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LONGER THREE-HOUR CAMPS!
FULL-DAY OPTION FOR K-1 CAMPS!
DAILY UPDATES FOR PARENTS!
Topics & Teachers | Fees, Discounts & Scholarships | Registration
Philosophy
Science
is a method of observing, testing, measuring, discovering, and understanding.
WonderCamp's primary purpose is to introduce children to the process of scientific inquiry in a relaxed setting. WonderCamp emphasizes extensive hands-on science activities that help children develop
critical thinking skills and creative strategies. In general, camp activities are structured, with campers rotating
in small groups among science activity stations, with some large-group activities. Scientists and other experts in their field may visit some camps as guests.
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 Mandie Guinn.
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.
Schedule
Camp is held for five days (Monday through Friday) during four different weeks in the summer (see 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. You may register for 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, as weather permits, or inside. 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 there is no extended daycare servce. 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 2009 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
Communication With Parents
Each day at pick-up time, parents will be given a Camp Connection card to stimulate discussion between campers and their 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.
| JULY 6-10 | Entering grades K-1 | Entering grades 2-3 | Entering grades 4-6 | ||
| 9:00 - 12:00 | BUGS, BUTTERFLIES, BATS AND BUBBLES |
TECHNOLOGY OF ART |
CSI: WONDERCAMP |
||
| 1:00 - 4:00 | SCIENCE SAMPLER |
THE DAILY DETECTIVE |
BICYCLE SCIENCE |
||
| JULY 13-17 | Entering grades K-1 | Entering grades 2-3 | Entering grades 4-6 | ||
| 9:00 - 12:00 | WINTER IN JULY |
SUPERHERO SCIENCE |
WONDERWARTS HOUSE PREFECTS |
||
| 1:00 - 4:00 | I LIKE LIGHT |
HARRY POTTER SPELLBINDING SCIENCE |
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY |
||
*We maintain wait lists for camps that have reached capacity enrollment. Last updated 6/30/09.
WonderCamp 2008 was 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.

| Fees for Members | $75 per camp $100 per camp for Build a Robot and also for Alternative Energy (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 Build a Robot and also for Alternative Energy (Basic fee includes a $20 non-refundable processing charge per camp) $10 per week for optional supervised lunch hour. Food is not included. |
|
$5 discount per child per camp if that child is registered for 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 a Registration Form for consideration. The non-refundable processing charge is waived for those receiving scholarships. |
Each camp group is limited to approximately 20 children. Spaces are filled
in order of receipt of completed registration forms accompanied by full payment,
or completed scholarship application form and processing fee. WonderLab will
confirm enrollment by mail within two to three weeks of receipt of registration.
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Camp Registration
Form | Scholarship
Application | Drop-Add Form
These PDF files require Adobe
Acrobat Reader.
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| In Person |
Completed registration form and payment (cash, check, VISA/MasterCard, Discover) |
| By Fax |
Completed registration form and payment (VISA/MasterCard, Discover) |
| By Mail | Completed registration form and payment (check, VISA/MasterCard, Discover) |
Note: If you are submitting a scholarship application, no payment is necessary. Just submit a completed registration form and scholarship application. |
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.
Celeste Wolfinger
(812) 337-1337 ext. 11
schedule [at] wonderlab [dot] org
For camp content questions, leave a message:
Mandie Guinn, WonderCamp Director
(812) 337-1337 ext. 19
© 2009 WonderLab Museum |