Heather has closed up Summer Camps and beginning her new fall program Outdoor Learning. We sat down with her and asked a few questions:

-What do you love about the Museum?
I love it here because the Museum offers children the opportunity to play and explore to their hearts content. Everything here is their scale, and they can direct their own experience.  

- What are your hobbies and interests?
I love to take my dog Zooey to the dog park; I’m big on crafts like knitting and beading. Since I just got married, I’m working on sending out hand-made Thank You cards!  

- Tell us about your new class, Outdoor Learning!
Our new Outdoor Learning classes will give children and their caregivers direct experiences with the natural environment surrounding the Bay Area Discovery Museum. For young children, Outdoor Learning is the opportunity to play outside and discover nature. In these classes, we’ll guide the children’s experiences through open-ended play, guided art experiences, songs and stories.  

-What will the kids learn? What will parents learn?
Children will learn about the plants and animals which live in Fort Baker, what is needed to survive here, and the features that make them unique. The classes will offer parents ways to extend their visits to the Museum by becoming more familiar with Fort Baker, as well as some ways to encourage their child’s creativity.

-Where will you go on your classes?
We’ll visit some of the amazing spots right outside the Museum gates, including our beaches and the Parade Ground.

- Can they bring the whole family?
Each class has a maximum of 10 children, and there is an additional charge for siblings.

Come out and join Heather for Outdoor Learning!
Registration is open now.

Read the biographies of our summer camps staff to learn more about these enthusiastic pros who will educate, engage and entertain your kids all summer long at Discovery Camps!

Preparations for Summer Camp are in full swing at The Bay Area Discovery Museum; a magnificent staff has been hired, snacks have been ordered, and mountains of art supplies delivered!  As the countdown to the first day of camp begins I know I’m getting excited, as are legions of parents and kids.  I also know that parents have lots of questions, and I’m happy to say I have answers!  If you’ve signed your child up for summer camp please download our parent handbook and rest assured that if you have any other burning questions I’m only a phone call or e-mail away.

Stay tuned to Camp Blog for more information in the coming days, like staff bios and pictures!

-Heather Posner
Camp Coordinator
415-339-3982
hposner(at)badm.org

Despite a range of weather conditions typical of Sausalito, from blustery to burning and back, The Bay Area Discovery Museum’s Spring Break Camp went off without a hitch.  Even creative protestors scaling the Golden Gate Bridge couldn’t keep the kids away! There is endless digging for pennies in Lookout Cove, and fishing for crabs in Bay Hall; yet children are simultaneously making new friends, testing their limits in a safe environment, and most importantly getting a chance to pursue their passions. Check out some pictures here.

I was recently talking to my mom about her experience going to Girl Scout camp in the early 1960’s.  It was life changing for her because while she LOVED camping, her family was not big on nature.  Girl Scout Camp gave her a chance to discover what has become a life long passion that she never would have found through her school or home life.  So if you’ve got a building block fanatic, future Picasso, or budding entomologist living under your roof look no further!

Camps are directly tied to the museum’s mission to “engage, delight and educate.” We give children the opportunity to discover things that will shape them for life, whether it’s the struggle of threading a needle to sew a stuffed bat, making it to the top of the Crow’s Nest for the first time, or dissecting a squid, camper’s interests are truly nurtured. This is the best kind of learning, as all the experts will tell you, our curriculum is play based, developmentally appropriate and we follow the focus of the children.

We still have limited space in many of the summer camps developed right here at The Bay Area Discovery Museum! For more information click here. Or call Heather Posner, Camp Coordinator at 415-339-3982