"Campers Soak Up the Sun & Science Fun at TDC"

Kelsey and Emilee, 10

There's only one place in Fresno where you'll find excited kids playing Maze Tag, splashing around on a Slip 'n Slide(R), and doing science experiments - all at the same time. Yes, it's just another day at The Discovery Center's Summer Science Camp. Here, you'll find local children enjoying the outdoors while learning about nature at one of five different summer camps. This year's themes were Myths and Monsters, Space Camp, Egyptian Secrets, Magic Camp, and First 50 Fabulous Years.

"I think space was favorite thing that we did. We went is a big star dome that they blew up," said Kelsey, taking a break from the Slip 'n Slide(R). "My favorite star was Betelgeuse. [Pronounced beetle-juice] There's like a Native American hunter and then there was Orion and another warrior - and they all had Betelgeuse under their armpit!" Kelsey was enjoying the last days of First 50 Fabulous Years camp with a friend, Emilee. "Space was my favorite thing, too!" Emilee exclaimed.

Stephen, 8
Earlier in the week, these campers enjoyed a day of Weird Science, where they participated in some unusual but fun experiments. In one experiment, campers made their own slime. "Making goo was fun because we got to mix it with our hands," Emilee said. Another camper, Stephen, explained just how they made this mysterious slime. "We used glue from decorations, green coloring, and borax water," Stephen said. "It's so fun out here. Going fishing, water slides...You learn stuff about science, and you get to do experiments."

Jay, 9
Near The Discovery Center's Walden Pond, a curious group of boys point out the different creatures living in the water. Since fishing was his favorite part of summer camp, Jay spent a lot of time at the pond. "We caught mosquito fish, crayfish, and tadpoles," Jay said. Campers studied these creatures in an observation tank. In addition to learning about pond life, Jay and his fellow campers spent the day learning about Blood and Guts. "Blood is the thing that the heart filters through the body, and guts are like the intestines in your body," he explained. "Oh, and we also learned about the 5 senses!"

The boys exploring Walden Pond.

Egyptian Secrets, a new camp this year, was the favorite for TDC's Executive Director, Janet Berry. Campers wrote and starred in their own mini plays. "It was amazing watching these 5 and 6-year-olds writing in hieroglyphics," Berry said. "I loved watching them perform!" With the back-to-school season in full-swing, Berry and TDC's educators helped this year's campers make the most of their summer and build incredible, lasting memories.