

Camps are back for a Summer of fun and learning
The South Carolina State Museum in Columbia is excited to offer a fun and engaging summer of camps for ages 6 – 11 sponsored by AFLAC! These week-long camps focus on a different subject each day including natural history, astronomy, art, S.T.E.A.M and more. Camps are available all summer long in June, July and August.
Registration Now Open
6-8 Year Old Members | 9-11 Year Old Members | |
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Not a member? Join Today!
Choose Your Camps
Camps are listed below by age group, click the corresponding tab to see a full list of camp descriptions and dates.
Cosmic Kids
June 5-9 or July 17-21
Fun awaits in cosmic proportions as we explore all things space! This week we’ll learn about our solar system, the twinkling stars, and distant galaxies through engaging activities that put the universe in your hands. Along the way we’ll create our own constellations, build our own Milky Way, and construct our own comets.
Invention Convention
June 12-16 or July 24-28
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 camper will create the next light bulb!
Little Bots
June 19-23 or July 31 – Aug. 4
Between Baymax, Mars rovers, and even automatic doors, robots are everywhere! Three days of screen-free activities will teach campers the difference between robots and mechanical creations, allow them to try out coding and binary, and help them tackle the linear processes robots must follow. The last two days of camp we will be diving into some screen time as they learn about block coding! Your camper will work with HexBugs, Ozobots, Dash, Dot, and more!
I’m All Booked Up!
June 26-30 or August 7-11
Nestled within the pages of beloved picture books is a summer camp focused on literacy and fostering a love of reading. Campers will experience ten unique and exciting children’s books as we let their imaginations shine in a series of creative activities. From designing wearable mermaid and dragon tails to creating collages that highlight the biggest dreams of our littlest campers – we’re all booked up for a week of awesome fun!
Can YOU Believe it?!
July 10-14
Can we take pictures without a camera? Can we keep an egg from cracking? Can water be moved without being touched? These questions and more will be answered in this fact or fiction camp where students will put their investigative skills to use. Experiments and creative projects abound as campers learn to harness their curiosity and try new things that will have them saying, “can YOU believe it?”
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.
Important Information
Please make sure to read our camp policies and procedures.
SCSM knows caregivers are very busy and sometimes picking up your camper right at 3pm 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 5:30pm. Extended Day is an additional weekly cost.
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).
Lunch, a separate snack (two if staying for Extended Day), and an eagerness to learn! 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.
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 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 inclusion and acceptance which are key tenets of a healthy and joyful camp experience.
If you’d like to see your child face-to-face:
If you’d like to speak with your child during the day:
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.
If your camper is sick or you need to reschedule, the following applies:
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 Educational Aids.
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 grandma is in town they may be staying up really late and eating tons of junk food, 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 welcomed.
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.
Educational Aids are welcome! The State Museum is not setup for 1:1 care and we do encourage educational aids to attend camp for anyone who may need it. All educational aids and assistants must be approved at least 2 weeks prior to camp.
If you have a camper with an educational aid, the following must happen prior to attending camp:
Individuals who count as an educational aide include:
SCSM Educators take professional development and training classes in the following areas: