Camp Directory

Explore the Earth and how we can help keep it clean. Learn about recycling and reusing while discovering the wonders of the outdoors.

STEM Learning Goals: Develop an understanding of environmental stewardship practices and an appreciation of the world around us.

What is your favorite animal? Each animal has features that make it unique. Investigate different animal adaptations and look for animals around SCI.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase knowledge of the similarities and differences between insects, arachnids, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians with an emphasis on native Iowa species.

What do you like to make? Imagination rules in this camp focused on building creative minds. Campers will be introduced to tools and the design process while making projects of their own.

STEM Learning Goals: Introduce the design cycle, and gain experience using tools to become confident in building.

Get messy in this creation-centered camp. Use science to take your masterpieces to the next level, and show off your hard work at the SCI Summer Camp Art Exposition.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase interest and understanding of STEM fields through art.

Get ready to run, jump and compete in the STEM Olympic Games of 2020 at SCI.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase knowledge of body systems and interest in health and fitness.

Old McDonald’s got nothing on this camp. Learn about the plants and animals that live on the farm, plant your own crops and get a visit from some farm friends.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase knowledge of STEM concepts in agriculture.

Join us for a throwback summer camp in the heart of the city. We will explore nature, create art, play games, get wet and learn how to appreciate the earth around us.

Select the iEARTH tab on the right side of your screen for more information!

What makes a rainbow? How do we know when it’s going to rain? Learn about the water cycle, light, shadows and weather in this camp for future meteorologists. 

STEM Learning Goals: Develop an understanding of the water cycle and basic weather patterns. Gain knowledge of how colors and rainbows are formed.

Discover out-of-this-world objects, check out Earth’s closest star, and explore our amazing solar system. Campers will also learn about constellations in SCI’s Star Theater planetarium.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase interest and knowledge in the solar system and deep space objects. 

What do you like to make? Imagination rules in this camp focused on building creative minds. Campers will be introduced to tools and the design process while making projects of their own.

STEM Learning Goals: Introduce the design cycle, and gain experience using tools to become confident in building.

Experiment with different substances to make solids, liquids and gases change states. You will definitely need your goggles for this camp as we make reactions happen!

STEM Learning Goals: Increase knowledge of the three basic states of matter and gain experience with chemical reactions.

From river to wetlands, we’ll explore the different aquatic ecosystems, go fishing and learn about the amazing creatures that call the water home.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase knowledge of aquatic animals and habitats through hands-on activities.

This camp is all about taking care of the Earth. Campers will explore nature, discover its wonders and learn how to upcycle their trash into treasure.

STEM Learning Goals: Develop an understanding of environmental stewardship practices and an appreciation of the world around us.

Join us for a throwback summer camp in the heart of the city. We will explore nature, create art, play games, get wet and learn how to appreciate the earth around us.

Select the iEARTH tab on the right side of your screen for more information!

Welcome to the circus! Experiment with the big top’s best acts, make carnival treats, and explore the science of the spectacle. In this camp, you’re the ringmaster.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase knowledge of physical science concepts through interactive activities, developing a greater understanding of the concepts of gravity, balance, buoyancy and weight.

You don’t need to be royalty to have fun in this camp! Explore a world where kings and queens rule, build your own castle, investigate potential threats and design creative ways to keep it safe.

STEM Learning Goals: Develop problem-solving and creative thinking skills while using the engineering design process to solve medieval-themed challenges.

Do you like to build? Explore blueprints, equipment, tools and different careers at the worksite.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase knowledge of modern building technology and gain experience utilizing simple machines.

This camp combines blasts, bursts and eruptions with speed! Explore how cars, trains and even rockets get from one place to another while discovering their connections with big booms.

STEM Learning Goals: Introduce the laws of motion and create experiments to study the science involved in various forms of travel.

Explore the Science Center of Iowa like never before! Get behind-the-scenes tours, and discover your favorite part of SCI. Meet SCI employees, and explore what it’s really like to work at SCI.

STEM Learning Goals: Gain an understanding of STEM resources at the science center, and explore careers in the STEM and science communication fields.

We let books guide the way on this adventure! Explore STEM, and learn from your favorite literary characters as you develop new skills and strategies for solving problems.

STEM Learning Goals: Create positive STEM connections to popular stories.

Mwahahaha! You’ll be ready to take over the world when you’re finished with this camp. Create mysterious chemical concoctions, learn tricks to fool the human eye, and figure out what makes science so fun.

STEM Learning Goals: Develop understanding of important scientific principles and the scientists who discovered them. Gain experience with chemical reactions, optical illusions and other discrepant events.

Prepare to get messy! Explore the gross and silly science of objects around us as we experiment with solids, liquids and gases.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase knowledge of the three basic states of matter, and gain experience with chemical reactions.

The great outdoors never looked better. Campers will explore the land and water around SCI, discover the importance of recycling, upcycle trash into treasure and learn about the animals you can see – and some you can’t.

STEM Learning Goals: Gain experience in the fields of botany, biology and conservation by developing an understanding of connections in the natural world, specifically to organisms native to Iowa.

Combine science, technology, engineering and mathematics with art in this creative camp. Learn how art and STEM work together to make masterpieces happen, and showcase your STEM art in the first-ever Augmented Reality SCI Summer Camp Art Exposition.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase interest and understanding of STEM fields through art.

Join us for a throwback summer camp in the heart of the city. We will explore nature, create art, play games, get wet and learn how to appreciate the earth around us.

Select the iEARTH tab on the right side of your screen for more information!

Explore what it takes to become a veterinarian! Campers will get an up-close look at animals, examine x-rays, diagnose “patients” and meet a veterinarian.

STEM Learning Goals: Gain a basic understanding of the anatomical systems of similar organisms and an awareness of animal-related careers.

Explore the ever-changing weather in our home state. Practice with instruments meteorologists use to predict the weather, and discover weather phenomena around the world.

STEM Learning Goals: Develop an understanding of the water cycle. Gain experience with the instruments meteorologists use and the different weather patterns experienced in Iowa.

Spend your week creating your own world. Construct characters, plots and scenery for your very own claymation movie.

STEM Learning Goals: Develop and expand on understanding of stop-motion animation.

Join us for a throwback summer camp in the heart of the city. We will explore nature, create art, play games, get wet and learn how to appreciate the earth around us.

Select the iEARTH tab on the right side of your screen for more information!

Your boat sank. You’ve made your way to a remote island, but NO ONE is coming to your rescue. Campers will work together to create an island society, learn about survival and explore human nature.

STEM Learning Goals: Introduce survival skills and expand building skills with various natural materials.

Lights, Camera, ACTION! Campers will study the special effects that make movies spectacular and put that knowledge to work, creating their very own movie.

STEM Learning Goals: Develop an understanding of how films are made, experiencing set design, clothing, special effects and more.

If you like science and creating, this is the camp for you! We will explore different ways to create, combining conventional crafting with science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

STEM Learning Goals: Using the engineering design process and build creations to expand engineering skills and knowledge of the design process.

Design, build, test, repeat. Discover how engineers improve the world around us, and use the design cycle to complete challenges and create something amazing.

STEM Learning Goals: Expand problem-solving and creative thinking skills while using the engineering design process.

Put down your controller – and explore the science from your favorite games! Learn the language of computers, complete gaming challenges, and exercise more than your thumbs.

STEM Learning Goals: Gain an understanding and appreciation of computer sciences. Develop coding skills through basic drag-and-drop blockly based coding.

Discover the language of computers, and learn how to code through games, robots, design and more!

STEM Learning Goals: Gain an understanding and appreciation of computer sciences. Develop coding skills through basic drag-and-drop blockly based coding.

Investigate how renewable energy technologies work, and explore how Iowa is leading the way in renewable energy. Imagine new ways to power our earth.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase knowledge in renewable energy solutions, and investigate opportunities to innovate in this field.

Let your creative side shine! Learn about (and use!) multiple mediums of art to create beautiful pieces to display. Visit working artists and creatives around town, and collaborate with your camp to design the SCI Summer Camp Art Exposition. 

STEM Learning Goals: Increase interest and understanding of STEM fields through creating art using chemical reactions.

Take your love of animals to the next level in this career exploration camp. Use microscopes, x-rays and dissection to expand your animal knowledge. Discover how organs, muscles and bones work in your favorite animals.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase understanding of anatomical systems, and gain awareness of the animal world and various animal-related careers.

The Earth plays rough! Research extreme weather and phenomena around the globe – and right here in Iowa. Learn from those who study the weather, and see what happens when things get extreme.

STEM Learning Goals:  Explore rocks, minerals and the natural processes shaping our ever-changing world. 

Do you love all kinds of science? In this camp, you don’t have to choose! Learn about the wonderful world of STEM while exploring astronomy, chemistry, biology and physics. Each day will involve challenges that will put your problem-solving skills to work.

STEM Learning Goals: Increase problem-solving skills through STEM experiments and design challenges.

Learn how to survive the "wilds" of Gray's Lake during this throwback summer camp in the heart of the city. Explore nature, create art, swim, fish and bike. Canoeing will be a big part of this camp. Discover some of Des Moines' greatest waterways and culminate the week with a full-day float trip on the river.

Select the iEARTH tab on the right side of your screen for more information, biking requirements and additional information about canoeing!

Do you have the skills it takes to survive while stranded on an island? Learn how to build shelters, clean water, read the land and more!

STEM Learning Goals: Increase knowledge of survival skills and expand building skills with various natural materials.

Explore the world of Rube Goldberg, and create elaborately complex machines to solve very simple problems.

STEM Learning Goals: Gain an understanding of simple machines through hands-on activities and building projects. Explore Rube Goldberg projects, and create your own.

Who doesn’t like a field trip? We will be on the road all week exploring Des Moines’s treasures including parks, lakes and museums. This camp is always on the move!

Investigate the physics and geometry central to construction, engineering and architecture through super-sized building challenges. Build a tower, construct bridges and more!

STEM Learning Goals: Increase knowledge of processes in engineering and architecture. Gain experience using simple building materials.

Who doesn’t like a field trip? We will be on the road all week, satisfying our curiosity and exploring Iowa’s historical, industrial and natural treasures. This camp is always on the move!

STEM Learning Goals: Gain an understanding of STEM resources in Iowa.

Learn how to survive the "wilds" of Gray's Lake during this throwback summer camp in the heart of the city. Explore nature, create art, swim, fish and bike. Canoeing will be a big part of this camp. Discover some of Des Moines' greatest waterways and culminate the week with a full-day float trip on the river.

Select the iEARTH tab on the right side of your screen for more information, biking requirements and additional information about canoeing!

Technology helps make work less difficult. Learn about coding, and invent something to make your work (and life!) easier.

STEM Learning Goals: Gain an understanding and appreciation of computer sciences. Develop coding skills through drag-and-drop blockly based coding, as well as an introduction into more advanced coding languages.

You can learn about dinosaurs, but it’s more fun to act like one! Discover what dinosaurs ate, where they lived (and more!) as you engage in some prehistoric play.

It’s all about bees in this camp! Become a bee: find flowers, collect nectar, carry it back to the hive and transfer pollen to help plants grow. We’ll even learn a bee dance!

Combine art and chemistry to create your own masterpiece! Learn about colors, mixtures, acids and bases as we turn our classroom into an art gallery.

Who doesn’t love making a mess? We’ll get messy as we explore the three states of matter: solids, liquids and gases. (Parents, don’t worry: we’ll handle the clean-up!)

Get moving in this body boot camp! Explore yoga, martial arts, racquet sports and more as you learn how exercise strengthens your heart, lungs and muscles.

Explore the miraculous world of the human body! From the top of your head to the tip of your toes, you’ll learn about bones and organs – and how they all work together to make up you.

Let your imagination run wild in this camp designed around creativity! We’ll use tools and learn techniques to take your tinkering to the next level.

Rewrite your favorite fairytales using science, technology, engineering and math. Help your favorite storybook characters find solutions to their problems!

What discoveries await in your own backyard? Join us for a backyard safari, where we’ll investigate the world around us – including the plants and animals right outside your door.

You can learn about dinosaurs, but it’s more fun to act like one! Discover what dinosaurs ate, where they lived (and more!) as you engage in some prehistoric play.

Use your superhuman abilities to save the day! Using force, magnetics and gravity, you will discover the science behind your favorite superheroes.

Explore the world of music! Make your own instrument, and use melody, rhythm, pitch and dynamics to create music of your own.

Welcome to the construction site! Learn about the tools and materials construction engineers use, and take a trip to see a real worksite in action.

Combine art and science! This camp is all about creating things using materials found in nature. Make your own paintbrush, then put it to use!

Who doesn’t love making a mess? We’ll get messy as we explore the three states of matter: solids, liquids and gases. (Parents, don’t worry: we’ll handle the clean-up!)

What makes food so tasty? Explore the chemistry behind your favorite recipes. Then put that knowledge to the test, and bake some delicious treats!

Beep, beep, boop! Explore the world of coding and the basics of electricity while building your own robot in this technology-focused camp.

Explore space and stars and the rockets that help us get to them. This camp is truly out of this world!