camps

CML camps provide important educational enrichment opportunities through PLAY during school breaks: Spring Break Camp, Summer Camp, Turkey Time Camp, and Winter Wonderland Camp! Children ages 5 – 8 engage in developmentally appropriate, hands-on STEAM activities (that include science, engineering, math, literacy, and the arts) built around exciting weekly themes. Campers explore the Museum’s hands-on experiences, developing their communication, problem-solving, and creativity skills.

CML campers forge friendships as they work on collaborative projects and unlock their potential as they tackle fun mental and physical challenges. Children are grouped according to age and in groups of 6 – 8 campers. Junior Campers are ages 5 – 6 and Senior Campers are ages 7 – 8. Every day of camp delivers a set of unique experiences that keep children learning through PLAY!

To receive communications about upcoming camps and registration, sign-up for our email list in the website footer.

camp

spring break camp

Spring Break Camp registration will open for members on February 1 at 9 AM & February 2 at 9 AM for non-members.

Campers are invited to PLAY with hands-on experiences that promote the arts and sciences at the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry’s Spring Break Camp! Every day has different Spring-themed activities so your child can learn through PLAY all spring break long! Campers will also enjoy PLAY and special camp activities in the Museum exhibits. Camp is available for ages 5-8.

*24 slots and registration will be full day only!

April 1-5, 2024

Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm

  • Full-day camp is $385.00 

summer camp

DooDash the Dragon is missing! Campers must find clues and use their problem-solving skills and creativity to complete science, technology, engineering, and math challenges to find and rescue DooDash! Activities are developmentally appropriate for different age groups. 

Have a blast exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts inspired by our favorite storybook!

Become a storm chaser and participate in Science experiments and STEM challenges relating to weather phenomena!

Strong with you, the force is! Brave Padawans will build droids and complete challenges that are out of this world to become powerful Jedi in this camp. Costumes are encouraged! (No camp on July 4th)

Level up your STEM game with our newest camp! Campers will create their own retro game levels like Sonic and Donkey Kong, race their own Mario Karts, design and build Fortnite forts, go gem hunting with their Minecraft multitools, as well as code Pacman, and also work together as a team to solve Engineering challenges while trying to find the traitor Among US!

Michelangelo is SO five centuries ago! This year, we will explore the works of living, local artists! Campers will get the chance to meet (and create!) with several Charleston-based artists who use found and recycled materials to create new pieces of art! Activities are developmentally appropriate for different age groups. 

Oh, no! Team Rocket plans to capture DooDash the Dragon! But there are “pocket monsters” throughout the Museum that can help protect DooDash. Gotta catch ‘em all! Campers will capture the helpful monsters, create their own trading cards, and train the monsters to protect DooDash! This camp infuses science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) with a popular trading card game. 

Muggles are invited to explore the wizarding world! Make your own wand, attend classes in potions, charms, and alchemy, and go on a horcrux scavenger hunt. 

Be a creative problem solver and help your favorite fairytale characters solve their problems through the power of STEM. Challenges and projects are based on classic fairytales like The 3 Little Pigs and Rapunzel.

June- August 2024

Mark your calendars, Summer Camp registration will open for members on February 1 at 9 AM and for non-members on February 2 at 9 AM!

Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm

Full Day - 

  • Full-day camp is $385.00 - Members receive 10% off at checkout with a code sent via email in advance.

turkey time camp

Let us take care of your little turkeys over Thanksgiving break! This fall-themed camp for ages 5-8 will include STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) concepts. Please note that camp will end at 12:30 on Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Coming back November 2024

Hours: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

winter wonderland camp

At our Winter Wonderland Camp, children ages 5-8 will have the opportunity to participate in winter-themed STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities. At CML, because we know all children are capable, creative, and full of promise, we are committed to challenging children’s imaginations and potential through our camps.

Coming back December 2024

Hours: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

important information

Please review the information below prior to registering for camp. You will be required to accept the 2023 CML Camp Terms and Conditions to register for camp.

Camp Policies and Procedures are subject to change. Any changes will be posted here.

2024 Camp Policies and Procedures
2024 CML Camp Terms and Conditions

full-day campers' lunch

CML provides mid-morning and late-afternoon snacks. Full Day Campers must bring a lunch that is NUT-FREE (no peanuts or tree nuts). Acceptable peanut butter substitutions include soy butter and sun butter. Lunches may be ordered from and delivered to CML by FoodforThoughtCharleston.com.

young campers

While CML accepts campers starting at age 5 (must be 5 by the first day of camp), young campers must be preschool-ready. Campers are expected to respond to their name, follow two-step directions, and stay with the counselor and their assigned group. All children attending camp must be fully independent in the bathroom. It is important to remember that there are no refunds or credits given if a child is asked to leave camp due to unacceptable behavior.

camp counselors

All CML Camp Counselors receive training in positive behavior management techniques, Darkness to Light Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and First Aid/CPR.

All counselors and volunteers over the age of 16 undergo a criminal background check and National Sex Offender Registry check.

public health updates

Please note that CML follows recommendations by public health authorities which may impact our public admission policy and staffing levels. We will communicate any required changes as soon as possible as our Cancellation Policy will remain in effect.

  • Frequent handwashing or sanitizing is encouraged throughout the building.
  • CML continues to use nontoxic, hospital-grade cleaner to frequently clean all spaces. We also employ UV light sanitizing wands and sanitizing air filtering systems. Health, safety, and prevention of communicable disease remains a priority.
  • Harassment of any visitor or staff member for either wearing, or not wearing, a face covering will not be tolerated. Visitors who behave in an aggressive or harassing manner will be asked to leave the premises. No refunds will be offered.
  • We are a private, nonprofit organization and reserve the right to alter policies to best serve our constituents.

tax information

The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry Tax ID # is 57-1014498.

registration

CML uses Active Network to host its camp registration. Using this platform has many benefits for families, including payment plans, registration protection, and account access to view existing registrations and receipts. Active charges a 6.25% fee for their services.

After registering online, you will receive an automatically generated email confirming receipt of your registration. An additional confirmation with camp details and forms will be emailed the Wednesday before camp starts.  A car tag will be available for download via the confirmation email.

To receive communications about upcoming camps and registration, sign-up for our email list in the website footer.

member discount

Current CML Members are eligible for early registration as well as discounted rates. To receive the discounted rate, current CML Members will be emailed a 10% discount to be applied at checkout. Memberships will be confirmed with our system. If you do not have a membership, the discount will be removed and the difference will be added to the balance due. To become a member, visit our Membership Page.

payment plan policy

If selecting a payment plan, a deposit is due with registration and the remaining balance is due two weeks before the camp start date. Each camp session will have its own payment due date.

cancellation policy

Except when Active Refund Protection is purchased, cancellations made two weeks or more prior to the first day of camp are eligible for a CML credit. Any cancellation after this time will result in a loss of the entire amount paid. As a nonprofit, these costs have been allocated towards materials and staffing for the program. Please keep in mind as long as there is availability, you may switch programs up to one week prior to the beginning of the originally registered program. CML credit may be applied for on-site CML activities including programs, admissions, gift shop, and parties.

health & wellness policy

Campers may have their temperature taken at any time during the day if camp staff feel it is warranted. If a camper registers a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, he/she will not be able to attend camp until a written medical clearance by a physician is provided.

Families are responsible for notifying CML staff if their child or someone with whom their child has recently had close contact: (1) exhibits symptoms of the Coronavirus, including but not limited to: fever, chills, cough, difficulty breathing, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and/or new loss of taste or smell; (2) tests positive for the Coronavirus, and/or has been diagnosed by a medical professional as having the Coronavirus.

We cannot give a refund or credit if a child is sent home for health reasons.

In the event a child in camp tests positive for COVID-19, all camp families will be notified and asked to monitor their child for symptoms. The positive individual and other children in their household must quarantine from camp for 5 days. Other campers may be required to wear a mask following a exposure, as per health authority guidelines. If you elect to keep your child home from camp, a refund cannot be provided.

CML staff are required to contact a child's caregiver to pick up any child displaying the following symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Persistent cough
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Fatigue, body ache and/or headache
  • Sore throat
  • Chills
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

A child who has not cleared a contagious illness 24 hours before the start of camp may not attend the camp.

Questions