Let’s get wild! Animals have wonderful and wacky survival techniques. We’ll explore some of the most extreme features of the animal kingdom, such as speed, anatomy, behavior, and diet. We’ll visit the Museum’s exhibitions, go outside to find wildlife, and explore various habitats right in the Park. Join us as we go to the extreme!
Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
Get ready to submerge yourself in the crazy commotion of the underwater world. Slip on your imaginary wetsuit to investigate various of sea life, kelp forests, and tiny ocean critters living off San Diego’s coast. Join us as we sing sea shanties, make fishy art, and dive into the depths of our oceans. It is sure to be a whale of a time!
Monday, June 17 through Friday, June 21 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
Join the expedition to our prehistoric past. We’ll dig into the mystery of fossils and practice fieldwork just like real paleontologists. We’ll jump right in with hands-on activities and exploration of the Park to unearth the truth about some of our favorite animals, from dinosaurs to whales. We will visit the Museum’s exhibitions Fossil Mysteries, Coast to Cactus in Southern California, and Unshelved. Perhaps we’ll run into a real paleontologist! Come prepared to get dirty and have fun!
Monday, July 8 through Friday, July 12 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
Did you know that all bugs are insects, but not all insects are bugs? In this camp, become a junior entomologist for the day and investigate a wide variety of bugs through outdoor garden walks and close encounters of the crawly kind. We will visit our core exhibitions, Fossil Mysteries and Coast to Cactus in Southern California, and learn about insects of our region—both past and present. Come and join us as we learn about these micro monsters!
Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
Want to be a zoologist? Sharpen your observation skills by exploring the Museum’s collections of bones, feathers, and fur! Investigate animal mysteries throughout the Museum—visiting exhibitions like Coast to Cactus in Southern California and Unshelved We’ll meet some live animals, make crafts, and uncover a new mystery animal each day.
Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
Join the expedition to our prehistoric past. We’ll dig into the mystery of fossils and practice fieldwork just like real paleontologists. We’ll jump right in with hands-on activities and exploration of the Park to unearth the truth about some of our favorite animals, from dinosaurs to whales. We will visit the Museum’s exhibitions Fossil Mysteries, Coast to Cactus in Southern California, and Unshelved. Perhaps we’ll run into a real paleontologist! Come prepared to get dirty and have fun!
Monday, August 5 through Friday, August 9 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
How lucky are we to live in a city that is home to Balboa Park? Come explore the Park’s gardens, learn its unique history, and discover its natural beauty each day. We’ll visit other museums and take an extra special look at the Nat, the oldest scientific institution in southern California. We’ll hike, create art projects, and uncover the hidden secrets of the Park. Let’s celebrate all things Balboa Park, and be sure to put on your walking shoes!
Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14 | 9 AM–3PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
Discover the splendor and science found right under your feet! San Diego is one of the most famous gem-producing regions in the world, but where do these minerals come from, and how are they formed? We will answer these questions and more as we explore the dynamic forces that are continually changing Earth. We’ll make art projects, perform experiments, and visit Museum exhibitions like Hidden Gems. Rock on!
Monday, June 17 through Friday, June 21 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
Do you “dig” paleontology? Ever wonder how fossils are formed and found? Then, join the Fossil Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In this camp, we’ll learn and work like real scientists. We’ll travel back to the age of dinosaurs as we unlock fossil mysteries and look at local discoveries uncovered by the Museum’s own paleontology department. We’ll conduct hands-on experiments, make art projects, and take regular trips to the Museum’s exhibitions and Balboa Park.
Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
Are you interested in protecting, saving, and defending the plants and animals that share our planet? We want you to join the Guardians of the Globe as we investigate and discover solutions to the human impacts that are affecting our world. We’ll conduct experiments, solve challenges, and draw inspiration from the best teacher of all—nature!
Monday, July 8 through Friday, July 12 | 9 AM–3PM
Members $350| Non-members $375
Ever wonder what it would be like to be a scientist at The Nat? Spend the week in the shoes of a paleontologist, entomologist, herpetologist, ornithologist, and botanist! Each day, we’ll discover a new natural science, conduct experiments, create crafts, and spend time in our natural world. Who knew science could be so fun?
Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
Dive into a week of ocean discovery. Explore the deep blue and the fascinating creatures, both big and small, found beneath the waves. We’ll spend lots of time in the Museum investigating animals ranging from plankton to the great blue whale. We’ll also delve into marine conservation and how we can protect our great Pacific Ocean. Spend an engaging week conducting experiments, playing games, and making ocean-inspired art.
Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
Girl Power is the name of the game for this camp, created to celebrate women in science. Join us as we spend the week combining summer fun with natural science exploration. We’ll conduct hands-on experiments, explore the Museum’s science departments, and find inspiration in women scientists past and present who are blazing trails for the female scientists of tomorrow.
Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
Slither your way into an unforgettable week of reptile and amphibian exploration. Dispel common “tall tales” about these fascinating cold-blooded creatures with a visit to the Museum’s Living Lab and basement herpetological collection—where there are over 73,000 fluid-preserved specimens! Investigate these diverse animals as we track them on hikes throughout Balboa Park.
Monday, August 5 through Friday, August 9 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $375
Nature meets technology in this interactive exploration of Balboa Park. Peek behind the scenes at our research collections to learn how our scientists learn about and help save a variety of species. Step into the role of a scientist as you collect plant and animal observations during expeditions around the Park. At the end of the week, we’ll share our findings, giving friends and family a chance to see what we have discovered.
Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28 | 9 AM–3 PM
Members $350 | Non-members $37
We’re mixing technology with science and storytelling in this middle school camp experience. Learn how digital devices like smartphones and tablets change how people interact with nature. We’ll use iPads to learn the basics of digital storytelling. Then, you and your fellow campers will dig into the Museum’s collections and the beautiful surroundings of Balboa Park to create stories about how you experience the natural world. The week will end with a film festival of your stories, giving your friends and family a chance to see your masterpiece!
Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2 | 9 AM–3 PM |
Members $350 | Non-members $375