Summer Chemistry Camps

Fun with Chemistry camps have been a local Madison tradition since their inception in 1984. The week-long afternoon summer programs seek to excite and inspire 5th–8th grade* students with hands-on science experiences that they will remember for a lifetime. Campers spend five afternoons working in laboratories in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A staff of experienced graduate and undergraduate students supervises your 5th–8th grader* in small groups. These group leaders emphasize laboratory safety while communicating fundamental concepts in science and encouraging campers to exercise their reasoning skills. Camps run Monday through Friday, 1:15 pm to 4:30 pm at the Chemistry Building. The registration fee for each one-week camp session is $175. Campers may register for multiple sessions. A few scholarships are available for those who document the need. For more information, contact us at 608/262-3033 or ice@chem.wisc.edu.

If you are interested in the activities or hosting a Fun with Chemistry camp in your local area please see our Chem Camp Handbook for purchase through the ICE store.

*This refers to the grade the student will be entering in the upcoming school year.

Chem Camp Comments

See what parents and past campers have to say about the Chem Camp experience!

• The program was wonderful. My daughter learned so much and can't wait to attend in 2011.
• Great experience for a boy who loves science!
• Can't wait to go again. [My child] told [their] 6th grade science teacher about it...and showed [their] class the things they brought home!
• They absolutely loved it. [My kids] came home every night excited. Loved the labs and pretty much everything!

Summer 2012 Chem Camp Schedule

Fun with Food Chemistry

July 9–13

Campers will explore chemistry concepts related to food and cooking. They will learn various chemical analyses for nutritional content, how chemical structure contributes to the properties of food, and how foods get their flavors. Other topics include how baked goods rise, and how butter is made. Each group will design a research project relating to food chemistry, with a presentation of the projects to parents and peers at the end of the session.

Fun with the Chemistry of Superheroes

July 16–20

This camp explores chemoreception, electromagnetic radiation, DNA, and other chemistry topics through the context of superheroes. What makes Elastigirl's uniform stretchy? Could a genetic mutation be responsible for the superpowers of the Fantastic Four? What would the world look like if you had "x-ray vision"? Campers will use their science knowledge to create their own superheroes and write a play to be performed on the last day of camp for their parents and peers.

Fun with Forensic Chemistry Camp

July 23–27

Each day of the Fun with Forensics Science camp participants will gather evidence, learn forensic science techniques, and employ the scientific method to solve mysteries and crimes. Guest speakers from forensic science related careers enhance the program's connection to real-life science.

Fun with Chemistry Camp

July 30–Aug 3

At the Fun with Chemistry camp, each day begins with exciting chemistry demonstrations during the general assembly, followed by two hours of laboratory experiments, and a period of group discussion. The daily topics include: the elements; acids and bases; ions and chromatography; metals and alloys; and crystals and polymers.

Registration for Summer 2012 Camps opens February 15th!

Complete the following steps to register your child(ren) for Summer 2012 Chemistry Camp session(s).

1. Complete the Online Registration Form. Note: If you wish to enroll multiple children, please fill out a Registration Form for each child by clicking the link multiple times.
2. Complete and mail in the Health Form (one for each child) and Payment Form along with your payment. All forms and payment must be received no later than June 1, 2012. Please review the Payment and Refund Policy on the form before submitting your payment.

Note that your child is not confirmed for Chem Camp until payment is received and all forms have been completed and submitted.

If you are unable to register online and wish to submit your registration via mail, please contact us for a registration form at 608-262-3033 or ice@chem.wisc.edu.

Payment and Refund Policy for Chem Camps

• Payment must be received by June 1, 2012, or you will lose your child's spot in the camp session.
• If your plans change and your child can no longer attend a camp session you have registered them for, please contact us immediately at 608-262-3033 or by email (ice@chem.wisc.edu) so we can let other campers enroll in the session.
• Cancellations submitted by or before June 10, 2012, will receive a 90% refund.
• Cancellations submitted after June 10, 2012 and up to 7 days before the beginning of your child's camp session will receive a 50% refund.
• No refunds will be issued for cancellations that are submitted within 7 days of the beginning of the session for which your child is registered.
• Refunds will be issued by check and may take up to 6 weeks for UW processing.