For ages 9–12 at the time of the camp.

BYU Chem Camps are committed to ensuring that high quality science experiences are available to all members of our community, and to promoting participation by persons traditionally underrepresented in science. The selection process ensures that we have equal numbers of girls and boys, and a diverse group of participants. We’ve doubled the spaces available this year because of the overwhelming enthusiasm from the community in 2016.

Chem Camp

There will be four sessions.

• SESSION 1 (ages 9–10): July 25–28, 8:30 a.m. to noon
• SESSION 2 (ages 9–10): July 25–28, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• SESSION 3 (ages 11–12): August 1–2, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (lunch provided)
• SESSION 4 (ages 11–12): August 3–4, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (lunch provided)

Due to the nature of the experiments conducted, we cannot allow youth to attend sessions that are not for their age.

Chem Camp (ages 9–12)

The registration fee is $135.

The cost includes all the activities and supplies, goggles, lab coat, lunch each day (full-day camps), and personal instruction from BYU professors and counselors.  Students in financial need (eligible for free or reduced-cost lunches) can apply for a fee waiver to cover registration.  Fee Waivers are supported by the Central Utah Section of the American Chemical Society.  The costs of BYU Chem Camps are subsidized heavily by generous fifts of donors, the BYU Department of Chemistry, and the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

If two campers both want to attend a specific session of BYU Chem Camp together, please make a note of it on the application form. We will do our best to accommodate these requests.

Chem Camp (ages 9–12)

Campers will participate in hands-on lab activities each day, designed to reflect what chemists do—make, model and measure. For example, campers will synthesize polymers for bouncy balls and scented organic compounds called esters. Campers will build molecular models of sugar and measure how much vitamin C is in a tablet. Campers will also experience the chemistry of cooking by making cheese and testing how much baking soda will make the best pancakes.  In all of these investigations, appropriate safety measures will be followed, and a dedicated BYU student counselor will supervise every two (ages 9-10) or four (ages 11-12) campers. 

Each prospective attendee must fill out a short application  to attend a BYU Chem Camp.  Upon acceptance applicants must register and pay the registration fee.  For students eligible for free or reduced-cost school lunches, a fee waiver is available.  Email John Best for more information about the fee waiver.

Chem Camp

SESSIONS 1 and 2 are for 9–10 year olds and will be 3.5 hours each day for four days.

SESSION 1 is the morning session and begins at 8:30 a.m., ending at noon with drop off between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. and pick up between noon and 12:30 p.m.

SESSION 2 is the afternoon session and begins at 1:00 p.m., ending at 4:30 p.m. with drop off between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m. and pick up between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.

SESSIONS 3 and 4 are for 11–12 year olds and will be 6.5 hours each day for two days beginning at 9:00 a.m., ending at 3:30 p.m. with drop-off between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. and pick up between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m.

Drop off and pick up for all sessions will be located at the south end of the BYU campus near the Botany “Duck" Pond. Snacks will be provided for all sessions, and lunches will be provided for full-day camps (sessions 3 and 4). On the last day of each session parents and families are invited to attend a culminating magic show presentation. Details about this presentation will be sent to parents by email.

Applications are due by February 28, 2017.

In mid-March, accepted applicants will be given instructions on how to register.