Yesterday we wrote about how our local museums are still working on and rolling out their re-openings. But for those parents who depend on the great summer camp experiences our museums provide for area kids each year, don’t worry. Most have taken their summer educational programs online…which is not only great for local parents needing to occupy their offspring this summer, but also extends the reach of these great camps since you don’t have to worry about transportation. Here are some of the offerings:
Natural History Museum’s Adventures in Nature Day Camp
The Natural History Museum’s of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) popular summer science enrichment camp, Adventures in Nature (AIN) Day Camp is going online with four sessions this summer starting July 6 – July 31.
Participants can explore new topics each week, from dinosaurs to dire wolves, to alligator lizards and the creatures off the coast of Los Angeles, all from the safety of home.
Adventures in Nature Connected Program Themes
July 6-10 – Dinosaurs – Imagine life for these giants of the past.
July 13-17 – Wild L.A. – Explore the wildlife that calls Los Angeles “home.”
July 20-24 – Oceans – Dive deeper into the life off of our coasts.
July 27-31- La Brea Tar Pits – Explore the Ice Age by learning about fossils found at La Brea Tar Pits.
Each week includes:
- An at-home DIY activities kit that includes a workbook with activity instructions and activity materials for five days of engagement. Campers can do these activities at their leisure and away from the computer screen with minimal parent involvement.
- Virtual camp groups three times a week, with camp staff leading lessons and activities for 60 minutes without parent supervision (Monday, Wednesday, Friday).
- Webinars twice a week in which campers can watch an online presentation or tour without parent supervision (Tuesday and Thursday).
Thanks to community partners, NHMLAC has scholarships available. NHMLAC will also be providing free summer camp kits to three L.A. County pop-up childcare centers serving families at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center, Olive View – UCLA Medical Center, and the Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center (CARES).
Cost: $75 for non-Members, $60 for Members.
To become a Member, visit NHMLAC.ORG/join and support our current educational mission, research, and community outreach.
Registration is now available. Visit NHM.ORG/adventures-nature for more information.
California Science Center’s Hands-On (Virtual) Science Camp
The California Science Center ‘s long-running Hands on Science Camp has also moved online, with explorations for kids from PreK through 8th grade. The week-long classes meet virtually for 90 minutes each day. They include interactive virtual tours of the museum’s exhibits, live demonstrations, question and answer sessions with on-site scientists and animal care staff, and hands-on activities available for curbside pickup (free) or delivered right to your door (for a $20 delivery fee). And as always, the camp instructors are trained educators who hold degrees in science and/or education.
This year, there are two main themes for the classes: STEM-Park (with classes Astro Land, Science Adventureland, and Extreme Park), and Science: More Than Meets the Eye (with classes Teeny Tiny Science, Honey I Shrunk the Scientists, Into the Unseen, and Undetectable Spectacle). There’s also a nifty Hands On Science Camp in a Box, for kids who’d rather work at their own pace.
Cost per week-long class is $115 for Science Center members and $125 for non-members, with a limited number of scholarships available.
LACMA Virtual Summer Art Camp
LACMA is offering “safe, creative, and fun workshops inspired by LACMA’s collection and led by a team of creative museum educators and artists.” According to the museum, “campers experiment with materials and learn art techniques in a video chat studio with other kids. The week culminates with a virtual art show!”
The Virtual Summer Art Camps are designed for children age 6 and older, and those under 12 must have adult supervision. Classes are one week each, and meet Monday-Friday, with hours depending on the specific class. Sessions are 90 minutes per day, with one art kit provided for each student (via curbside pickup).
Registration began on June 10 (a couple of classes have sold out – see below – but most are still available and those that are full do have waiting lists). Offerings include:
Ages 6–9
July 13–17, 10 am–Noon
Power of Patterns, Portraits, and Paper!
(Sold out/waitlist available)
July 20–24, 10–Noon
Mythical Gardens and Labyrinths (taught in Spanish)
July 27–31, 10 am–Noon
Beautiful Birds, Botany, and Books
(Sold out/waitlist available)
Ages 10–13
July 6–10, 10 am–Noon
¡Art Fiesta! (taught in Spanish and English)
July 13–17, 10–Noon
Art and Dreams (taught in Spanish and English)
July 20–24, 10 am–Noon
Electric Art
August 3–7, 10 am–Noon
Focus on Painting
Teens (Ages 13–17)
July 6–10, 1–3 pm
Comic Art
July 13–17, 1–3 pm
Watercolor
July 27–31, 1–3 pm
Mixed Media Painting
Full descriptions of each class, along with registration links, are available at https://www.lacma.org/education/art-camp?tab=virtual-summer-art-camp-2020#virtual-summer-art-camp-2020. For more information, call LACMA’s Art Camp Coordinator at (323) 857-6139. Cost is $125 per class for LACMA members, and $135 for non-members.
