Member registration begins Monday, March 6 at 9:30 AM.
Public registration begins Monday, March 13 at 9:30 AM.
Wish you had a time machine? Become a dinosaur detective and dig into the lives of these giant reptiles as we step back millions of years. Our journey to the age of dinosaurs is packed with crafts, games, and activities that explore the secrets of a strange and fascinating prehistoric world. We’ll tour the Museum’s exhibits, go on field excursions, and uncover some of the mysteries of these larger-than-life creatures.
Monday, June 19 through Friday, June 23 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
San Diego is an amazing place. We can journey from our rich coastline to the mountains and the desert wilderness—all in one day! Come explore the plants and animals—both past and present—in our own backyard. Learn why our county is considered the most biodiverse county in the lower 48 states. Through hands-on exploration at the Museum and throughout Balboa Park, test your tracking skills, look for creative inspiration in nature, and experience how the Kumeyaay People use nature to help them survive.
Monday, June 26 through Friday, June 30 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
Under your feet lie clues to the distant past. Discover the power and mystery of fossils. Practice field work like paleontologists as we hike through Balboa Park and unearth the truth about some of our favorite animals, from dinosaurs to whales. We will visit the Museum’s exhibitions Fossil Mysteries, Coast to Cactus in Southern California, and Unshelved. Perhaps we’ll run into a real paleontologist! Come prepared to get dirty!
Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 21 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
Do you love critters that slither and creep? Explore the diversity of reptiles as we get up close and personal through encounters with living reptiles. Our animal investigation will take us on field excursions in Balboa Park and Museum exhibitions such as Fossil Mysteries and Living Lab. Get ready to turn fears in cheers for our reptilian friends.
Monday, July 24 through Friday, July 28 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
Did you know that all bugs are insects, but not all insects are bugs? In this new camp, become a junior entomologist for the day and investigate a wide variety of bugs through an outdoor garden walk and close encounters of the bug kind. Visit our core exhibitions, Fossil Mysteries and Coast to Cactus in Southern California, and learn about insects of our region—both past and present. Come and join us as we learn about these micro monsters!
Monday, August 7 through Friday, August 11 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
Get ready to submerge yourself in the wonders of the underwater world. We’ll investigate pre-historic marine reptiles and explore the majesty of dolphins and whales. We will visit our Museum exhibitions and spend the week discovering both the “monsters” and beauties that exist—or existed—under the sea. Come and take a journey into the deep blue.
Monday, August 14 through Friday, August 18 | 9 AM–3PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
Slither your way into an unforgettable week of reptile and amphibian exploration. Dispel common “tall tales” about these fascinating cold-blooded creatures with a visit to the Museum’s Living Lab and basement herpetological collection—where there are over 73,000 fluid-preserved specimens! You will even get the chance to track these diverse animals as we hike through Balboa Park.
Monday, June 19 through Friday, June 23 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
Is there art in science? Is there science in art? This camp will investigate these questions as we explore natural science and all its beauty, diversity, and creativity. We’ll look to our outside world and explore color, movement, and sound, letting it serve as our muse in hands-on activities, art projects, and theater games. Our museum exhibitions will be our lab and inspiration. Come discover the beauty of natural science.
Monday, June 26 through Friday, June 30 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
Ever wonder what it would be like to be a scientist at The Nat? Spend the week in the shoes of a paleontologist, entomologist, herpetologist, ornithologist, and a botanist! Each day we’ll discover a new natural science and conduct experiments, create crafts, and spend time in our natural world. Who knew science could be so fun?
Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 14 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
How lucky are we to live in a city that is home to Balboa Park? Put on your walking shoes, because we’ll explore the Park’s gardens, learn its history, and discover its natural beauty each day. We’ll visit other museums and take an extra special look at The Nat, the oldest scientific institution in Southern California. We’ll hike, make art projects, uncover hidden secrets, and celebrate all things Balboa Park.
Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 21 | 9 AM–3PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
Up, up, and away! We have been fascinated with flight for thousands of years. From dinosaurs and birds to some unexpected gliders, we’ll investigate the science of flight. What lessons have we learned from our feathered friends that have led humans to take to the skies? Through visits to our Museum exhibitions and excursions in Balboa Park, we will investigate this fascination. Join us as we take off for some “plane” old fun!
Monday, July 24 through Friday, July 28 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
Girl power is the name of the game for this camp created to celebrate women in science. We’ll spend the week combining summer fun with natural science exploration. We’ll conduct hands-on experiments, explore the Museum’s science departments, and find inspiration in women scientists—past and present—who are blazing trails for the female scientists of tomorrow.
Monday, July 31 through Friday, August 4 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
Do you “dig” paleontology? Ever wonder how fossils are formed and found? Then join the Fossil Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In this camp we’ll learn and work like real scientists. We’ll travel back in time to the age of dinosaurs as we unlock fossil mysteries and take a look at local discoveries uncovered by the Museum’s own paleontology department. We’ll conduct hands-on experiments, make art projects, and make regular trips to the Museum’s exhibitions and into Balboa Park.
Monday, August 7 through Friday, August 11 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
Discover the splendor and science that exists right under your feet! San Diego is one of the most famous gem-producing regions in the world, but where do these minerals come from and how are they formed? We will answer these questions and more as we explore the dynamic forces continually changing Earth. We’ll make art projects, perform experiments, and visit our exhibition, Hidden Gems. Rock on!
Monday, August 14 through Friday, August 18 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
We’re mixing technology with science and storytelling in this middle school camp experience. Learn how digital devices like smartphones and tablets are changing the way people can interact with nature. Using iPads to learn the basics of digital storytelling, you and your fellow campers will dig into the Museum’s collections and the beautiful surroundings of Balboa Park to create stories about the natural world. The week will end with a film festival, giving your friends and family a chance to see your masterpiece.
Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 14 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350
Nature meets technology in this interactive exploration of Balboa Park. Step into the role of a scientist as you collect plant and animal observations for Museum scientists. Take a peek behind the scenes at our research collections. At the end of the week, we’ll share our findings, giving friends and family a chance to see what we have discovered.
Monday, July 31 through Friday, August 4 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $325 | Non-members $350