Topics & Teachers | Fees, Discounts & Scholarships | To Enroll

  INTRODUCTION TO WONDERCAMP

Philosophy
WonderCamp's primary purpose is to introduce children to the process of scientific inquiry in a relaxed setting. Camp activities encourage children to test, observe, measure, and discover. Children may learn scientific concepts new to them, but the camp's focus is on creativity and critical thinking.

Staff
All camps are led by experienced teachers with help from well-trained high school interns. The typical ratio is one staff person for every four to five campers. WonderCamp's director is Kirstin Maxwell.

Location
WonderCamp is held off-site at University Elementary School, which offers indoor and outdoor amenities not available at the museum itself in downtown Bloomington. Camp sessions take place in air-conditioned classrooms and, as appropriate for the activity, outside on school grounds.

Daily Routine
All camps involve extensive hands-on activities. These typically are structured, with campers rotating in small groups among science activity stations. Scientists and other experts in their field may visit some camps as guests. Parents receive daily information cards that are intended to stimulate discussion between campers and parents about the day's activities and learning. Parents may find these discussions useful in seeking out more resources to further their child's interest in the subject.

Schedule
Camp is held for five days (Monday through Friday) during four different weeks in the summer, as shown in the camp topics table below. Morning camps are held from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and afternoon camps are held from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Campers may attend morning, afternoon, or both camps. Each camp includes a break for a healthy snack. Most camps include a "recess" period on the playground, or, if the weather is inclement, an inside break from concentrated activities.

Children may sign up for the supervised lunch hour between the morning and afternoon sessions. They should bring their own lunches and beverages. The lunch hour includes supervised play with campers of all ages on the school playground or inside, depending on weather. Children may come to lunch either after a morning camp or before an afternoon camp. Those attending camp all day must sign up for the lunch hour.

Drop Off and Pick Up
Children may not arrive more than ten minutes before the start of camp. The parent/caregiver should accompany the camper to the check-in table and then to the camp classroom. Children should be picked up on time when camp ends, as we offer no extended childcare servce after 4:00 pm. The parent/caregiver should come to the camp classroom to sign out the camper and help carry projects home.

Age of Campers
Children entering kindergarten through grade 6 in the fall of 2010 are eligible to enroll in WonderCamp. Campers are grouped by age as shown below. To help ensure a good experience, please register your child for a camp that is appropriate for your child's age, interests, and abilities. WonderCamp may not be appropriate if your child has not had a successful experience attending a nursery school or daycare program before this summer. WonderLab's summer science programs for other age groups are as follows:

Preschool-Age Children: Discovery Time
Teens: Volunteer Program
High School Teens: Summer Internship Program

 

LOCATION

WonderCamp is held at University Elementary School, 1111 North Russell Road, on Bloomington's northeast side. The closest Bloomington Transit bus stop is on Smith Road at the corner of 10th Street (also known as State Road 45). Please note that there is no crosswalk to get from the bus stop to the school and that it is not appropriate for a child to cross this road without the assistance of an adult.

2010 FEES, DISCOUNTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

Fees for Members	$75 per camp $100 per camp for Eco Explorations and also for Robot BrainStorm (Basic fee includes a $20 non-refundable processing charge per camp) NOTE: Your membership must be current during camp week(s) to apply this discount fee. $10 per week for optional supervised lunch hour. Food is not included.
Fees for the General Public	$85 per camp $110 per camp for Eco Explorations and also for Robot BrainStorm (Basic fee includes a $20 non-refundable processing charge per camp) $10 per week for optional supervised lunch hour. Food is not included.
Discounts	$5 discount per child per camp if that child is enrolled in four or more camps!
Scholarships	Full and partial scholarships for up to two camp sessions are available for eligible families. Please submit the Scholarship Application with the Enrollment Request Form. The non-refundable processing charge is waived for those receiving scholarships.

 

TO ENROLL

Member Sign-Up Week: March 1 - 7, 2010
Open Enrollment: March 8 until camps fill

Each camp group is limited to approximately 20 children. Spaces are filled in order of receipt of completed Enrollment Request Forms, accompanied by full payment or a completed Scholarship Application. WonderLab will send an enrollment confirmation letter, or a notice that the child has been placed on a wait list, within one week of receipt of the Enrollment Request Form. The Enrollment Request Form and Scholarship Application are available as online forms, as pdf files to download and print, and in print with the camp brochure at the museum welcome desk.

Online Enrollment

To enroll in person, by mail or by fax, you may complete and return the form(s) below.

Enrollment Request Form | Scholarship Application | Drop-Add Form
These PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader. After you download the file to your computer,
you have the option of typing your information before sending the form to your printer.

Methods of Payment

Online	VISA, MasterCard, Discover
In Person	Cash, Check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover
By Fax 812-330-1337	VISA, MasterCard, Discover
By Mail WonderCamp 308 W. 4th Street Bloomington, IN 47404	Check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover

Withdrawals and Cancellations
If a child withdraws from a camp at least two weeks before the camp starts, WonderLab will refund the camp fee minus the processing fee. No refunds will be given if the child is withdrawn from a camp less than two weeks before the camp's start date. In the unlikely case that a camp session does not have sufficient enrollment, WonderLab will notify parents of enrolled children at least one week before the start of the camp and provide a full refund.

 

QUESTIONS?

Celeste Wolfinger
(812) 337-1337 ext. 11
schedule [at] wonderlab [dot] org

Back to the top

© 2010 WonderLab Museum