Explore Camps
Cranbrook Institute of Science’s on-site Explore Camps give inquisitive campers the support they need to learn through doing. Campers work together to tackle activities, experiments, and investigations as they explore popular science topics in a unique and safe environment. Join us for one week or many – weekly activities will not repeat!
In addition to Explore Camps at Cranbrook Institute of Science, Cranbrook Educational Community also hosts camps at Cranbrook Schools and Cranbrook Art Museum; the camps share a common calendar and registration system. Explore Camps start week 0.
Groups:Options available for students entering grades K-5 in Fall 2024:
Entering K (must be 5 years old by the start of their camp week)
Entering Grades 1
Entering Grades 2
Entering Grades 3
Entering Grades 3 - 4
Entering Grades 4 - 5
Schedule: Camp meets daily from 9:00am – 3:00pm, Monday-Friday.
Outdoor walk-up check-in begins at 8:15am on Monday.
Curbside check-in begins at 8:45am Tuesday-Friday.
Lunch: Camp cost includes boxed lunch. If you choose to pack your child’s lunch, it is for the entire week.
Lunch from home must be peanut-, tree nut-, and nut butter-free. We cannot accommodate splitting boxed/from-home during the week.
Snack: The daily snack menu will be provided the week prior to your registered camp. You are welcome to provide your child with their own snack for the entire week.
Snacks from home must be peanut-, tree nut-, and nut butter-free. We cannot accommodate splitting provided/from-home snacks during the week.
| June 10-14 (W0) |
June 17-21 (W1) |
July 8-12 (W4) |
July 15-19 (W5) |
July 22-26 (W6) |
July 29-Aug 2 (W7) |
Aug 12-16 (W9) |
Aug 21-23 (W10) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entering K | Science Sampler | Our Universe in Motion | Science Sampler | Life on Earth | Every Rock has a Story | |||
| Entering 1st | Science Sampler | Life on Earth | Every Rock has a Story | Science Sampler | Our Universe in Motion | |||
| Entering 2nd | Every Rock has a Story | Life on Earth | Our Universe in Motion | Science Sampler | ||||
| Entering 3rd | Science Sampler | Our Universe in Motion | Every Rock has a Story | Life on Earth | ||||
| Entering 3/4 | Full STEAM Ahead! | |||||||
| Entering 4/5 | Outdoor Adventure |
Science Sampler
Science Sampler takes the greatest hits from previous summers and combines them with new, soon-to-be favorites under one awesome interdisciplinary umbrella.
Life on Earth
Use Cranbrook’s 319-acre campus and our exhibit Life on Earth as a hands-on biology laboratory! We’ll investigate microorganisms during pond-dipping, hunt for tardigrades, master dichotomous keys, and gain a new appreciation for the world millions of organisms call “home”.
Our Universe in Motion
Fling, launch, sail, and bounce through the week to explore matter and the forces on, and beyond, Earth. We’ll investigate electricity, gravity, magnetism, and turn our eyes to the skies in this physics- and astronomy-themed week.
Every Rock Has a Story
Spend your week rocking geology! Fun activities, games, and experiments with rocks, minerals, and fossils. This week will revolve around our Earth and what we find in its layers!
Outdoor Adventure
Campers discover how challenging living in the wild can be while learning the skills necessary to live outdoors. Tracking animals, forecasting weather, identifying plants, and navigating the woods are just some of the topics explored in this exciting camp!
Full STEAM Ahead!
We’re combining right- and left-brain thinkers for this three-day experience at TWO museums! Encouraging analytical thought and creativity will have your camper diving into geology, energy, materiality, and famous Cranbrook artists while immersing in thinking process. Full STEAM Ahead takes place at the Institute of Science and the Art Museum.
A Note on Weekly Themes
Topics and related activities are tailored to meet the developmental needs of each grade group. Your camper can expect to focus most on the week’s topic, but could investigate related disciplines, too. The descriptions above are intended to provide an overview; they are neither final nor comprehensive.
General Information
Pricing
Explore Camps:
$495 per week for non-members
$445 per week for Cranbrook Institute of Science members
Full STEAM Ahead! Camp:
$300 for non-members
$270 for Cranbrook Institute of Science OR Cranbrook Art Museum members
Discounts
- Full Session Discount: Save $40 if you register for all four weeks of Explore Camps.
Discount applied automatically! Discount does not apply for Full STEAM Ahead! - Cranbrook Institute of Science members are eligible for an additional discount!
- Save $50 per week on Explore Camps
- Not a member? Join today!
Fees
- Cancellation Fee: $100 per week and no less than 21 days prior to the start of (each) registered camp week. No refund within 21 days of the first day of (each) registered camp.
- Based on availability, camp transfers between weeks will be accommodated at no additional fee until 21 days until the start of (each) registered camp week.
- Within 21 days of the start of (each) registered camp, transfers are subject to the above cancellation policy.
- Refunds, less a $100 processing fee, will be provided if your cancellation request is received and confirmed in writing or via email 21 days prior to the first day of (each) registered camp week. In the event the Institute of Science cancels a camp, you may transfer your registration to another week (if available and of equal or lesser value) or request a full refund.
Fees
- Rush Enrollment Fee: $35 per session within 21 days of session start date. If registering within 21 days of session start date, payment plans are not available; payment is due in full.
- Late Payment Fee: 10% of balance 21 days prior to start of (each) camp week.
Additional Options
- Before Care is available from 7:30-9:00am ($20/day or $90/week)
- After Care is available from 3:00-6:00pm ($30/day or $135/week).
- Monthly payment plans are available for no additional fee.
Financial Aid
Need-based financial aid is available. Awards are funded by Cranbrook Institute of Science and other camp families. To donate, visit our donation page. To apply, please contact us at CISReservations@cranbrook.edu.
Questions about Explore Camps? Send us an email at CISReservations@cranbrook.edu or Call 248.645.3210!