Ok… If you are looking for a really fun back to school activities & educational experience with your group or family then camp ins are the thing for you!  What are camp ins? When you have a sleep over at an unconventional place like the science center or aquarium!  Really!  Its fun, its exciting and its educational…. And it takes place all over the  United States!

If you want to make great back to school lesson plans or maybe just foster a child’s love of animals or science or even the ocean then you have to plan a camp in!  Most camp ins feature fun back to school activities that are educational and highly interesting behind the scenes tours. They give you a chance to ask questions, explore and learn in a fun atmosphere that invites exploring! I’ve made a list of some of the sleep ins but you can look up or call your local science center, aquarium or zoo if you don’t see your stare listed below.

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I’ve included information from a few of the programs (not all) so you could get a flavor of the fun stuff they offer! 😉  The average cost seems to be about $35 to $50 per person.

St. Louis Science Center

Friday, September 14 (public camp-in)
Friday, October 12 (public camp-in)
Friday, November 9 (public camp-in)

Basic Camp-In Info

• Call             314.289.4424       to reserve your spot.
• Check-In for Camp-Ins is from 5:00pm – 6:30pm on the date listed. Activities begin at 6:30pm. The Camp-In ends at about 10:00am the next day.
• The OMNIMAX movie will be a family friendly selection from the current rotation.
• The activities are designed for children ages 6 and up. We stay up late and get up early at our Camp-Ins. We do not recommend our Camp-Ins for children under 6 years old.
• At least one chaperon is required for every five campers under 18 years old.
• Sleeping under the stars is available at Planetarium Camp-Ins only.

Every Camp-In Event Includes:

• An OMNIMAX film
• Amazing Science Demonstration
• Hands-on Activities
• Free time exploring the Galleries
• Pizza dinner, snack and continental breakfast
• A Planetarium Show
• Sleeping in the Science Center galleries
• Overnight parking
• A souvenir patch

Pacific Science Center Seattle Washington (State)

 

 

Experience Pacific Science Center Overnight

Imagine roaming the exhibit halls after everyone else has gone home, falling asleep beneath a Tyrannosaurus Rex and awakening to a laser light show and IMAX film. At Camp-In you’ll enjoy a private, after hours experience where you can explore everything Pacific Science Center has to offer, including a hands-on science workshop, live stage show and planetarium show presented by Pacific Science Center’s enthusiastic, knowledgeable and entertaining education staff. This will be a night to remember!

The Franklin Science Institute of Philadelphia PA
DESIGN QUEST
Create like scientists and engineers while you help make 2012-2013 Camp-In the greenest season ever!
November 2012 – May 2013

YOUR OVERNIGHT STAY INCLUDES:

• Interactive live science show – volunteers welcome!
• Hands-on design challenges using camper-donated recyclables.
• Out-of-this-world ride on the Adventure Flight 4D Simulator.
• Immersive film on the Tuttleman IMAX® Theater’s 70-foot tall screen.
• Astronomy show in the Fels Planetarium.
• Rooftop stargazing through our professional telescopes in the Joel N. Bloom Observatory (weather permitting).
• Explore all of The Franklin Institute’s core exhibits—like Electricity, Changing Earth, Sir Isaac’s Loft, and Sports Challenge. You can even sleep next to The Giant Heart! (Traveling exhibits not included.)

American Museum of Natural History New York

Maryland Science Center Baltimore MD

SanDiego Zoo – California

Higgins Armory Museum, Worchester MA

The Carnegie Science Center Pittsburg PA

Los Angeles Natural History Museum, CA

Adventure Science Sleepovers, Nashville TN

Cincinnati Museum Center, OH

Boston Museum of Science, Boston MA

Science Sleepover: Girls Only Friday, Aug. 17 to Saturday, Aug 18 OR Saturday, Aug 18 to Sunday, Aug 19 $35 per person To register, call             412.237.1637      . In celebration of the Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary, Carnegie Science Center is hosting a science sleepover for girls only! This is an especially good opportunity for Scouts who are in town for the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania 100th Anniversary Celebration: an overnight stay much less expensive – and more fun – than any hotel can offer! Explore the science behind superheroes, exciting scientific experiments, and enjoy an Omnimax movie. The Science Center will fuel your brain power by providing a snack and continental breakfast in the morning. Saturday’s slumber party begins at 6:30 pm. Sleepover festivities conclude at 9:30 a.m. the following day—BUT participants can enjoy the rest of the day at the Science Center at no extra charge! Groups need to provide one adult chaperone for every eight children. For Boys and Girls Superhero Science Sleepover Friday, Oct. 12 to Saturday, Oct. 13 Unlock your inner superhero, choose your adult sidekick, and join the Science Alliance! Receive the ‘Guide to Greatness,’ and develop your superpowers with fellow caped crusaders while discovering the science of flying, x-ray vision, super strength, and more! Classic Sleepovers Date Description Feb. 17 Engineers Week Sleepover March 24 Astronomy Sleepover March 30 Science Fair Sleepover Oct. 26 Spooky Science Sleepover Nov. 16 Fireworks Sleepover Dec. 8 Polar Express Sleepover All Science Center sleepovers include: Themed activities Omnimax movie Planetarium or laser show Live theater show Science workshop Sleeping among our exciting exhibits Official Science Center patch Late-night snack Continental breakfast Free admission for the day following the sleepover, including Highmark SportsWorks® and USS Requin Parking