Science at Camp

Science is in our name for a reason. At Cub Creek Science Camp, campers don't just learn about science—they experiment, build, investigate, create, and discover how things work through hands-on experiences.

Our science and STEM activities give curious kids the freedom to explore chemistry, physics, engineering, forensic science, culinary science, and more. Campers might launch rockets, solve a crime, create chemical reactions, take apart machines, or discover the science behind food—all while having fun with friends at summer camp.

Some campers arrive already passionate about science, while others discover that science is hiding inside activities they never expected. Our goal is to encourage curiosity, problem-solving, creativity, and confidence while showing campers that science isn't something confined to a classroom—it's something they can explore everywhere.

Classes

Courses

Look below for a list of our Science activities.

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Chemistry

Campers explore chemistry through hands-on experiments that bubble, fizz, stretch, change, and sometimes erupt!

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Giant Bubbles - Create the biggest bubbles ever while learning how they work and why they shine with colors!

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Oobleck - Is it a liquid? Is it a solid? Make Oobleck and watch it change right before your eyes!

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Flubber - Whip up squishy, bouncy flubber and explore how materials stick together in fun ways.

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Invisible Ink - Write secret messages with special ink that disappears and reappears like magic, while learning the science behind acids and bases, mixtures and solutions.

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Elephant Toothpaste - Create a massive, foamy eruption that’s big enough for an elephant!

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Crime Science

Want to solve a mystery? Campers explore forensic science as they examine fingerprints, analyze trace evidence, crack codes, investigate blood evidence, and use their new skills to solve a crime.

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Fingerprints - Think you can leave no trace? Learn how to capture fingerprints and footprints to catch the culprit!

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Tiny Clues, Big Breaks - Can tiny clues solve a big mystery? Find out how small things like hair and fibers can crack the case wide open!

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Crack the Code - Unlock the secrets of handwriting and crack secret codes like a real detective!

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Blood Basics - Get messy and learn all about blood—its types, patterns, and how to make fake blood for experiments!

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Solve the Crime - The clock is ticking! Use everything you’ve learned to solve a thrilling mystery before it’s too late!

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Race Cars and Rockets: Physics

Physics comes to life when campers build, launch, race, and experiment. Through race cars, slingshots, catapults, air rockets, and water rockets, campers explore motion, velocity, force, trajectory, and the physics behind how things move.

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Race Cars - Build your own raceway and learn about velocity while racing your friends around your custom track.

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Slingshots - Take aim and launch projectiles to hit fun targets!

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Angry Birds - Build tall structures, then test catapults to knock them down in a fun, free-for-all battle.

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Air Rockets - Design and launch paper rockets high into the sky!

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Water Rockets - Make awesome bottle rockets and watch them soar with water power!

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Culinary Science: Candy Making *Junior Only*

Science has never tasted so good! Campers explore the chemistry of cooking while making candy and other sweet treats. Along the way, they discover how temperature, crystallization, melting, cooling, and other chemical and physical changes transform simple ingredients into something delicious.

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Oreo Truffles - Campers will create delicious Oreo truffles while learning a little science along the way.

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Solar Oven S'mores - Campers will use the power of the sun to melt marshmallows and chocolate to make delicious s'mores.

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Fudge Campers learn how sugar crystallization affects the texture of candy while creating their own rich, fudgy treat.

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Sweet Treats - Campers explore how temperature, cooling, and movement transform heated sugar into treats such as toffee, taffy, caramel, candy crystals, or cotton candy.

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Ice Cream - Campers discover how ice and salt lower the freezing point of water, then put that science to work making their own ice cream from scratch.

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Mad Culinary Science: Candy Making *Senior Only* *New Course*

Welcome to the science of food! In Mad Culinary Science, senior campers become kitchen chemists as they explore the basics of molecular gastronomy. They'll experiment with techniques that transform familiar ingredients into crystals, spheres, foams, powders, and other surprising creations—and then taste the results.

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Colorful Crystals - Looks good enough to… wear? Campers will learn to make custom simple syrup and watch it transform over the next week into edible crystals.

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Bursting Boba - Campers explore spherification as they transform flavorful liquids into tiny, juice-filled spheres that burst in your mouth.

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Flavored Foams - Confuse your senses and turn everyday liquids into mind bending foams. From sweet to savory, it's science you can eat.

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Make it Snow - Campers discover how ingredients can be transformed into flavorful powders, then experiment with using them to add unexpected flavor and texture to food.

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Creamery Concoctions - What makes a good ice cream? Ice and salt? Campers will learn to make ice cream from scratch and play a few games while they’re at it.

Additional Science Classes

Science doesn't always happen in a laboratory. These hands-on classes let campers explore how things work in the real world—from maintaining a car and taking apart machines to operating an excavator and discovering the science behind bread making.

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Car Care 101 *Seniors Only* - No more surprises on the road! Campers will master checking tire pressure and oil levels—staying one step ahead of that dreaded check engine light.

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Mechanical Dissections *Seniors Only* - Blenders, radios, and more–campers will take apart common household devices to uncover the hidden mechanics inside.

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Excavators 101 *Seniors Only* - Hop into the driver’s seat and dig up hidden treasures with a real excavator!

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Dough Masters: Pretzel Making - Knead, roll, bake! Campers will dive into the world of yeast and make dough from scratch to bake homemade pretzels.

Ready to Explore More?

Science may be in our name, but it's only part of the Cub Creek experience. Explore our animal programs, adventure activities, nature, arts and crafts, leadership programs, and more to discover everything campers can choose from during their stay.

EXPLORE MORE CLASSES & COURSES