green background with the text 2026 summer camps

4th-5th Grade Camps

NHMU fourth and fifth grade camp sessions are for students who will enter either of these grades in the fall. Unless otherwise noted, sessions will run Monday-Thursday. Any exceptions are identified by an asterisk (*) on session listings. Each day-long camp session includes time for a morning and afternoon snack break and a mid-day lunch break.

Important Details:

  • Food and Drink: Pack two substantial snacks, a non-refrigerated lunch, and a reusable water bottle daily.
  • Session Registration: Camps with the same title are identical; register for only one session of each camp.
  • Drop-Off and Pick-Up: Held at NHMU unless otherwise specified for partner camp sessions.
  • School Schedule: Summer break dates vary by school district, so please check your school’s calendar before registering.
  • Registration Limit: Due to Utah childcare licensing exemptions for out-of-school programs, each camper may attend a maximum of five weeks of camp per summer.

Engineering Marvels

Travel across centuries to explore how humans have solved problems through engineering. Campers will investigate ancient and modern engineering marvels, then design and build their own models inspired by these innovations. We’ll explore civilizations such as Mesopotamia, China, Panama, and Rome to see how engineers developed writing and record-keeping systems, aqueducts, canals, bridges, and other essential technologies. From monumental structures like the pyramids, the Parthenon, and Stonehenge to everyday engineering found in baskets and textiles, campers will discover how creative design has shaped the world we live in. 

This camp takes place entirely at NHMU, Monday-Wednesday. No camp on Thursday or Friday.

*Week 1 | June 8 – 10 (*M – W) | 8:30am – 4:30pm | $282 | SOLD OUT

*Week 10 | August 10 – 12 (*M – W) | 8:30am – 4:30pm | $282 | SOLD OUT

Explorers Camp 

Partner Camp with the Red Butte Garden

Join us for a week of nature explorations! Monday and Tuesday will be spent at NHMU where campers will be investigating the fauna and arthropods that call Utah home through outdoor excursions in the foothills. While outside, campers will also spend time learning to use the iNaturalist app as we become Citizen Scientists! While at RBG on Wednesday and Thursday, campers will explore food chains and trophic levels as campers create photosynthesis art, plant their own pots, identify scat, and more. 

Drop off and pick up will take place at NHMU on Monday and Tuesday and at RBG on Wednesday & Thursday. No camp on Friday.

Week 2 | June 15 – 18 (M – Th) | 8:30am – 4:30pm | $375 | Registration is Closed

Camp Ology

‘Ology’ means “the study of,” and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing at the Natural History Museum of Utah. Join us for four days of exploration as campers investigate what it means to be a biologist, anthropologist, geologist, and climatologist—and how those fields branch into more specialized roles. Through experiments, creative projects, Museum investigations and tours, conversations with scientists, and student-guided inquiry, campers will unpack how science works in the real world. 

This camp takes place entirely at NHMU, Monday-Thursday. No camp on Friday.

Week 2 | June 15 – 18 (M – Th) | 8:30am – 4:30pm | $375 | Registration is Closed

Fossils to Forests

Partner Camp with Camp Kostopulos

Let’s explore! Monday and at Tuesday while at NHMU campers will delve into the science of paleontology—from the field to the lab. They’ll discover how fossils are formed, where we find them, and meet some of the people who prepare and study fossils at the Museum. On Wednesday and Thursday at Camp K, campers will head out into the stunning Utah foothills of Emigration Canyon for an unforgettable nature adventure. They’ll discover the amazing ecosystems around camp—wandering through forests, exploring ponds, and spotting wildlife in their natural habitats. Along the way, campers will create nature-inspired art, hike scenic trails, try their luck fishing, spend time with our horses, and make incredible summer memories with friends through nonstop outdoor fun!  

Drop off and pick up will take place at NHMU on Monday and Tuesday and at Camp K on Wednesday and Thursday. No camp on Friday.

Week 3 | June 22 – 25 (M – Th) | 8:30am – 4:30pm | $375 | SOLD OUT

Week 6 | July 13 – 16 (M – Th) | 8:30am – 4:30pm | $375 | SOLD OUT

Case Closed

Step into a missing Museum artifact crime scene and become a real-life forensic scientist. In this camp, young investigators will dive into the science of solving mysteries by analyzing handwriting, comparing prints, and identifying suspects. Campers will extract DNA, examine microbes, and explore how biological evidence can connect clues to a crime scene. Along the way, they’ll experiment with chemical reactions to identify unknown substances, learn how evidence is carefully collected and preserved, and practice observation, critical thinking, and teamwork. Each day brings new clues, hands-on experiments, and exciting challenges as campers work together to close the case of our camp mystery. 

This camp takes place entirely at NHMU, Monday-Thursday. No camp on Friday.

Week 4 | June 29 – July 2 (M – Th) | 8:30am – 4:30pm | $375 | SOLD OUT

Week 8 | July 27 – 30 (M – Th) | 8:30am – 4:30pm | $375 | SOLD OUT

Extreme Frontiers

Partner Camp with Clark Planetarium

This session challenges campers to explore some of Earth’s most extreme and hidden environments. Monday and Tuesday, while at NHMU, campers will investigate the ocean’s depths, from sunlit surface waters to the pitch-black deep sea, analyzing how organisms survive and adapt in the intense pressure, near-freezing temperatures, and complete darkness. Through hands-on experiments, and model-building, campers will connect to parts of earth that very few have travelled. Wednesday and Thursday at the Planetarium, campers will expand their exploration beyond Earth by examining extreme environments throughout the solar system. Students will investigate ocean worlds such as Europa and Enceladus, compare space conditions to the deep sea, and learn why astronauts train underwater to prepare for the physical and mental challenges of spaceflight. Through simulations, experiments, and interactive activities, campers will discover how studying Earth’s extremes helps scientists search for life beyond our planet. 

Drop off and pick up will take place on Monday & Tuesday at NHMU and at Clark Planetarium on Wednesday & Thursday. No camp on Friday.

Week 5 | July 6 – 9 (M – Th) | 8:30am – 4:30pm | $375 | SOLD OUT

Geology 101

Calling all rockhounds! Get ready for an unforgettable adventure as we dive into the dynamic world of Earth science. Throughout the week, campers will embark on an exciting journey to uncover the mysteries of our planet’s past and present. From understanding rocks and minerals to exploring the forces that shape our landscapes, this camp will ignite your curiosity about geology, fossils, and Earth’s ever-changing systems. Campers will explore topics like the age of Earth, volcanoes, geysers, and the wonders of luminescence. Campers will engage in hands-on activities, go on a field trips to the University Campus, and start a rock collection—don’t miss out on the chance to uncover the secrets of the Earth!

This camp takes place entirely at NHMU, Monday-Thursday. No camp on Friday.

Week 6 | July 13 – 16 (M – Th) | 8:30am – 4:30pm | $375 | Check Availability and Register

Beyond Bugs! 

Zero, six, eight—what do we appreciate? Bugs! In this camp, curious campers will crawl into the science of classification and discover that many creatures we call “bugs” actually belong to very different groups. Campers will learn the difference between insects, arachnids, crustaceans, worms, and other small organisms. Through hands-on labs, iNaturalist observations, art explorations, and visits to our exhibitions, campers will challenge common misconceptions, examine traits like body structure and adaptations, interact with critters, and even design, name, and classify their own organisms. 

This camp takes place entirely at NHMU, Monday-Wednesday. No camp on Thursday or Friday.

*Week 7 | July 20 – 22 (*M – W) | 8:30am – 4:30pm | $282 | SOLD OUT