Highland Road Park Observatory Camp

2025 Highland Road Park Observatory Camp

AstroStarters: Ages 6-7

This is the introductory session. Here, children first experience the concepts of enormous distances and incredibly lengthy time periods. They begin to learn the characteristics of different planets and moons and prepare themselves for the higher-level sessions. 

• Session 2: June 9-13
• Session 8: July 21-25

AstroPros: Ages 8-10

This is the workhorse session, for those children who are just starting to reach the age of more independent study. This age range occupies the lion’s share of each summer as a high percentage of them are both just starting in the skygazing hobby and continuing an interest obtained years earlier. At the end of this week parents receive a listing of other programs specifically designed for eight- to ten-year-olds.

• Session 1: June 2-6
• Session 3: June 16-20
• Session 7: July 14-18
• Session 9: July 28-Aug. 1

Force of Nature Explorers: Ages 11-13

This one-week-only session focuses on the four forces of nature: the weak nuclear force, the strong nuclear force, gravity and the electromagnetic spectrum (gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, color, infrared, microwaves and radio). Campers will investigate the spacecraft and instruments studying these forces, perform indoor and outdoor experiments demonstrating the presence of these forces in our lives and build basic devices connected to this inquiry! There will be special guests throughout the week to explain the process for obtaining an Amateur Radio Service license.

• Session 4: June 23-27

Lunar Explorers: Ages 11-13

This one-week-only session focuses on the accomplishments! There will be simulated moondust, overviews of transcripts and audio from actual Moon landings, and previews of actual human beings headed back to the Moon, then on the Mars…

• Session 6: July 7-11