If your child is anything like my oldest, you’re probably looking for a science camp for this summer! Here is the KC Kids Fun listing of 2009 Kansas City area science and nature camps. Whether your kid is scientifically-inclined or just a nature-lover, there are some exceptional camps available around the metro for. Your first stop might be to check out the offerings of your local parks and rec department and then check out the super camps on our list (and on our General Day and Overnight Camps list).
(If you operate a Kansas City area day or overnight camp which is not listed here or in one of other other camp listings, please let us know! And if you’re interested in a Sponsored Listing, email us for information.)
Sponsored Listings:
Attend iD Tech Camps: Hands on Summer Tech Fun at the University of Kansas – Ages 7-17, beginner to advanced, create video games, websites with Flash®, digital movies, C++ or Java programs, graphic arts, robots, 3D models, and more. Visit www.internalDrive.com for specials. Save with code WD75.
Attend iD Tech Camps: Hands on Summer Tech Fun at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri – Ages 7-17, beginner to advanced, create video games, websites with Flash®, digital movies, C++ or Java programs, graphic arts, robots, 3D models, and more. Visit www.internalDrive.com for specials. Save with code WD75.
Wildwood Outdoor Education Center (LaCygne, KS) offers 5-day residential camps for ages 8 to 15. Programming includes traditional camp activities, outdoor education, adventures and fantastic self-esteeming building activities. One week is set aside for girls ages 10 to 15 with an emphasis on leadership skills and self-esteem.
Wonderscope (Shawnee, KS) Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City offers unique camps for children ages 5-10. Camps encourage learning through the power of play and include themes from space to animals to inventions and more! 913-287-8888.
Regular Listings:
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Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center (Kansas City, MO) offered a Discovery Camp and an Outdoor Skills Camp for older elementary school kids and middleschoolers last summer. Check back on their website as we get closer to summer for details on this summer’s activities.
- Bear River Ranch Cub Creek Science Camp (Rolla, MO) has a residential summer camp for boys and girls, ages 7 to 16. The ultimate animal camp!
- Camp Invention (several locations – KCK, Shawnee & Spring Hill, KS) is a hands-on science and creativity camp for grades 1 thru 6. Lots of different offering. Really interesting and something to check out!
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Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center (Olathe, KS) hosts outdoor discovery camps for children ages 6-12. Hikes, environmental games and nature crafts are centered around a weekly theme. These camps fill up quickly!!
- Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers 39 summer camp programs for ages 3-18. Included are camps focusing on nature, dinosaurs, science, hiking and fishing! Dates, locations and fees vary.
- Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center Camps (Hutchinson, KS) has space camps for kids in grades 7 thru 10. This is an overnight camp and scholarships are available.
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Kansas City Zoo Summer Camps (Kansas City, MO) offers some really neat week-long science and animal-related day camps for all ages.
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Kansas Starbase (Kansas City, KS) is a really cool camp for kids who have finished 4th, 5th or 6th grades. 4 “Academies” are offered: the Traditional one allows kids to discover and apply principles of aviation and rocketry. The Robotics Academy uses special Lego robotics kits! Kids can even build and launch rockets in Rocketry Academy, or peek into the future at Space Exploration Academy.
- KU Survivor Engineering Camp (Lawrence, KS) -KU Survivor is a weeklong, guys-only intensive learning camp July 19-24 for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors, hosted by the University of Kansas School of Engineering. The camp lets students explore the different engineering disciplines through classes led by KU faculty. The camp costs $500 and covers housing, meals and laboratory materials. To sign up, download the registration form at our website or contact our recruiting staff at (785) 864-3402 or studyengineering@ku.edu.
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Lakeside Nature Center (Kansas City, MO) offers a Summer of Science camp for kids from 6 to 12. Each day ends in the Camp Lake of the Woods pool!
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Exchange City & EarthWorks (Kansas City, MO) – Our CuriosityCamps focus on fun mixed with academics! At Exchange City®, citizen campers, ages 10-14, become business entrepreneurs running a thriving city. Camps offered June 8-12 & July 13-17. At EarthWorks®, scientist campers, ages 8-12, become wildlife biologists exploring the fragile nature of wildlife including fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. Camps offered June 22-26 & July 6-10. Financial assistance available. Visit our website for details. Enroll online. 816.751.4100. www.lx.org
- Mad Science KC (various locations) is offering several camps this summer for kids from preschool thru grade 6. They’ll learn about things such as rockets, NASA, earth sciences and robots. And it’ll be super fun!
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Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary (Northland) has a fantastic summer program called EGADS (Earth Guardians Adventure Days). There are a variety of offerings including outdoor exploration, games, crafts and songs. There are camps for children from preschool through ninth grade.
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Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library (Kansas City, KS) is an environmental learning center located at Wyandotte County Lake Park. This summer, the Schlagle Library will have a nature day camp for preschoolers, an outdoor discovery day camp for elementary age children, Destination Science camp for middleschoolers and a World of Flight camp also for middleschoolers. The older kids will have the option of spending one overnight at the camp during their session. Check these out – the prices are unbelievably good!
- Outdoor Education Laboratory (south Johnson County, KS) is open to campers from kindergarten thru 6th grade. Kids get down and dirty, spending the day outside in the forest, learning about nature and science in a very hands-on and very fun environment. This camp is EXTREMELY popular – sign up quick!
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Parkville Nature Sanctuary (Parkville, MO) offers three-day nature camps, exploring the trails, learning trail safety, discovering wild animal habitats, identifying trees and other nature-related activities. For ages 8 to 10. Spend three days in the woods!
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Powell Gardens (Kingsville, MO – east of Lee’s Summit) is once again offering its incredible Summer Explorations program this year. Camps are offered for kids ages 9 to 14. Nature Explorers (for the younger set) will cover plant and water science. Ecology Explorers (for the older kids) explores sustainable living and “green” issues. Camps run from 9am to 3pm but extended care is available!
- Project Discovery (Lawrence, KS) – Project Discovery is a weeklong residential summer camp for high school girls interested in engineering (two sessions: June 14-20 or July 12-18). Campers work closely with KU faculty and graduate students as they complete an engineering project. Participants get an up close view of KU and engineering facilities. The cost is $400 and covers housing, on-campus transportation, meals and laboratory materials. To learn more, contact Florence Boldridge, Director of Diversity & Women’s Programs for the School of Engineering, fboldridge@ku.edu, or (785) 864-3620, or, if you’re ready, download the registration form on our website.
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Science City (Kansas City, MO) offers summer camps for kids ages 6 to 12. Hands-on activities keep your kids interested in weekly themes related to biology, chemistry, engineering and space. They have great hours for working parents – definitely check this one out.
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UMKC – Kansas City Summer Transportation Institute (Kansas City, MO) is a unique camp for high schoolers focused on various aspects of the transportation industry including career exploration in the transportation sector, skill building, teamwork and college preparation. A great opportunity for your older ones!
- Wilderness Science Center Summer Environmental Workshop (south Overland Park, KS) is sponsored by the Blue Valley School District and is open to kids grades K thru 5. One week sessions, half-day programs.
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William Jewell College (Liberty, MO) hosts week-long residential camps for 7th and 8th grade boys and girls. Campers have the opportunity to engage in activities related to biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science. The camp curriculum also emphasizes leadership development and teambuilding. Evening activities are generally less formal. Scholarships are available!
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Wonderscope (Shawnee, KS) Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City offers unique camps for children ages 5-10. Camps encourage learning through the power of play and include themes from space to animals to inventions and more! 913-287-8888.
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YMCA (20 locations in the metro) offers camps for 5-15 year olds and run June 1- August 7. Bonus: before and after-camp care is available, as is financial assistance.
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YouthTech Inc. (various locations) sponsors technology camps through other entities like Pembroke Hill, Barstow, Blue Valley Recreation and other parks & rec camps. Check their website for more info on great computer camps like 3D game design, web design, animation and robotics.
