Vacation Camps and Programs
Vacation Destination
Nature-based science fun with Fairbanks educators
Astronomy Camp
What does it take to get to the moon? With some imagination and ingenuity, campers ages 9 - 13 will learn how to build and launch their own rockets. They will also take a look at the latest images from space, discuss the possibility of life on faraway planets, and test their problem solving skills with our daily hands-on STEM challenges!
Every participant will build and launch a rocket. Rocket launch will be off-site on Friday, April 28, at noon.
Astronomy Camp is led by Fairbanks Museum science educators who are passionate about space exploration. We'll find out about the latest NASA news and explore efforts to reach faraway worlds. We'll also spend time learning to identify stars, planets, and constellations.
Every participant will build and launch a rocket. Rocket launch will be off-site on Friday, April 28, at noon.
Astronomy Camp is led by Fairbanks Museum science educators who are passionate about space exploration. We'll find out about the latest NASA news and explore efforts to reach faraway worlds. We'll also spend time learning to identify stars, planets, and constellations.
April 24 - 28, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Members: $240/student
- Nonmembers: $270/student
- 20% sibling discount
Astronomy Camp is fully enrolled. Please contact Karina Weiss to be placed on the waiting list.
Summer Discovery Camps 2023
Come discover some of the amazing biomes that make up our home planet. Take a walk on the wild side with us as we explore each brimming layer of the tropical rainforest, discover how creatures handle the extreme temperatures of the desert, and join us on safari to compare the animals that inhabit the vast grasslands of both Africa and North America.
Discovery Camps are fully enrolled. Please contact Karina Weiss to be placed on the waiting list.
Rainforest Rendezvous
- June 26 - 30 for ages 4 - 5 FULL
- July 3 - 7 (please note there is no camp on July 4th) for ages 6 - 8 FULL
From leopards sulking on the forest floor to toucans perched high in the canopy, rainforests are home to many fascinating creatures. Campers will take a deep dive into the different layers of the tropical rainforest and discover the bountiful life that lies within each.
Destination Desert
- July 10 - 14 for ages 4 - 5 Full
- July 24 - 28 for ages 6 - 8 Full
Grazing the Grasslands
- July 31 - Aug 4 for ages 4 - 5 FULL
- August 7 - 11 for ages 6 - 8 FULL
From the North American prairies where bison roam to the African savannahs where giraffes graze, grasslands can be found on six out of the seven continents on Earth. These extensive biomes are home to a wealth of wildlife, and campers will explore the relationships between the grasses, grazers, and predators.
Drones & Robots in our STEM Lab
- 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Cost: $270 for members or $300 for non-members
All sessions of Drones & Robots camps are fully subscribed. If you'd like to register, please contact Karina Weiss to be placed on a waiting list.
Advanced Drones & Robots Camp
- June 26 - 30 for ages 11 - 14 (only for returning campers) FULL
In this action-packed week exploring both drones and robots, campers will dive deeper into building and programming their own creations... from scratch. Please note this camp week is only for those who have completed our Drones & Robots camp in previous years.
Drone Camp
- July 31 - Aug 4 for ages 9 - 12 FULL
From yesterday’s science fiction to today's science facts, we live in a world where drones are already a part of people's everyday lives. During this week of camp, each child will also get to construct and fly their very own drone! You don’t need any experience with coding to join.
Robot Camp
- Aug 7 - 11 for ages 9 - 12 FULL
If you could make your own robot, what would you want it to do? Come find out what you can make with some imagination and the skills you’ll learn with us! You don’t need any experience with coding to join, but we will be learning some of the languages used every day by robots and computers. Each camper will also get to construct a real, re-programmable robot that they will get to take home with them at the end of the week!
Franklin's Guides
- June 19 - Aug 11 for ages 12-16
The Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium is looking for engaged, mature students who are ready for the responsibilities of interacting with the public in a natural history museum setting. This program is designed to give students a chance to learn what it’s like to be a docent. If you enjoy science, history, animals, astronomy, and more, Franklin’s Guides is the right program for you.
Our Guides will spend time in the museum, planetarium, classrooms, camps, and native butterfly house. They will greet visitors, interpret exhibits, educate, and assist with programs. June 19th to 23rd will be an orientation week, where all guides will be trained on the different locations where they will be stationed throughout the summer.
Our Guides will spend time in the museum, planetarium, classrooms, camps, and native butterfly house. They will greet visitors, interpret exhibits, educate, and assist with programs. June 19th to 23rd will be an orientation week, where all guides will be trained on the different locations where they will be stationed throughout the summer.
Students are expected to commit to a Monday- Friday weekly schedule, with their days starting at 10AM and ending at 4PM. Upon completion of all 8 weeks, Franklin's guides will receive a stipend of $300. We will conclude our summer fun with an overnight at the museum on August 12 to 13th.
Please email Karina Weiss at kweiss@fairbanksmuseum.org