Summer Camps at the Museum!
To the desert and beyond! Our hands-on, minds-on camps will open your eyes to the Sonoran Desert region’s diverse land and sea. Campers will explore every nook and cranny of the Museum as they use science to make their own desert discoveries, observe live animals up close, create art, and chill out in our Packrat Playhouse.
Museum Explorers are for children entering 1-6 grade and are split into two grade group categories, Packrat Explorers and Sonoran Scientists.
Camps offered, June 5-9, June 12-16, and June 26-30, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Nonmembers - $265
Desert Museum Members- $245
Packrat Explorers (for children entering grades 1-3 in fall of 2023)
Discover the many wonders of the Sonoran Desert as we explore the Museum grounds, scamper in a canyon, scramble through a cave, and play like a packrat. We’ll search for treasures, do science experiments, and uncover the amazing adaptations of desert animals and plants both on grounds and in our classroom. Through up-close animal encounters, we’ll discover how arthropods, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals have different characteristics and behaviors that make each of these groups special. We’ll also create fabulous art projects, sing, make music, and enjoy desert stories. Join the fun!
Sonoran Scientists (for children entering grades 4-6 in the fall of 2023)
Calling all curious kids! The natural world is full of surprises and fascinating stories. During this STEAM-focused camp, kids will investigate the world around them using tips and tools of scientists. We’ll use exciting technology for nature discovery, and we’ll even get to meet some Desert Museum scientists and zookeepers along the way! Throughout the week we’ll explore the Museum, make nature-inspired art, and have up close experiences with a variety of desert animal friends. We’ll have a fancactus time!
Optional for Adult work from the Museum workspace for $95
Don’t want to drive back and forth every day? Stay and work/play at the Museum while your child is at camp!
Your work station includes:
- Personal (but not private) work space (bring your own computer)
- Indoors with air conditioning and Wifi
- 6' distancing from other stations
- Museum entry included
- Come and go from your workspace to see the Museum at your leisure
- Limit 6 — reserve your space early!

Colors of the Desert (for students entering grades 6-8 in Fall 2023)
Discover the many colors of the Sonoran Desert as we observe the world around us through the lenses of culture, art, and science. During the day we will explore the Desert Museum grounds, have up close live animal experiences, learn with Tohono O'odham and NOIRlab teachers, as well as create projects out of natural materials using nature as our inspiration. Each day brings a new adventure as we explore the colors of the desert!
Nonmembers - $265
Desert Museum Members- $245
Colors of the Desert -Work at the Museum for Adults workspace for $95
Don’t want to drive back and forth every day? Stay and work/play at the Museum while your child is at camp!
Your work station includes:
- Personal (but not private) work space (bring your own computer)
- Indoors with air conditioning and Wifi
- 6' distancing from other stations
- Museum entry included
- Come and go from your workspace to see the Museum at your leisure
- Limit 6 — reserve your space early!
Changes or Cancellations
No refunds for cancellations made less than 15 days from the program date. Cancellations made more than 15 days from the program date will be refunded the program fee less $25.00.
Please notify us as soon as possible of a cancellation, change, or to be added to waitlist. Contact us at 520-883-3025 or email: education@desertmuseum.org.
