Summer Discovery Camps Six 1-week sessions from June 23 - August 8, 2014 (9am to 4pm daily, Extended Care is available.)
Spend a week with us and live history!
Imagine having the entire campus of The Henry Ford as your own personal playground. Science, games, hiking, inventors, tours, fishing, robotics –
even a chance to perform green experiments. The Henry Ford’s Summer Discovery Camps offer a broad and well-rounded schedule for the kid who is
inquisitive, adventurous and filled with boundless energy. And several of the one-week sessions include an overnight stay. Programs are
grade-specific for grades 2-9. Discounted pricing for members of The Henry Ford.
2013 program details
The Henry Ford offers amazing camp experiences. Discovery Camp® is our history-based camp for children going into the 2nd through 9th grades. Each level has its own theme and related crafts and activities.
All camps are based in Henry Ford Academy® classrooms in Henry Ford Museum® and Greenfield Village®, where campers will enjoy upgraded amenities, including air-conditioning, while still being immersed in the museum and village atmosphere. To ensure high-quality experiences, staff-to-camper ratio will not exceed 1:8.
Each camp runs 9am - 4pm daily with extended care available before and after camp. Camp days are packed with activities, including special tours, rides and plenty of fun!
An afternoon snack is provided. A Discovery Camp T-shirt will be distributed to each camper at the end of their first day of camp. The T-shirt should be worn the remainder of the week. Additional T-shirts may be purchased in advance if desired. See the registration form for details.
Each weeklong camp is offered several weeks throughout the summer.
Discovery Camp is offered:
Week A
June 24–28
Week B
July 8–12
Week C
July 15–19
Week D
July 22–26
Week E
July 29-August 2
Week F
August 5–9
Discovery Camp Level 9 is offered:
Week D
July 22-26
Week E
July 29 - Aug 2
*NEW* Aspiring Innovators Camp
ENTERING 7TH, 8TH, 9TH, or 10TH GRADE
Become an innovator by developing a prototype product to address a challenge the world faces in our Aspiring Innovators Camp. Click here for more information
Aspiring Innovators Camp is offered:
Week B
July 8–12
Level Descriptions
Growing Up in America
LEVEL 2 – ENTERING 2ND GRADE
Where in time will we go today? We’ll consult our time machine daily before plunging back in time to see how family, home and community life have changed for children in the past 300 years. Morning chores, constructing old fashioned toys and a village bartering activity are just a few of the exciting activities in store.
On the Move!
LEVEL 3 – ENTERING 3RD GRADE
Climb on board for a high-speed adventure as we explore the many ways people move from place to place. We’ll travel by horse, train and even Ford Model T as we learn about Henry Ford, the “real McCoy” and the Wright brothers. Campers will meet many interesting characters, make several moving crafts and record their photos and experiences in their camp travel logs.
Seeds of Change
LEVEL 4 – ENTERING 4TH GRADE
Join us as we explore the wonders of nature and how we have harnessed it for our use. We’ll visit the farms in Greenfield Village, conduct “green” experiments in the spirit of George Washington Carver and pick up the reins at the William Ford Barn to learn about the care of draft horses. On Friday, we’ll grab our exploration backpacks and take a hike through the restored Rouge River Oxbow area of Greenfield Village with a U.S. Forest Service Ranger.
What a Crazy Idea!
LEVEL 5 – ENTERING 5TH GRADE
Calling all aspiring inventors! Join us for a week of minds-on fun. We’ll investigate the fascinating science behind flight, film, and crazy inventions! Campers will be inspired by the wacky inventions of some of the Makers attending our 2nd annual Maker Faire. Campers will explore these innovations through behind-the-scene tours, an IMAX® film, constructing their own catapults and much, much more!
Hiking Through History
LEVEL 6 – ENTERING 6TH GRADE
Get away from it all! Join us as we explore how Ford, Edison, Firestone and Burroughs — the Four Vagabonds — experienced the great outdoors. Learn about their interest in the natural world and re-create their famous camping experiences. Activities include fishing, canoeing and a hike in the Rouge River Oxbow area of Greenfield Village with a U.S. Forest Service Ranger. This camp includes an overnight stay with special evening activities and accommodations for boys and girls in separate, chaperoned dormitory rooms on Thursday. Dinner, evening snack, and breakfast and lunch on Friday included.
All in a Day’s Work
LEVEL 7 – ENTERING 7TH GRADE
It’s off to work we go… Become an apprentice and explore tools and trades of the past 300 years. Each camper will be apprenticed for two half-days in a historic craft (baskets, tin, millinery, weaving, brooms), which is selected through random drawing. We’ll explore other crafts and trades through hands-on experiences, projects and Museum and Village explorations. This camp includes an overnight stay with special evening activities and accommodations for boys and girls in separate, chaperoned dormitory rooms on Thursday. Dinner, evening snack, and breakfast and lunch on Friday included.
Roll Up Your New Sleeves!
LEVEL 8 – ENTERING 8TH GRADE
Grab a wrench and come along! In this camp, we’ll investigate both the physical and creative contributions of great Americans like Henry Ford, Abraham Lincoln and Buckminster Fuller. Activities include assembling a 1917 Ford Model T, taking the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, constructing an 8– by–11–foot house, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Dymaxion House and much, much more. Don’t miss the challenge of this inspiring camp! This camp includes an overnight stay with special evening activities and accommodations for boys and girls in separate, chaperoned dormitory rooms on Thursday. Dinner, evening snack, and breakfast and lunch on Friday included.
Robots to the Rescue
LEVEL 9 – ENTERING 9TH GRADE
Discovery Camp is going high tech this summer! In partnership with the Robotics Club of Henry Ford Academy — our own high school — we offer a camp experience that delves into the world of robotics. Campers will explore the use of robotics in the auto industry. Hands-on activities and a special guided tour of the Automobile in American Life exhibit will teach campers about control systems and velocity. Campers will also work in teams to design and program a robot to simulate a rescue task using LEGO® Mindstorms® robotics kits. The teams will conduct a demonstration on Friday afternoon. This camp includes an overnight stay with special evening activities and accommodations for boys and girls in separate, chaperoned dormitory rooms on Thursday. Dinner, evening snack, and breakfast and lunch on Friday included.
Extended Care
Extended care is available for an additional fee. The morning session runs 7-8:50am and the afternoon session runs 4-6pm. A variety of tabletop games is offered in both sessions
Registration and Refunds
For your child’s enjoyment, please register him/her for the grade he/she will be entering in the fall. Registrations are processed in the order received. Priority registration for donors and members is February 22 through March 21, 2013. Open registration begins on March 22. Full refunds must be requested by May 24, 2013. No refunds will be given after May 24, 2013.
2013 pricing
Grade Levels 2-5
MEMBERS $238 per child / per week
NON-MEMBERS $280
Grade Levels 6-9
MEMBERS $250 per child/ per week
NON-MEMBERS $292
Aspiring Innovators
MEMBERS $238 per child / per week
NON-MEMBERS $280
Extended care $25 per session (AM or PM) per week, members and non-members.
Discovery Camp® Survival Packs also available. Survival Packs include: Drawstring Backpack, Sunscreen, Rain Poncho, Tissue Travel Pack, Off! Bug Repellent Wipes, and Water Bottle. Choose from four colors: Blue, Black, Lime Green, or Pink.
MEMBERS: $15
NON-MEMBERS: $18
registration information
Our new online registration begins February 21st for members and March 22nd for non-members.
The Henry Ford is located in Dearborn, Michigan on the corner of Village Road and Oakwood Boulevard, just west of the Southfield Freeway (M-39) and south of Michigan Avenue (US-12).
The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI 48124-5029
From the East or West via I-94:
Take I-94 to the Oakwood Boulevard exit; go north on Oakwood. The Henry Ford is 2.5 miles from the exit on the corner of Village Road and Oakwood Boulevard.
From the South via I-75:
Exit to northbound Southfield Freeway (M-39); drive 4.1 miles to Oakwood Boulevard (Exit 4). Left on Oakwood and drive 1.8 miles.
From the North via Southfield Road (or I-96):
Take Southfield Freeway (M-39) south 4.5 miles past I-96 and exit at Michigan avenue (Exit 6). Continue on the Southfield service drive (veer left) for .5 mile. At the first stoplight, turn right onto Village Road (through the iron gates) and drive .75 mile.
Metro Detroit often has major construction projects. Please check the following sites for the latest on construction areas and road closures.
