CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab
The California Science Center's Propulsion Lab offers engaging day camps for children in grades K-8, focusing on hands-on science and engineering activities ...
▌ Editor's read The California Science Center's Propulsion Lab offers day camps for grades K-8, with weekly themes like 'Space Explorers' and 'Robotics.' The website details age-appropriate activities and a focus on STEM learning. The California Science Center itself is a state agency and a large educational institution, suggesting a robust and well-structured program. Google reviews for the California Science Center are overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 4.7 stars from over 30,000 reviews, often praising the educational value and engaging exhibits. While the camp specifically isn't accredited by the ACA, its institutional backing provides a level of oversight. The website does not explicitly mention staff-to-camper ratios or background check policies for camp staff, though as a public institution, such checks are standard practice. Social media handles for the main institution are @californiasciencecenter on Instagram and CaliforniaScienceCenter on Facebook.
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University programRun by an academic institution
Who thrives here Ages 10–12
CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right science/tech fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Day camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- Not listed
- Operator
- University program
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Science/Tech
- Ages: 10–12
- Hours: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
- Address: 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
- Phone: (213) 744-7444
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: Yes
- Setting: indoor
Frequently asked about CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab
- What ages does CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab accept?
- CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab is open to children ages 10–12. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab cost?
- CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab publishes $480/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab's hours?
- CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab runs 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab?
- CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab is operated by a university program. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab provide lunch?
- CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- Does CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab offer extended care?
- Yes — CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab offers extended care (8 AM-9 AM and 3-5 PM). Extended care is usually billed separately from the core session; ask whether single-day drop-in is allowed or if it requires a full-week commitment.
- Does CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab offer financial aid?
- Yes — CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab offers financial aid or scholarships. Most camp aid is need-based, application-based, and awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, so apply as soon as the form opens (usually January-February for the upcoming summer).
- How does CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab compare to other science/tech camps in Los Angeles?
- CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab is one of 525 science/tech camps in Los Angeles that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare CA Science Center — Propulsion Lab with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- STEM summer camps guide · Compare projects, staff fit, and age-readiness signals.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
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