Young historians can learn about Iowa history with unique educational experiences only available at the State Historical Museum of Iowa.
Using the museum and exhibits as a unique classroom, participants in these programs will explore the museum and the history of Iowa while examining historical artifacts, diving into historical research and learning special skills.
The Young Historian Workshop is a two-day workshop for middle and high school students (entering 7th to 12th grades) held at the State Historical Museum of Iowa
Are you ready to become a history super sleuth? This family day camp is for junior detectives (ages 6-10) and their adults to help solve a mystery at the museum
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Goldie's Family Day Camp
Looking for a fun way to learn about Iowa history with the whole family? Save your spot in the next Goldie's Family Day Camp. Young historians, ages 6-10 years old, alongside their adults will explore the museum vault and exhibits, listen to a short story and create a hands-on craft while learning about Iowa's past. The shorter program format is a great way to introduce history to younger historians.
Program Theme
Program Date
Time
Cost
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March 19, 2025
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
$5 per person
Goldie's Detective Agency
Are you ready to become a history super sleuth? You're a new recruit for the Goldie's Detective Agency and we need your help to solve a history mystery. Junior Detectives (ages 6-10) and their adults will join museum staff to investigate historic objects from the museum collection, explore the exhibits and discover the interesting stories behind unique artifacts.
What does it take to create and run a museum? Young historians (entering 4th through 6th grade) will explore the roles of curators, conservators and exhibit designers with the unique experience offered through the Junior Curator Day Camp. Students will investigate historic artifacts, explore the museum's collection vault and learn about Iowa's exciting history with museum staff. Students also will design and arrange their own themed exhibit featuring objects from the State Historical Museum's collection.
Program Date
Time
Cost
June 25, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
$65 per person
Digging Up the Past Day Camp
Young historians (entering 4th through 6th grade) will really dig this day camp. Young historians will be in for an adventure while learning about archaeology at the State Historical Museum of Iowa's Digging Up the Past day camp. At the end of the day, young historians will walk away with a better understanding of the science (and fun) of archaeology from using the museum's unique artifacts and collections.
The Young Historian Workshop is a two-day workshop for middle and high school students (entering 7th to 12th grades) held at the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Students will discover the behind-the-scenes work of a variety of different roles at a museum.
Throughout the two days at the museum, students will explore the museum's collection vault and exhibits, learn historical research tips from archives staff and meet museum staff to learn about their different roles within the organization. Students will have a first-hand experience in what it takes to become a historian.
Program Date
Time
Cost
June 11 - 13, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
$200
Young Writers' Workshop
How does where you come from enrich your writing? Find out when you join the Young Writers' Workshop. The Young Writers' Workshop is a three-day writing workshop for middle and high school students (entering 7th to 12th grade) held at the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Using the museum collection for ideas and inspiration, aspiring writers will work with museum staff to craft short historical fiction pieces focusing on Iowa's rich past. Students will tour the museum's collection vault, discover the story behind a chosen artifact and weave the past into fiction.
Program Date
Time
Cost
July 9 - 11, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
$200
History Pod-Camp
The History Pod-Camp is a three-day workshop for high school students (entering 9th to 12th grades) held at the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Students will get hands-on podcasting experience, including how to research, interview, script, and produce their own podcast segment.
Throughout the three days at the museum, students will get to meet with award-winning professionals in radio and audio storytelling, learn historical research tips from museum staff, and explore the museum’s collection vaults and exhibits. At the end of the workshop, students will have completed their own podcast segment about an interesting topic in Iowa history.
To have a successful day at the museum, we recommend bringing the following items:
Lunch and Snacks: Each student needs to bring a lunch that does not need refrigeration as well as any needed snacks to enjoy throughout the day
Refillable Water Bottles: Bottles can be filled by drinking fountains
Sweater/Jacket: The classroom and spaces in the museum can get chilly
Sunscreen: In the event of nice weather, activities may be held outdoors
Email will serve as the primary source of communication. First, you will receive a confirmation of payment following your registration. A second email with more detailed information regarding the program will be sent to the provided email address closer to the start date.
Full payment for the program is due at the time of registration which is completed through our online registration forms. After you complete the registration, a confirmation email will be sent to you that serves as your receipt.
In order to register, attendees must be the correct age to attend the program. Each program has been designed for a specific age range with planned grade level appropriate activities.This is to ensure all participants have the best experience possible.
If a day camp program is full, you can request to be placed on a waitlist list by emailing museum.education@iowa.gov. If a spot becomes available, an education staff member will contact the first person on the list. If we are unable to reach the first person, we will go to the next name on the list after 72 hours. If you are on the waitlist, payment is not due until a spot opens for the student
Please note these times are different for the Goldie’s Family
Day Camp Drop-off: 8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Pick-up: 4:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Please drop off and pick up your student at the State Historical Museum of Iowa under the portico entrance on East Locust St. We cannot assume responsibility for supervising children outside of camp program hours.
For student safety, each student will be required to be signed in and out by a parent or authorized adult at the beginning and end of the program. An education staff member will assist with this process.
At this time, we do not provide before and after care for students. Students must be dropped off and picked up at the scheduled times.This option may change in the future.
If your student will be arriving late for the program, please notify our museum staff by emailing museum.education@iowa.gov. Upon arrival, please walk the student into the museum and check-in with the Information Desk. The desk staff will bring your student to the classroom.
There is a non-refundable processing fee for day camp programs. Cancellations must be received in writing to museum.education@iowa.gov one week prior to the date of the program. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations received after the deadline. In the event that a minimum enrollment is not met, we reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a program.
To ensure the best experience for your child, please make us aware of any of the following at the time of registration: allergies, dietary restrictions, chronic illnesses, physical, mental, or psychological conditions, any medications or other accommodations. You may also email museum.education@iowa.gov this information after registering for a program.
Students are required to provide their own lunches, snacks and drinks for the duration of the program. Refrigeration and microwaves are not available. Refillable water bottles are highly encouraged as well.
Campers are expected to behave appropriately throughout the entire duration of the program. If disruptive behavior continues or is severe, the adult listed will be called to help find a solution. If improvement is not realized, museum staff will call and ask for the child to be picked up.
To learn more information about the day camp program and review policies, please email all additional questions to museum.education@iowa.gov.
Read our cancellation and refund policies for further information.
There is a $5 non-refundable processing fee for the Goldie's Family Day Camp. Cancellations must be received in writing to museum.education@iowa.gov one week prior to the program date to receive a refund of any funds exceeding the $5 fee. Refunds will not be issued for cancellation received after the deadline.
There is a $20 non-refundable processing fee for the Junior Curator Day Camp (included in the $65 fee). Cancellations must be received in writing to museum.education@iowa.gov one week prior to the program date to receive a refund of $45. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations received after the deadline.
There is a $20 non-refundable processing fee for the History Heroes Day Camp (included in $65 fee). Cancellations must be received in writing to museum.education@iowa.gov one week prior to the program date to receive a refund of $45. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations received after the deadline.
There is a $20 non-refundable processing fee for the Digging up the Past Day Camp (included in $65 fee). Cancellations must be received in writing to museum.education@iowa.gov one week prior to the program date to receive a refund of $45. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations received after the deadline.
There is a $20 non-refundable processing fee for the Young Historians' Workshop (included in $130 workshop fee). Cancellations must be received in writing to museum.education@iowa.gov one week prior to program date to receive a refund of $110. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations received after the deadline.
