2025 DISCOVERY CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN
A Family, Year-Round Island Family Membership or higher is required to register for our Discovery Camps.
Eco-Investigators Full-day, Outbound Themes
Cosmic & Climate Connections I and II
This is a full day program meeting from 8:50am-3pm
In celebration of Maria Mitchell’s legacy, join us for an exciting week of hands-on exploration of the Earth, Ocean, and Space at the Maria Mitchell Summer Discovery Camp! This week, we’ll dive into the fascinating changes in our climate and how they affect plant and animal populations, food sources, and our coastlines. Through engaging games, hands-on experiments, animal collection, and exciting adventures into Nantucket’s rare and unique ecosystems, your child will learn how interconnected our world truly is.
As part of the program, we’ll visit one of the Maria Mitchell Association’s observatories, where you'll discover how NASA’s space observations help scientists understand Earth's changing climate and how they use similar techniques to study weather on other planets. With each session guided by the summer instructors, a new and unique theme awaits! This program promises to be out of this world—don’t miss it!
Cost per Participant: $800
Camp will not be held on Thursday, June 19th and price will be prorated
**Nantucket Year-Round island Families Special Rate
Green Guardians I and II
This is a full day program meeting from 8:50am-3pm
Do you have what it takes to be a Green Guardian of Nantucket? Join us as we explore this beautiful island while learning about the importance of a sustainable lifestyle and how to protect our environment. This week, we will uncover the 5 R’s of recycling—refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle—and apply these eco-friendly practices in our everyday activities.
As environmental stewards, we’ll participate in beach cleanups, learn the principles of “Leave No Trace,” create compost, and much more! With activities such as kayaking, hiking, and seining, each day promises hands-on experiences that connect you with nature and teach you how to care for it. Led by our Environmental Educators, every session will feature exciting and educational adventures. Come be a part of the solution and help protect Nantucket’s natural beauty!
Cost per Participant: $800
^Nantucket Year-Round island Families Special Rate
Marine Biology Boot Camp I and II
This is a full day program meeting from 8:50am-3pm
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a marine biologist? Join us for an exciting week at the Maria Mitchell Summer Discovery Camp as we dive into the fascinating world of ocean life—from plankton to sharks and everything in between! This week, you'll study invertebrate and fish anatomy through hands-on dissections, firsthand observations, and a visit to the MMA Aquarium.
Your adventures won’t stop there! We’ll explore Nantucket by land and sea, with activities including snorkeling around the island to discover local marine species, kayaking to learn about physical oceanography, and exploring the island’s stunning coastal ecosystems along the North Shore beaches. Please note: Participants must demonstrate strong swimming skills to participate in swimming and snorkeling activities, or they will be required to wear a life jacket. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to become a marine biologist for the week and make unforgettable discoveries!
Per state regulations participants must demonstrate strong swimming ability to participate in swimming and snorkeling activities or they will be required to wear a life jacket.
Please note: Swimming, snorkeling and other water immersion activities in this session are contingent upon state regulations and safe weather conditions.
Cost per Participant: $800
Eco-Investigators Drop-off, half-day Themes
Marine Investigators I, II, and III
This is a half-day program meeting from 10am - 2pm, drop off at MMA Aquarium
Does your camper want to be a marine scientist or advocate when they grow up? Want to get your feet wet in the field of research? This camp provides an introduction to the topics and tools of marine biology for your young scientist and the fascinating world of scientific research methods. Dive into the vital work of the local conservation agents as you learn about data collection and how scientists utilize data to protect our environment. Explore the behavior of animals, the chemistry of the ocean, and the communities of living organisms. Learn hands-on by performing water chemistry tests and taking readings of the surrounding waters. Examine the world of marine biology further with snorkeling adventures and a kayaking excursion.
Per state regulations participants must demonstrate strong swimming ability to participate in swimming and snorkeling activities or they will be required to wear a life jacket.
Please note: Swimming, snorkeling and other water immersion activities in this session are contingent upon state regulations and safe weather conditions.
Cost per Participant: $800
*Camp will not be held on Friday, July 4th and price will be prorated
Junior Naturalists I, II, and III
This is a half-day program meeting from 10am - 2pm, drop off at MMA Natural Science Museum
Interested in science and ecology? Want to learn how to design your own research?
Step into the world of discovery with Junior Ecologists, a hands-on natural science camp designed for young explorers! Hosted at Maria Mitchell Natural Science Museum, this camp offers a perfect blend of adventure and education. Campers will get a behind-the-scenes experience at the Natural Science Museum operations, assisting with animal husbandry duties and learning what it takes to build and maintain exhibits. With opportunities to engage in natural science and learn how we care for our animals and collections; your child will be immersed in the day-to-day world of the Natural Science Museum.
In addition to museum life, campers will embark on exciting animal collecting trips, exploring local habitats to observe the insects and wildlife. Each session is guided lessons in entomology, terrestrial ecology, and the science behind the natural world, Junior Ecologist is the ideal camp for children who are curious about the natural world around them and want to become hands-on stewards of nature. Campers will collect data, conduct scientific investigations and design experiments using real scientific equipment. Be inspired by the natural world! Conduct mini science experiments and use digital microscopes to create nature – inspired works of art through sketching, painting, and mixed media. Campers will work on multi-day projects building on what they learned the day before as they ask and answer their own scientific questions.
Cost per Participant: $800
Registration Information
***PLEASE REMEMBER***
Camper Health Records:
Once enrolled in Discovery Camp, your registered email will receive an invitation from our electronic health records portal - Camp Doc. To complete this profile, you will need to provide the following information:
- Phone number for your child’s doctor
- Health insurance details
- Emergency contacts and phone numbers
- Names and contact info for people on your child’s pick up list
- Medication details if applicable
- Physical and immunization records
Medical and medication forms are REQUIRED. Camper's profiles must be completed at least 2 weeks before your camper's registered session. Please Note: No child will be allowed to participate in our programs without our administration receiving ALL of the completed registration and medical information. MMA reserves the right to cancel – without refund – any camper’s spot if the information is not received two weeks before the session’s start date.
Camp Session Details:
- Session Details will be shared the Wednesday before your camper's session begins, you will also receive a detailed email that includes drop off and pick up details, an agenda for the week with locations, activities and what to bring. Since our instructors plan their lessons the week prior to the session it is not possible to send this information sooner.
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