Summer Fun Science Camps

Summer Fun activities are primarily located in the West Education Building on the SALT Block campus. SciFun classes are held in the classrooms of this building or Glenn Hilton Jr. Memorial Park for our Nature Fun classes. Any off-site class field trips will be noted in the class description. 

During Sunrise Science and Afternoon Adventures, campers will have a “home base” room, but may also explore CSC exhibit areas or outside on the SALT Block grounds. Afternoon field trips off the SALT Block grounds will take place according to the weekly schedule provided on the first day of camp every week.

All children must be checked in and signed out by a parent or authorized adult. All check-in takes place in the Lobby of the West Education Building. For the security of all children, SciFun pickup will take place in the same location as check-in unless your child’s classroom has an exterior door. Parents or guardians must have proper documentation to pick up their child. We recommend taking a picture on your phone of the pick-up slip for easy access.

For Afternoon Adventures, you must call to have your child brought to the lobby of the West Education Building. 

Parents with special needs may ask for exceptions to this procedure. Please contact Public Programs Coordinator Cassandra Williams at (828) 322-8169 to make arrangements.

When checking in or picking up your child, you must park in a designated parking spot. Parking is available in the North and South Lobby entrance areas and along Third Ave NE in front of the buildings. Please DO NOT stop your vehicle in the driveway. A map will be sent with your confirmation.

CSC offers a variety of exciting activities in Afternoon Adventures. Examples include indoor and outdoor games, scavenger hunts, and themed parties. Campers will also go on field trips to swim at the YMCA, watch movies at the Carolina Theater, take walks at City of Hickory parks, have story time at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library (younger campers), and bowl at Pin Station (older campers). You will receive a schedule of planned activities at the start of each week your child is enrolled in Afternoon Adventures.

Yes, you may pick up or drop off your child at any time. If possible, please make arrangements with our counselors in advance. In the case that you are not able to provide advanced notice, please contact our counselors/staff at the phone numbers provided on your weekly schedule or call Catawba Science Center at (828) 322-8169.

See step-by-step instructions for how to enroll in the ‘Registration’ section above. Remember to complete a separate registration form for EACH child. Completed registration forms should be submitted at least one week prior to the start of your desired class or camp. Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to class availability. After your registration has been confirmed, you will receive a digital confirmation packet including detailed information about your camper’s schedule, policies, procedures, and more. 

Unfortunately we cannot place campers in specific classes. Registering at the same time will increase the changes of your camper’s siblings or friends being in the same class. 

Our Summer Fun camp experience is completely customizable! We offer anything from two to ten hours per day of fun exploring and learning. You can build whatever camp experience works best for you by combining Sunrise Science, SciFun Classes, and/or Afternoon Adventures, or by simply picking just one.

If you wish to cancel your registration, please contact our office at (828) 322-8169 as soon as possible. If cancellation occurs two weeks before class begins an administrative fee of $12 per class will be deducted from the refund. Refunds will not be given for cancellations occurring after the two-week cancellation date.

If you requested to add your child to waitlisted camp session(s), your child will be placed next in line on the waitlist. If a spot opens up for them, they will automatically be registered for that session and the payment method on file will be charged. If your plans change and you would like to be removed from a waitlist, let us know ASAP. Once registrations are processed, our cancellation fee policy applies.

Yes. In order to receive member discounts, your annual membership must remain current through the time that your child will participate in Summer Fun Science Camp. If your membership expires and you do not renew, you will be charged non-member rates for the remaining weeks of camp.

Your Corporate Membership provides you with free admission to Catawba Science Center. To receive discounted member pricing for Summer Fun, birthday parties, and other special programs, you can upgrade your Corporate Membership for a $30 fee.

This discount is offered on a per-child basis.

Yes, Catawba Science Center offers payment plan options for Summer Fun participants. Down payment due at the time of registration covers the first two weeks of camp . Payments can be made in monthly or weekly installments. If you choose our monthly payment plan we will automatically charge your card on file on 5/23, 6/19, and 7/24.

CSC’s Payment Plan Billing info is located on page 12 of the 2023 Summer Fun Guide. 

Yes. Through the Portal to Science Program, qualified families may apply for scholarships to attend our Summer Fun Science Camps. Portal to Science benefits are for residents of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba or Lincoln counties who receive benefits from the Department of Social Services or Public Health. Learn more in the ‘Scholarship Opportunities’ section above.