Partner Camp
Join local educators for a week of action-packed fun at the Burke Museum.
Camp content is co-developed with the Burke. Registration and facilitation is managed by the local non-profit partner organization.
Scribes Writing Camp with Hugo House
Grades 5–6
DATES TBD
Designed for students entering Grades 5–6 in the 2023-2024 school year.
In this camp, a partnership between Hugo House and the Burke, students will experiment in a wide variety of prose and poetry, utilizing materials and information from the Burke Museum to inspire their creative writing. Students will examine works from carefully curated authors and will participate in writing activities, craft exercises, and artistic experiences designed to ignite their imaginations and hone their writing skills. Camp sessions will be facilitated by two local teaching artists: Sara Brickman is a published writer and educator and Matt Gano is a published poet, performer, and educator, alongside guest educators from the Burke Museum.
Monday Museum Takeover Camps
VIP campers-only access to Burke galleries!
Join us this July and August for exclusive Monday gallery access as we transform the museum just for Burke Museum Takeover Camp participants.

Dino Trackers Museum Takeover
Grades 1–3
Excavate in dig pits, rock out at our dino dance party, create crafts to take home, go on a dino scavenger hunt, and listen to stories about ancient animals.
Designed for students entering Grades 1–3 in the 2023-2024 school year.
DATE TBD
COST
$100
$90 for Burke members. Not a member? Join today!

Fossil Detectives Museum Takeover
Grades 4–6
Get up-close to real paleontology collections at the home of the only dinosaur fossil found in Washington state! Fossil Detectives will sort real Hell Creek microfossils, illustrate a timeline of ancient life, make fossil impressions, create sand stratigraphy, and explore the Burke’s galleries—open exclusively to camp participants.
Designed for students entering Grades 4–6 in the 2023-2024 school year.
DATE TBD
COST
$100
$90 for Burke members. Not a member? Join today!

Nature Trackers Museum Takeover
Grades 1–3
Going behind the scenes in Burke’s biology collection for a closer look at real natural history specimens. Nature Trackers will investigate an animal mystery, create camouflage crafts to take home, go on an insect scavenger hunt, and listen to nature stories in the Burke’s galleries—open exclusively to camp participants.
Designed for students entering Grades 1–3 in the 2023-2024 school year.
DATE TBD
COST
$100
$90 for Burke members. Not a member? Join today!
Camps FAQ
How many campers will be in each group?
There will be a maximum of 20 campers in the galleries.
What should we bring to camp?
Please send your child with a water bottle, sun protection, any needed medications, comfortable layered clothing, a morning snack, and a substantial lunch with items they can open themselves.
Where do I park?
Your Welcome Letter will include a link to a camp parking pass. This pass will allow you to temporarily park in the University of Washington N1 lot (the lot closest to the Burke Museum). For more information about parking, please visit our Directions & Parking page.
Can I send my child with money to buy lunch at the café?
Off the Rez Café is closed on Mondays, so there will not be an opportunity to purchase food.
What is your refund policy?
Due to the short registration timeline this year, we are not able to offer refunds for our summer programs.
My child is advanced for their grade level. Can I enroll them in a camp for older students?
In order to ensure that we have enough spaces available to serve the intended audience of each camp, we must maintain our grade requirements. This also ensures that our camp activities and staff-to-camper ratios are appropriate, and that our campers are able to work well together.
My child requires special accomodations, please advise.
We will make every effort to accommodate your child. Please give a detailed description of your child’s needs while registering them for camp. You (or an aide) are welcome to stay with your child during camp. We recommend this if your child has an IEP in school. '
To request UW disability accommodations, contact Disability Services Office at the University of Washington at least 10 days in advance: 206.543.6450 (voice), 206.543.6452 (TTY), or dso@uw.edu.
What are your safety precautions?
Burke takeover programs will operate in the large gallery spaces of the museum and will go outdoors for lunch and snack- rain or shine. Staff are experienced members of our professional educator team trained in current COVID protocol. Burke youth programs are committed to following the Requirements and Guidance to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission in K-12 Schools, Child Care, Early Learning, Youth Development, and Day Camp Programs outlined by the Washington State Department of Health. All Burke youth programs comply with the recommendations of UW’s Department of Environmental Health and Safety and are registered with the UW Office of Youth Development and Support. Here is what to expect:
– All employees in educational settings are required to be fully vaccinated or have a medical or religious exemption per Washington Governor’s Proclamation 21-14.3.
– Vaccinations are recommended for program participants.
– Masks are recommended for program participants and staff (masks may be required in the case of a COVID-19 outbreak).
– Our programs are designed to encourage physical distancing between participants.
– Students, guardians, and staff must stay home if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or leave the museum if they begin experiencing symptoms during the program.
– Camp programs serve a maximum of 25 students.

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