Vacation Destination

Nature-based science fun with Fairbanks educators

Summer Discovery Camps

week-long programs, June – Aug
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

All camps take place at the Fairbanks Museum. Limited extended day options are available until 3:00 PM.

  • $175/child: members
  • $225/child: non-members
  • $10/child sibling discount
  • $150/child extended day (until 3:00 PM)

Discovery Camps offer week-long fun for your young naturalists! Each theme is repeated to welcome more campers. Campers should not register for the same theme twice.

Community Dwellers

City living isn’t just for humans! Ants, termites, and bees also belong to their own complex social communities in which they learn to cooperate for the greater good of their colony. Within each colony, there are many jobs to keep these insects busy: building the nest, gathering food, caring for young, and protecting the group, just to name a few!

Masters of Disguise

All kinds of creatures in the animal kingdom use camouflage to aid in survival. Whether they’re hiding from predators, or sneaking up on prey, animals use this skill for many different reasons. During this camp week, we will learn about some camouflaging insects and discover why they use the art of disguise in so many cool and wacky ways.

Aquatic Insects

Did you know that there is an insect that can walk on water? And another that builds a protective case around itself out of gravel, sand and twigs? Through storytime, crafts, and games, campers will uncover the amazing insects that inhabit the underwater world.

Ages 4-5

June 16-20: Community Dwellers
June 23-27: Community Dwellers
July 7-11: Aquatic Invertebrates FULL
July 14-18: Aquatic Invertebrates
July 28-August 1: Masters of Disguise
August 4-8: Masters of Disguise

Ages 6-8

June 16-20: Aquatic Invertebrates
June 23-27: Aquatic Invertebrates
July 7-11: Masters of Disguise
July 14-18: Masters of Disguise
July 28-August 1: Community Dwellers
August 4-8: Community Dwellers

Please register one child at a time. Registration is complete and your place is reserved when payment has been received.

Drones and Robots

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Camps take place in the Fairbanks Museum’s STEM Lab.

  • $300/child: members
  • $350/child: non-members
  • $20/child sibling discount

Drones (ages 9-12)

  • July 7-11 FULL
  • July 14-18 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.

Robots (ages 9-12)

  • July 28-Aug 1 FULL
  • Aug 4-8 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!

Advanced Drones & Robots (ages 11-14, returning campers only)

  • June 23-27

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 and Robots camp in previous years.

Franklin’s Guides

June 23 – August 15
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, Build It Lab, and native butterfly house. They will greet visitors, interpret exhibits, educate, and assist with programs. June 23rd to 27th 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 7 weeks, Franklin’s guides will receive a stipend of $300. We will conclude our summer fun with an overnight at the museum on August 16.

Please email Karina Weiss to inquire about this program and request an application. Applications must be completed and submitted by Sunday, May 26th at 5:00 PM.