The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is offering need-based scholarships for its 2023 summer camp programs, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder children from participating in enriching educational experiences. These scholarships, known as “Camperships,” are designed to provide opportunities for local children to engage in a variety of activities that blend art, science, and history.
The museum’s summer camps cater to children from Pre-K through 8th grade, offering a diverse range of programs that promise fun and learning. The camps are structured to foster creativity, critical thinking, and social connections among participants. Each camp session is a week long, with specific themes tailored to different age groups.
For the youngest campers, the “Dino Discovery” camp offers a journey back in time to explore the era of dinosaurs. This camp is available for children in Pre-K to Kindergarten and runs from July 1 to July 5, with no camp on July 4. The morning sessions are from 9 a.m. to noon.
Children in grades 1 to 2 can choose from several exciting camps. “Pond Camp,” running from July 8 to July 12 in the mornings, allows kids to connect with local wildlife. “Animal Adventures Camp,” held in the afternoons of the same week, introduces campers to the museum’s resident creatures. Later in the month, “Over the Rainbow Camp” and “Junior Engineers” offer morning and afternoon sessions, respectively, from July 22 to July 26. These camps focus on the interplay of color and light and the basics of engineering through hands-on activities.
For those interested in archaeology and paleontology, the museum offers “Junior Archaeologist” and “Junior Paleontologist: Art & Science” camps from July 29 to August 2. These camps provide a deep dive into the techniques and science behind historical discoveries.
Older children in grades 3 to 6 have a variety of options as well. “CSI Monster Hunter Camp,” running from August 5 to August 9 in the mornings, challenges campers to think like cryptozoologists. In the afternoons, “Time Traveling Artists Camp” takes participants on a journey through the history of art. Later in the month, from August 19 to August 23, “Game Board Camp” and “Animation Camp” offer morning and afternoon sessions focused on game design and stop-motion animation, respectively.
For middle schoolers in grades 6 to 8, the museum provides specialized camps such as “Junior Curator Camp” and “Manga Camp,” both running from August 12 to August 16. These camps offer a behind-the-scenes look at museum curation and an exploration of anime and manga culture.
The cost of the camps is $200 for a half-day session and $400 for a full-day session, with discounts available for museum members. However, the need-based “Camperships” ensure that financial barriers do not prevent any child from participating. These scholarships are made possible through the support of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Greylock Federal Credit Union.
Parents interested in applying for a “Campership” can download the application from the museum’s website or contact the museum directly. The museum also offers a supervised lunchtime for campers enrolled in both morning and afternoon sessions during the same week, allowing for a full day of activities.
The Berkshire Museum’s summer camps are a testament to the institution’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality educational experiences for all children. By offering need-based scholarships, the museum ensures that every child has the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow in a supportive and engaging environment.
