Summer Day Camps at the Oakes Museum
Oakes Museum High School Camps 2026
Our camps offer students entering 9th-12th grades a unique opportunity to learn in the field and lab. Qualified museum staff will lead each session, and college professors and professionals will offer their expertise as guest speakers.
2026 Summer Camps
Field Biology Camp - June 8 thru 12, 9:30am-4:00pm - $375
During this camp, students will become field biologists, exploring animal communities and habitats using field equipment and techniques. Each day will be spent primarily outside tracking animals, setting live mammal traps, electrofishing, among other hands-on activities. This camp focuses on mammals, birds, herps, insects, and plants of Pennsylvania to explain larger biological concepts.
Forensics Camp - July 21 thru 24, 9:30 am – 4 pm - $350
Over the course of several days, students will learn various evidence collection and evaluation techniques, studying both macroscopic and microscopic specimens. Students will use their skillset to examine a mock crime scene at the end of the week.
Plant Biology Camp – July 8 thru 10, 9:30 am – 4 pm - $250
This camp will cover a wide range of topics from observing plant cells and structures to various growing methods and environmental adaptations. Students will collect field samples and examine specimens under the microscope in the lab with a focus on plants of Pennsylvania.
Camp is 9:30-4:00 each day with a lunch included. Students will eat in Messiah University's cafeteria.
Scholarships are available, contact oakesmuseum@messiah.edu for more information.
Space is limited, so register early!