Academic camps

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American Museum of Natural History: Adventures in Science
Campers investigate some of the museum's coolest exhibits through hands-on lessons, visits with scientists and tours of the collections. This year kids choose from topics such as the disappearance of the Neanderthals, fossils and DNA, and spiders, depending on their age and interest. American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St (212-769-5200, amnh.org). Camp runs July 9–Aug 24; Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, sampler session for six-year-olds July 9–11 9am–1pm. Middle-school camps: two-week session $1,000, one-week session $500; elementary-school camps: one-week session $450, three-day session $350. See website for a detailed list of camps. Ages 6 to 13.

Brooklyn Cultural Adventures
Little ones broaden their horizons by hitting up educational institutions all over the borough, this year around the theme Myths and Magic. Among other Brooklyn-based exploits, campers will learn all about creatures of the night at the Prospect Park Zoo, delve into the past at the Lefferts Historic House and discover ancients secrets about mummies at the Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy at Washington Ave, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-638-7700, heartofbrooklyn.org/bcap). Camp runs July 2–Aug 10, Mon–Fri 9am–3:30pm. Extended-day options are available. Two-week session $600–$650. Ages 7 to 12.

Camp Intrepid
Each week at this camp-aboard-an-aircraft-carrier, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, has a different theme, from pirates and undercover agents to flight and space exploration. All campers will want to check out the newly arrived space shuttle Enterprise. 1 Intrepid Sq, Twelfth Ave at 46th St (646-381-5166, intrepidmuseum.org). Camp runs June 11–Aug 24, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. One-week session $500 before Apr 15, $600 thereafter; returning campers $475 before Apr 15. Sibling and member discounts available. Ages 5 to 13.

Carmelo the Science Fellow at the Cosmic Cove
Science teacher Carmelo Piazza (known to giggly kids as “Carmelo the Marshmallow”) leads campers in indoor and outdoor experiments, encouraging them to ask questions and work in groups with their peers. In one session children delve into “grossness” by conjuring artificial mucus; in another they study the ocean and build take-home aquariums. This summer they'll have the chance to work with all kinds of animals, too, from skinks and geckos to gerbils and snakes. 300 Atlantic Ave between Hoyt and Smith Sts, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn (718-722-0000, carmelothesciencefellow.com). Camp runs July 9–Aug 31, Mon–Fri 9am–3pm. Extended-day options are available. One-week session $435. Ages 5 to 11.

China Institute's Summer Program
Divided into small groups, children spend their mornings learning Mandarin. Depending on their experience, campers join either a bilingual class (for beginning and intermediate students) or an immersion class (for advanced students). During afternoon sessions, such activities as martial arts, musical and theatrical demos, calligraphy lessons, storytelling and cooking sessions introduce tykes to Chinese culture. China Institute, 125 E 65th St between Park and Lexington Aves (212-744-8181, chinainstitute.org). Camp runs July 2–Aug 10, Mon–Fri 9am–3pm or 9am–noon. Two-week session $1,600 (full day), $960 (half day). Ages 3 to 8.

Curious Jane
Little ladies get to dabble in science and engineering. The brainchild of an industrial designer and all-girls educator, this camp (for rising third to sixth graders) explores weekly themes such as toy design, story arts, lab science and animal nature. CJ Junior tailors a similar agenda to first and second graders. Various locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn (718-369-6320, curiousjanecamp.com). Camp runs July 9–Aug 17, 9am–3:30pm; session length varies by location. One-week session $425–$545. Ages 6 to 12.

Hewitt School Girl Power! Program
This immersive camp for tween girls was designed to help participants learn leadership skills, build self-confidence and work as a team. In addition to listening to motivational speeches and taking workshops (topics include speaking with confidence and building your own brand), participants take part in a local community-service project. They’ll also visit local museums and galleries to explore and discuss contemporary works by female artists. The Hewitt School, 45 E 75th St between Madison and Park Aves (212-994-2596, summer.hewittschool.org). Camp runs June 11–15, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. $850. Girls ages 10 to 13.

History Weeks
Children get a taste of the olden days in a program that brings them back to 19th-century NYC via the historic surroundings and exhibits of the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden. Campers also take part in activities, scavenger hunts and crafts (think churning old-fashioned ice cream and journaling with quill and ink). Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, 421 E 61st St between First and York Aves (212-838-6878, mvhm.org). Camp runs July 9–13, Mon–Fri 8:30am–3pm (ages 9 to 12); July 16–20, Mon–Fri 9am–noon (ages 6 to 8). One-week session $250 (ages 9 to 12), $175 (ages 6 to 8). Ages 6 to 12.

Launch Math Achievement Centers
Campers put their noggins to the test with courses in video-game design, robotics and rocket science. Math and science come to life with projects that have kids doing everything from constructing their own bots to setting off rockets. Click here for a Q&A with camp director Scott Heifetz. Launch Math Achievement Centers, 173 W 81st St between Columbus and Amsterdam Aves, lower level (949-528-6240, launchmath.com). Camps run June 18–Aug 30, Mon–Fri 9am–3:30pm. One-week session $500–$600 depending on the program; early-enrollment discounts are available. Ages 6 to 12.

McBurney Science Camp
There’s a good chance your kids will get their hands dirty in this experience-based program. Campers explore science through games, trips and hands-on activities like volcano building and fossil making. When junior scientists aren’t making discoveries, they participate in traditional camp activities (crafts, swimming and sports). P.S. 41, 116 W 11th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-912-2315, ymcanyc.org/mcburney). Camp runs July 30–Aug 24, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Two-week session $700. Ages 5 to 8.

NYC Summer Space Camp
The shuttle program may be ending but future astronauts or engineers can still get their aerospace fix at the New York City Center for Space Science Education’s summer camp. Kids train to be astronauts and "fly" a mission to Mars, pilot up to 30 different planes on flight simulators and build robots with a seemingly limitless quantity of Legos. The New York City Center for Space Science Education, 220 Henry St at Montgomery St (212-608-6164, ext 112; nyccsse.org/spacecamp). Camp runs July 16–20 and July 30–Aug 3 for rising 7th and 8th graders, July 9–13 and July 23–27 for rising 5th and 6th graders; Mon–Fri 9am–3:30pm. One-week session $450. Ages 9 to 14.

RoboFun!
During the morning session, campers dive into robotics, building their own creations. After lunch, youngsters experiment with video-game-design software, ultimately producing a game they can share with their parents, or script and shoot their own stop-motion animation film. 2672 Broadway between 101st and 102nd Sts (212-245-0444, robofun.org). Camp runs June 11–Aug 31, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm (full day), 9am–noon or 1–4pm (half day). One-week session $675 (full day), $400 (half day). Ages 6 to 12.

Summer Institute for the Gifted
This program gives gifted-and-talented students a chance to challenge themselves through cultural, social and recreational activities. Campers choose three 90-minute courses in subjects spanning humanities, math and science—last year’s class offerings included Aspiring Architects, Tutankahuman’s Treasures, Musical Acoustics, Marine Biology and Future City Design. Staten Island Academy, 715 Todt Hill Rd between Four Corners Rd and Redmond Ave, Staten Island (718-303-7845, statenislandacademy.org/camp). Camp runs July 9–27, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Three-week program $1,750. Ages 5 to 12.