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Summer Camp
Summer is a time for fun with friends, exploring interests and discovering new worlds! Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI) is offering a unique summer camp experience for 2nd through 12th graders. Students will learn to think and act like scientists in hands-on and interactive investigations. Click on a toggle below to view details for each camp.
VAEI would like to recognize the Bea Aldrink Idema Foundation for their generous support of this year’s Summer Camp programs. Their thoughtful gift has allowed us to impact the lives and futures of many more students and we’re truly grateful.
2019 Elementary & Middle School Camps
2nd – 3rd Grade | Can you Dig it?
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 10 – 14
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $55
2nd – 3rd Grade | Sense-ational Animals
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 5 – 9
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $55
4th – 5th Grade | Animal Survivor: Pill Bugs, Newts, & Geckos, Oh My!
Explore the world of animal adaptations in this week-long day camp. 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 24 – 28
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $55
4th – 5th Grade | Girl Scouts: Journey Through a Life in Space
In partnership with the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore
Age: Girl Scouts (Juniors) entering 4th or 5th grade in the Fall of 2018
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 5 – 9
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $25
5th – 6th Grade | Life in Space: A Journey through the Extremes
In partnership with the Grand Rapids Public Museum
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 22 – 26
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $55
6th – 8th Grade | Crime Scene Forensics: Catching a Criminal
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 8 – 12
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $55
6th – 8th Grade | Hogwarts in Grand Rapids: The Science Behind the Magic
Calling all witches and wizards! 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 12 – 16
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $55
6th – 8th Grade | Power Up: Energizing the Future
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 22 – 26
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $55
2019 High School Camps
The following daily camps are for 9th – 12th grade students.
Biotech Explorer
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 17 – 21
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $55
Mission to Mars
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 29 – August 2
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $55
Refund/Cancellation Policy
- Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp.
- Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp.