Summer Camps
Ignite your childs’ natural curiosity through the power of PLAY in an awe-inspiring environment!
Camp Overview
Join us for an awe-inspiring summer filled with opportunities for children to use their curiosity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity! Our 3-day camps will all be a summer highlight!
The details
Each camp will have the opportunity to engage in specific programming topics for the group. Opportunities for exploration of the Museum environment and programs will be a part of each experience. The CMSM Community Room will be “Camp Central” and campers will be able to engage together as a group in that space for directly supervised experiences created for each camp.
The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota education team consists of highly qualified and trained program educators. The team is lead by Minnesota Licensed Educators. These educators work closely to imagine and facilitate experiences that are engaging, unique, developmentally appropriate and fun for the campers.
Age Group
Child has completed Kindergarten - Completion of 4th Grade.
Cost
$210 per 3-day camp
Times
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Camp Dates
Sew Much Fun - June 10th-12th
Come and sew with us! Have a child that would like to explore sewing, needlepoints, fabrics, or just be creative? Kids with little or no sewing experience will learn some basic sewing skills. This camp experience will offer the opportunity to explore a number of different sewing and needle techniques. Join us to meet and learn about the "Okies" sewing team who create all of our sewn materials at CMSM. Different presenters will share their talents. Each day includes activities focused around S.T.E.A.M., active play indoors and outdoors and in time to explore our awe-inspiring Museum environment!
Whirlwind Explorers - June 17th-19th
Campers will be "blown away" with the opportunity to explore all things "up in the air"! Join us and team members from 3M in New Ulm for their "ROCKET LAUNCH" experience. Campers will be assisted in creating their own rocket and get to help launch them. Children will use loose parts to direct wind, create wind tunnels, and to experiment with which materials fly better than others. This camp is very hands on and campers will participate in S.T.E.A.M. based inquires and creative creations. This Camp experience also includes activities focused around active play and exploration in our awe-inspiring environment.
Exploring Pollinators: Birds and Bugs - June 24th-26th
Come to Exploring Pollinators Camp to explore all of the different pollinators that call the Dotson Back40 home! We will learn all about the different ways these animals and insects are pollinators and hopefully get to see them pollinating in action! To learn about why pollinators are important to us, we will get creative with flowers and taste test some local honey!
Tech Art and Take-a-Part - July 8th-10th
Have you always wondered what the inside of a printer looks like or maybe the TV remote? Campers will use screw drivers, hammers, and other tools to take apart all kinds of broken technology and then use those pieces to make one-of-a-kind artwork! We will also put together our own doodle robots to take home!
Innovators in Action - July 15th-17th
Get ready to innovate as we dive into the world of simple machines, build epic marble runs, and unleash our engineering minds with some wacky “mouse trap” contraptions and reactions!
Art Studio - July 22nd-24th
At Art Studio camp you’ll be able to create to your heart’s content! Special projects such as canvas art, recycled sculptures and wearable art will be offered each day. In addition to one main project, we will have available a variety of art mediums including but not limited to, wire, paint, drawing, paper making, and so much more! *This camp will not include clay as we have a specific camp just for that! *
Monarch Marvels - July 29th-31st
Get ready for an up-close look at the life cycle of the Monarch, the star of the summer here at the Museum! Learn about each stage of this amazing creature through observation, conversation and artistic creations. We will spend lots of time in the Butterfly House and Prairie Gardens. Campers will also be able to participate in our citizen scientist program and receive a certificate for their stewardship. Let the adventures begin!
Forts and More - August 5th-7th
Get ready to unleash your inner architect with epic fort building, dazzling light play, and crafty cardboard creations! It’s not just a box; it’s a portal to a wacky world beyond imagination! Our loft will transform into a whimsical wonderland where every cardboard corner holds a new adventure!
Earth Elements - August 12th-14th
A sensory lovers delight! Get ready to squish and mold with some clay creations! As well as diving headfirst into the wild world of the Back 40 Nature Kitchen! Every day will be a new adventure as we mix in fresh goodies to our muddy outdoor kitchen!
Culinary Kids - August 19th-21st
Do you have a budding chef in your house? Our program will immerse young chefs in a world of culinary creativity and discovery. During this experience we will whip up pizza perfection, craft some delightfully savory puff pastry, and create our very own sun ovens! This camp offers knowledge, fun, and hands-on adventure as participants build upon new culinary skills and techniques!
Natures Harvest - August 26th-28th
Calling all green thumbs! It's a garden extravaganza where you’ll dig into planting seeds, reaping the harvest, and mastering the art of composting. Plus, prepare your taste buds for a wild ride with some tasty new foods to try!
A Day at Summer Camp
Drop-off and pick up Information:
DROP-OFF occurs at our Kato Engineering School Group Entrance at 224 Lamm St. A Museum Staff will be at the door starting at 8:50 a.m. You may not drop off a child and leave them at the door if no staff member is present. You can pull up outside at the bus drop off and wait until you see a staff member present. Camp staff will escort your camper inside. Staff will wait there for drop off until 9:05.
If you arrive past the time a staff member is able to wait at the drop off door you will have to bring your child into the Museum and check-in at the front desk so they can contact staff to come get your camper.
PICK-UP will be at the Kato Engineering School Group Entrance at 224 Lamm St. All campers and staff will be gathered by that door for pick up for 10 minutes before the scheduled end of the camp. Please do not come into CMSM through the front doors for pick up unless prior arrangements have been made.
What should my child bring to camp?
Please have all personal items labeled with the child’s name. Although we do our best to encourage each camper to keep their belongings together, The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please make sure you bring ONLY what your child needs each day.
In a labeled bag/backpack please provide:
- Change of clothes
- Reusable water bottle with first and last name
- Lunch
- Light jacket or sweatshirt, expect that we will be going outside every day at camp
The following items will not be permitted:
- Personal electronics and/or valuable, cherished items
- Mobile phones – use during camp is NOT permitted – if you need to reach your child during camp for an emergency, please call front desk at 507.344.9109
- Toys (unless requested for a specific camp experience)
What should my child wear to camp?
Each camper will receive a CMSM Curiosity Camp T-shirt to wear while they are at camp. This shirt will go over the clothes they are wearing. Every camper must have the t-shirt on while they are attending shirt for identification purposes. Campers will receive a clean t-shirt when they arrive each day and we will take them to wash at the end of each camp day.
Campers should wear clothes that they can be comfortable in and explore in all of our environments. Closed shoes are best for playing in the Museum. Sandals or flip flops are not recommended. We will be climbing, going outside for each camp and we will be interacting with water and elements of nature.
We also recommend sunscreen; if you would like your child to wear sunscreen/bug spray, please apply before dropping off your camper in the morning. Staff will not be able to apply sunscreen/bug spray for campers.
Curiostiy Camp Policies and FAQ
We do NOT provide lunch for campers; please send a packed lunch with your camper(s). Lunches must be packed and stored in a lunch box that will keep the lunch cool or warm as needed. No refrigerator or microwave will be available. We will provide an afternoon snack. You are more than welcome to provide your own daily snack if you’d like. Camp snacks will consist of items in individually pre-packaged boxes or bags for each camp attendee.
In order to protect the health of all campers and staff, The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota has implemented a Communicable Management policy, which incorporates guidelines and recommendations provided by the Minnesota Department of Health, Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Alliance of Camp Health. Children must be kept at home when showing signs of the beginning of an illness or contagious disease, or when feeling too ill to participate in an educational setting. We expect caregivers to communicate with us regarding any communicable illness or infection so that we may notify all caregivers of our campers. These conditions include but are not limited to: pink eye; chicken pox; measles; mumps; strep throat; or lice. If a child develops a fever of 100.0°F or higher, vomits, or has two loose stools while at camp, the caregiver will be called to pick them up.
If my camper becomes ill or is sent home sick for the week, will there be a refund?
No. It is the policy of The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota to not issue full or partial refunds based on the health of a child. By visiting CMSM you voluntarily assume all risks related to any potential infectious or contagious disease, including but not limited to COVID-19.
What are your policies about distributing medicine?
We cannot administer or store any prescription or over-the-counter medication. If a child takes a daily medication, the caregiver is expected to administer it before or after camp. Epi pens can be stored in the camp instructor’s backpack and will be given only if necessary. A certified doctor’s order must accompany the Epi Pen.
The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota education team consists of highly qualified and trained program educators. The team is led by Licensed Educators. These Educators work closely to imagine and facilitate experiences that are engaging, unique, developmentally appropriate and fun for the campers. At least two-three team members (depending on which camp) will always be actively present with the children. Our typical instructor-to-camper ratios are 1:8 for kids 5-11 years and 1:6 for kids 4-5 years.
If the camp you are registered for is canceled by CMSM, you will be refunded your tuition in full. Please Note: Registration funds may not serve as credit for another CMSM camp or program, and camp sessions are not transferable to other campers. If CMSM cancels a camp, refund options will be shared.
If my camper becomes ill or is sent home sick for the week, will there be a refund?
No. It is the policy of The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota to not issue full or partial refunds based on the health of a child. By visiting CMSM you voluntarily assume all risks related to any potential infectious or contagious disease.
Most direct communication for camp will be through email or phone. Please make sure that when you register your child, you include the email and phone number for the person who will be the main contact for the camper during their time at CMSM. Please expect a confirmation email after you register that will share details needed for the day. Please always check your junk email to make sure that communication from CMSM hasn’t been sent there.
Additional communication will be shared at pickup, or via email. Please feel free to reach out to our camp staff with other questions via email or phone.
Cell phones, video games, and other personal electronic devices can easily become distractions at camp, so we ask that you please keep these items at home. If your child does bring a cell phone to camp, they will not be permitted to use it during the camp day. If there is an emergency and you need to reach your child, please contact the camp staff.
Our first priority is the safety of our Guests and Staff. Behavior and Discipline procedures in place are to ensure camper safety and allow for healthy learning environments, providing
The following unwanted behaviors may result in the temporary or permanent removal of a camper from a Curiosity Camp:
- Endangering the health (mental and physical) and safety of children and/or staff
- Use of profanity, vulgarity, or obscenity (hostile or offensive language)
- Refusing to follow behavior guidelines or camp rules; disrupting a program
- Destruction or theft of Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota or personal property belonging to others
CMSM staff will contact the registered caregiver as needed to work through a plan that can support all involved parties if needed
Curiosity Camps are proudly presented by the Xcel Energy Foundation.
