Academy Science Camp
June 23-August 28, 2025
Ages 5-12
Academy Summer Science Camp is back this year with a refreshed format, new themes, tours, experiments, museum exploration, field trips and so much more! Camps run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with four- and five-day options available depending on the week.
The Academy also offers a camp geared toward highschoolers called ELSA (Environmental Leadership Summer Academy).
Mini Academy Camp (Ages 5-6)
Mini Academy Camp is a full-day experience for children ages 5-6. Campers will explore natural history and today’s living environments, plus the public museum. They will participate in dancing, crafts and a weekly field trip.
June 23-27
Dino Dance-Off
Stomp! Crash! Bang! Sound the trumpets for our incredible collection of dinosaur friends! Learn about these prehistoric beasts with some groovy activities, including building your own musical instruments, singing along to dinosaur communication songs, and of course, tons of dino-mite dance parties. Don’t miss out on this T. rex-citing time!
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
June 30-July 3
Buggin’ Out!
Are you a fan of roly-polies? Do you wish to explore the field of insect science? Join our team of future entomologists and get ready to get your hands in the dirt, build your own exoskeleton and meet a swarm of invertebrate pals.
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
July 14-18
Creatures Create: Dinos, Dali and Design
Van Gogh, Warhol, Picasso, oh my! Join us for an exploration of different artists and their unique styles during a week of inspired crafts and art projects. Use your artistic creativity to brush up on your knowledge about your favorite creatures, including dinosaurs, insects, and more. Draw on your love of the natural world for an ink-redible week of camp!
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
July 28-August 1
Buggin’ Out!
Are you a fan of roly-polies? Do you wish to explore the field of insect science? Can you handle creepy crawlies? Join our team of future entomologists and get your hands in the dirt, build your own exoskeleton and meet a swarm of invertebrate pals.
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
August 4-8
Dino Dance-Off!
Stomp! Crash! Bang! Sound the trumpets for our incredible collection of dinosaur friends! Learn about these prehistoric beasts with some groovy activities, including building your own musical instruments, singing along to dinosaur communication songs, and of course, tons of dino-mite dance parties. Don’t miss out on this T. rex-citing time!
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
August 18-21
Creatures Create: Dinos, Dali and Design
Van Gogh, Warhol, Picasso, oh my! Join us for an exploration of different artists and their unique styles during a week full of inspired crafts and art projects. Use your artistic creativity to brush up on your knowledge about your favorite creatures, including dinosaurs, insects and more in your love of the natural world for an ink-redible week of camp!
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
Junior Academy Explorers (Ages 7-9)
Junior Academy Explorers ages 7-9 Will explore museum exhibits, make crafts, go on behind-the-scenes tours, conduct hands-on experiments and go on a weekly field trip. Choose between one of two themes for each week!
View all weeks for Junior Academy Explorers.
June 23-27
Mysteries of the World Below (Option A)
Dig deep into the mystery of caverns as we take a closer look at some of our nation’s most fascinating caves. Learn what it takes to be a spelunker and develop your geology skills as you identify specimens as rock, mineral or fossil. With luck, you’ll not only understand rock formation, but you’ll also find some precious gems to take home!
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
Creatures of the Sea and Screen (Option B)
Do you love going to the movies to see the latest sci-fi flick? Now’s your chance to enjoy your favorites and recreate some iconic scenes all in the name of science. Mega sharks, giant apes and marine reptiles are just a few of the monsters we’ll be exploring as we untangle fact from movie magic!
June 30-July 3
Digging Up Dinos (Option A)
Join this paleontologist-in-training camp and learn the tricks of the trade. You’ll dig out fossils from rock, pack them for transit and compare your specimens against the collection for identification. By the end of the week, your discoveries will be exhibit-ready, and you will have your claim to Jurassic fame!
Philly Secrets (Option B)
Explore local environments of the land, water and sky to uncover Philadelphia’s secrets of the natural world. Participate in insect surveys, go birdwatching and identify fish species from the Delaware River. Become a junior master naturalist by learning how to protect the dynamic ecosystem in which we live.
July 7-11
Insectopolis (Option A)
Help create a bugged-out city where insects meet arachnids, annelids cross paths with mollusks and you are right in the middle of the invertebrate highway. Inspect specimens up close, conduct surveys and learn which microclimates suit which critters, just like an entomologist.
ART-ifacts and Crafts (Option B)
Exploring different art mediums, we’ll delve into nature’s past. Each day will focus on a different museum exhibit along with a new art style. Draw the claws of your favorite dinosaur. Sketch the expanse of the Serengeti. Develop your portfolio and showcase your work to your fellow artists at the end of the week.
July 14-18
Escape the Academy: Jefferson’s Mammoth (Option A)
Thanks to the interests and hobbies of some of our nation’s presidents, the Academy’s collection has grown significantly over the years. With the passing of time, a few specimens have “disappeared,” including Jefferson’s famous mammoth jaw! Solve puzzles and find clues throughout the week in this escape-room-like camp to find the missing objects and restore the Academy’s natural treasures!
Evolutionary Oddities (Option B)
Did you know that Earth is home to weird and wonderful creatures like a venomous mammal, a shrinking amphibian, and once upon a time, even feathery dinosaurs? Determine the evolutionary pressures that made these creatures through simulations and experimentation. By the end of the week, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind Odd Academy Field Guide!
July 21-25
Crypto Creatures (Option A)
Journeys into the backwoods of North America have inspired numerous stories of creatures that spook and mesmerize. Examine tales like Mothman and Bigfoot, learn how they came to be and do the science that may debunk them. Just in case, create your own survival guide to take with you on your next camping trip.
Ecosystem Extreme (Option B)
A massive wave in the distance. A deep rumbling from beneath the ground. A swirling storm slicing through the air. Natural disasters have captivated our attention with their unbelievable sizes and unimaginable forces. Simulate these extreme weather events and learn the impacts they can have on all kinds of ecosystems.
July 28-August 1
Mysteries of the World Below (Option A)
Dig deep into the mystery of caverns as we take a closer look at some of our nation’s most fascinating caves. Learn what it takes to be a spelunker and develop your basic geology skills as you determine whether specimens are rock, mineral or fossil. With luck, you’ll not only understand rock formation, but you’ll also find some precious gems to take home!
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
Creatures of the Sea and Screen (Option B)
Do you love going to the movies to see the latest sci-fi flick? Now’s your chance to enjoy your favorites and recreate some iconic scenes all in the name of science. Mega sharks, giant apes and marine reptiles are just a few of the monsters we’ll be exploring as we untangle fact from movie magic!
August 4-8
Insectopolis (Option A)
Help create a bugged-out city where insects meet arachnids, annelids cross paths with mollusksand you are right in the middle of the invertebrate highway. Inspect specimens up close, conduct surveys and learn which microclimates suit which critters, just like an entomologist.
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
ART-ifacts and Crafts (Option B)
Exploring different art mediums, we’ll delve into nature’s past. Each day will focus on a different museum exhibit along with a new art style. Draw the claws of your favorite dinosaur. Sketch the expanse of the Serengeti. Develop your portfolio and showcase your work to your fellow artists at the end of the week.
August 11-15
Crypto Creatures (Option A)
Journeys into the backwoods of North America have inspired numerous stories of creatures that spook and mesmerize. Examine tales like Mothman and Bigfoot, learn how they came to be and do the science that may debunk them. Just in case, create your own survival guide to take with you on your next camping trip.
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
Evolutionary Oddities (Option B)
Did you know that Earth is home to weird and wonderful creatures like a venomous mammal, a shrinking amphibian, and once upon a time, even feathery dinosaurs? Determine the evolutionary pressures that made these creatures through simulations and experimentation. By the end of the week, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind Odd Academy Field Guide!
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
August 18-21
Digging Up Dinos (Option A)
Join this paleontologist-in-training camp and learn the tricks of the trade. You’ll dig out fossils from rock, pack them for transit, and compare your specimens against the collection for identification. By the end of the week, your discoveries will be exhibit-ready, and you will have your claim to Jurassic fame!
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
Philly Secrets (Option B)
Explore local environments of the land, water and sky to uncover Philadelphia’s secrets of the natural world. Participate in insect surveys, go birdwatching and identify fish species from the Delaware River. Become a junior master naturalist by learning how to protect the dynamic ecosystem in which we live.
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
August 25-28
Escape the Academy: Jefferson’s Mammoth (Option A)
Thanks to the interests and hobbies of some of our nation’s presidents, the Academy’s collection has grown significantly over the years. With the passing of time, a few specimens have “disappeared,” including Jefferson’s famous mammoth jaw! Solve puzzles and find clues throughout the week in this escape-room-like camp to find the missing objects and restore the Academy’s natural treasures!
Ecosystem Extreme (Option B)
A massive wave in the distance. A deep rumbling from beneath the ground. A swirling storm slicing through the air. Natural disasters have captivated our attention with their unbelievable sizes and unimaginable forces. Simulate these extreme weather events and learn the impacts they can have on all kinds of ecosystems.
Academy Explorers Camp (Ages 10-12)
Academy Explorers will discover different exhibits, using the museum as a launchpad to explore different environmental problems, meet real scientists, develop experiments and solutions, and go on a weekly field trip.
View all weeks for Academy Explorers Camp.
July 7-11
Living Science: Aquatic Worlds
Are you curious about the unknown world of aquatic life? Dive deep with us as we investigate what lies beneath the surface of aquatic environments, from freshwater streams to the depths of the ocean. With hands-on exploration and activities, we hope to catch a glimpse of what aquatic life is all about.
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
July 21-25
Living Science: Herpetology
From tail drops to peel-y skin, the unique qualities of amphibians and reptiles have inspired advances in many fields, including medicine, environmental science and even pop culture. Examine their characteristics up close and check out case studies to create a herp-inspired invention of your own to bring us into the next age.
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
August 11-15
Living Science: Invasive Attacks
Learn about the dangers of the infiltration of non-native species on ecosystems. With hands-on activities that model the disruption that invasive species can have, even in our own backyard, we will understand the importance of protecting ecosystems and the real, long-term effects of these invaders. Become a part of our team of environmental defenders this summer!
This week of camp is SOLD OUT!
Pricing
Mini Academy (ages 5-6)
- Price: $390 | 5-Day
- Price: $315 | 4-Day
Junior Academy Explorers (ages 7-9)
- Price: $400 | 5-Day
- Price: $320 | 4-Day
Academy Explorers (ages 10-12)
Academy members save $30 per week.
Book by March 20, 2025, and save $30 per week!
Discounts cannot be combined.
For more information on Academy camp, please consult this Camp Handbook
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available for eligible Philadelphia households on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about Academy Science Camp or to inquire about scholarship eligibility, contact Jennie Payne, Camp Programs Manager at jn894@drexel.edu. All scholarships for the summer 2025 camp season have been filled.
Payment and Refund Policy
Payment in full must be made at the time of registration. Refund requests before or on June 1, 2025, may be accommodated, minus a 25% per week nonrefundable deposit per camper. Starting June 2, no refunds will be given, but campers may switch into a different camp week pending space availability. The Academy reserves the right to suspend or terminate the enrollment of any camper without refund if we deem it is in the best interest of the camp and/or camper.
Lunch and Snack
Campers should arrive each day with a packed lunch, water bottle and snacks. We will have extra snacks here in case of emergencies. These snacks will most often include Goldfish Crackers, popcorn, 100% juice drink or similar foods.
Drop Off and Pick Up Location
The Academy of Natural Sciences is located at 1900 Benjamin Frankling Parkway, Philadelphia. For Academy Camp, please use the 19th Street Entrance located on the side of the building.
Environmental Leadership Summer Academy
July 13–19, 2025
12 p.m. drop-off at the Lighthouse Center
Price: $2200
*includes overnight accommodations at the Lighthouse Center, catered meals and snacks, transportation to field sites, equipment rental and more
The Environmental Leadership Summer Academy (ELSA) of the Academy of Natural Sciences is an immersive summer sleep-away expedition for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors (17 years and younger) to gain hands-on field experience across a range of research areas: local community habitats and environments; beach, marsh, and Pine Barren ecology; botany, lake ecology and geology.
Students will gain a broad understanding of what it means to be an environmental scientist, leader and advocate in this rapidly growing field through theory-based courses and hands-on immersion experiences led by Academy of Natural Sciences and Drexel University scientists and professors.
During this research-rich summer adventure, students will create bonds that last a lifetime and discover pathways that will open doors to future careers in environmental science and related fields.
For more information on Environmental Leadership Summer Academy, please consult the ELSA Camp Handbook.
For programmatic questions, please contact Michelle Gannon at meg355@drexel.edu
For registration questions, please contact Mariah Romaninsky at mjr377@drexel.edu