Music Makers

June 9-13  |  9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  |  Spots Left: 12

Ages 4-8: Make some noise and join us on an eco-friendly, musical adventure! Explore rhythm, melody, and sound while learning about the importance of sustainability as we use recycled materials and imagination to build our own instruments from drum sets to string instruments to everything in between.

Register Online

Camp: $325/Child. Annual Members: 10% Off. Scholarships: Apply.
Register By: May 26 at 5:00 p.m. Capacity: 16 Kids.

Operation: Spycraft

June 16-20  |  9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  |  Spots Left: 16

Ages 4-8: Gear up for undercover fun! Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to join the top-secret Spy Squad and learn the art of disguise, crack hidden codes, tackle thrilling obstacle courses, and more as we take on daily missions testing teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. Note: VDM will be closed to the public June 19 for Juneteenth, but camp will still take place.

Register Online

Camp: $325/Child. Annual Members: 10% Off. Scholarships: Apply.
Register By: June 2 at 5:00 p.m. Capacity: 16 Kids.

Movie Magic

June 23-27  |  9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  |  Spots Left: 16

Ages 4-8: Lights, camera, action! Step into the world of movie magic and learn the art of stop-motion animation as we design characters, storyboard scenes, and shoot our own short films using clay, toys, and other materials.

Register Online

Camp: $325/Child. Annual Members: 10% Off. Scholarships: Apply.
Register By: June 9 at 5:00 p.m. Capacity: 16 Kids.

Monster Mayhem

July 7-11  |  9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  |  Spots Left: 15

Ages 4-8: Let your imagination run wild! Unleash your creativity and plunge into the world of mythical monsters and creepy cryptids as we design our own fantastical creatures and take on thrilling challenges inspired by our favorite legendary beasts.

Register Online

Camp: $325/Child. Annual Members: 10% Off. Scholarships: Apply.
Register By: June 23 at 5:00 p.m. Capacity: 16 Kids.

Ocean Explorers

July 14-18  |  9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  |  Spots Left: 16

Ages 4-8: Chart new waters and uncover the vast mysteries of the deep! Explore underwater habitats, discover fascinating sea creatures, and learn about the vital role oceans play in our world as we build miniature coral reefs, create our own marine animals, and more.

Register Online

Camp: $325/Child. Annual Members: 10% Off. Scholarships: Apply.
Register By: June 30 at 5:00 p.m. Capacity: 16 Kids.

Time Travelers

July 21-25  |  9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  |  Spots Left: 16

Ages 4-8: Step into the past! What was it like during the age of dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, or the Roman Empire? Journey through time as we explore early civilizations, famous historical events, and everyday life from different periods throughout history.

Register Online

Camp: $325/Child. Annual Members: 10% Off. Scholarships: Apply.
Register By: July 7 at 5:00 p.m. Capacity: 16 Kids.

Rainbow Rangers

July 28 - Aug. 1  |  9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  |  Spots Left: 16

Ages 6-10: Jump into the vibrant world of color! Discover how to use different colors to express emotions, create harmony, add flair to artwork, and more as we explore the magic of color theory and test how colors interact, mix, and create amazing effects.

Register Online

Camp: $325/Child. Annual Members: 10% Off. Scholarships: Apply.
Register By: July 15 at 5:00 p.m. Capacity: 16 Kids.

Wild West

Aug. 4-8  |  9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  |  Spots Left: 14

Ages 4-8: Saddle up for a rootin', tootin' time in the wild west! Experience life on the frontier and learn about cowboy culture as we try our hands at lassoing, panning for gold, and more and discover stories of famous pioneers and outlaws.

Register Online

Camp: $325/Child. Annual Members: 10% Off. Scholarships: Apply.
Register By: July 21 at 5:00 p.m. Capacity: 16 Kids.

Camp Participants

• Campers with any of these symptoms are asked to refrain from visiting the Museum.
• All parents / guardians must Check-In at the front desk before dropping off campers at the Museum.
• Nut-free lunches and labeled water bottles must be packed and placed in the designated bin in the Museum’s coat room.
• No food, gum, or drinks are allowed in the Museum galleries, except water bottles.

Check-In & Check-Out

• 9:00-9:30 a.m.: Arrival & Check-In
  • Takes place in the Museum’s front lobby area.
  • Campers will enjoy supervised play in the Museum’s front gallery until all campers arrive. The Museum will be closed for general admission visits during this time.
• 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Camp Activities & Gallery Playtime Breaks
  • Camp activities will take place in the Creation Station camp room and will be interspersed with playtime in the Museum galleries.
  • Creation Station will be closed to general admission visitors, but the Museum galleries will be open to the public.
• 12:00-12:45 p.m.: Lunch Time
  • Campers must pack a nut-free lunch and labeled water bottle.
• 12:45-1:00 p.m.: Pick-Up & Check-Out
  • Parents / Guardians are asked to wait in the front lobby area, and campers will be walked up by a staff member or volunteer.
  • Campers and their families may stay and play in the Museum galleries as long as they wish following the camp day, but parents/guardians must first check-out their child at the front desk so that staff knows the camper has been picked up.

Germ Concerns

Will VDM be open for general admission during camps?

Yes, VDM will be open for general admission visits during camps, but the Creation Station camp room will only be open to campers.

Who else will be in the camp room during camps?

At least one VDM staff member and between two and three volunteers will be present during camps. All staff members and any volunteers who will be in the building have been fully vaccinated against COVID.

How often is the Museum cleaned?

The Museum is cleaned daily, and a crew will be on site after the Museum closes to clean and sanitize.

Registration & Waitlists

What is required to be eligible for camps?

Children must be at least 4 years old and fully independent in the bathroom.

What if the camp I want to participate in has filled?

Camps have a maximum capacity of 16 children. If you have an interest in a camp that is full, please submit a waitlist request through our online Summer Camp Waitlist form. In the event of a cancellation, those on the waitlist will be contacted in the order their requests were received.

Financial Assistance

Does VDM offer financial assistance for camps?

In accordance with the Museum’s mission, VDM does offer a limited number of scholarships for all of its programs, including camps. Contact Director of Operations Lindsay Jones at operationsdirector@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x102 for information about applying for a scholarship, or submit a Summer Camp Scholarship Application online.

Annual Members

How do I apply my 10% annual member discount?

To apply this discount to camp registrations made online, you must have an active annual membership and will need to create a Website User Account and link it to your membership record by following these instructions. If you have already created a Website User Account, click the registration link for the camp you wish to register for and sign in using the link at the top of the registration page. If you need help applying your 10% discount when using our online registration forms, please contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103.

How do I set up my Website User Account?

You can follow the instructions here or contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103.

Did I successfully link my Website User Account and membership?

Contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103, and we’ll make sure everything is all set.

Cancellations & Refunds

What is VDM’s cancellation and refund policy for camps?

A minimum of 6 campers is required for a camp to run. If a camp is canceled by the Museum due to insufficient enrollment or other extenuating circumstances, the registration fee will be refunded to all registrants.

Individual cancellations must be made at least 2 weeks before the corresponding camp to be eligible for a refund. If an individual cancellation causes the camp roster to fall below the required minimum, the refund will be contingent upon the vacancy being filled. If an individual cancellation is made within two weeks of the camp, the registration fee will be forfeited. No refunds will be issued after a camp begins.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Where can I park to drop off and pick up my child?

VDM validates parking for camp participants at the Market Street Garage and Water Street Garage. Both locations provide the first hour of parking for free, and camp participants receive an additional hour of free parking – for a total of two hours – when they request a validation ticket at VDM’s front desk. The Museum is also located next to the Downtown Transit Station, and Charlottesville Area Transit offers a Free Trolley that stops at the station as it travels through Downtown and the University of Virginia. Click to learn more about parking downtown or more about public bus routes and fares.

Click the icon in the upper left corner for map legend and details.

Does VDM provide food or should I pack lunches for my child?

Due to food allergy concerns, the Museum does not provide any food or snacks itself during camps, but camps do include breaks for lunch. Camp participants are asked to pack nut-free lunches and labeled water bottles each day to help us maintain a nut-free environment for our friends with food allergies.

Does camp include gallery playtime?

Yes, camps do include playtime in the Museum galleries, both in the morning before VDM opens to the public and interspersed among activities throughout the camp day. Additionally, campers and their families may stay and play in the Museum galleries as long as they wish following the camp day, but parents / guardians must first check-out their child at the front desk so that staff knows the camper has been picked up.