At The Lawrence, we are committed to quality programming. We know you have many choices, and we appreciate and value that you consider The Lawrence a prime learning place for your child. Here are a few ways our camps are a cut above the rest:

• We offer high levels of individual attention and have small class sizes. The staff-camper ratio is low and spots in each grade band is 22 or less.
• We engage learners by making all of our content hands-on and project-based and start with an inquiry-based approach. 
• We inspire interest in STEM fields by offering access to various science disciplines and science center exhibits, such as the brand new Planetarium, Outdoor Nature Lab, live animal explorations, a 3D Theater, and much more.

We use CampDoc, an electronic health record system, to securely collect participant information. CampDoc is designed to protect your child’s privacy while alerting us to details such as allergies, medical needs, and other matters that might affect your child’s participation in activities. The information you provide will help us to support your children safely. We also appreciate further information, which can be sent to lhscamps@berkeley.edu.

There is no waitlist this year. Rather, you can opt-in to be alerted when seats are available for a specific grade band by filling out this form. Everyone who opts in will be alerted via email and can register for open seats on a first-come first-served basis.

Unfortunately, for participants entering grades 1–6, that’s not possible. We have determined that the two-week cycle provides an optimal opportunity for community-building among participants, as well as for effective science learning and inspiration.

For multiple reasons, we do not recommend that participants register for programs designed for grade levels other than their own.

If your camper is in either Entering 1 or 3/4, you may request a friend group via a form that will be accessible in both the confirmation email and welcome email. Please fill out this form as soon as possible. 

There will only be one group for Entering 2 and Entering 5/6, so if your child and their friends are in either of these grade bands, they will automatically be in the same group for the two-week session. 

If you have additional questions, please feel free to email the Registration Department at lhsreg@berkeley.edu. 

Every day starts with a welcome and warm-up. Once campers have arrived, they head into designated program spaces for opening circles, our way of checking in and framing the day. Then, campers dive into activities like scientific explorations, investigations, and/or engineering and creating. Activities vary based on programming for the specific day. Days may include exploring the Outdoor Nature Lab, investigating Forces that Shape the Bay, or visiting other exhibits at The Lawrence. 

Lunch and snack breaks are outdoors in the Outdoor Nature Lab. The lunch period begins with a designated time for eating, followed by cleanup and free time. Campers can choose between playing and using sports equipment on the grass, borrowing materials to explore the walking trails and plants, and playing board games at the picnic tables. Upon returning from lunch, campers all enjoy some downtime for socialization, board games, and other crafts and puzzles in the program space before jumping back into content.

Afternoon programming will continue scientific activities and include time in other exhibits like the 3D Theater, Outdoor Nature Lab, Animal Discovery Zone, Planetarium, or Forces that Shape the Bay. Every day concludes with a closing circle addressing content and social-emotional reflections, checking out, and building excitement for the next day.

The Lawrence Hall of Science is open to the general public, and hours are subject to change. Please be advised that parents and guardians are not permitted to be inside the building while the science center is closed. 

Yes, our adult Summer Camp staff are First Aid (EpiPen included) trained and CPR certified.

Camp runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may drop off your child as early as 8:55 a.m. and must pick them up at 4:00 p.m. each day. The drop-off location will be identified in a welcome email the week before camp starts. 

Yes, you can pick up your child before 4:00 p.m. or drop them off after 9:00 a.m. if needed. To properly notify staff, please email lhsreg@berkeley.edu with as much information as possible (such as your child’s full name, what grade they are in, who will pick up your child, and what day/time they will be picked up). In addition, you may confirm an early pickup the same day with the staff member who checks in your child in the morning.

Because we have no aftercare available, we ask that you are at The Lawrence and ready to sign out your camper at 4:00 p.m. Consistent late pick-ups may result in your camper being excused from the program.

Yes. If the adult picking up your child is not someone previously listed as an approved pickup person, please email lhsreg@berkeley.edu to receive the appropriate form. 

Unfortunately no, we are not offering Extended Day Care. There is no drop-off before 8:55 a.m. and no pickup after 4:00 p.m.

No, we are focusing on the entering grade 1–6 bands this year. We cannot accommodate children below these grade bands in camp.

Before starting camp, you will receive an email including a pre-recorded orientation video. This video will cover important information regarding the requirements and details of attending camp. If you have any questions that are not answered in the video or here on the FAQ page, please send an email to lhsreg@berkeley.edu

No, we do not provide any food. You must provide two snacks and a lunch for your child every day. For the safety of others, we ask that you not include any foods containing nuts or peanuts.

This year, we implemented a mid-summer hiatus to give our wonderful staff a much-deserved break. The break will allow us to prioritize our staff’s well-being and increase the quality and consistency of our programming.  

• All programs are refundable before April 1, 2024, at 11:59 pm. If you cancel before that time in writing, you will receive a full refund. After that, there will be no refund for canceling a program.
• You may transfer to another session (providing that space is available) if we receive your request in writing four weeks before your camp start date. Camps are not transferable to another child. 

Due to rising costs, we eliminated discounts for Members. Instead, Members now receive priority registration for the camps and dates ahead of general public registration. If you have questions regarding Membership, please email us at thelawrencemembers@berkeley.edu. To purchase or renew a Membership, please visit our Membership page. Thank you for your support.

No, we do not offer discounts for multiple children or multiple sessions.

We plan to provide the same activities and use identical materials in the 10-day and 9-day camps. So there is no significant difference in costs.

If you still have any other registration-related questions, please email lhsreg@berkeley.edu.

If a program does not reach its minimum enrollment, you will be notified at least five days before the starting date, and your tuition will be fully refunded.

The University has identified our programs’ costs as educational, not child care. 

The educational programs fall into the “Educational, learning or study skills services” category and are not considered reimbursable expenses. Any decision to submit the camp costs for child-dependent care should be made in consultation with your accountant or employer.

Summer camp programs are organized into two-week sessions that take place during the summer. These are the session dates:

Session 1: June 3–14, 2024
Session 2: June 17–28, 2024 (Holiday Exclusion June 19)
Session 3: July 8–19, 2024
Session 4: July 22–August 2, 2024
Session 5: August 5–16, 2024

Please note there is no camp on Juneteenth (Wednesday, June 19) and the week of Independence Day (Monday, July 1 through Friday, July 5).

Each camp is offered during specific sessions. For example, Toy Builders is offered during sessions 1, 3, and 5, but not during sessions 2 and 4. Please view Camps by Session to see which camps are offered on which dates.

UC Berkeley and The Lawrence Hall of Science are subject to the restrictions and/or guidance of public health authorities and the University’s policies and practices regarding COVID-19. Our first priority will be the health of the communities we serve. Although the camps are planned at this time, COVID health guidelines could affect our summer programs, up to and including cancellation.

Our team continues to track COVID-19 developments and adjust our program accordingly. We will post updates regarding COVID-19 restrictions as conditions change.

The Lawrence will not be issuing refunds for COVID-related absences.