Celebrating over ten years of engaging children with summer fun and learning through Penn Museum’s world-renowned collections
June 18–August 10, 2012
For Ages 7–13
Penn Museum invites campers to join in a fascinating exploration of ancient and contemporary cultures. Each week highlights a different theme, offering campers the opportunity to enjoy one week or all eight.
Campers delight in topics such as mythology, dance, music, cooking, art, and customs from both long ago civilizations and modern cultures.
Through gallery tours, scavenger hunts, art activities, games, and special guest performances, campers will discover the diversity of humankind, past and present.
Daily Schedule
| 8:00am - 9:00am |
Pre-Camp Supervision (optional, additional fee) |
| 9:00am – 9:30am | Meet and Greet
Break into age appropriate groups, participate in an icebreaker activity and review camp rules and the day’s activities |
| 9:30am – 10:30am | Cultural Connections
Explore the weekly theme through interactive talks or gallery tours. On Fridays, campers participate in a museum-wide scavenger hunt |
| 10:30am – 10:45am | Snack Time (snack provided) |
| 10:45am – 12:00pm | Creative Connections
Engage in hands-on activities, which may include art-making, theatrics, cooking and more. |
| 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Lunch and Free-Play
Eat a lunch from home or purchase one from the Museum's Pepper Mill Café. After lunch, children can play with board games or cards (provided). |
| 1:00pm – 2:45pm | Outdoor Excursions
Enjoy organized, recreational games that relate to the week's theme and free play at a Penn campus field. On some days, come back to the Museum early to finish a project. |
| 3:00pm | Camp Conclusion |
| 3:00pm - 5:00pm |
After-Camp Care (optional, additional fee) |
Additional Activities
- "Behind-the-scenes" fun: Campers meet professionals in the fields of archaeology, anthropology and tour "VIP areas" of the museum such as Archives and Conservation.
- Wednesdays: Campers delight in the Summer Wonder performing arts series.
- Fridays: Family and friends are invited to attend the Camp’s showcase of learning.
Summer Camp 2012 Sessions
Select from 8 separate sessions of Anthropologists in the Making for campers 7-13. Campers will be placed in groups according to age.
Are You Game?
June 18-22
Take a turn playing games of skill and chance. Circle the globe as you discover games that are used for entertainment, learning new skills, and marking important events. Search for ancient game pieces in the Museum’s galleries, challenge a fellow camper to a friendly match of senet or mancala, and participate in a Maya ballgame. Then with your newfound knowledge, create your own game for others to try.
African Kingdoms FULL—On-line waitlist registration available!
June 25-29
Africa has been home to many great kingdoms, each with its own political structure, culture, and traditions. Take an expedition across this vast continent as you explore the pyramids and temples of ancient Egypt, the mudbrick mosques of the Mali Empire, and the Great Enclosure of Zimbabwe. Recreate a Benin brass plaque, learn about Maasai medicine, and sculpt a Nubian swabti. Celebrate Africa’s diversity as you contribute to a Dignitary Ceremony with new friends.
On the Move
July 2-6 **no camp on Wednesday due to holiday
You are the product of a journey that began two million years ago in Africa. Learn about early hominids and Neanderthals as you touch casts of fossil bones from the human evolutionary record, participate in the Early Human Obstacle Course, and recreate a Neolithic cave. Discover the story of human migration today and learn about nomadic cultures across the world as you engineer and personalize your own miniature Mongolian ger and more.
Digging in the Dirt FULL—the waitlist has closed!
July 9-13
Who are archaeologists? They are very different from what you see in the movies. Learn how to think like an archaeologist as you unearth ancient Maya artifacts in a mock excavation. Visit Maya 2012: Lords of Time, Penn Museum’s special exhibition, and conduct research about your excavated artifacts. Catalog, clean, restore your finds, and deduce their meaning. Learn about techniques used in the field and talk with archaeologists about their own excavations.
Museums 101
July 16-20
Did you know that there are more museums in the US than Starbucks cafés? Learn why museums are so important as you explore the roles of conservationists, exhibit designers, and educators. See the inner workings of a museum as you travel to behind-the-scenes areas of the building. Work with new friends to repair broken ceramic vessels and create a museum exhibition, complete with tours and interactives, for your family to visit.
Who’s Who in Ancient Egypt FULL—the waitlist has closed!
July 23-July 27
Take a trip back in time to early Egypt by exploring the ancient palace and artifacts found in the museum. Discover what daily life was like for pharaohs, priests, scribes, and commoners. Become an instant pharaoh as you make a crook, flail, and crown. Make papyrus, sculpt a magic wand, and engineer a boat for the Nile. Learn more about mummies when you chat with an Egyptologist.
A Classical Odyssey FULL—the waitlist has closed!
July 30-Aug. 3
Did you know that the name “Philadelphia” comes from the Greek word for brotherly love? Explore Greek and Roman culture at the time when the Mediterranean was the center of government, the arts, and sciences. Discover the trial of Socrates, gladiatorial clashes, Hippocratic cures, and the geometry of Pythagoras. Appreciate the legacy of classical arts and ideas as you witness pantomimes, participate in a mock trial, and play some “Olympic” games.
Contact! FULL—On-line waitlist registration available!
Aug. 6-10
What happens when two cultures come into contact with one another? While epidemics and conflict were often a result, interactions also allowed for the trade of ideas, natural resources, and goods. Explore the outcomes of the Viking raids, the Mongol hordes, and the Roman Empire. Discover the effects of the Spanish conquistadors on the Maya and Aztec Empires. Sculpt a miniature Roman sarcophagus, admire the music and legends of Native American cultures, and try weaving with a Maya backstrap loom.
Tuition and Fees
Receive a reduced tuition rate by taking advantage of the May 1, 2011 early registration deadline.
| Register by May 1: | $200 Museum members per week |
| $220 non-members per week | |
| Register after May 1: | $220 Museum members per week |
| $240 non-members per week | |
| Pre-camp (8:00am - 9:00am): | $5 per day/$25 per week |
| After-camp (3:00pm - 5:00pm): | $10 per day/$50 per week |
Registration
1) Register your child/children through the Camp's online website.
2) Payment may be processed through E-check or credit/debit card through the online website. If you would prefer to pay by check or money order, please call 215.898.4016 (Monday-Friday) to register over the phone.
3) You will receive an automated confirmation via e-mail upon registration.
Penn Museum is conveniently located next to the University City Regional Rail station and several bus and trolley lines. A carpool list is also available for interested families.
Contact
For questions, to request a need-based scholarship, or to be added to the carpool list, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call:
| Jennifer Reifsteck | Brendan King |
| Summer Camp Director | Summer Camp Assistant Director |
| 215.898.4016 |
