GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Registration for the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s (GRPM) Camp Curious will open to GRPM members this Friday, January 23, offering Pre-K through 9th-grade students exciting opportunities to engage in hands-on activities with history, science, and culture during summer break. Parents and guardians can sign their campers up for a wide range of single-day and multi-day camp experiences, which take place from June 15 through August 7.
“The GRPM is a hub of education and inspiration, and through Camp Curious, students can dig deeper into the areas they are most passionate about,” said Dr. Stephanie Ogren, Vice President of Science and Education at GRPM. “The experiences they have here can spark curiosities that last a lifetime.”
Several new camps have been added for the 2026 season, including the Detectives Academy for 4th-6th-grade campers, which combines science and mystery. Campers will explore the Museum, cracking codes, dusting for fingerprints, analyzing animal clues, and more while sharpening the skills of deduction and observation.
Also new this year is GeoQuest, where 7th-9th-grade campers will get to explore the Museum’s rocks, minerals, and fossils collection, identifying the specimens with real geology tools. They will have the chance ot meet real experts, conduct digs, and complete labs, embarking on an adventure millions of years in the making.
Returning camp topics include Museum curation, LEGO® bricks, astronomy, Grand River ecology, Grand Rapids history, photography, zoology and more. The youngest campers will have a blast exploring, crafting, and experimenting, while older campers will have the opportunity to make their own exhibits, lead their own Planetarium shows, learn new STEM skills and more.
Another returning camp for 4th through 6th-grade students, Predator Prey, is a collaboration between the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Van Andel Institute for Education. Students in this program investigate the adaptations of predators and the clever strategies of prey by observing real-life animals. Then, they’ll work on engineering challenges that mimic nature’s survival techniques. Held July 27 – July 30, the first two days are at the GRPM and the second two days are at the Van Andel Institute for Education.
Early registration and discounts are available now for Family and Grandparent GRPM members. Anyone can become a member of the GRPM today and use these benefits to register for camps.
Registration for all camps opens to the public on January 30. To secure a spot and find more information, interested participants can visit grpm.org/educlasses. Secure your spot promptly, as availability is limited.
