Camp Details

For Summer 2026

We are very excited to be able to offer Young Scientists Camp (YSC) for Summer 2026. We look forward to doing science with your kids!

We will be following all campus and state/local health guidelines. Please note that as campus health guidelines change, so too will our requirements. It is strongly recommended that campers be vaccinated, but proof of vaccination is not required.

When

Camp will run Monday-Friday, 8:30am-12:00pm, July 13-24, 2026.

Where

The camp takes place in the science laboratories on the campus of California State University, Long Beach.

Topics for this Year

Kids will explore the animals and plants that live in different ecosystems (e.g. desert, ocean, forest, prairie).

young students exploring the shoreline of a garden pond

Join us as we unveil some of our favorite magic tricks and illusions. For two weeks you get to be the magician who does the trick and the scientist who explores and understands the concepts behind them.

young children excited by magnetized paper clips

Kids will explore a variety of crime scenes and solve mysteries using fingerprints, hair and fiber analysis, chromatography, chemistry, etc.

young children dusting a glass jar for fingerprints

How can we use science to create and understand art? How can we use it to showcase our creations? Join us for a creative couple of weeks.

kids using soldering tools to construct a project

Cost

  • $525 per student
  • $25 sibling discount
  • $100 cancellation fee; no refunds after July 1 - No Exceptions!

Parent Orientation

Thursday, July 9, 2026. We offer an optional parent orientation on the Cal State Long Beach campus in the Hall of Science (HSCI) room 103. You'll be able to meet your child's teachers, see their classroom, get an overview of camp, and have all of your logistical questions answered. Information from the Orientation will be shared electronically with families the next day.

Parking information will be sent via email to registered campers.

Camp Open House

Friday, July 24, 2026. An invitation will be distributed during camp to attend the Camp Open House (tentatively 11:00am-12:00pm). RSVPs are required in order to receive 1 free parking permit per family for this event.

Ready to Enroll?

View Registration Process

All students, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin, who are interested in Young Scientists Camp, are welcome.