Campers will learn some of the theory and techniques behind visual art expression – and ways to explore and stretch their skills. They will learn a bit about color theory and design principles as they see examples all around them and apply themselves to their own imaginative 2D and 3D creations. Behind the scenes visits to the John L. Wehle Gallery and close up shadowing of Museum professionals will help them see – and create – in new ways.

Campers will learn some of the theory and techniques behind visual art expression – and ways to explore and stretch their skills. They will learn a bit about color theory and design principles as they see examples all around them and apply themselves to their own imaginative 2D and 3D creations. Behind the scenes visits to the John L. Wehle Gallery and close up shadowing of Museum professionals will help them see – and create – in new ways.

What can you paint with besides a brush… How about fabric, a stick, a cluster of leaves, or a blade of grass? How does light and shadow affect the shade you see and how might you paint or color it? Go on a hunt for art in the Historic Village and learn how we care for and display paintings and artifacts in the Gallery. And then craft your own masterpiece. This camp is all about staying curious, giving things a try, and nurturing the creative spirit in budding artists.

What can you paint with besides a brush… How about fabric, a stick, a cluster of leaves, or a blade of grass? How does light and shadow affect the shade you see and how might you paint or color it? Go on a hunt for art in the Historic Village and learn how we care for and display paintings and artifacts in the Gallery. And then craft your own masterpiece. This camp is all about staying curious, giving things a try, and nurturing the creative spirit in budding artists.

Every day is a new adventure when you are an Art Explorer! Campers will become immersed in beloved books that correspond with the various Play Zones at Explore & More. We will explore these stories through hands-on art projects that will challenge our imagination and encourage creativity. Campers will need to provide a snack and a water bottle daily. Ages: For children ages 4 – 5 (entering Kindergarten in September 2021) Date: Monday, July 19th – Friday, July 23rd Time: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Join Peter Pan for an adventure in Neverland. Get outfitted at the “lost boy” camp. Take part in a pirate treasure hunt, walk the plank, and create a mermaid lagoon. Off to Neverland we go!

Campers will spend half the day getting in touch with their inner fairy, or elf. They will make friends with nature as they explore the enchanted woodlands, discover interesting plants and animals, and see how far their imaginations can take them. They will also spend part the the day in Neverland. Get outfitted at the “lost boy” camp. Take part in a pirate treasure hunt, walk the plank, and create a mermaid lagoon. So much magic packed into one fun-filled week!

This camp is an opportunity for your child to get in touch with their inner fairy, or elf, and gain outdoor experiences that will last a lifetime. Participants will make friends with nature as they explore the enchanted woodlands, discover interesting plants and animals, and see how far their imaginations can take them. On Friday, join us for a forest festival with refreshments, and plenty of fairy fun and elf entertainment.

Dig up your passport and get outfitted for a safari expedition. Set up your safari camp, and go on a bug hunt. Through hikes, crafts, games, and stories we’ll spend the week in deep exploration and adventure.

Dig up your passport and get outfitted for a safari expedition. Set up your safari camp, and go on a bug hunt. Through hikes, crafts, games, and stories we’ll spend the week in deep exploration and adventure.

Dig up your passport and get outfitted for a safari expedition. Set up your safari camp, and go on a bug hunt. Through hikes, crafts, games, and stories we’ll spend the week in deep exploration and adventure.

If you need some help with your garden, enroll your budding green thumb in this five-day gardening and cooking camp. Kids will learn how to care for a plant from growing to harvesting, then they'll take the day's produce and make a healthy dish. As an added bonus, this camp features the “Farm to Table Program” hosted by Patti Green. The combined virtual and in-person program is approximately 75-90 minutes each day throughout the week, and it will be built into our daily camp schedule or you may participate in this portion virtually. We’ll participate in virtual field trips with local farmers and participate in hands-on cooking experiences highlighting local fresh seasonal ingredients. A little gardening here, a little cooking there, and your child will get experience in organic farming as well as how to prepare different types of vegetables. Don't worry: There's plenty of time for play inside Explore & More Museum, hikes around Canalside, games, arts and crafts, too. Sign them up for Farm to Fork Camp, and they'll come back with an advanced palate and a thumb greener than yours. Think of it as an investment in your family's mealtime future. For children ages 5 – 10

THREE DAYS! THREE HOURS a Day! Spectacular American Girl activities, play, and endless FUN!

IDareU2Bee is so excited to share with you our online summer camp experience that is filled with daily activities, live Zoom workshops, and courageous and kind DARES that will train your brain, grow your hearts and develop you to be the best you can be! Sometimes change is what the mind and body need to shake things up and allow us to build resilience to adversity so we can be the superheroes that can lead the world towards the greater good.

THREE DAYS! THREE HOURS a Day! Spectacular Under the Sea activities, play, and endless FUN!

THREE DAYS! THREE HOURS a Day! Spectacular Out of this World activities, play, and endless FUN!

Grab your lab coat and goggles and join us this summer at Explore & More’s Tinker Camp! Spend the week exploring STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) topics and design challenges that range from building robots to understanding rocket ships. Discover the true maker in you! For children ages 8 – 12

In this Live! Virtual Camp, participants take animation to the next level by learning how to create exciting three-dimensional stop-motion animated films.

Have fun learning open-hearth cooking during this hands-on class for girls and boys. Explore the museum gardens, and bring seasonal ingredients back to the kitchen. Learn how to correctly build a fire for open-hearth cooking and make simple 19th-century dishes. During the week students will also make their very own receipt (recipe) book to bring home.

Have fun learning open-hearth cooking during this hands-on class for girls and boys. Explore the museum gardens, and bring seasonal ingredients back to the kitchen. Learn how to correctly build a fire for open-hearth cooking and make simple 19th-century dishes. During the week students will also make their very own receipt (recipe) book to bring home.

A 19th-century adventure in decorative confections! Create fancy sweets such as candies, marzipan, cookies, pies and cakes. Record the receipts in your receipt book, so you'll be able to make masterpieces at home, as well.

For half of the day our youngest campers will be introduced to the Pioneer Farm and the animals that live there. Collect eggs, grind corn, listen to stories, sing songs, play games, and more. Visiting a farm has never been more fun! For the other half, they will learn all about how animals help people, people help animals, and animals help each other. They will spend time hiking the nature center trails and observing pond life. What a way to spend a summer day!

For half of the day our youngest campers will be introduced to the Pioneer Farm and the animals that live there. Collect eggs, grind corn, listen to stories, sing songs, play games, and more. Visiting a farm has never been more fun! For the other half, they will learn all about how animals help people, people help animals, and animals help each other. They will spend time hiking the nature center trails and observing pond life. What a way to spend a summer day!

During this unique class, our youngest campers will be introduced to the Pioneer Farm and the animals that live there. Collect eggs, grind corn, listen to stories, sing songs, play games, and more. Visiting a farm has never been more fun!

During this unique class, our youngest campers will be introduced to the Pioneer Farm and the animals that live there. Collect eggs, grind corn, listen to stories, sing songs, play games, and more. Visiting a farm has never been more fun!

Let’s get cooking, 19th-century style! Both boys and girls will enjoy this hands-on class, preparing several full meals made from fresh and seasonal ingredients. Learn how to make “toad in the hole,” Scotch eggs and chicken noodle soup from stock and noodles. Take home your own receipt (recipe) book with all the delicious dishes you learned during the week.

We know summer is just starting, but it is never too early to start preparing for school! In September, many children will be “leaving the nest” and going off on their own for the first time. No, we are not talking about going to college. We’re talking about little ones going to Kindergarten! For many kids, this will be the first time they spend away from their parents for an extended period. At Together to Kindergarten, young campers are set up for success by providing fun and educational activities based on the following Kindergarten Readiness Skill-Builders: fine motor skills (cutting, writing, using manipulatives for small motor tasks), large motor skills (large group games, balancing, climbing), social/emotional skills (socializing, making new friends, taking turns, sharing, good manners), language skills (speaking in a whole group setting, asking for assistance), reading skills (rhyming, recognizing patterns in stories, print awareness), and math skills (counting, patterning, measuring). Campers will get used to “school” routines and separating from parents while playing and learning in the various Play Zones at Explore & More. Campers will need to provide a snack and a water bottle daily. Ages: 4 – 5 (entering Kindergarten in September 2021) Date: Monday, August 23rd – Friday, August 27th Two Sessions: 9:00am-11:30am, Cost: $150 1:00pm-2:00pm, Cost: $75

Welcome to Game Design with Unreal Engine, Part 2!

Pack your bag and let’s get exploring! Children will travel the world and encounter a different country every day of the week through maker projects, artistic masterpieces, traditional games, and authentic foods, as they gain math, science, and cooking skills. Hands-on cooking lessons are built into the daily schedule. This isn’t your typical make-pizza-bagels-and-ice-cream-sundaes kiddie “cooking” class, either. As an added bonus, this camp features “Passport to the World Club Camp” hosted by Patti Green. The program will highlight a different country each of the five camp days, highlighting traditional foods and recipes. Each cooking class, approximately 75-90 minutes will be built into our daily camp schedule or you may participate in this portion virtually. During this week-long camp, all of the ingredients are pre-measured and included for campers to learn about how people live in different places around the world! *Timeframes will be provided to pick up materials at the museum for virtual program. Ages: 5 – 10 Date: Monday, July 12th – Friday, July 16th Time: 8:30am – 4:00pm