Summer Camp

Kids playing at Discovery Camp

Discovery Camp is on hiatus until further notice. Please check back for updates.

MINI MOLECULES [GRADES K-2] DATES & THEMES

For Mini Molecules, a lifelong love of science starts with a spark! Through fun hands-on explorations, campers will develop an inquisitive approach to the world – asking questions, making connections, and cooperating with new friends!

Discovery Days | (Daily) June 15-19
Campers will get their hands dirty exploring the building blocks of chemistry that are slimy, fizzy, and flashy!

Slip, Slide, Swing | June 22-26 & July 27-31
Physics is more fun when you’re playing around! Using examples from the jungle gym to the arcade, campers will learn how the laws of motion are working when they are slipping, sliding, or swinging.

Robo-camp | June 29 -July 3 & Aug 3-7
Spark a curiosity for robots with an introduction to the mechanics, circuits, and coding that makes them tick.

Science Detectives | July 6-10 & Aug 10-14
Campers will look closely, inspect carefully, and use their senses to uncover secrets and solve daily mysteries.

Blast Off | July 13-17 & Aug 17-21 SOLD OUT
3...2...1...BLAST OFF! Strap in for a week of living and working in outer space like an astronaut. In this week of exploring new worlds and flying through space, campers will end each day with ideas that reach to the moon and back. 

Creature Features | July 20-24
For all of Earth’s creatures, survival is about adaptation. Find out what it takes to survive on our wild planet as we look at creatures big and small.

Discovery Days | (Daily) Aug 24-28
STEAM ahead for end of summer fun! Campers will get crafty with their science activities this week.

AWESOME ATOMS [GRADES 3-6] DATES & THEMES

Discovery is the name and science is the game when it comes to the Awesome Atoms. With activities developed to challenge critical thinking skills, inspire an excitement for STEM learning, and foster a community of the curious, these energetic camps are sure to leave a lasting impression on your campers!

Discovery Days | (Daily) June 15-19
Campers will get their hands dirty exploring the building blocks of chemistry with activities that are oozy and explosive.

Amusement Park Physics | June 22-26 & July 27-31
Physics is more fun when you use it to play games! In this inventive camp week, we will learn the laws of motion and develop our team working skills while creating our own camp playlands full of arcade games, mini golf, and more.

Robots | June 29-July 3 & Aug 3-7
Prepare to have your circuits blown while uncovering the building blocks of robotics! Discover what makes them tick as we build structures, wire circuits, and learn computer coding.

Whodunit?? | July 6-10 & Aug 10-14
Join us for a week of creative problem-solving as campers become crime scene investigators, working together, uncovering evidence, and solving a mystery!

Space Explorers | July 13-17 & Aug 17-21 SOLD OUT
Strap in for a week of exploration into living and working in outer space like an astronaut.

Critter Class | July 20-24 
For all of Earth’s creatures, survival is about adaptation. Find out what it takes to survive on our wild planet as we look at creatures big and small.

Discovery Days | (Daily) Aug 24-28
STEAM ahead for end of summer fun! Campers will get crafty with their science activities this week

EXCITED ELECTRONS [GRADES 7-9] DATES & THEMES

These summer programs for teens will dive deep into tech-based maker and tinkering projects every week using a combination of classic hands-on science experiments and cutting-edge technology like 3D printing and visual programming. Your campers will be encouraged to spread their wings with innovative thinking, collaboration, and creativity!

Arcade Engineers | June 22-26 & July 27-31
Explore the laws of motion and use the principles of physics to create amazing games that mix building materials and toys with tech-based tools like electronic circuits or 3D printing. 

Robot Shop | June 29-July 3 & Aug 3-7
Prepare to have your circuits blown in this robotics and coding camp! Become masters of the robot shop as you learn to control bots with block-based programming and experience some new ways that robots are living and working in the world around us. 

CSI | July 6-10 & Aug 10-14
Campers will examine forensic science techniques then work together to model and create their own mini-camp crime scene.

Mission: Moon | July 13-17 & Aug 17-21
Someday, living and working in space will require all astronauts to be makers too. Prepare for a mission to space by engineering spacecraft, 3D printing parts, or designing a game to occupy your long days in the first moon colony. 

Bugs to Beasts | July 20-24 
For all of Earth’s creatures, survival is about adaptation. Find out what it takes to survive on our wild planet as we look at creatures big and small.

RATES & REGISTRATION

To register, please call 215.448.1200 (Option 5) and have your payment method ready.

After registering your camper, please complete and submit the Permission and Information form.
 
Permission and Information Form
 
Please return Permission and Information Form to:
Discovery Camp
The Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

WEEKLY RATES

Book by March 16, 2020:
$364 per week: Members
$379 per week: Individuals

Book after March 16, 2020:
$364 per week: Members
$399 per week: Non-members

Early arrival 8:00am: $50 per week
Late departure 5:30pm: $60 per week

DAILY RATES (for June 15-19 and Aug 24-28 only)
$75 per day: Members
$90 per day: Individuals

Early arrival 8:00am: $10 per day
Late departure 5:30pm: $12 per day

BECOME A MEMBER

CAMP LOGISTICS

Download the 2020 Discovery Camp Survival Guide

  • All sessions run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Early arrival and late departure are available for an additional fee.

  • Campers receive a daily snack, time for lunch, and all activity supplies. Summer campers also receive a Discovery Camp T-shirt.

  • Campers are encouraged to bring a packed lunch but may purchase lunch from the on-site museum food service, Frog Commissary, for a flat rate of $10 per lunch.

  • Pick up and drop off happens on 20th street. If driving, you may pull up on 20th street for a few moments while you sign your camper in or out, as long as you have a copy of the Drop-Off Parking Placard clearly visible on your dashboard for the PPA.

  • Franklin Institute Members receive discounted Discovery Camp rates.

  • Learn more camp logistics in the Discovery Camp Survival Guide

IS YOUR CHILD READY FOR CAMP

Not sure if your child is ready for camp? If you can answer yes to the questions below, then they are! If your answer is no to a few, but your child is still really interested, feel free to contact the Camp Director (discovery.camp@fi.edu) to talk it through.

  • Is your child comfortable in a classroom with 15-25 other children?

  • Can your child handle an 8 hour day with no naps?

  • Is your child fully and consistently able to use bathroom with no adult assistance?

  • Is your child comfortable in a structured, scheduled environment?

  • Is your child comfortable interacting with children and staff from diverse backgrounds?

  • Does your child have the self-regulation skills to prevent them from hitting, kicking, biting, or running away?

SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year Discovery Camp offers scholarships for excellence in academics and leadership, as well as for those who are in need of financial assistance. Our goal is to provide children who express an interest in science an opportunity to attend a session of our summer day camp. Each scholarship awarded will cover one (1) week of Discovery Camp in 2020.

Download the 2020 Discovery Camp Scholarship Application

Due to the current school closures we are extending our scholarship application process. 

Priority Deadline: applications received or postmarked by 5:00 PM on Monday, March 30 will receive a response by Friday, April 3.
Final Deadline: applications must be received or postmarked by 5:00 PM on Monday, April 20. Responses will be emailed by Friday, May 1.

Make sure that all parts of the application packet are in one envelope and labeled Discovery Camp – Scholarships. You may submit the application packet in the following acceptable ways:

  1. You may mail applications packets to:
    The Franklin Institute
    Discovery Camp – Scholarships
    222 North 20th Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19103
     
  2. You may scan or photograph all needed documents and email to discovery.camp@fi.edu.

Please do not deliver applications to the museum. 

CONTACT CAMP

To register, call 215-448-1200 (option 5). For questions, email discovery.camp@fi.edu.