All Year
Discovery Camps | Big Science Theatre I Access Fund
Discovery Camps
Discovery is part of Summer at Whitaker Center.
Children can sharpen their science skills, explore a favorite topic or new interests – and most importantly have fun while they learn!With professionally structured programs for ages 3 through 11 and everything from half-day to multiple day camps, Harsco Science Center has the perfect program for your child.
All Discovery Camps include a snack, make-and-take projects, and activity extensions so that children can continue their learning at home.Campos take place at Whitaker Center or at locations within walking distance of the Center.
Space in each camp is limited to between 16 and 20 campers (depending on camp) and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.For registrations call 717-724-3862.
Summer 2012
Ages 3 – 4 with an Adult (Based on age as of May 31, 2012)
It All Makes Sense
Tuesday, June 26 or Wednesday, July 25 (choose one)
10:00am – 11:30am
$15/non-members; $13.50/members
Register
Children are natural scientists who make sense of the world by using their five senses. Explore the world through your child’s eyes and other senses and join us as we experiment, create and discover how our senses help us to understand the world around us.
Storybook Science
Wednesday, June 27 or Tuesday, July 24 (choose one)
10:00am – 11:30am
$15/non-members; $13.50/members
Register
Experience a blend of science and storytelling as we jump into several of our old favorite and fantastic new children’s stories. Whether it’s constructing houses for the Big Bad Wolf to blow down or learning about spider webs from the Very Busy Spider, parents and children will work and play together as they explore the science behind children’s literature.
Ages 4 – 6 (Based on age as of May 31, 2012)
Ladybugs Galore
Friday, June 22; Wednesday, July 18; or Thursday, August 9 (choose one)
9:30am – 12:00pm
$25/non-members; $22.50/members
Register
Look at a leaf or flower in the summer and you’re likely to find a gardener’s friend – the ladybug. Examine the parts of a ladybug’s body, its life cycle, defense mechanisms, favorite foods, and much more. Participants will bring home ladybugs to observe for a short time before releasing them close to home.
Safari Adventures
Wednesday, June 20 or Tuesday, August 7 (choose one)
9:30am – 12:00pm
$25/non-members; $22.50/members
Register
Grab your binoculars and roll up your pant legs– we are going on safari! Journey with us to the grasslands of Africa and be amazed by the remarkable animals you’ll see along the way.
Bubble Bonanza
Tuesday, June 19; Tuesday, July 17; or Friday, August 10 (choose one)
9:30am – 12:00pm
$25/non-members; $22.50/members
Register
Does a square wand blow a square bubble? Can you tell exactly when a bubble will burst? Investigate these soapy spheres and make bubbles using a multitude of materials, create bubble art, and even surround yourself in a bubble column.
Garden Quest
Thursday, June 21 or Wednesday, August 8 (choose one)
9:30am – 12:00pm
$25/non-members; $22.50/members
Register
Earn your “green thumb” as we explore how plants grow and what they need to survive. Roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty as we investigate the life cycle, parts of a plant and much more.
Grades 1 and 2 (Based on grade completed as of camp date)
Wild and Wacky Weather
Friday, July 13 or Wednesday, August 1 (choose one)
9:30am – 12:00pm
$25/non-members; $22.50/members
Register
Become a meteorologist-in-training as we explore the remarkable weather of our world. Uncover the mysteries behind wind as you build your own anemometer and wind sock to measure wind speed and direction. Explore the forces behind hurricanes and tornados and investigate the delicate structure of snowflakes.
Slimy Science
Thursday, July 12 or Tuesday, July 31 (choose one)
9:30 am – 12:00 pm
$25/non-members; $22.50/members
Register
Get ready to use chemistry and get slimy as you have some ooey, gooey fun. Discover what molecules and polymers are as we create flubber, goop, and other fun substances. Take home your polymers and the recipes to amaze your friends!
Zoom In
Tuesday, July 10 - Wednesday, July 11 (camp is both days)
9:30am – 12:00pm
$50/non-members; $45/members
Register
Enter a magical world that is invisible to the naked eye except with the help of magnifiers. Join us to explore how lenses, magnifying glasses, telescopes and microscopes work as you take an up-close and personal look at lots of everyday and unique items.
Pirate Science
Thursday, August 2 - Friday, August 3 (camp is both days)
9:30am – 12:00pm
$50/non-members; $45/members
Register
Ahoy, Matey! Climb aboard as we sail the seven seas to uncover the science used by early pirates as they swabbed the deck and walked the plank. Build a pirate ship that floats, participate in a cannon ball battle, create and use treasure maps and much more in this swashbuckling, adventure-filled camp.
Grades 3 – 5 (Based on grade completed as of camp date) Note: Please pack a brown bag lunch for participants on each of the camp dates.
Beginning Robots
Tuesday, June 26 - Wednesday, June 27 (camp is both days)
9:00am – 3:00pm
$175/non-members; $162.50/members
Register
From looking for survivors of earthquakes to vacuuming the living room rug, robots are becoming a larger part of our world. Discover the secrets to these incredible machines while building your very own robot to take home. No prior experience with robots or electronics is required; all necessary tools will be provided.
Design Like da Vinci
Wednesday, July 18 - Friday, July 20 (camp is three days)
9:00am – 3:00pm
$175/non-members; $162.50/members
Register
Spend some time exploring the works of master inventor Leonardo da Vinci as we delve into his incredible designs and creations to get inspiration for our own creations. Explore your creative side as you are challenged to design, build, test and modify contraptions just like a real-life engineers.
Animate It
Thursday, July 26 - Friday, July 27 (camp is both days)
9:00am – 3:00pm
$150/non-members; $135/members
Register
Do you love cartoons and animated movies? Explore how animators and movie-makers bring pictures and images to life . Create your own thaumotrope, flip book and a stop-motion animated film clip.
SOS - Survive on Science
Thursday, June 28 - Friday, June 29 (camp is both days)
9:00am – 3:00pm
$150/non-members; $135/members
Register
You have become marooned on Inquiry Isle. Do you have the skills needed to survive? Discover how to cook using the sun, navigate the unknown with a compass and purify your own drinking water. Put your new-found skills to the test in a final competition to see who will be rescued first in this game of survival science.
Registration Information
- Enrollment accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.A minimum of ten participants is needed to run any camp.
- Camp placement is based on the last grade completed, or for preschool camps, the participant’s age as of May 31, 2012.
- Registrations must be received at least two weeks before the scheduled start of a camp.Robot camp registrations must be received a minimum of four weeks prior to the start of camp.
- Full payment must accompany all registrations.A credit card is required for phone registrations.
- Whitaker Center reserves the right to cancel any camp with at least three days notice.In the event of a cancellation, registrants will be given the opportunity to transfer to another camp during the summer of 2012 or receive a full refund.
- Participants who cancel in a timely manner will receive a partial refund.Registrants who cancel at least two weeks in advance (four weeks for robot camps) will receive a refund of 75% of the registration fee.No refunds will be given for cancellations made within two weeks (four weeks for robot camp) of the start of a camp.
For more information or to register call 717-724-3862.
Access Fund
Supported by
ArcelorMittal
Brody Science Fund for Youth
What is the Purpose of the Access Fund?
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts takes pride in making its programs accessible to everyone. Thanks to the generosity of individual and corporate donors, Access Funds are made available to provide admission for children who would otherwise be unable to benefit from Whitaker Center programs.
What do Access Funds Cover?
Access Funds cover admission fees for Harsco Science Center, Discovery Labs, and Select Medical IMAX® Theater documentary films.
Where does the money for the Access Fund come from?
2011 Access Fund gifts have been provided by ArcelorMittal and the Brody Science Fund for Youth.
When can Access Funds be used?
Access Funds may be used for admission for visits from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays—no weekends, evenings or special promotion days.
Who is eligible for Access Funds?
Such funds are provided only to schools with a majority of students who qualify for the federal free and reduced-price school lunch program and Central Pennsylvania nonprofit organizations that serve low-income or disadvantaged youth or children with special needs. Funds may be used only for children ages 4-18.
What is not covered by Access Funds?
Access Funds do not cover admission for chaperones and parents (unless specifically exempted) or for transportation, food, parking or other associated costs. IMAX Hollywood films are also not covered.
How many children benefit from the Access Fund?
The Whitaker Center Access Fund has benefited 5,070 children since 2002. Last year, Whitaker Center was able to provide free admission to 556 children on 16 different group visits thanks to Access Funds.
How do I apply for Access Fund approval?
- Requests must come directly from the recipient school or organization in writing on school/organization letterhead and signed by the principal or an authorized member of the senior management team.The letter should indicate:
- The size of the group and ages of the children
- Three visit dates in order of preference.Please contact Whitaker Center four or more weeks in advance.
- The group’s desired activity, such as to visit Harsco Science Center, the Select Medical IMAX Theater, and/or a Discovery Lab
- Reason for the visit, such as “Our program focuses on children with learning disabilities, so we would like our participants to have a teaching experience outside their normal program opportunities.”
- The financial circumstances that preclude payment, such as “Children in our program come from low-income households.” A majority of participants must qualify.
- If the group requires special services or support
- Organizations should have approved 501(c)(3) status and have education, the arts, the sciences, or services to children with unmet needs as an important part of the mission.
- Provide a copy of organization’s IRS tax-exempt determination letter.Note:Requests will not be granted without this letter.
- Requests from volunteers working for a charity or a for-profit company will not be approved.
- Whitaker Center reserves the right to determine if or how requests will be fulfilled.
- In general, requests from the same organization will only be approved once every 24 months.
Please mail your correspondence to:
Mary Beth Fisher
Group Sales Coordinator
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
225 Market Street, 2nd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Questions?
Contact Mary Beth Fisher at 717-724-3862 or mfisher@whitakercenter.org.