Camp Curious Returns to Grand Rapids this Summer!
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is bringing back its Camp Curious summer camp programs and they are now open for registration. The Museum will offer in-person camps for kids to explore the wonders of the world around us through engaging exhibit exploration, primary source artifact learning and more.
Kids in pre-K through 12th grade will explore science, history, culture and more while using the Museum as a learning lab through a variety of camp offerings, beginning June 13 and available through mid-August, 2022.
“Camps are a fun way to keep kids learning through the summer and the Museum offers unique opportunities for campers to get hands-on with artifacts and specimens, enjoy behind-the-scenes exploration of exhibits and the Chaffee Planetarium, and use local resources like the Grand River as learning tools,” said Rob Schuitema, the GRPM’s Director of Public Programs. “This year, we are proud to partner with Grand Valley State University’s Occupational Therapy Program for a new camp for neurodiverse teens to get hands-on with the Museum and Collections. We recommend early registration for all camps, as they typically sell out.”
Single-day or multi-day camps are available by the grade level students will be entering in the fall. Popular camp themes include fossils, slime, LEGO® bricks, wizardry and watershed exploration. New camp themes this year include pterosaurs and fashion and nature, inspired by the GRPM’s newest exhibits. Campers will learn about the prehistoric reptiles that ruled the skies for 175 million years and dive into the relationship between the natural world and the fashion industry.
New this year, the GRPM and Grand Valley State University's Occupational Therapy Program have teamed up to offer a camp for teens and young adults with autism ages 16-24 - Tales from the Archives: Curating Social Interactions through Artifacts and Storytelling. This camp will provide opportunities for neurodiverse teens and young adults to explore the depths of the Museum Archives, meet new people with shared interests, and practice social skills in a structured environment. With a small team of experts, campers will curate an exhibit to display a collection of historic artifacts.
The Museum will once again partner with Grand Rapids White Water to offer the Grand Rapids White Water Summer Leadership Program for 11th and 12th graders. This program engages students in a hands-on interaction with the River Restoration Project, teaching them principles of sustainability and inspiring them to become future leaders willing to tackle complex projects that offer widespread benefit. This camp is free to attend; space is limited and based on an application process.
2022 Camp Curious community partners include Grand Rapids WhiteWater, Grand Valley State University’s Occupational Therapy Program, Kendall College of Art and Design and the Van Andel Institute.
Pricing for camps vary, starting as low as $35 for single-day camps, with discounts available for Museum members. For more information on Camp Curious and to register today, visit grpm.org/Educlasses. Early registration is highly recommended, as camps will sell out.
