Summer Camp

Explore the amazing world of fossils. Learn how fossils are formed, discovered, and used to help us understand Earth’s past. Participate in a fossil dig and create your very own fossil! Think and act like a true paleontologist as you explore, ask questions, and find answers to the mystery of prehistoric life. Continue your discoveries with a bonus trip to the Grand Rapids Public Museum during one of your five days of fossil fun.

Dates: June 8 – 12
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $60
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Join us as we explore the amazing world of animal senses. Observe and handle creatures with extraordinary eyes, fantastic feelers, and other sense-ational senses.  Learn how animals use their senses to survive in their environment and use LEGO® Education WeDo robots to explore the science of senses.

Dates: August 3 – 7
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $60
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Our campers begged for more—and we delivered with an expanded all-day experience! Explore the world of animal adaptations in this week-long camp with double the discovery! Study animal behavior, observe structural traits, and discover what helps animals survive in the wild. Learn about a variety of species including invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles through hands-on investigations; and build your animal expertise as you learn to handle and interact with our resident animals and look to nature to inspire solutions to everyday problems.

Dates: June 22 – 26
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Lunch: Bring your own
Cost: $120
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Ever wonder, “what’s in our water?” Investigate this question as you collect, test, and analyze local water samples. Examine possible sources of contamination in our waterways and come up with solutions. Build your environmental expertise as you explore ways to improve our water quality right here in the Grand Rapids area. Learn from environmental experts to better understand how all of our water is connected—and how crucial it is to keep it clean!

Dates: July 27 – 31
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $60
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In partnership with the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore

Age: Girl Scouts (Juniors) entering 4th or 5th grade in the Fall of 2020

Did you know that virtually every female astronaut has been a Girl Scout? Join us for a week of exploration to learn what it’s like to live and work in space. Earn your Space Science Investigator badge as you discover how the human body works differently in space, gain an understanding of the dangers associated with space travel, learn about what robots can do for humans in space, and much more!

Dates: August 3 – 7
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $60
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In partnership with the Grand Rapids Public Museum (posted on their site)

Explore the dangers associated with space travel and investigate ways to make space travel safe for humans. Conduct investigations in Earth and Space science, physics, biology, and engineering. Understand how our bodies work differently in space than on Earth, and investigate the use of robots to help explore hazardous places.

Dates: July 20 – 24
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $120

2020 Camp Registration Coming Soon

Explore and learn what it takes to be a crime scene forensic scientist. Study different techniques used to analyze a crime scene, determine who is ultimately responsible for committing different crimes, and participate in hands-on investigations focusing on fingerprinting, DNA analysis, and more! Talk with an actual crime scene forensic scientist to learn more about this exciting career, and be ready to put your skills to the test, and solve a crime on the last day of camp!

Dates: July 6 – 10
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $60
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Discover the different types of renewable energy and how to use them: use wind energy and power a generator, capture solar energy to heat water, and harness electricity to drive a car. Now more than ever, energy needs to be renewable. Through hands on investigations, learn how different alternative energies can be used to power the future.

Dates: July 20 – 24
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $60
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Calling all witches and wizards! Our campers begged for more—so we doubled the magic with an expanded all-day experience! Immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter as you attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry—Van Andel style! Get sorted into houses, make a magic wand, and attend courses such as Potions, Caring for Magical Creatures, Herbology, History of Magic, and Broomstick Flying! Use your newfound knowledge to compete in the all new Triwizard Tournament at the end of the camp. 

Dates: August 10 – 14
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Lunch: Bring your own
Cost: $120
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Explore the science, engineering, and technology needed to complete a Mission to Mars. Build and test a rocket that will travel into space! Use LEGO® Mindstorm robots to construct and test a rover to investigate the surface of the Red Planet. Simulate the role of mission control as you attempt to program your robot to complete mission critical tasks.

Dates: July 27 – 31
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
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Investigate the field of biotechnology as you conduct experiments and visit Van Andel Institute research labs to learn from the experts. Learn how to perform lab techniques used in research facilities found around the world including DNA extraction, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, gene regulation, and protein purification.

Dates: June 15 – 19
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $100
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