Multi Day Camps
Curating Creativity
Explore the GRPM with an all access pass behind the curtain! Meet the teams that run the Museum and learn about their jobs, dive deep into the Museum’s archives, and learn what it takes to create an exhibit. You’ll put your learning into action as you work with a team to create a mini-exhibit to be showcased on the last day of camp.
Dates:
- Â June 15 – June 18, 9 a.m. to noon
Planetarium Masters
Are you a star gazer or have you dreamed of exploring deep space? Work side by side with planetarium experts to learn about planetary topics and develop a show for the GRPM’s Chaffee Planetarium. Campers will present their planetarium masterpieces on the last day of camp.
Dates:
- Â July 20 – July 23, 9 a.m. to noon
Museum in Focus: A Photography Journey
Grab your cameras! The natural history of Grand Rapids and the Museum Collections serve as inspiration for campers to create their own photographic masterpieces. Explore the Museum and surrounding area while interacting and learning from professional photographers. Campers will learn the basics of photo editing, photo effects, portrait, landscape, urban photography and spend some time with Museum curators learning about photographing objects in the Museums collection. On the last day, campers will share their favorite images with family and friends through a printed exhibit display. Cameras can be borrowed from the Museum or brought from home.
Dates:
- Â August 3 – August 6, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Kitchen Crash Course
Join Chef Lauren for a one of a kind culinary camp at the Museum. This hands on experience blends food science and creativity. Campers will explore the science behind everyday meals, learn how ingredients work together, and experiment with flavor. They will put their new learning to the test as they create their own signature dish combining the skills and knowledge they gained during the week. Whether you are a budding chef or just love to cook, this camp is the perfect way to unleash your culinary potential!
Dates:
- Â July 28 – July 30, 1:30 p.m. –Â 4:30 p.m.
New! Whitewater Warriors
Plunge into a week of science and adventure as you explore the Grand River. Test the water quality from Grand River water samples, meet scientists and experts in the field, and explore some of the tiny macroinvertebrates that call this area home. If you love STEM challenges, environmental science, and hands-on investigation, this camp will level up your skills and your curiosity!
Dates:
- June 23 – June 25, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
New! GeoQuest
Embark on an adventure millions of years in the making! Campers will explore the museum’s incredible rocks, minerals, and fossils collection, learning how to identify minerals with real geology tools and uncover the secrets hidden in stone. Go behind the scenes, meet real experts in the field, and investigate fossils that tell the story of ancient life on Earth. With hands-on labs, fossil digs, and science challenges, you’ll solve the mysteries of the natural world.
Dates:
- July 7 – July 9, 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Family Handbook.
Every summer, the Museum offers camps for preschool through high school students. Some camps are offered each year while others are specific to the exhibits in the Museum. Some of our popular themes include: fossils, slime, LEGO®, watersheds, and space. We offer one day camps on Mondays and Fridays and three day camps from Tuesday to Thursday. We host AM (9am-12pm) sessions as well as PM (1:30-4:30) sessions. Our goal is to open up the Museum as a learning lab to inspire curiosity.
The GRPM may cancel camp with insufficient enrollment or for any emergency reason; registrants will be notified by a camp director via email and given a full refund. There are no refunds after the start of class. Campers are not enrolled until complete payment is received. The GRPM will not prorate or offer make-up days for student absences. If campers need to cancel their registration, the Museum will provide a full refund if it is two weeks or more before the start of the Camp session. The Museum will offer a 50% refund on cancellations one week prior to a scheduled Camp date. No refunds will be given for cancellations less than one week prior to the Camp’s start date.
Check in will take place on the first floor at the table set up by
the A is for Auto exhibit. This table will open 15 minutes prior to
the start of the camp session. Morning sessions start at 9am and
afternoon session begins at 1:30. Campers will check in, receive
a camp shirt, and be instructed where their classroom is by
museum staff. If another adult will be picking up your camper
from camp, inform the camp instructor so that they can make
note of the change. Doors to the camp classrooms will open 15
minutes prior to the start of camp. This ensures camp instructors
have adequate time to prepare for the best camp experience
possible.
The GRPM’s parking ramp is located behind the Holiday Inn and across the street from the Blue Bridge. The parking ramp offers a 30 minute drop off and pick up window. This will offer adequate time to drop off or pick up your camper without having to pay for parking.
Campers should bring a water bottle and a peanut-free snack for snack time. Campers are also encouraged to wear comfortable shoes to walk around the museum and participate in possible outdoor activities. Please encourage your camper to leave electronics, toys, valuables, money, and trading cards at home for safe keeping. The GRPM is not responsible for any lost items. Items that are left at camp will be brought to the security office where they can be picked up. Items left beyond the summer camp season will be donated to local charities.
Campers are required to be able to use the bathroom independently. We are not authorized to assist campers with toileting needs. If your child has health concerns or requires additional support in this area, a parent or another adult is encouraged to stay with the camper.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is committed to providing a safe and fun learning environment for all of our campers. If a camper’s behavior is disruptive or unsafe to the Camp Curious program or experience of other campers, the following steps will be taken. Disruptive and unsafe behavior include but are not limited to: bullying, inappropriate language or actions, and destruction of Museum property.
- The camp instructor will pull aside the camper to talk about the disruptive behavior and remind them of camp expectations.
- If the behavior continues, the instructor will contact a camp director. The director will pull the camper aside to discuss what has been going on in camp. The parent/guardian will also be called and informed of their campers choices and the negative impact it is having on the camp.
If the unsafe or disruptive behavior persists, the camper will be removed from the camp by the camp director and the parent/guardian will be asked to come pick up the camper.
Prior to removal from camp, staff will make every effort to
provide an opportunity for the child to be successful in the
program. If a camper’s behavior posses an immediate danger
to themselves, other campers, or staff; the camper will be
sent home immediately. Examples of dangerous behavior
include: Hitting, kicking, biting, running away from the
group, or using objects as a weapon. If a camper is removed
from camp for behavior reasons, no refund will be issued.
First aid kits are located in each classroom and throughout the museum. If a minor accident or injury occurs such as a bump or scrape, the parent/guardian will be notified at the time of pick up. If the accident or Injury is serious (head injury, excessive bleeding, broken limb. etc) the parent/guardian will be notified immediately and museum security will run an accident report. In the event that a camper needs to go to the hospital via ambulance, a staff member will accompany the child to the hospital until the parent/guardian arrives.
Camp Curious staff is not allowed to administer medication. If your camper requires an epi-pen or inhaler, make sure that your camper brings the required medication in their camp bag and inform the instructor.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is not a nut free building. We encourage campers to bring nut free snack and we will inform families at drop off if food is being used during camp for learning activities. If your child has an allergy, please communicate that with the instructor on the first day of camp.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is committed to making all guests feel welcome.
