Course Description
Forensic Detectives: Grades
In the 1940s, Frances Glessner Lee, a Chicago heiress to the International Harvester fortune, built the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, composite crime scene models recreated on a one-inch-to-one-foot scale. These macabre dioramas were purpose-built to be used as police training tools to help crime scene investigators learn the art and science of detailed forensics-based detection. Our CSI camps (not so macabre), will illuminate the Nutshells and their place in the history of forensic science.Our investigators will actually have their own miniature crime scenes to study! As the investigator, campers must bear in mind that there is a two-fold responsibility-to clear the innocent as well as expose the guilty. Seek only the facts-find the truth in a Nutshell.
Campers will learn how law enforcement professionals solve crimes and meet real professional Crime Scene Investigators.
**Please note we do our best to schedule professionals for this camp, but we are often subject to their busy schedules. Sometimes there are cancellations. When that happens we have alternate activities for the campers.
Sample Projects: Crime Scene Analysis, Blood and Fiber Analysis, Handwriting Analysis, Entomology Fingerprinting, Microscopy, working with luminol and DNA Analysis!
Hours & Fees
- Camp prices vary by location. To see what a typical day is like, click here.
- Our week is Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm.
- Pre-camp and Post-camp hours are available:
- Pre-camp hours start at 8am and is $25 for the week.
- Post-Camp hours go to 5:30pm and the cost is $35 per week.
Please see our 2023 Camper Welcome Packet or more information.
Please see our camp descriptions for more information.
The Half-Day Summer Camp Program
For camper grades P-K we also offer a half-day program. The hours are from 9-1pm and the cost is $235 per week. Post Camp services are not available for the half-day program. Your camper will need a snack, lunch, and drinks.
Cancellation Policy:
Full refunds will be given until April 1st. A 75% refund will be given between April 2nd and May 31st. No refunds will be made after June 1st. All registration cancelations will incur a $12 fee to cover our administration and registration fees.
After June 1st registrations can be moved to another week or location. Or, you can receive a 100% credit for the following camp season.
Forms & Resources
Sun Screen Waiver Form
With hot summer temperatures upon us, we’d like to remind you of the extra precautions we take to make sure our campers stay cool and well hydrated. Please take a look at our FAQ page to see our procedures for keeping the kids cool! If you would like us to apply sunscreen, please fill out the waiver form and hand it in to the Camp Director on Monday morning.
Summer Camp Planner
Club SciKidz realizes that families are very busy during the summer. With multiple camps and sometimes multiple kids, it can be a real challenge planning and then getting them to all of their summer activities.
How do we stay on top of it all without going crazy!? The easiest solution, we believe, is to send all of your kids to every single week of Club SciKidz Summer Camp. With 52 unique camps, we have something for all of your kids!
However, we know that is not always practical, and that your kids have other interests as well, such as art/sports/etc… So, we have created this simple Summer Camp Planner to help you organize your summers. All you have to do is print it out and put your child’s name up top and then fill-in the rest of their Summer Camp Schedules. This is a great tool to help organize & plan your summers and hopefully give you a little more time to have some time of your own!
Medical Form
The Welcome Packet mentions an ‘Administration of Medicine Form’. If your child requires any medications during the time he/she is at the camp, please download this form and print it, fill in the required information, and bring it with the child on the first day of camp.
Welcome Packet
Getting ready for camp should be an exciting process for your entire family. Many families attend multiple camps throughout the summer. For your convenience we have posted our Welcome Packet in the form of a parent newsletter on-line in PDF format. This document covers everything from Club SciKidz policies to camp dates and security issues.
Health & Wellness Policy
Typical Daily Schedule
Summer Camps Grades P-K & 1-2
- 8:00-9:00- Pre-Camp Extended Care:Assorted science and play activities
- 8:30-9:00- General check-in and campers are greeted by staff
- 9:20- All Camp Science Demonstrations
- 9:45-11:00- 1st Science Rotation
- 11:00-11:30- Snack and Group 1-MTWI (Minute to Win It),Group 2 Bingo
- 10:20-11:05- Outdoors: Team and Skill Building Activities
- 11:05-11:50- 2nd Science Rotation
- 11:50-12:50- Lunch and Recess
- 12:50-1:00- Optional 1/2-Day Program Ends
- 1:00-1:45- 3rd Science Rotation
- 1:45-2:45- 4th Science Rotation
- 2:45–3:00- Clean-up
- 3:00-3:30- Goodbyes
- 3:00-6:00- Post Camp Activities: Science Experiments/Playtime Science
Summer Camps Grades 3-5 & 6-8
- 8:00-9:00- Pre-Camp Activities: Science and Technology Activities
- 8:50-9:00- Campers Greeted by Staff
- 9:00-9:20- All Camp Science Demonstrations
- 9:20-10:05- 1st Science Rotation
- 10:05-10:20- Snack Attack
- 10:20-11:05 – Outdoors: Team and Skill Building Activities
- 11:05-11:50- 2nd Science Rotation
- 11:50-12:50- Lunch and Recess
- 1:00-1:50- 3rd Science Rotation
- 1:50-2:40- 4th Science Rotation
- 2:45–3:00- Clean-up
- 3:00-3:30- Goodbyes
- 4:00-5:30- Post Camp Activities: Science Experiments/Playtime & Science and Technology
