Discovery Day Camp

Did you know that all birds are Dinosaurs? That's right! Birds belong to the theropod group of dinosaurs that include Tyrannosaurus rex, Archaeopteryx, and Velociraptor. Join us on a journey as we explore the history of Dinosaurs during the Mesozoic era and observe how they survived and evolved into modern birds after the devastating mass extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period. We will also examine the many adaptations of birds that call Nebraska home, including the characteristics that give birds the ability to fly. Furthermore, campers will get to meet raptor animal ambassadors brought by the Raptor Conservation Alliance. This camp is best suited for ages 9 - 11.

Ages 9 - 11
9am - 4pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 5pm)
Register by March 1st

Fossils can tell us a lot about the unique creatures that used to roam Nebraska millions of years ago. Campers will learn about what it takes to become a paleontologist (someone who studies fossils) and will get to touch and explore fossils from our museum collections. Campers will also get to create plaster molds of fossils and create their own amber insect. This camp is only offered during the morning and is best suited for ages 6 - 8.

Ages 6 - 8
9am - 12pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 1pm)

Blast off into a fun whirlwind of space exploration. Campers will get a behind-the-scenes understanding of what it takes for astronauts to take a journey to the moon, examine the differences between other planets in the solar system, and get to experience our state-of-the-art Mueller Planetarium. This camp is only offered during the morning and is best suited for ages 6 - 8.

Ages 6 - 8
9am - 12pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 1pm)

Insects, spiders, and parasites, oh my! Big or small, these arthropods, arachnids, and protozoa play important roles within our local ecosystem. Campers will get to explore the special adaptations of these creepy crawlies that are all around (and sometimes even inside us, eeekkk!). Campers will also get to meet some resident entomologists and will have some hands-on interactions with various insects. This camp is only offered during the morning and is best suited for ages 6 - 8.

Ages 6 - 8
9am - 12pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 1pm)

Art forms and different science fields go hand in hand. Discover the science of shapes, form, and structure in the world around us. Campers will get an introduction to these forms of artistic expression ranging from science illustration, nature journaling, and wildlife photography. Campers will also get to experience several hands-on crafts to share the things they learned from the week. This camp is only offered during the morning and is best suited for ages 6 - 8.

Ages 6 - 8
9am - 12pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 1pm)

Come join us for three fun-filled days of exploration and discovery! Campers will learn about a different topic every day including paleontology, astronomy, water ecology, zoology, entomology, art in science, and much more! This camp is only offered for three days the week before the 4th of July weekend and is best suited for ages 6 - 8.

Ages 6 - 8
9am - 4pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 5pm)

Campers will get to put their detective skills to the test as they solve a variety of mysteries throughout the museum and outside in the natural world. What happened to the sandhill cranes this spring? Why are there cicada shells on the trees but no cicada? Campers will get to answer these questions and many more through the power of curiosity and observation. This camp is only offered during the morning and is best suited for ages 6 - 8.

Ages 6 - 8
9am - 12pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 1pm)

Join us for a hands-on exploration of Native American cultures of the past and present, specifically in the Great Plains territories. Campers will get an introduction to cultural anthropology then learn how the First Peoples of the Plains used natural products of the local environment and fashioned them into tools, food, clothing, and shelter. Campers will also learn about continued traditions and Native American leaders of today. Furthermore, campers will get to learn about flint napping and the atlatl. This camp is only offered in the morning and is best suited for ages 12 - 14.

Ages 12 - 14
9am - 12pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 1pm)

Did you know that Nebraska used to be a shallow sea? And within that sea there were gigantic marine reptiles such as the Mosasaur and Plesiosaur. This camp will explore all kinds of sea creatures that called Nebraska home millions of years ago, and marine animals that currently occupy our planet’s oceans. This camp is only offered in the morning and is best suited for ages 6 - 8.

Ages 6 - 8
9am - 12pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 1pm)

As our camp coordinator likes to say, “Naturalists know a little about a lot of different things” (Ann). Campers will get to explore Nebraska's wildlife and landscapes through exploration and hands-on experiences. Campers will get experience using tools real naturalists use in citizen science projects. Some topics include plants, wetlands, mammals, birds, geology, insects, reptiles, astronomy, and much more! Towards the end of the week campers will get to go on a field trip to Pioneers Park Nature Center to explore the wetland and prairie habitats. This camp is best suited for ages 9 - 11.

Ages 9 - 11
9am - 4pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 5pm)

At least 75% of Earth's surface is covered in sedimentary rock, which forms from the accumulation of sediment over time. Examples include sandstone or shale. Campers will explore the rocks and minerals that are prevalent in Nebraska, our world, and the other worlds in our universe. Towards the end of the week campers will get to go on a field trip to Schramm State Park to explore the fossil beds and geological display. This camp is best suited for ages 9 - 11.

Ages 9 - 11
9am - 4pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 5pm)

Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a motorized vehicle? Or the mechanics behind flight in birds and airplanes? STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineers, Art, and Math. Campers will explore various fields of study through scientific experiments, team-building exercises, and artistic projects. Campers will also get the chance to visit the Museum of American Speed. This camp is best suited for ages 9 - 11.

Ages 9 - 11
9am - 4pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 5pm)

Forensic entomology is the scientific study of insects and their use in criminal investigations as well as to analyze food safety. Campers will learn insect identification, life cycle analysis, and practical exercises such as crime scene investigation techniques. They will also get to meet with real live forensic entomologists. This camp is best suited for ages 12 - 14.

Ages 12 - 14
9am - 4pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 5pm)

Did you know that Elephants used to live in Nebraska? Ancient marine reptiles too? Campers will explore creatures of the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras and will learn about the unique adaptations that helped them survive in their environment. Campers will also learn more about the Agate and Ashfall local extinction events unique to Nebraska. This camp is best suited for ages 9 - 11.

Ages 9 - 11
9am - 4pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 5pm)

Have you ever wondered what it takes to put together a museum collection? Morrill Hall museum collections contain over 13 million specimens, artifacts, and items from different scientific fields such as paleontology, zoology, anthropology, botany, entomology, geology, and parasitology. Only a small fraction – around 1-2% of those items are on public display at any given time. Campers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the collections and exhibits at the Museum. They will also get the opportunity to create and present a museum collection of their own design. This camp is best suited for ages 9 - 11.

Ages 9 - 11
9am - 4pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 5pm)

End the summer season with a fun-filled week of exploration and discovery! Campers will learn about a different topic every day including paleontology, astronomy, water ecology, zoology, entomology, art in science, and much more! This camp is best suited for ages 9 - 11.

Ages 9 - 11
9am - 4pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 5pm)

EarthForce is a tool created by the North American Association for Environmental Education to give young adults the tools and experiences of participating in environmental civic projects in their local communities. Campers get to select the local project on environmental conservation for the week. All participation and decision making on the project is youth-led with counselor facilitation. Campers will also get experience meeting leaders from local environmental organizations from across the Lincoln area and get to experience a capitol day at our state capital. This camp is best suited for ages 12 - 14.

Ages 12 - 14
9am - 4pm (drop off begins at 8am, pick-up by 5pm)