PHOTO: Attendees participate in Mid-America’s 2025 summer camp.
HOT SPRINGS, Arkansas — Mid-America Science Museum has opened registration for its 2026 Curiosity Camps, a series of weeklong summer day camps for children ages 6 to 12 that emphasize hands-on science learning, exploration, and creativity.
The 2026 camp season runs from early June through the end of July and features themed camps that introduce campers to topics such as nature, space, engineering, and art. Camps are held Monday through Friday and include a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, along with time to explore the museum’s exhibits.
New in 2026, the museum will offer Junior Curiosity Camp, its first camp designed specifically for children who have recently completed kindergarten. The half-day camp runs June 8–12 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and introduces younger campers to science through simple experiments, stories, and guided museum exploration.
“Summer can be a challenging time for kids when routines change and learning opportunities are less consistent,” said Diane LaFollette, CEO of Mid-America Science Museum. “Programs like summer camp help fill that gap by giving kids a place to stay curious and connected. Through hands-on activities and shared experiences, kids build confidence, develop problem-solving skills, and continue growing both socially and academically.”
Additional 2026 Curiosity Camp sessions include:
- Backyard Detectives (June 15–19): Exploring plants, animals, fossils, and insects
- Astronaut Adventures (June 22–26): Learning about space, rockets, and astronaut training
- Inventor’s Studio (July 6–10): Designing, building, and testing original creations
- Art Lab (July 13–17): Creating art through science, color, and motion
- Star Seekers (July 20–24): Discovering planets, stars, and the night sky
- Wizarding World of Science (July 27–31): Exploring science through themed experiments and activities
Full-day Curiosity Camps run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with doors opening at 7:45 a.m. Each week concludes with a Friday Science Fair, where families are invited to see what campers have worked on throughout the week.
Curiosity Camps take place at Mid-America Science Museum, located at 500 Mid America Blvd., Hot Springs. Camps are open to children ages 6 to 12 who meet age and grade-level requirements for each session. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.
For more information or to register, visit https://midamericamuseum.org/programs/summer-camps/.