Membership

Invest in your child's learning by becoming a member

At Hands-on House, we believe play is serious business—and that every child deserves a place to explore, wonder, connect, and grow. By becoming a member, you’re not only creating meaningful moments for your own family. You’re also investing in a shared future where early learning and family connection are accessible to all.

We know parenting young children is hard—especially when families are being squeezed from all sides. That’s why we’re reimagining what museum membership looks like. Our new model is designed to be more flexible, affordable, and impactful—supporting both your family and the broader community.

All memberships now include:

• Admission for any 5 people (adult or child) per visit
• Unlimited visits and access to immersive exhibits, classes + programming
• 10% off gift shop
• Flexible payment options: pay in full or monthly for no additional fee

As a member Why Become a Member?

Camp themes for ages 4-7

Camp themes for ages 5-8

Camp themes for ages 6-10

Camp Daily Schedule

8:15-8:45: Camper drop off; free play in museum exhibits 

9:00-9:15: Morning meeting 

9:20-10:00: STEM activity 

10:00-10:25: Playground 

10:30-10:45: Snack and story 

10:50-11:30: Art activity 

11:35-12:05: Free play and camper-led exploration 

12:15: Pick up 

*art camp follows a different schedule* 

Summer Camp FAQs

Frequently asked questions about registration, camp activities, and what to bring.

Registration 

How much does a week of camp cost? 

The cost of one week of camp is $225 per camper. An $85 non-refundable deposit is required at registration which saves the camper’s seat. A limited number of scholarships are offered to families who receive SNAP benefits or are experiencing financial hardship.  

How do I get a scholarship? 

We will have a limited number of scholarships available; apply for a scholarship at this link. Scholarships will not be awarded until later in the spring (likely late March or early April). Space will be held for scholarship applicants.

How many scholarships can I receive? 

Families receiving scholarships can receive scholarships for all children in their household for one week of camp for each child. If scholarships are still available come June 1st, campers may receive a second scholarship on a first-come-first-served basis. 

How do I register my child for camp? 

Registration is done through our Campbrain link which will open to the public soon. Returning campers should have received an email with a link for early registration access. Only the deposit is due upon registration. 

Can I register my child for more than one week? 

Yes! Campers can come to as many camp themes as they can for their age group, but cannot attend any theme more than once. 

Why does camp start earlier this year? 

Campers will be starting their day playing in museum exhibits. The camp day is starting earlier so that campers can have the whole museum to explore to themselves before museum guests arrive. 

Why did the price of camp increase this year? 

In order to provide a longer camp day, more personalized attention, and to keep up with rising costs of offering camp, we had to increase the cost of camp. 

What is the cancellation policy? 

An $85 deposit is due upon sign up, with the rest due at a later date. The deposit saves the camper’s spot at camp. If a family would cancel their attendance, all but the deposit would be refunded. A $25 rescheduling fee is charged if you would like to change the week your camper is attending. In the event camp would be cancelled due to an emergency or unforeseen circumstances, campers would have the option of rescheduling or receiving a museum credit—no refunds will be issued. 

Do campers need to be potty trained? 

Yes, all campers need to be fully potty trained to attend camp. 

What accommodations can the camp make for camper with different needs? 

Hands-on House Summer Camp is committed to providing accommodations for campers with different needs within the best of our ability. Given our constraints, we cannot provide 1-on-1 assistance to campers. If your camper requires 1-on-1 assistance to attend camp, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide that. Reach out to the Camp Director Megan at megan.stoltzfus@handsonhouse.org if you’d like to discuss what accommodations can be provided for your child. 

My child has a severe allergy—can they attend camp? 

Our facility is not guaranteed to be allergen-free. However, we make an effort to reduce chances of food-related reactions through hand-washing and designated snacks for campers with allergies. Read our camp snack list here. If your child has a severe food allergy, reach out to the Camp Director Megan at megan.stoltzfus@handsonhouse.org to see if the camp can provide adequate safety accommodations. 

My child is turning four at the end of the summer—can they still come to camp? 

Campers must be four during the week they attend camp—we cannot make exceptions for campers who are not yet four years old. 

Camp Activities 

What will campers be doing on an average day of camp? 

Campers will have guided STEM and art activities each day with time to play in museum exhibits and on our playground. See our camp schedule above to see what campers will be doing on an average day. 

Are campers outside all day? What about exceptionally hot days? 

Camp will be a mixture of outdoor and indoor activities. On exceptionally hot days, we ensure that campers are indoors periodically and have frequent water breaks. 

What should campers wear? 

Campers should wear clothes they can get dirty in and close-toed shoes. Expect your campers to being moving! 

What should campers bring? 

All campers should bring a filled water bottle labeled with their name. We ask that sunscreen is applied before camp; our camp staff will not be able to assist campers in putting on sunscreen. 

Will I receive more information before camp starts? 

Yes! The week before camp, you will receive an email that gives more details about what to bring, what campers will be doing, and any other important information. 

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If you have any questions not answered by the FAQs, email the Camp Director Megan Stoltzfus at megan.stoltzfus@handsonhouse.org.