Science Camps: The Peninsula and South Bay

What's summer if you can't make things explode or fly through the air? All those youthful experiments when you were a child might have had better guidance if science camps existed back in the day. 

Your child is so lucky, because they do, now. Check back as Patch adds more to the list, or goes farther afield.

Patch's full list of summer camps, from language immersion to sports camps is on our 2013 Patch Guide to Summer Camps.

Science/Technology

AwesomEngineering (Cupertino, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale) Kids ages 6-13 learn fundamental construction and engineering concepts using Erector sets and instructional toys. The weekly programs three hours each, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Camp Edmo & Camp EdTech (Los Altos and Cupertino) With 17 locations on the Peninsula, San Francisco, Marin, East Bay and Contra Costa you’re likely to find a location near you. Camp Edmo has themed Arts and Science camps for Grades PreK-4, Animation for Grades 2-4 at Oak School and Stevens Creek Park. Runs from June 17 to Aug. 2. Additionally, Camp EdMo in the Park at Stevens Creek Park (Grades Pre-K to 4, runs through Aug. 16. and Camp EdTech has camps for Grades 5-9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Oak School up to Aug. 2. Pre- and after-camp care available, including a Lego Lab after-camp option.

Destination Science (Los Altos, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale) With 21 camps around the Bay Area—heavily concentrated along the Peninsula and the South Bay— this science-is-too-much-fun camp for the K-to-6 crowd boast themes such as “Ultimate Survival Zone” and “Wacky Megabot Tech.” The weekly program at Loyola Elementary School in Los Altos runs from June 17 to Aug. 2. Cost is $364 weekly and extended day morning and afternoon add-on is available Its “March Special means sign-ups by the end of April 5 save $30 off the registration, and if you want to commit to four weeks there is a $160 discount. 

Camp Galileo With 38 Bay Area locations, this camp, which utilizes a local parent advisory board in each location, encourages kids to brainstorm and think like innovators through a variety of hands-on projects and activities. It's not only science, it's arts and music. Yep, we’re talking Renaissance. Camp Galileo at Almond School is for pre-K to 5th graders; Galileo Summer Quest in Palo Alto High School and, a new location  year, Santa Rita School for 5th-8th graders in Los Altos ; plus two specialty camps held at The Tech Museum (Grades 4 to 8) in San Jose and the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland (Grades 3 to 7). Look for Spring Fling ($15), refer-a-friend discounts until March 29. Parents can apply for financial assistance until April 5 online, or call 800-854-3684

iD Tech Camp Set at Stanford University, Santa Clara University and other California campuses, students 7-17 years old can learn to create iPhone apps, video games, C++/Java Programs, 3D models, websites, movies, and more.

Youth Science Institute (San Jose & Los Gatos) - Summer Science Camp is offered for in weekly day camps June 10 to Aug. 9. PreKindergarten, Grades 1 to 2, Grades 3 to 4, and Grades 5 to 6. $199 to $259, with extended day option in Los Gatos. Since its founding in 1953 at Alum Rock Park, YSI teaches physical, earth, life and social sciences to pre-school through 8th-grade students at its science and nature centers throughout Santa Clara County during the school year.All camps include hikes and visits with YSI’s animals. Two locations: Alum Rock Park and Vasona Lake County Park.

Walden West Science and Sustainability Center Camps (Saratoga) Two new intensive one-week science camps aimed at Grades 5 to 9, will focus on the science behind sustainability and renewable energy. Both camps cost $500 and will have guest experts and hands-on opportunities to design and construct renewable-energy based projects. In addition to the engineering component, campers will test their limits on the high ropes course. Sustainable Solutions for Grades 5 to 6, starting July 15 and July 29, focuses on learning how sustainable technologies work while participating in activities like building batteries, competing in a solar oven design contest, comparing different energy requirements, and making smoothies while pedaling our energy bikes. Engineering Energy for Grades 7 to 9, starting July 8 and July 22, goes a bit further, delving into daily design challenges, including geothermal and wind turbine construction. Participants will also get a chance to experiment with solar-oven and pedal-powered smoothie recipes. A limited number of scholarships are available for both programs, with applications due May 15.