Event
Summer Camps
Register your camper today for a Summer of fascinating fun at the museum!
Event Dates
June & July 2026
The South Carolina State Museum in Columbia is excited to offer a fun and engaging summer of camps for ages 6 – 12 sponsored by AFLAC! These week-long camps focus on a different subject each week including astronomy, art, S.T.E.A.M, robotics, and more. Camps are available in June and July!
Museum Member Early Registration Now Open
Non-Member registration opens in January 2026
| 6-8 Year Old Members | 9-12 Year Old Members | |
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Not a member? Join Today
Hours & Pricing
Non-Member Pricing
Member Pricing
Camp Hours
Drop Off: 8 – 8:30 a.m.
Camp: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pick-up: 3 – 3:30 p.m.
Extended Day: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Ext. Day Pick-up: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Choose Your Camps
Camps are listed below by age group. Please register your child for the age group that corresponds to their age on the first day of their camp week.
Please note that we are not able to keep a waitlist for camp weeks. Camps will automatically become available to be placed in your cart on the website if there are any openings.
6 - 8 Year Old Camps
Byte-Size Bots
June 1 - 5 or June 15 - 19
Tiny bots – giant ideas! From Dash and Dot to Ozobot Evo and LEGO Spike Essentials, campers will dive into robotics like true inventors: asking questions, solving problems, and creating code to bring their ideas to life. They’ll experiment with Cubelets and LittleBits to see how energy moves and powers their creations, turning curiosity into action. Whether your child is a first-time coder or a seasoned roboticist, this camp delivers hands-on challenges that inspire creativity, teamwork, and bold inventions.
All Booked Up!
June 8 - 12 or June 22 - 26
Where stories spark ideas - and ideas become reality! Campers will dive into beautiful picture books that ignite creativity and curiosity. Each day's story launches a new challenge: design a tool for a favorite character, create theatrical props and costumes for a group production, and build a moving work of art to tell a story without words! It's a joyful blend of reading, art, and making where every camper becomes both storyteller and creator.
Cosmic Kids
July 6 - 10 or July 20 - 24
Blast off into a week of discovery where the universe is YOUR playground! Together we’ll wonder, investigate, and tinker our way through the mysteries of space. Campers will explore the solar system, map out their own constellations, experiment with building comets, and even create a swirling Milky Way. Every day is a mission to solve cosmic challenges, spark big questions, and imagine what’s possible beyond our planet.
Imagination Station
July 13 - 17 or July 27 - 31
What if kids could design their own dream camp? This is the result – a high-energy maker’s playground where imagination rules! Each day brings a brand-new problem to solve or invention to design. Campers will build contraptions, mix magical potions, and even engineer their own mini-battle bots. This camp celebrates big questions, big ideas, and the joy of creating something that’s never existed before.
9 - 12 Year Old Camps
Invention Convention
June 1 - 5 or June 15 - 19
From wheels to WiFi, inventions shape the way we live – and this camp puts campers in the inventor’s seat! Whatever would we do without telephones, wheels, and zippers? During this week of tinkering and problem-solving, campers will not only learn about revolutionary inventions that changed our everyday lives but will also try their hand at creating their own! And after a week of world-changing new inventions, students will show off their creations at a mini-museum “World’s Fair.” Who knows? Maybe your idea will be the next big thing!
Thing-a-ma-Bot
June 8 - 12 or June 22 - 26
Invent, code, and engineer your way through a week of robotics adventures! Campers will use Ozobot Evo for color coding challenges, tinker with Cubelets and LittleBits to make circuits come alive, and design robot-powered solutions to creative problems. Dash and Dot will guide the way through a camper-created sci-fi adventure, while LEGO Spike Prime takes the spotlight on LEGO Day for exciting, hands-on engineering challenges. Whether you’re new to coding or already a pro, this camp is where technology and imagination collide.
History Mystery: CSI Camp
July 6 - 10 or July 20 - 24
Glass shatters. Alarm bells sound. A shadow slinks into the night. Police rush to the scene to discover a destroyed exhibit- a priceless artifact has been stolen! The evidence suggests that someone in the museum is the culprit- but who?! We’re looking for the best and brightest crime scene investigators in the state! We need your help to collect fingerprints, analyze chemicals, type blood, and sequence DNA in order to crack the case. Do you have what it takes to solve this museum mystery before the trail goes cold?
To the Planetarium...And Beyond!
July 13 - 17 or July 27 - 31
Step inside our state-of-the-art digital planetarium and blast off on an epic journey through the cosmos! Campers will explore the solar system, dive into the mysteries of distant stars, and even imagine what’s beyond our galaxy. Along the way, they’ll build their own scale model of the solar system, construct a foldable James Webb Space Telescope, and collaborate to design and present a planetarium show for friends and family - sharing their unique view of the Universe.
Important Information
Please make sure to read our camp policies and procedures.
CAMPER AGE GROUPS
State Museum camps go by age group instead of grade level for a variety of reasons. We find this helps us to be more inclusive. Campers should be registered for the age group that matches their age on the first day of the camp week they are signing up for. For example, if you're registering for a 6-8 year old camp during the week of June 1-5, your child must be 6 years old by June 1st, the first day of that camp week, in order to be eligible for that age group. If you have any Accessibility or Special Needs concerns, please email us at camps@scmuseum.org so we can discuss the best camp experience for your child! All campers must be able to use the restroom on their own.
CAMP DAYS AND ACTIVITIES
State Museum Camps begin with a morning social time and then we quickly start our days with activities and explorations! Each day consists of an in-depth activity time and exploration of the museum galleries. As a group, campers will attend the 4D theater, planetarium, and blockbuster exhibitions at least once a week. Morning snack is at 9am and lunch is at 12pm. For the safety and security of our campers, no other specific camp activity times will be shared. However, you will always be able to gain access to your camper as you'd like! Extended Day campers will have an additional snack time at 3:45pm.
SPECIAL CAMP PHONE NUMBER: (803) 528-2706.
The museum is closed before 10 a.m. Monday - Friday. If you need to contact the SCSM Camp Team please text or call (803) 528-2706. For all inquiries regarding membership, payments, adding extended day or day-of camp, please call Group Visits at (803) 898-4999.
SCSM CAMP RELEASE FORM
A SCSM Camp Release form will be sent out to registered families 2-weeks prior to camp. This release will be sent to the email address of the individual who registered. Please note that our pick-up policy is extremely strict and only individuals with names matching their picture IDs exactly will be permitted to pick-up, or come into contact with the camper, even if the camper recognizes them.
DROP OFF & PICK-UP
- Drop-off is at the side entrance of the museum by the planetarium. This is the very far right side of the museum if you are looking at the museum from the parking lot. It looks like a 4-story glass box. There will be a welcome sign by the doors during drop-off and pick-up. Please pull up to the bus unloading area and walk your camper into the building for sign-in every day. Please allow yourself a little more time the first day of camp just in case we have any questions about your forms or need to make schedule adjustments.
- Camp staff will contact families via email the first day a camper is absent without prior notification.
- Pick-up is also at the side entrance of the museum by the planetarium. You can pull to the exact same bus unloading area and temporarily park. You will need to come inside and sign out your camper. A photo ID will be checked every single day. At 3:31pm campers will be considered part of the Extended Day Camp and charged for the entire week (summer camp does not have a single day charge option).
- Late drop-off may cause your camper to miss activities. We’ll do our best to get them caught up but we may not be able to adjust our schedule every time. We are also unable to repeat activities missed due to absenteeism.
- For the safety of all campers, adults are not permitted to participate in SCSM camp activities. We recommend a quick hug at drop-off, an excited hug at pick-up, and avoiding “visiting” during the day, especially for new campers. Adults will not be permitted to visit classrooms during the day. Campers will be brought out to you once ID and authorization have been verified. Please see below for information on Accessibility and Special Needs and How to Contact Your Child at Camp.
EXTENDED DAY
The SCSM knows caregivers are very busy and sometimes picking up your camper right at 3 p.m. can be difficult. We are happy to offer a fun and entertaining Extended Day Camp where students can continue to explore the museum and participate in activities until 5:30 p.m. Extended Day is an additional weekly cost and cannot be sold by the day for summer camp. There is a $10 late fee for every 5-minutes a camper is late being picked up from Extended Day.
LUNCHES AND SNACKS
Each camper is expected to bring their own non-perishable, non-microwavable lunch and at least one snack (two if they are staying for Extended Day). Please note that the museum is not a nut-free facility.
The museum is not be able to refrigerate or microwave any meals.
The museum will not provide snacks.
Campers are not supposed to share food unless related and their food is packed together.
Please note that the museum is NOT a nut or peanut-free facility and cannot guarantee that the Lunch Room will be free of peanuts or other allergens. If your camper has a food allergy listed on their medical release, our staff will take extra care to help keep them safe. This may include cleaning the tables before they eat and making sure nearby campers do not have the allergen in their lunch boxes.
If you are dropping lunches off late in the day you can take them to the Group Visits window. This is the glass window just inside the drop-off/pick-up area.
To keep our campers safe and ensure food goes to the right person, we are not able to accept deliveries from services like Bite Squad, Uber Eats, Door Dash, etc. A guardian/caregiver must bring the food directly to the Group Visits window to officially drop it off.
All campers MUST have a lunch every time they come to camp. Even if your camper is “not a big eater” they must have food and will be provided the opportunity to eat.
Please make sure lunch boxes are easily identifiable. The museum is not responsible for mixed-up lunch boxes.
Please make sure your camper can distinguish between their snacks and their lunch. If a camper eats their lunch during snack time and is hungry again at lunch, we will call you to bring additional food. For some campers, it really helps if snacks are packed in a separate or easy-to-spot bag inside their lunchbox.
Any water bottles or large, insulated cups with straws must be able to lay sideways or upside down without leaking. The museum is not responsible for lost water bottles. We encourage campers to leave their water bottles with their lunch boxes and in classrooms. If they choose to take their water bottles exploring, it is up to them to keep up with it.
WHAT TO WEAR:
Campers should all wear closed-toe shoes.
We recommend a light jacket because some of the exhibits can be cold.
A free camp t-shirt will be provided every Monday. All campers must wear their camp shirts every single day for security reasons. Additional shirts may be purchased at Group Visits for $15.
WHAT TO BRING: Lunch, a separate snack (two if staying for Extended Day), and an eagerness to learn! The SCSM will provide all learning materials. Please keep all electronics (including cell phones), personal toys, stuffed animals, and blankets at home. Please keep large backpacks at home unless absolutely necessary for accessibility reasons. The museum is not responsible for misplaced or lost items.
Electronics and Cell Phones: It is our policy that electronics should stay home unless medically necessary. Schools and camps across the country are always struggling with this issue and we know different camps have different policies. At the SCSM, we are committed to each and every student and making sure they are valued and known. We believe in the importance of our shared community and engaging together socially and academically. In order to get the most out of camp, they need to engage with us and their peers. Access to cell phones, texts, and social media magnifies behaviors and attitudes that harm classroom harmony and acceptance which are key tenets of a healthy and joyful camp experience.
Lost and Found: There will be a cart that we like to call "the land of the lost and forgotten." This cart will be where we place any items we find in our carts, lunch room, and classrooms. It will be by the welcome table when you check-in. Campers will be encouraged to leave water bottles with their lunch boxes. There are water fountains in the classrooms and around the museum. However, if a camper would like to take their water bottle exploring it will be up to them to keep up with it and any other items they take with them. Museum staff will not search the museum for lost items. If you let us know something is missing, we can keep an eye out for it and will place it on the cart once it is found.
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR CHILD AT CAMP:
You will always have access to your child. Here are some ways we do that:
If you’d like to see your child face-to-face:
Present your photo ID and it will be checked against the Authorized Pick-up list.
Camper will be brought out to you.
For the safety and security of other campers, adults who are not camp staff are not permitted to visit the classrooms.
If you’d like to speak with your child during the day:
Call or text the camp cell phone: (803) 528-2706
We will first verify that you are permitted to contact the child via the Camp Release Form.
Next, we will get to your camper as quickly as possible and give them the phone.
If you’d simply like a midday update, please let us know and we will do our absolute best to do that when we have a moment. We typically do these via email.
ACCESSIBILITY AND SPECIAL NEEDS: This does not only have to be disabilities. If a family member is away on a work trip it may cause a camper to be more emotional. If a family member is in town they may be staying up really late and having lots of special treats which might make them super sleepy at camp. Whatever it may be – there are times when campers are just in situations that make life different. We love to know what might be going on so we can best serve every child. We all handle things differently as well, so any tips you want to give us on how to work with your child are also welcome.
The museum and its classrooms are equipped with many things to make sure everyone can explore and have a great time! Please let us know if your camper will have any special requirements prior to your visit. Some of the tools we have include wheelchairs, noise canceling headphones, sensory/fidget bags, sensory seat pads, family restrooms, first aid, and assistive listening devices for shows. All camp staff are CPR/First Aid certified and have first aid kits on them at all times. Please be sure to list any specific needs on your camper's release form and email camps@scmuseum.org with any details or questions prior to camp.
Educational Aides are Welcome! At this time, the State Museum is not setup for 1:1 support care and we do encourage certified educational aides to attend camp with anyone who may need it. All educational aides and assistants must be approved at least 2 weeks prior to camp.
If you have a camper with an educational aide, the following must happen prior to attending camp:
They must be able to show proof of certification in the state of South Carolina.
They must also be able to show proof of having passed a background check in their organization and provide their certifying organization’s contact information.
Must pass a state background check through the SC State Museum (this can sometimes take a few weeks).
If they are also allowed to take the child home they must be listed on the Authorized Pickup List.
Due to conflicts of interest, family members are not permitted to attend with their campers unless they hold certification in the state of South Carolina.
The following individuals are considered educational aides and must show proof of certification/registration:
Certified personal care attendants
Registered behavior technicians
Registered behavior therapists
Certified Special Education Teachers
Official Special Education Teaching Assistants
Certified respite care attendants
Certified ASL interpretive guides
Certified Visual impairment guides
RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR POLICY
At SCSM, we want every camper to feel safe, respected, and included. This includes their bodies, hearts, and minds. Our approach emphasizes kindness, respect, and community.
Our Expectations Include
Assuming good intentions: Believe that our classmates are trying their best, give them the benefit of the doubt, and understand that accidents happen.
Treating others with kindness and respect: Interact thoughtfully and consider how others would like to be treated.
Sharing or taking turns: Use materials cooperatively and be mindful of others’ needs.
Using words to solve problems: Communicate feelings, ask for help, and resolve conflicts peacefully.
Including others in play and activities: Invite participation and support everyone in feeling welcome.
Showing grace and courtesy with our space: Care for the museum, exhibitions, and classroom materials so that everyone can enjoy them.
How We Respond
Our staff is trained to step in quickly and calmly when challenges arise. If a camper experiences conflict or frustration, we may:
Redirect or coach the child(ren) toward a different behavior.
Hold peace talks with camper(s) to understand what happened, allow everyone to share their perspective, and guide them toward a better choice.
Notify caregivers if the behavior continues or is serious. For significant incidents or injuries, we complete an Incident Report to provide details.
Take next steps if needed, which may include removal from an activity, a same-day early pick-up, or, in rare cases, dismissal from camp to protect the safety and well-being of everyone. Depending on the severity, dismissal may be for the remainder of the week or for the entire summer session.
In addition to formal incident reports, we provide daily updates as a friendly heads-up about smaller moments – like if a camper was frustrated, upset, or had a minor challenge. These updates are meant to keep you in the loop, not to alarm you. We intentionally over-communicate to avoid surprises and to include families as part of our extended camp community.
Celebrating Positive Behavior
We also love to highlight the wonderful things our campers do! Campers who demonstrate exceptional moments may receive a Finn-tastic Camper Award as a fun way to recognize and celebrate their contributions to our community.
How You Can Help
Talk with your camper before camp: Discuss treating others with respect, using kind words, and telling an adult if they feel unsafe or are upset. Reviewing our camp expectations together can help them feel prepared and confident.
Keep us in the loop: Sometimes children share things with you at home, during bath time or bedtime, that they haven’t mentioned to us. Knowing about these moments helps us support them better and respond thoughtfully. Please let us know if your camper is experiencing any challenges so we can provide extra care and guidance.
Encourage communication: Remind your camper to use their words, ask for help from staff when needed, and participate in resolving conflicts peacefully.
Celebrate the positives together: Share in the joy when your camper earns a Finn-tastic Camper Award or demonstrates kindness, creativity, or problem-solving!
Together we can create a safe and caring space where everyone can learn and have fun!
MUSEUM CAMP STAFF & LEARNING SPACES:
Each camp age group (6 - 8 yrs and 9 - 12 yrs) will have a room dedicated to them. There are three adults per classroom. Each classroom has a capacity of 20 children.
Both groups of students may be brought together as one large group at times. This includes: Planetarium Shows, 4D Shows, exploring blockbuster exhibitions, and during our Extended Day Camp program.
Campers will be exploring the museum while general admission guests are here. We will have signs letting people know campers are in the exhibitions and we will encourage them to visit the exhibition after we have left. However, we cannot control every area and campers may at times be in the same areas as general visitors. Campers will also be in the same shows as the public.
SCSM Educators take professional development and training classes in the following areas:
CPR/First Aid certification with the American Heart Association
Accessibility Training with a focus on autism, ADHD, and anxiety
Security and emergency safety protocols
Exhibition Interpretation/Tours
DSS/Mandated Reporter Training
Maintaining an accessible classroom environment
Classroom management with a focus on Montessori, Reggio, Maker, and Curiosity Approach learning styles
ALL museum staff and volunteers must pass all state and national background checks.
All staff working with campers must be over the age of 18 years old at the start of camp.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
If your camper is sick or you need to reschedule, the following applies:
A written cancellation request must be received two weeks or more before the scheduled camp in order to receive a refund. You must send this to group_visits@scmuseum.org
No refunds will be issued for cancellations made with less than two weeks’ notice.
If rescheduling is preferred, it is subject to space availability.
The South Carolina State Museum reserves the right to reschedule or cancel any activity. A refund will be given if the museum cancels a camp.
Any camper who vomits or is running a fever during camp will immediately be sent home and should not return until symptom free for 24hrs without the aid of fever-reducing medications.
Campers who test positive for Covid-19, strep, or any other communicable disease will be given the opportunity to reschedule. If there is no availability, a refund will be given.
The South Carolina State Museum is not able to issue a refund or reschedule partial weeks or single days of camp.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:
Our camp follows Richland School District One and state agency closure decisions. If weather causes a closure, delay, or early dismissal, we will notify families as soon as possible by email.