piper Von Chamier, ScienceWorks Board President
I am so appreciative of the efforts you and your team put into making the camp an inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming environment. I highly recommend your camp to other families and look forward to the opportunity for my son to engage in camp again next summer. Thank you for everything you do to create such a positive and enriching experience for the kids.
-Local Parent, Summer 2024
