Incorporating elements of paleontology and geology, this camp goes beyond simply learning the names of dinosaurs to thinking critically like scientists! Making homemade dinosaur salt bones, creating a mini dino-terrarium showcasing the different layers of the Earth, and experimenting with chemistry volcanoes are just some of the hands-on activities campers will enjoy. They’ll discuss how scientists use soil and the surrounding environment to learn about the lives of the dinosaurs, and what features or attributes dinosaurs could have developed to avoid extinction. All this and more will keep your camper roaring about the awe-inspiring world of dinosaurs!

Did you know babies have 94 more bones than adults? And that you’re taller in the morning than you are at night? From organs and muscles to joints and reflexes, our bodies are amazing machines. This week will take campers inside the magic and mystery of the human body to learn how its incredible systems are designed to help us bounce back, both mentally and physically, from illness, injury, and everyday wear and tear. With projects such as filtering “kidneys,” creating do-it-yourself stethoscopes, making life-size human body tracings, and testing reflexes, there’s something for every BODY at this camp.

You don’t need to be bitten by a spider or come from Planet Krypton to have the power within to be a positive force in the world! That’s why this camp focuses on more than just the traditional fun and whimsy of well-known superheroes. It also touches on the importance of civic duty and community engagement to help our campers understand that each and every one of us plays an important role in keeping our community safe and thriving. Through projects, story immersion, and group activities, our campers will be ready to take their own super talents “up, up, and away” to save the day!

All aboard! Headfirst is taking a virtual road trip across the USA to help campers experience the beauty and scope of our country. We’ll be learning about famous sights and regions, and incorporating art and STEM projects such as painting the spectacular sunsets of the West, making light-up road signs to guide the way, and building wind-powered cars to help us understand forces of motion, as well as using compasses and making maps. This geo-focused week will help our campers feel they’re ready to take on the world – both literally and figuratively!

Welcome to the ultimate building challenge! This week will focus entirely on architecture, engineering, and problem solving. Campers will practice their building skills by constructing marble runs, bridges, and sponge grass houses, as well as create do-it-yourself bulldozers, all to prepare for the week’s final challenge. They’ll have to build a cool-misting system to help keep our Headfirst mascot, Gomer, feeling happy and hydrated in the hot sun. If you thought Iggy Peck’s structures were impressive, just wait until you see what these campers come up with!

Combining conservation, zoology, environmental science, and ecology, this week will look at the Arctic through a scientific lens, giving campers the opportunity to learn about one of our planet’s most ecologically vulnerable regions. Snowflake symmetry printing, igloo building, snowshoe racing and penguin egg incubator challenges are just some of the fun activities campers will enjoy as they discover the importance of caring for the natural world. Your camper will be singing Let it snow in the middle of July!

Unleash your inner traveler! These campers will be visiting Polynesia this week, an ideal location for exploring Geography, geology and ocean conservation. In fact, our campers will be travelling from island to island advocating for a cleaner environment and tackling projects such as watercolor volcanic blow art, boat building, study of the rock cycle, and how to properly use a compass. Pack your bags for a week of fun, as we say Aloha to the beautiful South Pacific!

Who says interesting animals can only be found in the wild? In fact, the DC area boasts some AMAZING city-friendly creatures. This week’s mix of zoology, ecology and wildlife habitat study will keep even the most exotic animal lovers satisfied. Flying squirrels? Opossums? Pill bugs? We’ll be taking a closer look at those and many more. Learning how these critters adapt and exist in a city environment will give campers a new appreciation for all the wildlife excitement that can be found in their own backyards.

The oceans are full of more than just the usual sharks and fish. The extremes of the ocean –the way down deep and the shallow tide pools¾are home to some fascinating and lesser known creatures. Join us for a week that combines oceanography, marine biology and some coastal geography, into one spectacular deep dive into the sea. Campers will experiment with water pressure, observe a tidal pool, investigate bioluminescence, and create their own deep-sea oxygen tanks. Dive in!

Calling all animal lovers! This camp is headed straight to the Sahara Desert in North Africa, home to some of the most amazing animals on the planet. As campers journey through the savanna, they’ll need to create their own functional binoculars and rely on the cleverness of the color-changing chameleons to avoid some pesky poachers! This mashup of geography, zoology and wildlife conservation will keep campers swinging from the trees as they explore one of the most exciting animal habitats on earth.