
Museum Camps
When school is out – Museum Camps are in!
Explore science, technology, history and the arts through creative activities and games at Cincinnati Museum Center’s fun and educational Museum Camps. Whether there’s a day or a week off from school, there’s a camp for that.
What’s included?
All camps include an afternoon snack and days full of exciting educational activities, including science experiments, crafts, group projects, games and more!
2023 Summer Museum Camps
Week 1: May 30 to June 2 (4-Day Camp)
SOLD OUT: Little Artists, Grade K
Let your creativity shine in an art-filled week. Explore different media, such as paint, clay, drawing and more! Grow your artistic skills as you express yourself through making!
SOLD OUT: Premium* LEGO Engineers, Grades 1-2
A Master Builder doesn’t need instructions, just an imagination! Take part in building challenges, learn engineering basics and let your creativity run wild in a week’s worth of pure LEGO fun! Explore our featured exhibit Bricktionary: the ultimate LEGO® A–Z every day of the camp week!
STEM, Grades 3-4
Investigate the 4 branches of STEM – science, technology, engineering, and math – through chemical reactions, robot coding and building challenges. See how all of branches of STEM interlace in a fun-filled week for future scientists!
Week 2: June 5 to June 9
SOLD OUT: Premium* LEGO Master Builders, Grade K
A Master Builder doesn’t need instructions, just an imagination! Take part in building challenges, learn engineering basics and let your creativity run wild in a week’s worth of pure LEGO fun! Explore our featured exhibit Bricktionary: the ultimate LEGO® A–Z every day of the camp week!
SOLD OUT: Junior Amusement Park Science, Grades 1-2
Amusement parks are full of science, art and fun! Build a rollercoaster, design midway games and create bumper cars all week long. Learn how science and amusement parks intertwine and how you can create your own fun!
SOLD OUT: Harry Potter, Grades 3-4
You’re a wizard, campers, and you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Grab your broomstick and fly to Cincinnati Museum Center for a magical week of potions, fantastic beasts and duels. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
Week 3: June 12 to June 16
SOLD OUT: Dino Discovery, Grade K
Dig up some fun as we learn all about dinosaurs! Explore the incredible specimens in our Dinosaur Hall and learn about dinosaurs from different regions and time periods. Discover the history of the giants that roamed before us!
SOLD OUT: Messy Science, Grades 1-2
Spend the week getting your hands dirty as we dive into some messy science. Explore the scientific method through unconventional ways as we combine science and creativity!
SOLD OUT: Premium* LEGO Movie Magic, Grades 3-4
Lights, camera, action! Join our crew and cast as we learn the science behind special effects and create stop-motion animation movies with LEGO minifigures and bricks. Learn what it takes to make a movie, from storyboarding to screenwriting to filming! Explore our featured exhibit Bricktionary: the ultimate LEGO® A–Z every day of the camp week!
SOLD OUT: Premium* Miami Engineering and Sports, Grades 5-6
Modern athletics harness the power of engineering to reach new levels of human performance. Explore engineering concepts that help people run and swim faster, hit balls harder and overcome physical challenges to achieve greatness. Join guests from the College of Engineering and Computing at Miami University for a look at how science and sports intertwine!
Included is a field trip to Miami University where you'll learn about the characterization of sports materials and hear how Miami University sports teams use technology to compete.
Week 4: June 20 to June 23 (4-Day Camp)
Awesome Animals, Grade K
Investigate animals and their amazing adaptations. Explore these adaptations first-hand through live animal encounters and CMC’s new John A. and Judy Ruthven Get Into Nature Gallery! Learn all the ways animals’ bodies and behaviors help them live in our region.
SOLD OUT: Paleontology, Grades 1-2
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a part of a team of scientists excavating a prehistoric fossil? Unearth an exciting journey in our Dinosaur Hall as we discover the animals that once roamed Earth. Then dive into the Ordovician seas that once flowed over our city and explore the different roles of a paleontologist!
SOLD OUT: Amusement Park Science, Grades 3-4
Amusement parks are full of science, art and fun! Build a rollercoaster, design midway games and create bumper cars all week long. Learn how science and amusement parks intertwine and create your own fun!
Week 5: June 26 to June 30
SOLD OUT: Messy Science, Grade K
Spend the week getting your hands dirty as we dive into some messy science! Bring out your inner chemist and join us for some icky, sticky experiments.SOLD OUT: Little Artists, Grades 1-2
Let your creativity shine in an art-filled week. Explore different media such as paint, clay, drawing and more! Expand your imagination into the next level of creativity.SOLD OUT: Premium* Kitchen Science, Grades 3-4
Have you ever wondered how astronauts eat lunch in space or wanted to extract DNA from strawberries? Explore the science behind food, from the first chop to the last bite! *Recipes may contain dairy, wheat, and eggs. Please feel free to reach out with allergy concerns when deciding to register for this camp.Week 6: July 10 to July 14
SOLD OUT: Little Artists, Grade K
Let your creativity shine in an art-filled week. Explore different media, such as paint, clay, drawing and more! Grow your artistic skills as you express yourself through making!
SOLD OUT: Premium* LEGO Engineers, Grades 1-2
A Master Builder doesn’t need instructions, just an imagination! Take part in building challenges, learn engineering basics and let your creativity run wild in a week’s worth of pure LEGO fun! Explore our featured exhibit Bricktionary: the ultimate LEGO® A–Z every day of the camp week!
SOLD OUT: STEM, Grades 3-4
Investigate the 4 branches of STEM – science, technology, engineering, and math – through chemical reactions, robot coding and building challenges. See how all of branches of STEM interlace in a fun-filled week for future scientists!
Week 7: July 17 to July 21
SOLD OUT: Premium* LEGO Master Builders, Grade K
A Master Builder doesn’t need instructions, just an imagination! Take part in building challenges, learn engineering basics and let your creativity run wild in a week’s worth of pure LEGO fun! Explore our featured exhibit Bricktionary: the ultimate LEGO® A–Z every day of the camp week!
SOLD OUT: Junior Amusement Park Science, Grades 1-2
Amusement parks are full of science, art and fun! Build a rollercoaster, design midway games and create bumper cars all week long. Learn how science and amusement parks intertwine and how you can create your own fun!
SOLD OUT: Harry Potter, Grades 3-4
You’re a wizard, campers, and you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Grab your broomstick and fly to Cincinnati Museum Center for a magical week of potions, fantastic beasts and duels. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
Week 8: July 24 to July 28
SOLD OUT: Dino Discovery, Grade K
Dig up some fun as we learn all about dinosaurs! Explore the incredible specimens in our Dinosaur Hall and learn about dinosaurs from different regions and time periods. Discover the history of the giants that roamed before us!
SOLD OUT: Messy Science, Grades 1-2
Spend the week getting your hands dirty as we dive into some messy science. Explore the scientific method through unconventional ways as we combine science and creativity!
SOLD OUT: Premium* LEGO Movie Magic, Grades 3-4
Lights, camera, action! Join our crew and cast as we learn the science behind special effects and create stop-motion animation movies with LEGO minifigures and bricks. Learn what it takes to make a movie, from storyboarding to screenwriting to filming! Explore our featured exhibit Bricktionary: the ultimate LEGO® A–Z every day of the camp week!
Week 9: July 31 to August 4
Awesome Animals, Grade K
Investigate animals and their amazing adaptations. Explore these adaptations first-hand through live animal encounters and CMC’s new John A. and Judy Ruthven Get Into Nature Gallery! Learn all the ways animals’ bodies and behaviors help them live in our region.SOLD OUT: Paleontology, Grades 1-2
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a part of a team of scientists excavating a prehistoric fossil? Unearth an exciting journey in our Dinosaur Hall as we discover the animals that once roamed Earth. Then dive into the Ordovician seas that once flowed over our city and explore the different roles of a paleontologist!SOLD OUT: Amusement Park Science, Grades 3-4
Amusement parks are full of science, art and fun! Build a rollercoaster, design midway games and create bumper cars all week long. Learn how science and amusement parks intertwine and create your own fun!Week 10: August 7 to August 11
Messy Science, Grade K
Spend the week getting your hands dirty as we dive into some messy science! Bring out your inner chemist and join us for some icky, sticky experiments.
Little Artists, Grades 1-2
Let your creativity shine in an art-filled week. Explore different media such as paint, clay, drawing and more! Expand your imagination into the next level of creativity.
SOLD OUT: Premium* Junior Chefs, Grades 3-4
Come cook with us! Hone your skills as we focus on new techniques each day. Slice, sauté and sear your way through tasty recipes, culminating in a culinary cookout at the end of the week!
*Recipes may contain dairy, wheat, and eggs. Please feel free to reach out with allergy concerns when deciding to register for this camp.
2023 Offsite Camps
Week 6: July 10 to July 14 at Cincinnati Observatory
SOLD OUT: Spectacular Solar System, Grades 1-2
There are eight magnificent planets in our solar system (and what happened to the ninth)? Could we discover other planets? Explore our solar system and learn what makes Earth special. Enjoy a week with experts at the Cincinnati Observatory and their spectacular telescopes.SOLD OUT: Space Explorers, Grades 3-4
Travel to outer space without leaving Earth! Learn about the telescopes that let us see galaxies and the way modern scientists explore space at the Cincinnati Observatory. Investigate historic buildings and get a glimpse of space through incredible telescopes!Week 7: July 17 to July 21 at Cincinnati Observatory
SOLD OUT: Living in Space, Grades 1-2
Want to be an astronaut and explore space? Learn what it takes to design rockets, travel beyond our atmosphere and research the stars with help from the experts at the Cincinnati Observatory!SOLD OUT: Mission to Mars, Grades 3-4
What do humans need to survive? Could we live on other planets? Your mission, Campers, if you choose to accept it, is a journey to Mars! Explore the Cincinnati Observatory and meet professionals to help answer all your space questions.Week 8: July 24 to July 28 at Blue Ash Recreation Center
Awesome Animals, Grade K
Investigate animals and their amazing adaptations. Explore these adaptations first-hand through live animal encounters and CMC’s new John A. and Judy Ruthven Get Into Nature Gallery! Learn all the ways animals’ bodies and behaviors help them live in our region.SOLD OUT: Little Artists, Grades 1-2
Let your creativity shine in an art-filled week. Explore different media such as paint, clay, drawing and more! Expand your imagination into the next level of creativity.Week 9: July 31 to August 4 at Cincinnati Observatory
SOLD OUT: Spectacular Solar System, Grades 1-2
There are eight magnificent planets in our solar system (and what happened to the ninth)? Could we discover other planets? Explore our solar system and learn what makes Earth special. Enjoy a week with experts at the Cincinnati Observatory and their spectacular telescopes.SOLD OUT: Space Explorers, Grades 3-4
Travel to outer space without leaving Earth! Learn about the telescopes that let us see galaxies and the way modern scientists explore space at the Cincinnati Observatory. Investigate historic buildings and get a glimpse of space through incredible telescopes!Cancellation Policy
There is a $50 processing fee for cancelling 15 or more days in advance of the first day of camp. There will be a $100 fee if you inform us 7 to 14 days before the first day of camp. 25% of your camp registration will be refunded if you inform us fewer than 7 days in advance; No refund is given after the first day of camp.
To cancel, please call (513) 287-7001. A refund will be issued to the same credit card used to register for camp. Please have the card in hand when calling to cancel.
“My daughter had a great time. When we dropped her off after the first day, she ran right up to her counselors and fellow campers. It was obvious that she was comfortable and felt safe there."
Registration
Mark your calendars! Camp registration opens soon!
Members: February 1 at 8:30 a.m.
Non-Members: February 15 at 8:30 a.m.
Please note, Museum Camps will only be available for purchase online for 2023. Sales of each camp will end at noon the Friday of the work week prior to the camps’ start date.
Members
Make sure you are logged in to get the special Member price.
Be sure your Membership is active through August and renew before purchasing camps to make the camps purchasing process even easier! An active Membership through the dates of camp is required to get the Member discount.
Questions
If you have questions or would like more information, please call (513) 287-7001 or email camps@cincymuseum.org.
Pricing
Summer Camps are sold by the week.
5-Day Camps: Members: $285; Non-members: $310
4-Day Camps: Members: $235; Non-members: $260
5-Day Premium Camps*: Members: $335; Non-members: $360
4-Day Premium Camps*: Members: $285; Non-members: $310
Hours
Camps will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Check-in: Camper drop off is from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m.
Check-out: Camper pick up is from 3:45 to 4:15 p.m.
Locations
Museum Camps will take place at 3 locations around our region:
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45203
Cincinnati Observatory
3489 Observatory Pl
Cincinnati, OH 45208
Blue Ash Recreation Center
4433 Cooper Rd
Blue Ash, OH 45242
Grade Bands
Campers are eligible for the grade they will be entering in Fall 2023.
Permission Forms (Required)
To take part in Museum Camps, you will need to fill out a permission form.