summer camps
2025 SCHEDULE
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Our very popular summer camps provide unique, hands-on learning experiences that go far beyond a typical summer program. Camp costs reflect the use of high-quality lab materials, specialized equipment, field trips and talented instructors who bring meaningful scientific concepts to life. Each camp includes carefully designed experiments and small group instruction to ensure personalized learning in a dynamic lab setting.
IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION
We use a registration system called CAMPBRAIN. If you are new to the system, we highly recommend PRE-REGISTERING by establishing a CampBrain account and completing ALL the required online forms before registration opens. ​Setup your account and pre-register below. For detailed pre-registration instructions click here.
Elementary Camps (1st-2nd grade)
for campers who have completed 1st or 2nd grade only!
Tri-Sci Days $390
Wednesday, June 18 - Friday, June 20 (9:30 am - 3:30 pm)
Get ready for an action-packed science extravaganza designed for budding young scientists! Over three exciting days, campers will dive into the fascinating worlds of biology, physics, and chemistry. Start with your very own plankton net and collect water samples from the Deschutes River, examining the incredible tiny organisms that call it home. Then, launch your own angry birds and experiment with force and angles to see what makes those red birds soar—or crash! And finally, chill out with some extreme temperature experiments, observing firsthand how ultra-cold temperatures transform everyday objects. We’ll finish by making our own homemade liquid nitrogen ice cream—because science is even better when it’s delicious!
Junior Camps (3rd-5th grade)
for campers who have completed 3rd, 4th or 5th grade only!
Extreme Explosions $390
Monday, June 30 - Wednesday, July 2 (9:30 am - 3:30 pm)
What makes things go BOOM? Join us for fiery reactions and explosive science! We’ll ignite hydrogen, watch alkali metals detonate on contact with water, and unleash the blazing power of the thermite reaction. And it doesn’t stop there! Turn fireballs into molten lava, use firecrackers to explore velocity, and dive into the chemistry of endothermic and exothermic reactions - discovering just how much energy is packed into a gummy bear! We’ll also engineer soda-powered geysers with Mentos and create foaming eruptions with the legendary elephant toothpaste experiment. Get ready to learn the science behind the biggest bangs!
Hogwarts Summer Academy $510
Tuesday, July 8 - Friday, July 11 (9:30 am - 3:30 pm) OR
Monday, July 14 - Thursday, July 17 (9:30 am - 3:30 pm)
All aboard the Hogwarts Express! Step into the world of Harry Potter and uncover the real science behind the magic. In Snape’s Potions class, brew bubbling chemical concoctions, create enchanted slimes, and make glowing reactions with luminol. Join Hagrid’s Care of Magical Creatures to meet fascinating living specimens like sea anemones, jellyfish, leeches, and walking sticks! In Herbology with Professor Sprout, tend to carnivorous plants and harness the fiery power of botanical powders to breathe real fire! Finally, take on the ultimate wizarding challenge—construct catapults, explore the physics of Quidditch, and compete in your very own Triwizard Cup. Science has never been so spellbinding!
Mighty Mineralogy $520
Monday, July 21 - Thursday, July 24 (9:30 am - 3:30 pm)
*We anticipate Wednesday 7/23 will be a longer day and Thursday 7/24 will be a slightly shorter day. Details TBD.
Get ready for a rockin' adventure! Grow dazzling crystals, test real minerals, and cast your own plaster fossils. Simulate explosive volcanic eruptions and uncover the secrets of Central Oregon's volcanic landscape. Take an exciting field trip to the Sunriver area to explore a lava-cast forest and venture underground in a thrilling lava tube spelunking expedition. This camp culminates with an adventure to Polka Dot Mines in Eastern Oregon, where you’ll dig for volcanic rock and unearth your very own thunderegg which we will cut and polish for you to take home! It’s a geology adventure like no other!
Daring Designs $510
Tuesday, August 12 - Friday, August 15 (9:30 am - 3:30 pm)
Calling all future engineers and inventors! Get ready for a hands-on adventure where creativity meets real-world problem-solving. Use your design skills to tackle engineering challenges and bring your inventions to life. Harness the power of the sun to create solar ovens and cook hotdogs, experiment with magnifying glasses to see just how much energy you can focus, and compete to build the strongest popsicle stick bridge. Mix up our secret recipe for glue—putting it to the test to see how much force it can withstand! And no inventor’s camp is complete without the favorite Egg Drop Challenge - design your own protective contraption and launch it from our super-tall tower to see if it survives the fall. With your imagination and problem-solving skills, anything is possible!
Youth Camps (5th-8th grade)
for campers who have completed 5th through 8th grade only!
Pursuit of the Lightning Thief $510
Monday, June 23 - Thursday, June 26 (9:30 am - 3:30 pm)
Get ready to live the ultimate demigod adventure at Camp Half-Blood! Join forces with fellow heroes to test your strength, wit, and bravery. Kick off your journey in the Water Olympics and engage in the long-standing tradition of capture the flag. Use the power of Lego Robotics to take on the devious Auntie M and her garden gnome army in an epic showdown. Engineer a gateway arch and make lightning that would make Zeus proud. Embark on three thrilling quests: first, hone your archery skills at Central Cascades Archery. Next visit the Reptile Zone to understand the parts that make up mythical monsters. Finally, journey to Hephaestus’ forge to discover the science behind metallurgy and craft your very own trident bead with your trusty hammer. And one final mission will test your demigod determination - find Zeus’ Master Bolt and save the day! Ready for the challenge? The fate of the gods depends on you!
Drone Design $540
Monday, July 28 - Thursday, July 31 (9:30 am - 3:30 pm)
Get ready for an action-packed week of high-flying fun! Design, 3D print, and test your own airfoils, then dive into the world of electromagnetism by building a motor and exploring Oersted’s Law. Unlock the secrets of flight with hands-on experiments in Bernoulli’s Principle and Newton’s 3rd Law. Crank up the power and push motors to their limits as you discover the efficiency of brushless motors. Then, gear up to assemble your own FPV racing drone and take on an obstacle course to prove your piloting skills! But that's not all—you’ll get an exclusive look at how Bend Police Department drones assist in search-and-rescue missions and crime scene investigations. Plus, we’ll take a field trip to a local drone manufacturer to check out cutting-edge drone technology in action. And the best part? Every camper takes home their very own drone!
BSS Test Kitchen $510
Monday, August 4 - Thursday, August 7 (9:30 am - 3:30 pm)
Get ready for a delicious dive into the chemistry of cooking! You’ll uncover the science behind the foods we eat and the magic of how we prepare them. Not only will you cook up your own culinary creations, but you’ll also taste-test your peers' experiments—because science is better when it’s tasty! Whip up your own salsa and discover how spice and fruit affect pH. Explore the structure of glucose and use different cooking methods to the test the flavor and texture of French fries. Make lollipops while investigating the strength of sugar compounds. Experiment with emulsifiers by crafting flavored butters and vinaigrettes, then drizzle them over your own fresh salads and breads. Bake fluffy biscuits and tender scones as you examine how leaveners impact rise and density. Finally, explore the science of polymerization by making popping boba—then cool things down with your own homemade liquid nitrogen ice cream! The food fun never stops in this mouthwatering gastronomic adventure! *For kids with allergies, please know this class uses dairy and gluten.
The Stewart C. Malone Scholarship Fund
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Scholarship opportunities further our values of inclusion and create greater access to STEM learning opportunities for the youth of Central Oregon. We want to make sure that every student has access to our programming, regardless of finances. Our scholarship fund is named for Stewart C. Malone, in recognition of his dedication to Guardian Ad Litem, advocating for the rights of abused and neglected youth, and his long-time support of the Science Station. We’ve tried to make the application process as easy as possible. Please call or email for specifics!
Payment + Cancellation Terms
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If paying by credit card, full payment will be charged at the time of registration.
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If paying by check or cash, payment must be received by BSS within 5 days of registration or your student’s spot may be forfeited.
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In the event that you need to cancel a registration, 50% of the cost is refundable (or available for credit) if BSS is notified at least 7 days prior to the start date of the class. The remaining class balance (less $25 cancellation fee) will be refunded if we can fill your student’s space.
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Unfortunately, we cannot refund your payment or credit your account if we are notified of a cancellation less than 7 days before the start of a class.
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There will be no partial refunds for missed days. A prorated credit will be considered if an enrolled student is unable to complete a class due to serious illness or injury.
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ALL CANCELLATIONS WILL INCUR A $25 CANCELLATION FEE.