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Best Summer Educational Programs For Kids In OC

kids science camp 610
(credit: parinyabinsuk/shutterstock)

Even in Orange County, kids can get bored with the sun, sand and surf during a long summer break. Fortunately, the OC has plenty of museums and science centers with programs designed to entertain and educate. Many venues host creative summer camps aimed at various aspects of art and science. Summer 2016 in Orange County even offers opportunities for hands-on exploration of the ocean, history and robotics. When school lets out, it really is time to set up camp at one of these OC destinations.

Bowers Kidseum
(credit: www.bowers.org)

Kidseum
Bowers Museum
2002 North Main Street
Santa Ana, CA  92706
(714) 567-3600
www.bowers.org
May 30 through August 28, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Santa Ana's Bowers Museum has set aside a special place to stimulate your child's imagination. Their Kidseum contains exhibits including a "Green Screen Time Machine" that takes visitors on a journey through history. Budding archaeologists can fine tune their skills or check out the "Glow Cave". The Kidseum also has plenty of computers and tablets, too. Admission is $10 for those 2 years of age and older. On Sundays, though, Santa Ana residents get in for free.

stars
(credit: Standret/shutterstock)

Camp Galileo: Laguna Beach
St. Catherine of Siena Parish School
30516 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(800) 854-3684
www.galileo-camps.com
June 27, 2016 through August 5, 2016

This summer, let your children continue their education is beautiful Laguna Beach. Named after the legendary astronomer and physicist, the Camp Galileo concept is all about nurturing a love for science and the arts. Campers are separated into age appropriate groups that allow them to work together as well as fostering a spirit of creative freedom. Each four-day session has a different theme, and they do tend to fill up quickly. Session prices are listed on the website shown above.

discovery cube DCLA_Inspector_Training_Course
(Credit: DCLA)

Summer Camps at Discovery Cube
Discovery Cube
2500 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 542-2823
www.discoverycube.org
Held weekly between 07/11/2016 and August 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

During the school year, the Discovery Cube is a great weekend destination. For children with a passion for science, however, their summer camps are even better. The weekly sessions will cover archaeology, biology and even a little nutritional studies. Campers will get hands on with electric circuit kits and harness the power of science to solve mysteries. Summer camp sessions cost $190 and registration is available through the Discovery Cube website.

Related: Best Summer Day Camps in Orange County

ExplorOcean_ExplorOcean
(credit: ExplorOcean)

ExplorOcean
600 E. Bay Avenue
Newport Beach, CA 92661
(949) 675-8915
www.explorocean.org
Sessions run between June 28, 2016 and August 30, 2016

ExplorOcean offers two ways to investigate and explore the ocean. Their underwater robotics sessions allow campers to build a robot and learn scientific principles such as propulsion and buoyancy along the way. The ocean life explorer camp helps children learn more about the sea and the creatures that live within it. The robotics session costs approximately $199 per camper with a $169 material fee. Ocean life sessions cost approximately $180 with a $30 material fee. For children with aquatic interests, ExplorOcean is an ideal summer destination.

child art class kid sketching
(Credit: Shutterstock)

Elements of Art Summer Camp
Laguna Art Museum
307 Cliff Drive
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-8971
www.lagunaartmuseum.org
Weekly sessions beginning July 25, 2016

Within Orange County, Laguna Beach is a prime destination for art lovers. For the budding artist or enthusiast, the Laguna Art Museum offers a program that explores shape, color, texture and other essential elements. Campers ages 5 through 12 are welcome to attend, but only 25 spots are available in each camp. For museum members at the "Friend" level or above, each camp costs $125; non-members pay $175. This fee covers five days of camp and art supplies.

Related: Best Summer Camps For Teens In OC

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Steven Bryan calls Irvine, California his home. A freelance writer for more than 20 years, he has interviewed a wide range of notable celebrities, including a variety of up-and-coming musicians and artists as well. Passionate about movies and comic books, he also makes an annual pilgrimage to the San Diego Comic-Con.
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