General Information
Location
Discovery Camps take place at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and have sometimes included other learning venues like Riverbanks Zoo, Hitchcock Woods, SC Aquarium, Lake Thurmond, the Audubon Center, Augusta Canal and Interpretive Center, and many more. Details of field trips will be sent to parents in advance.
Ages
Classes are available for students in Grades K-12.
Times
Times vary depending on the camp.
Dates
Different Dates in Summer
Cost
| Camp Invention: Wonder! (Rising K-6) |
$260 Base Price Discounts: $25 off before March 30 (Promo Code SUM25) |
| Coding 4 Kids (Rising 3-5) This camp is made possible with support from SRNS. |
$165 After Automatic SRS Scholarship $225 Base Price |
| Full STEAM Ahead: Exploration (Rising 1-5) |
$225 Base Price Discounts: $25 off before March 30 |
| Cyber/Coding Patriots (Rising 6-8) This camp is made possible with support from SRNS. |
$165 After Automatic SRS Scholarship $225 Base Price |
| STEM Forward Center Career Exploration (Rising 9-12) With Support from Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC) |
$50 After Automatic WORC Scholarship $225 Base Price |
| Computer Science Exploration (Rising 9-12) With Support from Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC) |
$165 After Automatic WORC Scholarship $225 Base Price |
Computer Science Exploration
June 12-June 16, 2023 • 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Drop off 8-8:30 a.m., Pick-up 3-3:30 p.m. (After Care Available until 5:30)
Rising 9th-12th Grade
Base Price $225 (You Pay Only $165)
$60 Scholarship available to ALL campers through Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC)
Computer Science is one of the fastest-growing career fields in the world. When you attend the Intro to Computer Science camp at the RPSEC, you will learn about several different career fields in CS. You will explore topics like coding, game development, cybersecurity, and much more. Students will work on their own and together to complete projects and challenges. If you have always been interested in CS but have not had a chance to explore it, this is your chance! No prior experience is needed to attend this camp. You will also have a chance to tour the USCA School of Engineering and Science and hear from students, professors, and industry professionals about what it is like to pursue a career in Computer Science.
With Support from Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC.
Camp Invention – Wonder!
June 19-23, 2023 • 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
(Before and After Care Available)
Rising K-6th
Base Price $265.00
Discounts: $25 off before March 30 (Promo Code SUM25), $15 off before May 17 (Promo Code SUM15) Additional discounts are available for siblings.
Spark your child’s curiosity and creativity with our all-new Camp Invention® program, Wonder! Campers in K-6 will collaborate with friends to take on fun, hands-on STEM challenges. From building a mini skate park to launching a pop-up shop to transforming a robot into a stuffie, each experience adds up to an imagination-stretching, confidence-boosting summer. (The camp is developed through the National Inventors Hall of Fame.)
Coding 4 Kids – Mission to Mars
June 26 - June 30, 2023 • 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Drop off 8 - 8:30 a.m., Pick-up 3-3:30 p.m. (After Care Available until 5:30)
Rising 3rd - 5th
Base Price $225 (You Pay Only $165)
$60 SRS scholarship available to ALL campers
Collaborate with teammates and design innovative solutions to global problems, all while using the VEX Robotics GO System. Learn to program your robots to complete several rover missions throughout this week of camp. Modeled after the 2020 Mars Rover Mission, campers will combine coding, construction, and robotics as they work through the engineering design process to develop unique and inventive solutions. The robot in the Mars Math Expedition is modeled to be assisting the rover with some of its tasks, like collecting samples, moving materials like fuel cells, and clearing debris from a landing site.
The camp is made possible with support from SRNS.
Cyber/Coding Patriots
July 10-14, 2023 • 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Drop off 8:00 - 8:30 a.m., Pick-up 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. (After Care Available until 5:30)
Rising 6th-8th
Base Price $225 (You Pay Only $165)
$60 SRS scholarship available to ALL campers
This dual coding and cyber security camp inspires middle-grade students through innovative, hands-on projects and challenges designed to propel them to Tech Readiness.
The Cyber portion of the camp is designed as part of the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association (AFA) to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future. Campers will also learn basic coding skills by utilizing VEX Robotics. They will complete several Mars Rover missions inspired by missions completed by the Perseverance Rover. Basic knowledge of computer hardware (knowing how to use a mouse, browse the internet, identify common computer icons, etc.) is helpful but not necessary.
The camp is made possible with support from SRNS.
Full STEAM Ahead - Exploration!
July 10-14, 2023 • 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Drop off 8:00 - 8:30 a.m., Pick-up 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. (After Care Available until 5:30 p.m.)
Rising 1st-5th
Base Price $225
Discounts: Discounts: $25 off before March 30, $15 off before May 17
We will go Full STEAM Ahead this summer to inspire young explorers while focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) as access points to provide enrichment and academic acceleration. Campers are given opportunities to engage in experimental learning, guiding student inquiry, and creative and critical thinking. The 2023 theme will focus on EXPLORATION.
STEM Forward Career Exploration
July 17-21, 2023 • 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Drop off 8:00 - 8:30 a.m., Pick-up 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Rising 9th-12th
Base Price $225 (You Pay Only $50)
$175 scholarship available to ALL campers through Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC)
Learn about the vast STEM career opportunities from real-world STEM experts. Discover
different job roles in STEM. The area’s top experts will guide students through different career paths and how to get started. Participants will participate in hands-on workshops designed to help students learn in a safe and fun environment and do what STEM professionals do daily. Participants will also learn directly from our mentoring STEM professionals as they travel to various on-site locations. Throughout the week, the campers will be immersed in the STEM professional community.
With Support from Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers (WORC)
Extended Care (Before and After Care)
CAMP INVENTION:
An Extended Camp experience is being provided to accommodate working families. Extended Camp hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will be an additional cost per week. To sign up, please select the Extended Camp option during checkout.
OTHER RPSEC SUMMER CAMPS:
An Extended Camp experience is being provided in the afternoon.
After Care (3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.) – $35
Policies
Cancellations/Refunds
Camp Invention
- (Please refer to the Camp Invention cancellation policies)
ALL Other Summer Camps
- Refund Policy: 10 days before the camp date, 75% refund less a $10 handling charge. 3 to 9 days prior, 50% refund less a $10 handling charge. Less than three days prior, no refund. Please note: If a camp does not reach the minimum number of required campers by three weeks before the start date, RPSEC reserves the right to cancel and refund 100% of the tuition.
Food
The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center will NOT provide snacks and Lunch. Campers must bring their snacks and lunch. Science Center educators supervise snack and lunch breaks.
Camp Check-In
All campers must check in and out with a parent or guardian daily. Any pick-up or drop-off changes should be turned in at that time.
Pick-Up
Parents or legal guardians must pick up their children at the end of each program. Children will not be allowed to meet parents outside of the pick-up area. To ensure the safety of campers, we require advance written notice when anyone other than a parent or legal guardian will pick up campers after the programs.
Parking
Short-term parking is available in the parking lot in front of the RPSEC.
For directions and general information about the Science Center, visit our website or call (803) 641-3313.
Questions?
Call us at (803) 641-3313
E-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Registration
Complete a separate registration form for each camper.
* There is a $35 service charge on all returned checks.
