Fun-filled, educational ways for kids to fill their summer days!

Welcome to Time Tunnel!
The Museum’s 20th annual summer camp presents diverse approaches to learning in the creative environment of a natural history museum. A staff of educators, scientists, historians, artists, and counselors work together to provide campers with fun, educational activities. Each day, campers explore the Museum using the Time Tunnel themes; play games outdoors, spend time in the computer lab, and swim at the Lincoln Park Pool.

Time Tunnel staff and counselors are experienced teachers or outstanding college students, many returning to camp from previous summers. They are knowledgeable in areas ranging from science and the arts to sports and recreation. Waterfront staff holds the necessary certifications to oversee the swimming program.

Time Tunnel is designed for kids entering first through seventh grades, and staff work with children and parents to accommodate special needs.

Daily Schedule
Time Tunnel meets weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and hour-early and/or hour-late Time Tunnel Extra is also available for an additional fee.

Fees
Each two-week session costs $340 per child for Museum members, $380 per child for non-members. Fees include all activities and instruction, recreation, and two daily snacks. Sign up for all three sessions and receive a special rate of $915 for Museum members, $1,030 for non-members. The fee for two weeks of Time Tunnel Extra is $75 for the morning or afternoon sessions, or $130 for both the morning and afternoon sessions. Camp is designed in two-week thematic blocks, but we do offer a limited number of one-week sessions at half the regular two-week fee.

Advance registration is required. Registration cancellations received on or before June 5 will be refunded less a $25 per child per session cancellation fee. Registration fees are non-refundable after June 5.

New York State Museum members discount
Members of the New York State Museum participate in outstanding family programs at reduced rates, attend special members-only events, receive the Museum’s quarterly magazine and events calendar, and enjoy other benefits. To become a Museum member and immediately qualify for the special member rate for Time Tunnel 2008, call 518-402-5019.

Session I
Born to Build: Nature’s Construction Crews!
July 7–July 18

What is in a beehive? Why do beavers build dams? How do ants dig tunnels and create hills? Nature is about destruction and construction. Things fall down, and we build them back up. Houses, pyramids, bridges, and skyscrapers go up or we move underground with tunnels and subway systems. Animals and humans love to build!

Through the lens of a natural history museum, we will explore how the world is constantly changing. Archaeology unveils older civilizations buried in layers underground. Mountains, rivers, oceans, and earthquakes constantly shift our land and seascapes. We’ll investigate nature’s power to build and destroy. Together we’ll create our own earthquakes and volcanoes and build bridges and mini-skyscrapers. How did the ancient Egyptians construct the pyramids (without bulldozers!)? Who built the Brooklyn Bridge and how did they do it? Campers will explore sculptures and monuments and test their own building abilities with Legos, marshmallows and toothpicks, and cardboard tubing. We’ll walk the scaffolding in “Skyscraper City” and explore and create our own Underground Railroad system. Join us as we become “Bob the Builders” and use the Museum to explore the cycles of destruction and construction.

Session II
Invaders of the Lost Ark: Borders, Boundaries & Beyond!
July 21–August 1

We’re going on a Museum adventure to explore borders and boundaries. Where does the city end and nature begin? Is it possible for a species from another part of the world to co-exist with those already here? What do you do if a new species starts gobbling up an existing species?

Invaders are sneaking into our environment. Who are they? What do we know about them? How did they get here and why did they come? We’ll investigate a new exhibit and visit the Museum’s laboratories to find out more about Zebra Mussels, Rock Snot (the Snake Head Fish), the Asian Long-horned Beetle, Gypsy Moths, the Norway Rat, and the “Mile-a-minute” plant. We’ll create our own “un-wanted posters” and masks to teach others about these bad guys! As detectives, we’ll find out who is an invader and who isn’t. Together, as junior (Grab your dictionary!) botanists, biologists, entomologists, ichthyologists, and artists, we’ll learn about these “aliens” and how we can help our scientists stop the “invasion”!

Session III
Beasts: Itty-Bitty, Immense & Imaginary Creatures!
August 4–August 15

Welcome to Time Tunnel’s own Animal Planet! The Museum is full of creatures big and small. From butterflies to bats, raccoons to rabbits, monkeys to mastodons, we feature finned, four-legged, and winged wonders. Why does the Museum have so many animals and insects, and what do we do with them? How and where did we find these amazing creatures? Find out as we investigate creatures extinct and alive!

Native cultures all over the world share stories and legends about the beasts in their regions. According to the ancient Greeks, Pegasus the horse flew across the night sky. Early Iroquois people looked to the stars when speaking of the Great Bear and his hunters. Before knowing what lived under the sea, sailors were afraid of sea monsters and creatures of the deep. Mythical beasts such as dragons and unicorns were often thought to inhabit unknown lands. Where do these stories come from and why? What can we learn from King Kong and Godzilla, the Tortoise and the Hare, Loch Ness, and Big Foot?
We’ll compare and contrast the Museum’s amazing real animals with the magical, mythical beasts from dreams, stories, and fairy tales. Young artists/scientists will combine their knowledge of modern-day animals with artistry to create their own mythical beast and stories. Don’t miss this opportunity to wiz around the world of animals at the New York State Museum!