Elementary Camps at the Desert Museum

Elementary Camps at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Cholla Buddies: A Rodeo Break Day Camp

Thursday, February 20, 2025
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Grades 1-6

Desert Museum Members: $95 (Join Today!)
Non-Members: $110

An educator shows campers around the Desert Garden

Connect with nature at the Desert Museum! Explore human relationships with the Sonoran Desert through science, crafts, play, and live animal encounters. Leave with an understanding of your role in the desert and ways to explore nature in your own lives. This camp is open to kids currently in Grades 1-6. Campers will be together for group activities and will separate into two groups (Grades 1-3 or 4-6) for age-appropriate activities and adventures throughout the day.

Elementary Summer Camps

Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 3:00pm.
Three week-long sessions are available:
Session 1: June 2-6, 2025
Session 2: June 9-13, 2025
Session 3: July 7-11, 2025

Desert Museum and Coati Kids Club Members: $255 (Join Today!)
Non-Members: $275

Packrat Explorers (Grades 1-3)

What are you made of? Discover the ins and outs of how our bodies work, from cells to organs, muscles, and bones. Uncover life’s inner workings as we compare ourselves to desert plants and animals, observe tiny parts through microscopes, and examine bioartifacts. And of course, we’ll explore the Museum, play lots of games, and make art that reflects on our discoveries. Find out what moves you!

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Session 1: June 2-6
Session 2: June 9-13
Session 3: July 7-11

Sonoran Scientists (Grades 4-6)

Sonoran scientists hold up rocks that they have found

The Science of Senses Searching for a sense-ational summer camp? Well, smell, touch, taste, listen, and look no further! We’ll use all of our senses to discover the science behind how our diverse and dynamic desert plants and animals navigate the world. Meet live critters, get messy with hands-on activities, visit the Packrat Playhouse, and learn from Desert Museum scientists along the way. Join us for a fan-cactus time!

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Session 1: June 2 – 6
Session 2: June 9 – 13
Session 3: July 7 - 11

Optional for Adults:

Work from home — from the Museum!

$95 for all 5 days of camp

Don’t want to drive back and forth every day? Stay and work/play at the Museum while your child is at camp!

Your work station includes:

Personal (but not private) work space (bring your own computer and headphones)
- Please note that a completely private area to take calls/Zooms is not guaranteed
Indoors with air conditioning and Wi-Fi
Museum entry included
Come and go from your workspace to see the Museum at your leisure
Space is limited

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Session 1: June 2 – 6
Session 2: June 9 – 13
Session 3: July 7 - 11

What to Wear

Campers will be participating in a variety of activities that involve running, jumping, playing, and maybe even getting a little messy. Campers must wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Check the daily weather and send your camper dressed accordingly.

What to Bring to Camp

Bring daily, packed in a backpack or other easily carried bag:

Full refillable water bottle
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
Packed snack & lunch

Changes or Cancellations

If a cancellation is made 15 days or more before the scheduled camp date, payments will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations made 14 days or less before the first day of camp.

Please notify us as soon as possible of a cancellation, change, or to be added to waitlist. Contact us at 520-883-3025 or email: education@desertmuseum.org.