FAQs About Camp-In

All Camp-In events include IMAX and planetarium shows, hands-on science workshops and activities, and time to explore many of our interactive exhibits. We provide an evening snack and breakfast, along with a participation patch for each child.

The majority of event dates will serve grades K-5, though we will also offer separate events for 6th-12th  graders in Girl Scouts and Scouting America.

For K-5th grade events, the workshops and schedule will be split into K-3rd and 4th-5th grades. So, when filling out your roster for a mixed age group, please make note of the grade levels of each scout by filling out the appropriate rosters.

The cost is $75.00 per person for adults and children. Cost includes a planetarium show, IMAX presentation, hands-on workshops, time to explore exhibits, an evening snack, a light breakfast, a participation patch for each child, and the chance to spend a night in the museum!

There is no minimum group size for the Camp-In program. 

Maryland Science Center’s Camp-In program does not grant refunds for any reason unless we must cancel an event and cannot find a mutually acceptable date to reschedule. If someone in your group cannot attend Camp-In, you may substitute another member of your youth organization.

Each person should bring one bag containing minimum toiletries and a sleeping bag. Adults may want to bring a flashlight and a sleeping pad to soften the floor. Please do not bring inflatable air mattresses, cots or tents. Sleep masks are also recommended since lights out doesn’t mean fully dark.

The adult in charge of each group must have a permission slip for each child as well as a health history for each child who does not have an adult in attendance. You may use the form provided in the confirmation packet or other form(s) approved by your youth organization.

Most electrical outlets go out with the lights, so if you require medical equipment, like a CPAP machine, make sure to let the manager know when registering.

An evening snack and a light breakfast are included, but you are responsible for dinner. All provided food is peanut free, tree-nut free and vegetarian. There will be an option to order special breakfasts for those with other dietary restrictions.

There are three options for dinner:

• groups can eat before coming to Camp-In
• groups can bring bag dinners with them
• groups can order food from a local restaurant to be delivered to the Science Center

Information on nearby parking options will be included in your confirmation packet.

The schedules below may change as we finalize everything for this upcoming season. This group of scouts will be split into up to four color groups. The either/or sections below represent each group doing things in a different order. Each pack will be assigned to a color group with a detailed schedule at the event. Packs DO NOT get to choose between options.

Grades K – 3 will follow this schedule:

5:15 PM: Arrival, check-in, eat dinner, museum exploration time

6:20 PM: Call to gather

6:30 PM: Opening and announcements

6:40 PM: Workshop 1 or Planetarium Show

7:20 PM: Planetarium Show or Workshop 1

8:00 PM: Snack or Workshop 2

8:40 PM: Workshop 2 or Snack

9:10 PM: Museum Exploration & Activity Stations

10:00 PM: Prepare for bedtime

~10:30 PM: Lights off!

6:30 AM: Lights on!

7:00 AM: Breakfast

7:30 AM: Museum Exploration

8:15 AM: IMAX

9:00 AM: Departure

This group of scouts will be split into two groups, where one group will be in a workshop while the other is at the Planetarium or snack, and then they will swap. Each pack will be assigned to a color group with a detailed schedule at the event. Packs DO NOT get to choose between options.

Grades 4-5 will follow this schedule:

5:15 PM: Arrival, check-in, eat dinner, museum exploration time

6:20 PM: Call to gather

6:30 PM: Opening and announcements

6:40 PM: Planetarium Show or Workshop 1

7:20 PM: Planetarium Show or Workshop 1

8:00 PM: Snack or Workshop 2

8:40 PM: Snack or Workshop 2

9:10 PM: Museum Exploration & Activity Stations

10:00 PM: Prepare for bedtime

~10:30 PM: Lights off!

6:30 AM: Lights on!

7:00 AM: Breakfast

7:30 AM: Museum Exploration

8:15 AM: IMAX

9:00 AM: Departure

There are different workshops and activities to focus on specific badge requirements and we will show the IMAX movie at night, so that wake up is later the next morning. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors will be able to earn their STEM Career Exploration badge. Members of Scouting America will be able to complete their Chemistry badge with a registered merit badge counselor.

Example Girl Scout – STEM Career Exploration schedule:

5:15 PM: Arrival, check-in, eat dinner, museum exploration time

6:20 PM: Call to gather

6:30 PM: Opening & announcements

6:40 PM: Planetarium Show

7:15-8:15 PM: Half the group in a Workshop while the other half has museum exploration/activity stations

8:25-9:25 PM: Groups swap

9:25 PM: Museum Exploration & Activity Stations

9:50 PM: Snack with IMAX movie

10:45 PM: Instructions for Bedtime

11:30 PM: Lights Out

7:15 AM: Lights On

7:45-8:15 AM: Breakfast

7:45-9:00 AM: Exploration

9:00 AM: Departure

Example Scouting America – Chemistry schedule:

5:15 PM: Arrival, check-in, eat dinner, museum exploration time

6:20 PM: Call to gather

6:30 PM: Opening & announcements

6:40 PM: Planetarium Show

7:20-9:50 PM: Workshop/Activity Stations/Exhibit Exploration

9:50 PM: Snack with IMAX movie

10:45 PM: Instructions for Bedtime

11:30 PM: Lights Out

7:15 AM: Lights On

7:45-8:15 AM: Breakfast

7:45-9:00 AM: Exploration

9:00 AM: Departure

There must be at least 1 adult for every 5 children in your group for grades K-5 or 1 adult for every 10 children for grades 6-12. We ask that you do not bring more adults than children.

Please be sure that one adult is named as the adult-in-charge and that that person is willing to oversee their entire group during Camp-In.

Adult chaperones must be at least 18 years of age and will be responsible for continually supervising and maintaining safe, sensible, and courteous behavior among their children.

Yes, male chaperones are welcome to attend with your Girl Scout troop. In order to follow Girl Scout policy, male chaperones will be given a separate sleeping area and bathrooms on a different floor from the rest of the female participants at the event.

If you are a student in grades 10 or higher and are interested in being a Volunteer for Camp-In, please see the volunteer page of our website. Be sure to look at the current Camp-In calendar first, so you know what dates are available.

If the need arises, a member or members of your group may arrive after 6:30 PM or leave before 9:00 AM. Upon check-in, the adult in-charge of the group should inform the event supervisor of any participants who will be arriving late or leaving early.

For late arrivals, a chaperone already at Camp-In must meet the late arrival(s) in the rear lobby. If the arrival time is unknown, the security guard on duty will contact the event supervisor when the child and/or parent arrives.

For early departures, a chaperone must wait with a child in the rear lobby until his/her parent arrives.

Should the Maryland Science Center decide to cancel a Camp-In due to inclement weather, the Science Center will notify the adult in-charge of each group. A decision to cancel an event will not be made until 2:00 PM on the day of the scheduled event. Leaders and parents may call the Camp-In information line at 410-545-5856, 24 hours a day to receive current information about the status of an event. (This is a recorded information line only.)

The Maryland Science Center will make every effort to reschedule a group. If a mutually acceptable date cannot be found for a group, registration fees will be refunded in full.

Perhaps; the number of registrants allowed for Camp-In is determined by our workshop capacity and safety codes.

To inquire about additions call 410-545-5958. Additions without prior approval will be returned. Once approved, the adult-in-charge must submit payment and updated rosters to include the names of the additional participants.

Your ticket price includes admission for the day following your Camp-In. You are invited to re-enter the Maryland Science Center when it reopens to the public.

When Camp-In is over, you must remove your overnight gear from the building and re-park your cars as the overnight parking discount does not extend past the end of Camp-In.

The adult in-charge of your group must see the Camp-In event supervisor to make proper arrangements for returning. This opportunity is good only for the day your Camp-In ends.