Your Kids Can Be Scientists This Summer: A Q&A with Science World
If you’ve got a curious kid who asks “but WHY does that work?” approximately 47 times a day, I have good news for you. Science World’s summer camps are back, and this year they’re bigger than ever. We’re talking classic in-dome adventures, brand new outdoor field science experiences, AND for the first time, camps coming to Surrey.As a mom who’s always on the hunt for summer programs that feel meaningful (not just screen-free babysitting), I was genuinely excited to dig into what Science World has planned. Here’s what they told us.
Check out our VM Picks: 2026 Top Vancouver Summer Camps Guide featuring some of our favourite picks for kids and youth — and discover why this iconic local institution continues to inspire Vancouver families.
Top Summer Camps in Vancouver: Science World
What is the mission and philosophy of your summer camp, and how does it align with Vancouver parents’ needs?
Science World’s mission has always been about igniting wonder, and their camps are built around that same idea. This year they’re expanding into three different camp formats: the classic in-dome Science World camps that families already love, brand-new Field Science camps where kids explore outdoors as real-life field scientists, and Surrey Pop-Up camps that bring Science World programming to Surrey for the very first time.
That last one is a big deal for Surrey families who’ve wanted access to this kind of quality programming without the commute. And for parents who’ve been asking for more outdoor education options, the Field Science camps are a direct answer to that. Kids get hands-on STEAM learning while actually connecting with nature through ecological investigations.
What sets your camp apart from others in the area?
Honestly? The people and the place. Science World’s camp team is made up of actual scientists, teachers, performers, and educators. These are people who genuinely love what they do and know how to make science feel alive for kids.
And then there’s the dome itself. There’s something about being in that iconic space that makes kids feel like anything is possible. Science World describes it as a place where campers “wonder, create, tinker and go on incredible adventures,” and from what I’ve heard from parents who’ve sent their kids, that tracks completely.
They also put real emphasis on being a welcoming, inclusive space. Every kid comes from somewhere different, and Science World works to meet kids where they are and build a community out of all those different perspectives. That matters a lot to me as a parent.
Can you provide an overview of the activities and programs your camp offers during summer camp, and how they contribute to children’s development?
Each day is built around a different core idea within the camp theme, with hands-on STEAM labs running throughout. Past campers have built rockets, engineered structures, created circuits, and tackled design challenges. This summer, the in-dome camp theme is “Amazing Humans,” which sounds like it could spark some really great conversations at home.
The Field Science camps combine outdoor ecosystem investigations with indoor hands-on labs, a mix of fresh air and focused learning. Surrey campers get STEAM workshops plus a full-day field trip to Science World itself.
What I appreciate most is that the programs are designed for different age groups, so the activities are actually at the right level, not too easy and not overwhelming. Through all of it, kids are building problem-solving skills, making new friends, and picking up the confidence that comes from figuring something out with their own hands.
Share success stories or testimonials from previous participants and their parents. How have children benefited from your camp?
The numbers here are hard to ignore. In a survey of 581 caregivers after last summer’s camps, 97% said their child enjoyed attending, and 94% said their child would want to come back. That’s not a fluke, that’s a pattern.
Parents have talked about how welcoming the staff were, both to their kids and to them. One parent wrote that the team was “genuinely awesome, kind to me and to my child, very welcoming.” Many families have made Science Camps an annual tradition, booking again every year and recommending it to friends.
As for the kids themselves? They said it best. Feedback cards included notes like “Best Camp Ever!” and one camper, when asked what activity they’d want to do next time, wrote simply: “All of them.”
Beyond the fun, 97% of parents confirmed their child learned something new. Kids leave with stronger curiosity, better problem-solving habits, real friendships, and the feeling that science is something that belongs to them.
Registration for Science World Summer Science Camps is open now. Whether your kid is a future marine biologist, a budding engineer, or just someone who loves asking how things work, there’s a spot for them under that dome (or out in the field).
Visit scienceworld.ca to register and find a camp that fits your family.
Science World has been sparking curiosity from their iconic geodesic dome on the shores of False Creek since 1989. Their summer camps bring that same energy with expert-led, hands-on STEAM programming built around the BC curriculum. This summer they’re expanding with new Field Science camps and Surrey Pop-Up camps, making their trusted programming accessible to even more Lower Mainland families. A welcoming space where curious kids become confident ones.
