Summer Camps at the Village

June 27 - September 2, 2011

Camp Descriptions | Fees | Registration Information | Schedule

For assistance with camp registrations, call (503) 371-3631.
Print the summer camp schedule and registration form here.

Camp Fees

Registration Information

Please read the program descriptions for your child's age, note the programs that interest you, and refer to them when you register. Children must meet age requirements by the first day of the program. Registration may close seven days before the camp starts or when the camp is full. Register early.

To register, call (503) 371-3631 or visit A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village during open hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. or Sunday, noon - 5 p.m. Full payment required at time of registration by check, credit card, or cash. Registration forms can also be printed from our website here.

You will receive a confirmation letter along with an emergency consent form within a week of registration. The consent form will need to be on file before the first day of the program.

Arrival/Pick Up
Children should arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before the program begins as there is no supervision before that time. Please be prompt in picking up your child after the program. There will be a change of $5 per 5 minutes for each student that remains more than 10 minutes after a program. If additional supervision is needed, please consider purchasing lunchcare or aftercare.

Cancellations
Occasionally, unforeseen circumstances or low program registrations require us to cancel a summer program. If this happens, we will notify you by phone at least one week before the first day of the program, and you will receive a full refund.

Refunds
If you withdraw 30 or more days prior to the start of a camp, you will receive a 100% refund minus a $20 registration fee; if you withdraw 29-8 days prior, you will receive a 50% refund minus a $20 registration fee; if you withdraw 7 days prior or fewer, there is no refund.

Scholarships
Limited financial scholarships are available. Contact the Director of Education for more information.

Schedule
click here for full camp descriptions

Camp Descriptions

Voyagers (Ages 3-5) | Scientists (Ages 5-7) | Inventors (Ages 7-11)

Voyagers (Ages 3 - 5) | Return to Top

Farm to Table  No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
From the field to your dinner plate, find out how we get our food! Follow the path foods take, ending with the nutritious meal on your table.
June 27, 29 and July 1 (M,W, F) .................... 9 a.m.–noon

Ready, Set, Grow No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Hey, little Green Thumbs! Get ready to learn about herbs, flowers and, of course, dirt.
June 28 and 30 (T, Th).................... 9 a.m.–noon

Messy Art No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to have some messy fun. Projects will include painting, collage, paper-mâché, play dough and gardening. We will even make our own snacks.
July 11, 13 and 15 (M,W, F) .................... 9 a.m.–noon

I Need a Hero
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s ME! Find out what really makes a hero super, including everyday and fictional heroes. Register by July 4.
July 12 and 14 (T, Th).................... 9 a.m.–noon

PEEP No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Explore the world and test ideas through play in this camp that celebrates curiosity. Learn and share with others through activities based on the science series Peep and the Big Wide World. Register by July 11.
July 18, 20 and 22 (M,W, F).................... 9 a.m.–noon

Stars, Planets and the Heavens Above
Ever wonder what else is out there beyond the moon and stars? Blast off into the Milky Way and explore outer space with us. Register by July 11.
July 19 and 21 (T, Th).................... 9 a.m.–noon

Movin’ and Groovin’
From Jazz to Rock to New Age, get movin’ and groovin’ to the beat of all different kinds of music. Register by July 18.
July 25, 27 and 29 (M,W, F) .................... 9 a.m.–noon

Dough, Clay, Me No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Pound, pinch, roll and just have fun playing with various types of clay. Try out the basics of hand building while making projects to take home. Register by July 18.
July 26 and 28 (T, Th).................... 9 a.m.–noon

Five Senses  No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Taste, smell, touch, see and hear with experiments that focus on a different sense each day. Create a take-home book of your “Sense-Abilities.” Register by July 25.
August 1, 3 and 5 (M,W, F) .................... 9 a.m.–noon

Little Hands Summer Art
Make a masterpiece with artful activities that celebrate summer. Parents: Great for sensory, kinetic and tactile learners. Register by July 25.
August 2 and 4 (T, Th).................... 9 a.m.–noon

Creature Feature No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Celebrate your love of animals as we learn about jungle, forest and farm animals. Register by August 1.
August 8, 10 and 12 (M,W, F).................... 9 a.m.–noon

Snack Time No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Be a smart snacker. Satisfy your growling tummy as you put together delicious and nutritious snacks to share with the whole family. Register by August 1.
August 9 and 11 (T, Th).................... 9 a.m.–noon

Splish & Splash
Dive into the wonders of water and nature through hands-on activities at Riverfront Park and A. C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village. Register by August 8.
August 15, 17 and 19 (M,W, F).................... 9 a.m.–noon

Ice Cream Delight
Try your hand at this exciting experiment that ends with a cold and delicious treat. Science never tasted so good! Register by August 8.
August 16 and 18 (T, Th).................... 9 a.m.–noon

All About Weather
Become a weather wiz and find out what it takes to make predictions. Build a kite, and if weather permits, fly it high before taking it home. Register by August 15.
August 22, 24 and 26 (M,W, F).................... 9 a.m.–noon

It’s About Time No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Know what time it is? It’s time to learn and play! Set your watch to “fun” as you explore the days of the week, time of day and other timely concepts. Register by August 15.
August 23 and 25 (T, Th).................... 9 a.m.–noon

Super-duper Story Time No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Once upon a summer camp … they had a super-duper time! Recreate stories through dramatic play, music, games and crafts. Register by August 22.
August 29, 31 and September 2 (M,W, F).................... 9 a.m.–noon

Away We Go No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
All aboard for a voyage through art, songs and games as you discover what puts vehicles in motion. Register by August 22.
August 30 and September 1 (T, Th).................... 9 a.m.–noon

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Scientists (Ages 5 - 7) | Return to Top

Science Sampler
Sample our best science classes, including Owl Exploration, Chemistry Basics, Slime Science, Build a Bug, Dino Dig and more. Each topic includes a project or activity to take home.
June 27–July 1 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Explore Downtown Salem  No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Walk this way! Visit one location each day in Salem’s downtown neighborhood.
June 27–July 1 ....................1–4 p.m.

Crazy About Critters  No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Spiders, insects and worms, oh my! Each day you will be entertained with experiments and crafts about critters from around the world. Register by July 4.
July 11–15 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Magical Science of Harry Potter
Examine the real-life science behind the magic of Hogwarts. Make parchment, ink and wands then join us for Potions, Charms, Quidditch and more. Register by July 4.
July 11–15 ....................1–4 p.m.

Art About Me
Get personal with art! Bring your artistic ideas to life with various art media as you create a self-portrait and identify the characteristics that make you one-of-a-kind. Register by July 11.
July 18–22 ....................9 a.m.–noon

The Science of Cooking
Whip up good-for-you meals to make your mouth water and use the recipes to build your own cookbook. Explore the science of ingredients as they combine to make appetizing results. Register by July 11.
July 18–22 ....................1–4 p.m.

Creating with Clay
Roll, pound, shape, and glaze your creations in this “clay-mazing” camp. You will be introduced to fun projects using a variety of clay types such as modeling, Fimo, play dough and kiln fired. Register by July 18.
July 25–29 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Science of Sports No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Have fun with physics as you participate in your favorite sporting activities and enjoy playing while you learn. Register by July 18.
July 25–29 ....................1–4 p.m.

Frontier Fun
Hit the trail and find out what it was like to be a young pioneer. You will be introduced to books, music, games and diary entries from real Oregon pioneers. Register by July 25.
August 1–5 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Science for Spies and Sleuths
Practice techniques used by scientists and detectives to help solve mysteries. Work with fingerprinting, paper chromatography and chemical analysis. Apply your newly acquired skills to solve a mystery at the museum! Register by July 25.
August 1–5 ....................1–4 p.m.

Mime Time No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
The silent communication of mimes is a fascinating art form. Act out basic techniques and try more difficult ones, like the wall and the rope. A final performance, complete with mime makeup, will take place on Friday. Taught by professional actors from Cwerks Interactive Theatre. Register by August 1.
August 8–12 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Dino Stomp
Go back in time to when giant reptiles roamed the earth. Make fossils, dig for dinosaur bones, stir up some dinosaur stew and make your own “boxosaurus” to take home. Register by August 1.
August 8–12 ....................1–4 p.m.

Where in the World is Bubble Girl?
No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Travel the world in search of Bubble Girl, the museum’s mascot. From frogs to pharaohs, spices to storytelling, you'll have fun recording this world-class adventure with art, science and food in your travel journal. Register by August 8.
August 15–19 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Happy Campers No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Set up a tent, plan an adventure and eat s’mores from a homemade solar oven. This adventure will end with a "camp-out" including a sing-along, simulated campfire and pretend star-gazing in our portable planetarium. Register by August 8.
August 15–19 ....................1–4 p.m.

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Inventors (Ages 7 - 11) | Return to Top

Jump into Acting  
Leap into the spotlight with this exciting introduction to the world of acting. Dramatic theater games, set painting and a field trip to the Historic Elsinore Theatre will keep you entertained. A performance at the museum on the final day makes this a must-do drama camp.
June 27–July 1 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Science Sensation  No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Science so hot, it sizzles! Wear your lab coat, put on your goggles and assemble a science kit to take home. Learn to experiment and analyze like biologists, chemists and paleontologists.
June 27–July 1 ....................1–4 p.m.

Harry Potter Science  No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Create your own science notions and potions like Harry Potter used. Perfect the science behind the magic so you can leave your friends spellbound. Register by July 4.
July 11–15 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Charming Conjurors
Calling all young magicians! Practice and perform more than a dozen magic effects, including the Confusing Cords of Corsica, Hot Wheels Hot Rod, Slice and Splice Twice and many others. Practice elements of theater, stage presence, elocution, comedy and timing. Register by July 4.
July 11–15 ....................1–4 p.m.

This Is Rocket Science
Using Frisbees, golf balls and bottle rockets, you will discover how concepts such as lift, drag and pneumatic pressure work. End the week with a launch of your own handmade Estes Rocket. Only for ages 8–11. Register by July 11.
July 18–22 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Space Station Gilbert
3, 2, 1 … blast off! Build a space station, play with Mars Mud, make moon rocks and alien creatures then touch back down in time for dinner. Only for ages 8–11. Register by July 11.
July 18–22 ....................1–4 p.m.

Strike Up the Band  No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
A rat-a-tat-tat and rum-a-tum-tum. Design your own instruments from recyclables. Take on the world of percussion, string and wind instruments and experiment with vibration, pitch and frequency. Make your musical debut for parents on Friday. Register by July 18.
July 25–29 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Out and About
Put on your walking shoes and trek through downtown as we explore the community. A bakery, a police station, a cannery or a park … every day will be an adventure. Register by July 18.
July 25–29 ....................1–4 p.m.

Op, Pop and All that Art
Hone your artistic side with the various styles and techniques of modern artists, including Dali, Escher, Picasso, Warhol and others, as you make portraits of friends and family. Register by July 25.
August 1–5 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Crime Science Investigators
Learn fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, chemistry, code breaking and much more. You will use your crime solving skills to help your investigation. Register by July 25.
August 1–5 ....................1–4 p.m.

Creative Cooking for Kids No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
Cook up some fun in this culinary camp. Test out various ingredients and make tasty treats for you and your friends to eat. Register by August 1.
August 8–12 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Artists’ Village
Dabble in the techniques of artists like da Vinci, Matisse, O'Keefe and Van Gogh. Take a field trip to the Willamette Art Center to observe artists blowing glass and throwing clay on a potter's wheel. The camp includes a visit to Salem's Riverfront Carousel to watch woodcarvers at work. Parent transportation required for field trips. Register by August 1.
August 8–12 ....................1–4 p.m.

Clowning Around
Now’s your chance to be a clown! Practice juggling, telling jokes, painting faces and twisting balloons. Design your clown face and costume for a special performance for family and friends. Taught by professional actors from Cwerks Interactive Theatre. Register by August 8.
August 15–19 ....................9 a.m.–noon

Bilingual Theater No more registrations are being taken for this camp.
All the world’s a stage! Todo el mundo es un escenario! Grab the limelight in English and Spanish and memorize lines, rehearse and prepare costumes and props. It’s not necessary to be fluent in Spanish to participate. A bilingual performance will take place on Friday. Register by August 8.
August 15–19 ....................1–4 p.m.

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