Camp themes for 2026

Discover this year's hands-on STEM adventures designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child.

Four children wearing safety goggles conducting a science experiment with strawberries and test tubes in a classroom.
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DNA Detectives

Campers become real scientists, extracting DNA from strawberries and decoding the secrets written in every living thing. They collect data, build models, and solve mysteries using the tools of actual geneticists. The week concludes with a fun “science detective” challenge, where campers use inherited traits to identify a mystery suspect.

Cell structure and genetics exploration

Real laboratory techniques and data collection

Science detective mystery challenge

Locations

Dates

DNA Detectives runs at two Bay Area schools this summer.

Map showing Belmont Community Learning Center location marked with a red icon between Belmont and San Carlos in San Mateo County, California.
Mon
20
Jul 2026
Belmont

Belmont

Full Day STEM Curriculum
July 20-24
Register now
Map showing Millbrae Recreation Center, CA marked with a red location pin near South San Francisco, Pacifica, Burlingame, and San Mateo.
Mon
22
Jun 2026
Millbrae

Millbrae

Half Day option available
June 22–26
Register now
Register
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What makes our camp different

Built by scientists who know how children learn best

Building

Biology and microscopic discovery

Campers explore the hidden building blocks of life. By collecting and charting real genotype data, they investigate inherited traits and learn how cellular biology makes every living thing unique.

Four children in a science classroom examining a microscope and a tablet displaying a DNA chart, with plants on the windowsill and other students working in the background.

Hands-on laboratory science

Children practice authentic lab techniques, from using safe pipettes to conducting real strawberry DNA extractions. They also build colorful 3D models to visualize how genetic code is stored and structured.

Confidence through accomplishment

Children work in teams to solve a science detective mystery using genetic clues. They learn critical thinking and analytical problem-solving, building lifelong confidence as they proudly declare, "I solved it!".

Schedule

Five Days of Discovery

Step into the role of young biologists! Here is a day-by-day look at how we blend biology, genetics, and hands-on laboratory experiments to turn curiosity into confidence.

Full Day STEM Curriculum
Half Day STEM Curriculum
Biologists Begin
(Day 1)
The building blocks
Activities
We kick off the week by diving into the hidden world of cells! Campers will learn about cell structures and functions, exploring the microscopic building blocks that make up all living things.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Biology and foundational cellular science
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Line drawing of a girl looking through a microscope while a boy watches, with an enlarged view of a cell above them.
Geneticists
(Day 2)
Charting our traits
Activities
Campers explore the fascinating world of genetics. They collect and chart real genotype data—like tongue-rolling and ear shape—to understand how inherited traits make each of us unique.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Genetics and analytical data collection
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Child sitting at a table filling out an eye color and height chart with a pencil.
Lab Technicians
(Day 3)
Tools of the trade
Activities
Young scientists get hands-on experience with real lab techniques. They practice using kid-safe pipetting tools and conduct a real strawberry DNA extraction, pulling out DNA strands they can actually see and take home.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Laboratory skills and scientific procedures
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Line drawing of a girl with curly hair examining a leaf with a magnifying glass while crouching.
DNA Modelers
(Day 4)
Creating the code
Activities
Campers visualize the building blocks of life by constructing their very own colorful 3D DNA models. They learn about the double helix structure and how genetic information is stored and passed down.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Molecular biology and 3D modeling
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Illustration of two hands assembling a colorful DNA double helix model with scattered strands on a surface.
Innovators
Showcase
(Day 5)
Solve the mystery!
Activities
The week concludes with a fun science detective challenge! Campers use the inherited traits and genetic clues they’ve learned to identify a mystery suspect. It's a day of celebration where every child gets to confidently say, "I solved it!".
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Critical thinking, problem-solving, and confidence
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Four children around a table examining a DNA model, a petri dish, test tubes, a magnifying glass, and a chart with biology illustrations.
Biologists Begin
(Day 1)
The building blocks
Activities
We kick off the week by diving into the hidden world of cells! Campers will learn about cell structures and functions, exploring the microscopic building blocks that make up all living things.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Biology and foundational cellular science
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Line drawing of a girl looking through a microscope while a boy watches, with an enlarged view of a cell above them.
Geneticists
(Day 2)
Charting our traits
Activities
Campers explore the fascinating world of genetics. They collect and chart real genotype data—like tongue-rolling and ear shape—to understand how inherited traits make each of us unique.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Genetics and analytical data collection
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Child sitting at a table filling out an eye color and height chart with a pencil.
Lab Technicians
(Day 3)
Tools of the trade
Activities
Young scientists get hands-on experience with real lab techniques. They practice using kid-safe pipetting tools and conduct a real strawberry DNA extraction, pulling out DNA strands they can actually see and take home.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Laboratory skills and scientific procedures
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Line drawing of a girl with curly hair examining a leaf with a magnifying glass while crouching.
DNA Modelers
(Day 4)
Creating the code
Activities
Campers visualize the building blocks of life by constructing their very own colorful 3D DNA models. They learn about the double helix structure and how genetic information is stored and passed down.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Molecular biology and 3D modeling
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Illustration of two hands assembling a colorful DNA double helix model with scattered strands on a surface.
Innovators
Showcase
(Day 5)
Solve the mystery!
Activities
The week concludes with a fun science detective challenge! Campers use the inherited traits and genetic clues they’ve learned to identify a mystery suspect. It's a day of celebration where every child gets to confidently say, "I solved it!".
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Critical thinking, problem-solving, and confidence
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Four children around a table examining a DNA model, a petri dish, test tubes, a magnifying glass, and a chart with biology illustrations.