Weather Camps for Kids

Weather Research Center

• Weather Research Center hosts weather day camps in Houston, Texas, for children between the ages of five and 15. Sessions are held in the summer, winter and spring. Campers can choose what they want to learn about. For example, Tornado Alley teaches children about tornadoes. A World of Weather takes a look at global weather and climate patterns. CSI Weather teaches campers how to use weather to solve real life court cases. A session for older students is called Weather Lab &Careers and, in addition to doing hands-on experiments, it educates future meteorologists on different career choices. The cost for each session in 2010 was $55.

  The John C. Freeman Weather Museum at Weather Research Center

  5104 Caroline St.

  Houston, TX 77004

  713-529-3076

  wxresearch.org

Penn State

• Penn State Weather Camp holds camp sessions at the Department of Meteorology located at the University Park campus. Two sessions are held, one for students who are entering grades eight through 10, and another for students going into grades 11 and 12. In addition to learning about the weather, campers launch their own weather balloon, simulate a hurricane, make weather forecasts, draw weather maps and present their own TV weather forecast. A tour of the local National Weather Service office is included and campers can also learn about the different resources available at Penn State for studying and forecasting the weather. Camp lasts for one week, and campers stay in the Penn State residence halls. The cost in 2010 was $645 and covered instruction, housing, food and all program materials.

  William J. Syrett

  Weather Station Coordinator and Instructor in Meteorology

  The Pennsylvania State University

  503 Walker Building

  University Park, PA 16802

  814-865-6172

  outreach.psu.edu

Howard University

• Howard University's NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAS) hosts annual summer weather camps in Washington, Jackson, Mississippi and Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The goals of these camps are to encourage intelligent, underrepresented high school juniors and seniors to consider science and engineering careers and to train students in weather forecasting, environmental modeling and scientific measurements. Campers participate in field experiments, seminars and workshops and tour research and operational facilities. The session lasts 12 days. There is no fee for this program, but travel to and from Howard University isn't included. Applicants must have a strong interest in weather, meteorology, atmospheric sciences, environmental sciences or applied physical sciences. In addition, they must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. For more information, contact the following office at Howard University:

  NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAS)

  Howard University Research Building #I, Roomı

  1840 7th St. NW

  Washington, DC 20001

  202-865-8678