CAMP FULL - CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST Are you a fossil forager, a dinosaur discoverer, or a rock wrangler? Join the Museum as we unearth the fossils, rocks, and ancient history of Santa Cruz by exploring the many surprising things you can learn from digging into the ground. Campers entering K-2nd grade will...
CAMP FULL – CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST Have you ever wondered what it takes to be able to live here in Santa Cruz? This summer, young adventurers can join us as we investigate the plants and animals that call Santa Cruz home and learn how they manage to survive and thrive here. Campers will...
Free Admission Day! Discover the wonders of nature at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History with free entry for everyone. Explore fascinating exhibits, connect with local wildlife, and make it a day of learning and fun for all ages. PLAN YOUR VISIT OUR EXHIBITS
Have you ever noticed how places in nature around Santa Cruz are different from each other? In this camp, young adventurers can join us on a journey to study the many incredible and interesting habitats you can find here. Campers will become more observant of the connections in nature around them and deepen their appreciation...
Biomimicry is an engineering concept that uses ideas from nature to create sustainable solutions. We invite kids to spend the week exploring and drawing inspiration from nature to solve design challenges and engineer their own solutions to help humans live more sustainably on Earth. The week leads up to completing an engineering project and an...
Join us for a tour of the Sunflower Star Laboratory to learn more about their work to restore the sunflower star and save our vanishing kelp forests. Visitors will get a tour of the facility, learn about current research efforts, and see sunflower stars. Register Here Ticket Price: Free for members Not a Member? Become...
CAMP FULL - CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST Do you love flipping rocks and logs and studying our invertebrate friends? This summer, young naturalists join us on a journey to investigate the animals of Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay that do not have a backbone, ranging from tiny creatures to some of the biggest...
Vertebrates are the incredibly diverse species of animals that have a backbone to support their body. Kids will learn all about different branches of the tree of life and how they connect to all the other life on the planet. Campers will explore the Museum’s specimens and surrounding habitats to learn more about the wonderful...
Come Join Us for Toddler Tumble Time! We’ll be sharing some of our educational collection items. Bring your little ones to explore and learn about science. Don’t miss out on the fun! ¡Acompáñenos en la Hora de Juegos para Pequeñitos! Compartiremos una selección de artículos de nuestra colección educativa. Venga con sus pequeños a explorar...
Watsonville community members are invited to the Environmental Science Workshop (ESW), where our team will contribute a guided and interactive activity alongside existing programming. Los miembros de la comunidad de Watsonville están invitados al Taller de Ciencias Ambientales (ESW), donde nuestro equipo contribuirá una actividad guiada e interactiva a las actividades existentes. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ The event...
Every third Saturday of the month, we invite volunteers to come together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. During this volunteering event, you'll get your hands dirty assisting with the maintenance of the park, our pollinator garden, and Pilkington Creek, while gaining insights into local ecology, native plants, and...
Join geologists from University of California, Santa Cruz to share your mineralogical marvels and get them identified inside the Museum’s galleries! Price: This special event is Free with Admission. $5 Adults | $3 Students and Seniors | Free for Youth Under 18 | Free for Museum Members. What can you bring: Rocks, fossils, gems, and...
CAMP FULL - CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST Calling young artists and scientists curious about nature! This summer, young explorers can join us on a journey to investigate symmetries, patterns, and curiosities in the natural world. Spend the week exploring nearby beach, creek, and garden habitats, and making all sorts of art inspired by...
Are you a future scientist? We invite kids to join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for Experiments in Nature camp to perform experiments and studies in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, ocean studies, and climate science. Explore nature while learning more about how scientists study the natural world that surrounds us. Times:...
CAMP FULL - CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST Are you a green thumb or a budding botanist? Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for the Beginning Botany camp this summer to learn about the natural world by studying plants, trees, and much more. Campers will build friendships while investigating nature, playing games,...
Birds are fascinating and charismatic animals and the study of them is both fun and scientific. Campers will use scientific tools to study the many species of birds that visit the Museum and the surrounding habitats to study the great diversity of birds that call Santa Cruz home during the summer. Join us to dive...
Every fourth Tuesday of the month, Watsonville community members are invited to the Environmental Science Workshop (ESW), where our team will contribute a guided and interactive activity alongside existing programming. Cada cuarto martes del mes, los miembros de la comunidad de Watsonville están invitados al Taller de Ciencias Ambientales (ESW), donde nuestro equipo contribuirá una...
Join us for an evening of creativity inspired by the beauty of our local coastline! Sip a glass of wine while local artist Calene Luczo Fletcher guides you through watercolor techniques to create your own kelp and seaweed painting. Whether you're an experienced artist or picking up a paintbrush for the first time, you'll learn...
This September we're celebrating all things migration! Each changing seasons brings different species to the Santa Cruz region as they search for food, breeding grounds, and safe shelter. Explore our exhibits and join us as we dive into the fascinating phenomena of migration. Enjoy FREE admission to the Museum all day with special activities from...
Join the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project for an overview of salmonids, their lifecycle, ecology, and the natural and human-caused threats they face. Learn more about the history of MBSTP, their various programs, and how they contribute to salmonid conservation in the Monterey Bay. This lecture will explore the differences between hatchery models, highlighting...
Meet the salmonids! Join the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project for an exclusive tour of their hatchery in Davenport where you’ll enjoy an overview of salmonids, their lifecycle, ecology, and the natural and human-caused threats they face. This tour will explore the differences between hatchery models, highlighting work focused on conservation, genetic diversity, disease...
Butterflies are known for intricate wing patterns and flitting flight patterns. They are also indicators of the health of our environment and ecosystems, especially those that migrate across our state and region. Join Megan Gnekow, a local scientific illustrator, for an evening exploring the beauty and resilience of some of our most famous flying friends...
Watsonville community members are invited to Somos Watsonville, where our team will contribute a guided and interactive activity alongside existing programming. Los miembros de la comunidad de Watsonville están invitados a Somos Watsonville, donde nuestro equipo contribuirá una actividad guiada e interactiva a las actividades existentes. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The event is ADA accessible. Materials will be...
Join our Education Director and discover the estuary where freshwater meets Monterey Bay and learn why these habitats are vital for wildlife. This walk is part of the San Lorenzo River Walk Series, see the complete schedule below. Free • Guided Nature Walks • School Age Children and Adults Fall 2026 Walk Schedule: Celebration...
