Summer Camp 2021

Our week-long summer camps for ages 6–12 incorporate hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) concepts in a fun environment designed for campers to build, explore, and create.

Our weekly, half-day summer camp sessions take place Mondays through Fridays from 9am–12pm or 1pm–4pm from June 6 through July 1. Each session explores a different theme and all materials and supplies to complete each project are provided. To ensure a quality experience, each camp is limited to 15 participants. Session descriptions are listed below.

Registration:

Tuition is $150 per child, per session. Museum Members receive a 10% discount on tuition.

Advance registration is required for this program. Please see 'Important Information' at the bottom of this page prior to registering for information on our COVID policies & procedures, refunds, financial aid, and more.

2022 Summer Camp Descriptions

NEW THIS YEAR:

This year we are offering Beginner or Advanced Sessions open to all campers within the age range of 6–12. Beginner camps will be designed more for students who have less arts & crafts or camp experience, or do not feel comfortable using certain tools such as hot glue guns or sharper scissors or cutting tools. Older or more experienced students can take a beginner class with the opportunity to add more details and extras to their project. If a student at the beginner level wishes to take one of the advanced classes, caregivers should contact or Education Director Mackenzie Massman by email or phone (520-881-0606 ext. 105) to discuss prior to registration.

Beginner Camps for Ages 6–12

Our beginner level sessions are ideally suited for these campers:

Minimal experience with summer camps or classes.
Minimal or basic experience with art/craft projects and/or with cutting tools such as scissors.
May need extra help in further developing skills and guidance in staying on task.
Can follow verbal directions and has some ability to read/write, but may not be proficient.

Session 1 (June 6–10, 9am–12pm): Robots & Automata~SOLD OUT

Themes: Simple machines, recycling, engineering and design, movement/motion, cause & effect

Beginner | ages 6–12

For thousands of years, inventors and engineers created mechanical sculptures and early “robot like” creations to as simple machines as prototypes or for entertainment. Campers will use these same techniques to create cardboard automata toys made of simple materials in a mix of miniatures, art, motion, and engineering by building with cams, levers, and linkages. Additional activities may include creating other moving miniatures such a magnet powered car, a fulcrum flip, and wind-up toys as well as exploring chain reactions, mech-animations, and basic robotics.

Session 3 (June 13–17, 9am–12pm): Velveteen Rabbit

Themes: Biology and the natural environment

Beginners | Ages 6–12

Create a soft felt home and tiny rabbit family while exploring The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. Campers will learn some basic sewing and textile skills while investigating the behaviors of fictional anthropomorphic animals, wild rodents, and domesticate pets. Additional projects may include making a sensory bag, decorating and “planting” a knitted soft cactus, and designing “shrinky dink” recycled flowers to decorate our rabbit habitats.

Session 5 (June 20–24, 9am–12pm): Fairy Gardens & Tea Parties~SOLD OUT

Themes: Gardening, recycling, upcycling, lighting, storytelling

Beginners | Ages 6–12

Campers use string lights, recycled plastic bottles, and homemade papers to make a fairy garden home for magical creatures. They will also learn about traditional tea parties and create a tea party set and decorations. Additional activities may include plant care, papermaking, making miniature deserts with clay, and a tea party on the last day of class.

Session 7 (June 27–July 1, 9am–12pm): Puppets

Advanced Camps for Ages 6–12

Our advanced level sessions are better suited for these campers:

Has taken past classes, summer camps, and/or workshops.
Works independently on craft, art, or other creative projects on a regular basis at home or in school.
Able to read/write and to follow written and verbal directions.
Feels comfortable using a variety of tools including X-Acto knives, sharper scissors, hot glue guns, sewing needles, and cutting tools AND caregivers agree to allow the camper to use these types of tools with instructor/volunteer supervision.

Session 2 (June 6–10, 1pm–4pm): Pyramid Pursuit~SOLD OUT

Theme: Ancient Egypt, archaeology, game design

Advanced | Ages 6–12

Design your own pyramid board game based on the lives of the pharaohs! Construct a foam core pyramid that folds out into a game about ancient Egypt. Campers will create all the parts and pieces of their game while also learning about archaeology, Ancient Egyptian culture, mummification, and the game design mechanics. Additional activities may include a presentation by an archaeologist, creating a mini sarcophagus, and learning Egyptian hieroglyphs and ancient games such as Senet.

Session 4 (June 13–17, 1pm–4pm): Minecraft Gardens~ SOLD OUT

Themes: Geometry, sustainability and recycling, food production, geography, and spatial reasoning

Advanced | Ages 6–12

Using recycled materials, campers will create a Minecraft-style garden diorama using mathematics skills and cube shapes to build their 3D models. Combine papercrafts with miniature making techniques to create your pixel cube biome and accessories. Additional activities may include nether slime jars, Perler beads projects, and cardboard creepers and creatures.

Session 6 (June 20–24, 1pm–4pm): Care of Magical Creatures~SOLD OUT

Themes: Magic, fantasy, mechanical/electrical engineering

Advanced | Ages 6–12

Dragons, unicorns, monsters, and mythical beasts! Campers will explore the great creatures and characters of the magical world, make a treasure cache, and construct trolls and goblins to create their own fantastic tale. Additional activities may include creating a spectroscope from recycled CDs, discovery bottles filled with a dragon’s treasure horde, and block printing techniques.

Session 8 (June 27–July 1, 1pm–4pm): Building in the Desert~SOLD OUT

Theme: Architecture, passive solar, engineering and design

Advanced | Ages 6–12

This camp uses miniature architecture to test engineering and scientific designs. Campers will look at unique miniatures from The Mini Time Machine Museum and design their own miniature houses with an emphasis on passive solar heating and three-dimensional design based on the example of the Ball-Paylore House miniature designed by Arthur T. Brown. Additional activities may include building with Legos and other alternative materials, making cyanotype and solar prints, constructing a mini solar oven, and collecting temperature data to analyze.

To be added to a wait list for a sold out session, please email our Education Director Mackenzie Massman at mackenziem@theminitimemachine.org

Important Information

Instructor Bio

Djamila Jean-Charles Djamila Jean-Charles will be the primary instructor for summer camps this year. Djamila graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), with a B.F.A. in Animation, concentrating in Stop Motion Animation. Her focus in general is fabrication, bringing things to life with her hands whether that be a character, a set or even a sculpture. Call it Dr. Frankenstein if you will! In the past, she’s done animation workshops with Saguaro National Park, The Mini Time Machine Museum and is the current Kids Create Coordinator for the museum. She hopes to incorporate a little bit of sculpture and model making and of course elements of animation into her teaching. She is super excited to weave in STEM projects with the art of miniature making and create with amazing students, in addition to working with a phenomenal crew!

Registration

You can register for summer camp online using the button below, by phone at 520-881-0606 or in person at the museum.

Guardian(s) will be required to complete The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures camp registration documents in full including a waiver of liability related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These documents will be emailed in advance to the email address listed in this registration and will also be available to be completed on the first day of camp. All forms must be fully completed to participate.

The museum reserves the right to refuse service to those who do not comply with our policies. By visiting The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures and/or participating in TMTM programs, you agree to abide by our policies and procedures and voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

All materials and supplies to complete each project will be provided. Note that these camps can be take multiple times or repeated if desired. This is an in-person program taking place at The Mini Time Machine Museum’s facility rather than an online or remote class.

PLEASE NOTE, YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED REGISTERED UNTIL PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE IN FULL.

Questions?

Contact Director of Education Mackenzie Massman at 520-881-0606 ext. 105 or by email mackenziem@theminitimemachine.org

Refund Policy

REFUNDS POLICY: THE MUSEUM WILL PROVIDE A REFUND OF PAID TUITION IF CANCELLATION IS RECEIVED 10 BUSINESS DAYS OR MORE PRIOR TO CAMP START DATE. THE MINI TIME MACHINE MUSEUM CANNOT OFFER REFUNDS FOR INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS MISSED AS A RESULT OF STUDENT ILLNESS, EMERGENCIES OR OTHER EVENTS BEYOND OUR CONTROL.

Please provide as much notice as possible if you are requesting a refund. Refunds cannot be processed after the start of camp except in extreme circumstances as supplies have already been purchased.

Financial Aid

Scholarships based on financial need are available. The museum offers two scholarships per camp session on a first-come, first-serve basis. To qualify, you must prove need based on the 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines (https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines). Applicants must fall at or under the 250% range based on household size and income and prove need with qualifying documents: 2021 personal tax return or a letter showing active benefits from WIC, EIC, AHCCCS or other government assistance.

Any questions or concerns regarding scholarships, please contact Director of Education Mackenzie Massman at 520-881-0606 ext. 105 or by email mackenziem@theminitimemachine.org

COVID-19 Policies & Procedures

Masks are recommended but not required for all persons in the museum over the age of two. Campers and caregivers are welcome to wear face mask if they wish. This policy is subject to change based on guidance from the Pima County Health Department and recommendations from the CDC. By visiting The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, you agree to abide by our policies and procedures and voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

Before attending camp sessions, participant guardians or caregivers should make sure their child/children do not have a sore throat or other signs of illness, like a cough, diarrhea, severe headache, vomiting, or body aches. Children with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher should not attend this program.

What to Bring to Camp

Please send appropriate snacks labeled with your child’s name along with a bottle of water. Note that children may become messy during some camp activities; participants should dress in comfortable clothing appropriate for play.

Items not directly related to camp activities or at risk of loss or theft should be left at home (i.e., toys, cell phones, personal music players, games, cards, etc.). The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen personal items; however, any found items will be kept in the lost/found at the admission desk.

Volunteers

Send a Kid to Camp

But Don't Just Take Our Word For It...

“[camper's name] really enjoyed that she got to learn a lot of different artistic techniques and that it was all much more than just cutting and gluing and painting.”

– Parent/Guardian

2019 Anonymous Post-Camp Survey

“She enjoyed it all! At the beginning of camp she told me she was not looking forward to the circuitry part of the project but after she did it she said she ended up really enjoying that part and learned a lot. Kudos to Tiger for being able to teach it and make it interesting and enjoyable!

– Parent/Guardian

2019 Anonymous Post-Camp Survey

“The camp exceeded my expectations, both in terms of content as well as structure. I had expected that it was going to be pretty loosey-goosey art project based. I was pleased to find that the projects were planned out and that there was an itinerary for each week. I think it's important for kids to maintain at least a little bit of structure during the summer.”

– Parent/Guardian

2019 Anonymous Post-Camp Survey

“My child loved everything about the camp and had nothing but good things to say. They were excited to go every morning and excited to share their progress with me each day.”

– Parent/Guardian

2019 Anonymous Post-Camp Survey

“The actual projects that the kids created were next-level as far as the thought put into them and the materials and processes used.”

520-881-0606

info@theminitimemachine.org

Summer Camp 2022

Registration:

2022 Summer Camp Descriptions

NEW THIS YEAR:

Beginner Camps for Ages 6–12

Advanced Camps for Ages 6–12

Important Information

But Don't Just Take Our Word For It...

– Parent/Guardian

2019 Anonymous Post-Camp Survey

– Parent/Guardian

2019 Anonymous Post-Camp Survey

– Parent/Guardian

2019 Anonymous Post-Camp Survey

– Parent/Guardian

2019 Anonymous Post-Camp Survey

–Parent/Guardian

2019 Anonymous Post-Camp Survey

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures