Seattle's Child

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PacSci introduces new summer camp location

Kids in South Seattle will now have the option to attend close to home

Canā€™t get enough of a day at the Pacific Science Center (PacSci)? Neither can we, so we were super excited to learn that theyā€™re debuting a new summer camp location this year at South Seattleā€™s Salish Sea Elementary.

PacSciā€™s popular STEM-focused summer camps often sell out, but commuting to the downtown location gets tricky for families located further south. After exploring additional locations for a few years, they connected with Salish Sea Elementary, a relatively new charter school located just a 3-minute walk from the Othello light rail station (and close to the spectacular Othello playground).Ā 

In conversations about how to best serve the local community, PacSci identified a particular need for the youngest age group: Pre-K students (ages 4-5 and potty trained).Ā 

Camps Manager, Yesenia Sanchez-Pottratz, explains, ā€œPreviously, we only offered Pre-K sessions at PacSci and Mercer Slough, which can generally be inaccessible locations for families in South Seattle. Saying that I am excited to welcome some of our most curious participants (Pre-K campers) this summer is an understatementā€¦the earlier we can reach our youth and ignite their curiosity with STEM programming, the better.ā€

As the new location kicks off its inaugural summer, offerings will include three weeks of programming concentrated in late June through mid-July with spots for Pre-K through fifth grade (the school does not currently have sixth through eighth grade). Your kids can look forward to summer camp activities that include experimenting with kitchen chemistry (ā€œSnack Scienceā€ for Pre-K through kindergarten), exploring marine ecosystems (ā€œUnder the Seaā€ for second and third graders) and building space survival gear (ā€œMission to Marsā€ for fourth and fifth graders). Watch for expanded future offerings in South Seattle as relationships with the local community continue to develop.Ā 

Summer camp sessions generally run from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for older campers. Pre-K attendees can choose between morning (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) or afternoon (1 – 4 p.m.) sessions, or string them together with a supervised lunch and game period in between. Busy families can also sign-up for Extended Care from 4-6 p.m. Costs vary by age group and theme, but expect to budget just over $500 per week and $70 per week for extended care.

To help support a diverse group of STEM-learners, PacSci offers a scholarship lottery for qualifying families, such as those who qualify for free and reduced lunch, foster care families or those enrolled in food assistance (SNAP) or other public assistance programs. The new Salish Sea Elementary location benefits from 33 of the 300 scholarship spots available (roughly double the number at most other locations).Ā 

Whether you sign up for a week at the new Salish Sea Elementary location or one of the five other camp locations spread throughout Puget Sound, your camper is sure to come home excited about the exploration and wonder they experience during a Pacific Science Center camp day.

Details:

Registration: Check out the Pacific Science Center Summer Camps page for more details. Registration for the general public began February 13 and is available through CampDoc.Ā 

Age requirements: Minimum of 4 years old and potty independent. Camps extend through Grade 5 at the new Salish Sea Elementary location and up to Grade 8 at several other locations.

Timing: The new Salish Sea Elementary location offers camps the week of June 26-30, July 3-7 (4-day holiday week) and July 10-14. Other locations offer camps starting June 20 and extending through August 25. Camp days extend from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for kindergarten through eighth graders. Pre-K campers choose from a morning or afternoon session (9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.) or can string both sessions together.Ā 

Cost: Pricing varies based on age group and camp theme, but expect to pay just over $500 for a week of camp and $70 per week of extended care. Members receive a $15-30 discount (depending on membership level).Ā 

Scholarships: Scholarships are available to qualifying families (such as those who qualify for free or reduced lunch, food assistance or other public assistance, or foster care families). The due date for applications is March 27.Ā 

Read more:

Want more camps and classes options? Check out the Seattle’s Child summer camp directory.

Day trip idea! Visit the Pacific Science Center Museum

About the Author

Natasha Dillinger

Natasha Dillinger is a Seattle mom who paused a career in accounting and finance to focus on showing her two young children around the Pacific Northwest. Follow their adventures near and far on Instagram @suitcasesinseattle