Young Explorers Summer Camp 2008

The following camps are full:

If you would like to be on the waiting list, contact Jessica Sapunar-Jursich at 841-2822 or jessica.sapunar-jursich@state.nm.us. You do not need to pay a deposit to be added to the waiting list.


Half-day Museum Programs

Knee-high Naturalists

Young Explorers
(Entering Kindergarten in the 2008–2009 School Year)

Investigate nature as a Naturalist and explore the amazing diversity of New Mexico’s habitats. Spend the week learning about the animals, plants, and rocks of our mountains, grasslands, deserts, and rivers. Learn to use basic scientific tools and enhance observation and identification skills. Activities include art projects, songs, games, stories, investigating real specimens from the Museum’s collections, and visits to the Museum’s exhibits. Classes are limited to 16 children and taught by two adult instructors and one aide.

Cost: $90 for members, $105 for non-members
Time: Weekdays, 8:00am-11am OR 12:30pm-3:30pm
Dates: July 14-18

Prehistoric Detectives

(K or 1st in 2007–2008 School Year)

Become a junior paleontologist and time travel through New Mexico’s Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras seeking prehistoric animals. Discover how paleontologists use detective skills and trek through Triassic and Jurassic forests, cross Cretaceous seas, and traverse Tertiary grasslands in search of answers. Activities include art projects, games, stories, investigating real specimens from the Museum’s collections, and visits to the Museum’s exhibits. Classes are limited to 16 children and taught by two adult instructors and one aide.

Cost: $90 for members, $105 for non-members
Time: Weekdays, 8:00am-11am OR 12:30pm-3:30pm
Dates: June 16-20, June 23-27, July 7-11

Full-Day Field and Museum Programs

Natural World Around Us

(1st or 2nd Grade in 2007–2008 School Year)

Explore the natural world of the Albuquerque area. Investigate volcanoes, sand dunes, rivers, and mountains. Mornings are in the field hiking and discovering these unique habitats. Afternoons are in the Museum for related hands-on science activities, crafts, stories, and visits to the Museum’s exhibits. Watch our latest DynaTheater film, Dinosaurs Alive!Each session is limited to 13 participants and is taught by two adult instructors. Field trip transportation is included.

Cost: $195 for members, $215 for non-members
Time: Weekdays, 8:00am-3:30pm
Dates: June 9-13, June 23-27, July 7-11, July 21-25

Eco Adventures

(3rd, 4th, or 5th Grade in 2007—2008 School Year)

Become a citizen scientist participating in real ecosystem monitoring around the Albuquerque area. Asses biological diversity, measure water quality, test ambient air and soil temperature, and determine soil and rock type using scientific field equipment. Learn how to use the Museum as a scientific resource during visits to our exhibits and research collections. Watch our latest DynaTheater film, Dinosaurs Alive! Each session is limited to 13 participants and is taught by two adult instructors. Field trip transportation is included.

Cost: $195 for members, $215 for non-members
Time: Weekdays, 8:00am-3:30pm
Dates: June 16-20, July 14-18

Art Adventures

(3rd, 4th, or 5th Grade in 2007–2008 School Year)

View New Mexico’s natural history through the lens of an artist. Hike throughout Albuquerque’s open spaces and visit the Museum’s exhibits and scientific collections as inspiration in creating your very own Naturalist Journal. Experiment with different art mediums like charcoal, watercolor, pen and ink, pastel, and scratchboard. Watch our latest DynaTheater film, Dinosaurs Alive!Each session is limited to 13 participants and is taught by two adult instructors. Field trip transportation is included.

Cost: $195 for members, $215 for non-members
Time: Weekdays, 8:00am-3:30pm
Dates: June 9-13, July 21-25

Full-Day Field and Museum Programs with Overnight Camping

Time Trekkers

Explore New Mexico’s incredible geologic history. Trek through geologic time and witness the physical forces that create the unique landscapes of Tent Rocks, Sandia and Jemez Mountains. An exciting trip to Bandelier National Monument highlights this year’s camping trip. Sessions are limited to 13 participants and are taught by two adult instructors.

Time Trekkers 1

(2nd or 3rd Grade in 2007–2008 School Year)

Camp one night (Thursday) in Bandelier National Monument. Enchanted Skies planetarium show, field trip transportation, and three meals during the overnight are included.

Cost: $225 member, $250 for non-members
Times: Monday-Wednesday 8:00am-3:30pm, Thursday 8:00am-overnight, return Friday 3:30 pm
Dates: July 7-11

Time Trekkers 2

(4th or 5th Grade in 2007–2008 School Year)

Camp two nights (Wednesday and Thursday) in Bandelier National Monument. Enchanted Skies planetarium show, field trip transportation, and six meals during the overnights are included.

Cost: $255 member, $280 for non-members
Times: Monday-Tuesday 8:00am-3:30pm, Wednesday 8:00am-overnight, Thursday overnight, Return Friday 3:30 pm
Dates: July 14-18

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is an environmental education center located in the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque. The 128-acre center is owned by the Albuquerque Public School System and managed by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. The Center consists of classrooms, exhibits, and 7 miles of trails. The SMNHC is an Environmental Education Landmark (National Park Service designation) and recipient of an Environmental Excellence Award by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sandia Explorers

(4th or 5th Grade in 2007–2008 School Year)

Hike and explore a different life zone of “watermelon” mountain. Four of the seven life zones of North America exist in the Sandias. Ascending in elevation from the base to the crest is equivalent to a trip from the Sonoran Desert in Mexico to the Hudson Bay in Canada. Discover the roles that geology, elevation, and weather play in determining what type of forest grows where and which animals make each forest their home. This camp includes a two-night overnight (Wednesday and Thursday) at the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center. The session is limited to 13 participants and taught by two adult in structors. Enchanted Skies planetarium show, field trip transportation, and six meals during the overnights are included.

Cost: $255 member, $280 for non-members
Times: Monday-Tuesday 8:00am-3:30pm, Wednesday 8:00am-overnight, Thursday overnight, return Friday 3:30 pm
Dates: June 16-20

Sandia Mountaineers

(6th or 7th Grade in 2007–2008 School Year)

Discover unique aspects of the Sandias through advanced field experiences. Explore lesser-known features of the mountain while learning basic mountaineering skills such as map and compass, GPS, orienteering, backpacking, field cooking, and Leave-No-Trace ethics. This camp includes one night of base camping at the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center (Wednesday) and one night of backpacking in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness (Thursday). The session is limited to 12 participants and taught by two adult instructors. Enchanted Skies planetarium show, field trip transportation, backpacking gear, and six meals during the overnights are included.

Cost: $265 member, $290 for non-members
Times: Monday-Tuesday 8:00am-3:30pm, Wednesday 8:00am-overnight, Thursday overnight, return Friday 3:30 pm
Dates: June 23-27

YOU NEED TO KNOW

These classes are scheduled rain or shine. The minimum number of participants for a class is 6 (8 for "Knee-High Naturalists" and "Prehistoric Detectives"). Please note that the Museum staff (including instructors, aides and all other staff) cannot take responsibility for dispensing prescription or over-the-counter medications. Campers are required to provide their own lunch for full-day programs (unless otherwise noted for overnight camping) and a snack and drink for half-day programs. Field trips require a daypack with lunch, water bottle, hat and sunscreen as well as any other necessary items noted in the registration confirmation packet. Campers must wear shoes appropriate for field trips, no open-toed shoes such as sandals.

REGISTRATION POLICY

A minimum down-payment of 50% is required to secure a space. Special payment arrangements may be made by contacting the Young Explorers Program Director, Jessica Sapunar-Jursich at 841-2822.

Full payment is due on the first day of camp program.

Cancellations made within seven days before the program are subject to forfeiture of the full payment. Cancellations made prior to seven days before the program are subject to a 20% handling fee.

A waiting list will be maintained for each session that is full; no deposit is required. People on the waiting list will be notified in sequential order. If they wish to reserve for the program they must make full payment within three days of notification.

Full refund will be given if the session is canceled by the Museum due to low enrollment.

REGISTRATION FORM

2008 Registration Form [44Kb PDF]

For more information on Young Explorer's 2008, please contact Young Explorers Program Director, Jessica Sapunar-Jursich at 841-2822 or jessica.sapunar-jursich@state.nm.us