Although Astro Camp is a program of the Ogden City School District its offerings are not limited to just district students. The center offers two types of programs - camps during the summer months and field trips during the school year.

Summer camps are the focus of the program. Two to six day overnight camps are currently offered, as well as three specialty camps - Physics Camp, Astronaut Training Camp, and Academy Camp. In the various camps kids explore science and technology through hands-on activities such as building model rockets, training for microgravity in a pool, piloting their team into outer space on a space shuttle simulator, playing Astro Jeopardy, meeting a former astronaut, and climbing into a jet simulator cockpit. Field trips during the camps include trips to the ATK Launch Systems Plant to see where space shuttle boosters are made and to Weber State University to see a planetarium show. Check the website for each camp's details.

The camps have a 60-70% student return rate, so it's a good idea to register early to ensure a spot. Applications can be printed off the Astro Camp website.

Let your children's imaginations run wild this summer at Camp Invention, a weeklong day camp offered in elementary schools across the country. Check the website for the nearest location.

Kids in the first through sixth grades participate in fun, hands-on activities that enhance their understanding of the arts, sciences, history, and math. Teamwork, creative problem solving, and inventive thinking are all encouraged.

The program was created by the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Located in The Gateway, the Clark Planetarium delivers high-quality space science astronomy education in a fun and interactive atmosphere. With interactive space exhibits, visitors are able to learn about space science first hand.

The exhibits are free to the public and include a real Moon rock, a photo-op on the Martian surface, Newton's Daydream (the most extensive audio kinetic sculpture ever completed by artist George Rhoads, featuring over one mile of brightly colored steel and four interactive stations), and much more.

Clark Planetarium also houses the ATK 3D IMAX Theatre, with a five-story screen and 12,000 watts of digital sound. The Hansen Dome Theatre offers three-dimensional views on a 360-degree dome screen.

After visiting the exhibits and taking in a show, visitors can roam the Planet Fun store. It features a wide selection of fun science toys, planispheres (star wheels), astronomy software, books and videos, binoculars, telescopes, and accessories for amateur astronomers.

Budding astronomers enjoy Clark Planetarium birthday parties. Party packages include use of the birthday party room (up to 40 people) for 90 minutes, science demonstrations during the party, a t-shirt for the birthday child, admission for up to 15 children in either the ATK IMAX or Hansen Dome Theatre, a "happy birthday" message to the child on the screen before the show, "happy birthday" signs throughout the planetarium, and priority seating for the show. Parties must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Visit the planetarium's website for pricing and additional details.

Preteen, teens, and teachers with a strong interest in science can give the summer camps a try. The camps run in July and August, and participants receive and learn how to use a telescope, star charts, and astronomy materials. Check the planetarium's website for complete details.

Call or visit the website for more information, and for a complete listing of show times and ticket prices.

Educational Advantage offers individualized tutoring for children in grades pre-K to 12. Small group classes are available and cover coursework for all grade levels, ACT preparation, Math Madness (a math class to increase math-fact fluency), Experiential Writing, and high school courses for credit in algebra, geometry, geography, and world civilizations.

Camp Smarty Paints runs during the summers months, offering field trips, crafts, and exploration for children ages four to eight. The two- to five-day camps run mid June to mid August, and feature a different theme each week.

Educational Advantage offers individualized tutoring for children in grades pre-K to 12. Small group classes are available and cover coursework for all grade levels, ACT preparation, Math Madness (a math class to increase math-fact fluency), Experiential Writing, and high school courses for credit in algebra, geometry, geography, and world civilizations.

Camp Smarty Paints runs during the summers months, offering field trips, crafts, and exploration for children ages four to eight. The two- to five-day camps run mid June to mid August, and feature a different theme each week.

Educational Advantage offers individualized tutoring for children in grades pre-K to 12. Small group classes are available and cover coursework for all grade levels, ACT preparation, Math Madness (a math class to increase math-fact fluency), Experiential Writing, and high school courses for credit in algebra, geometry, geography, and world civilizations.

Camp Smarty Paints runs during the summers months, offering field trips, crafts, and exploration for children ages four to eight. The two- to five-day camps run mid June to mid August, and feature a different theme each week.

The Hawaiian Civic Club offers activities, camps, retreats, and classes dedicated to teaching and preserving Hawaiian language and culture. Check the club's website for event schedules and details. Most activities are free or very inexpensive.

Kim's Academy of Tae Kwon Do offers instruction in World TaeKwonDo Federation-style Korean TaeKwonDo. Kids as young as three and a half can enroll in the Little Tigers program, while regular instruction is offered for ages five and up (including adults). Programs for children have an emphasis on respect (of self, parents, teachers, elders), kindness, and cleanliness.

The academy also offers afterschool and off-track programs featuring rock and gem hunting, nature-inspired science projects, swimming field trips, and Tae Kwon Do classes.

These "mad scientists", decked out in lab coats, come to birthday parties and present a high-energy, interactive science show including effects like laser lights, glow in the dark reactions, chemical magic, and more.

The entertainers do all the set-up, and are able to adapt the presentation to any party's age group and size. The show lasts 45 minutes to an hour, and kids get to make things like Mad Science putty, slime, or super bouncy balls to take home.

The basic party package is $149; add-ons can bring the cost up to $300, depending on the number of guests. Add-ons include bubbling potions, dry-ice demonstrations, and even cotton candy making. The complete party package includes branded Mad Science decorations and party bags. Travel fees apply to counties outside Weber, Davis, and Salt Lake.

Mad Science also offers summer camps at various locations throughout the Salt Lake Valley. The camps run weekly from June through August, and are geared toward ages six to 11. More information and registration details are available on the Mad Science website.

Mad Science visits schools, libraries, and camps to give demonstrations as well. Check the GoCityKids calendar to see if any Mad Science public special event performances are scheduled near you. They are a real blast for kids ages five and up.

If you are interested in bringing a Mad Science assembly or afterschool program to your school or organization, give them a call.

The Ogden Nature Center is a 152-acre wildlife sanctuary and education center. Its mission is to unite people with nature and nurture appreciation and stewardship for the environment.

Since it was founded in 1975 as Utah's first nature center, the Ogden Nature Center has provided a place where wildlife can find refuge from urban development and where people can go to enjoy nature. A walk down any of the trails might reveal such wild treasures as deer, turkeys, quail, waxwings, juncos, and much more. In the winter, visitors are invited to enjoy the trails by snowshoe. Snowshoes can be rented for only $1.

Besides the wild animals that can be spotted from the trails, guests can get up close to any of the ONC's live resident animals including birds of prey, snakes, tortoises, and tarantulas. All of these animals provide an opportunity for visitors to learn about the fascinating native species of Utah.

Several nice picnic spots are located throughout the grounds. There are also two treehouses (one is handicap accessible) and an observation tower. These lookouts often have either spotting scopes or binoculars to help people get a better look at the wildlife.

Families who want to make the most of their visit to the ONC can check out a Discovery Trail Backpack from the visitor center. The backpacks contain games, toys, books, and other materials designed to help children ages four to 12 learn about subjects like tracks and scat, insects and spiders, ponds, birds, and plants.

The Nest Gift Shop is a great place to find nature related items for any occasion. Prices are reasonable and the quality of the items is high.

Bathrooms are located just outside the gift shop and also in the education building. There are changing tables in both the men's and the woman's restrooms by the gift shop. No changing tables are available in the education building. All of the restrooms are clean and bright.

Nature themed birthday parties are available year round. Parties can be held indoors or outside and feature a visit from one of the live animal residents of ONC. Call for pricing and reservations.

Throughout the school year, ONC provides award-winning nature education school programs for children. It also offers a wide variety of classes, outings, and workshops to the public year-round through community programs. Merit badge lessons for Boy Scouts and Webelos are also available, as are week-long summer camps. Check online or call for more information about any of the educational offerings.

Memberships are available. Check the Ogden Nature Center's website for the various levels of membership and prices.

Realms of Inquiry is an accredited private school that serves gifted, talented, and creative students in grades K-12. The school has a recommended IQ requirement of 120 or above. The curriculum is based on the Utah Office of Education Core Curriculum Guide, and it includes all of the core subjects plus a foreign language. The school also offers drama, music, and art programs, as well as an outdoor program where children are exposed to backpacking, biking, caving, and wilderness skills.

Class size in the lower grades through middle school is typically 14 students or less. In the upper grades, class size averages 5-10 students.

A half-day preschool program is also offered. The curriculum at the preschool focuses on language arts, science, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, art/creative expression, math/logic, and social/personal development.

An afterschool program is offered to children in grades K-8. The program runs from 3:30pm to 6pm Mondays through Thursdays, and 12n-5pm on Fridays. Visit the website for prices. Topics covered in the program include art, drama, crafts, games, field trips, tutoring, and reading.

Summer camps are offered during the warmer months. Check the website for details.

Tuition varies by grade. The website has a complete list of prices. Financial aid is available.

Rowland Hall-St. Mark's SummerWorks is a multidisciplinary summer camp designed to keep kids mentally engaged, physically active, and socially interactive during the summer months. Its goal is to provide creative experiences that encourage leadership skills, with stimulating activities and an atmosphere that fosters relationships.

Campers are kept engaged in an array of age-appropriate classes and excursions. To learn more and/or register, visit the website.

SLCC offers more than 100 vocational and academic programs serving a diverse student body at 15 locations throughout the Salt Lake valley and in neighboring Tooele. It even has an e-campus, providing access to online courses.

"Slick" Science Workshops for kids ages 11 to 17 are offered at the Redwood Campus every summer. Younger campers build a camera a use it to learn about the physics of light, build a working windmill and learn about sustainable architecture, and take part in other activities. Older campers learn about forensic science and use it to solve a mystery on campus. The week-long camps run late June through late July, and cost $125. Mention GoCityKids to receive a $10 discount. Email sharon.dereamer@slcc.edu or visit www.slcc.edu for more information, or call 801.957.4827 to register.

Kids on Campus is summer program for younger children, offered at the Draper Center campus - 12441 South 900 East. The four-day camps run during the month of July for kids ages six through 11. Topics vary by age, but can include public speaking/debate for older children, yoga, dance, reading/math, sign language, martial arts, etc. All courses are designed to help children build self-confidence. For more information about Kids on Campus, visit www.slcc.edu/pcd, email miyon.hodges@slcc.edu, or call 801.957.5558. Register by the end of May for a 15% discount. Mention GoCityKids to receive an additional $10 off the price of tuition.

SLCC offers more than 100 vocational and academic programs serving a diverse student body at 15 locations throughout the Salt Lake valley and in neighboring Tooele. It even has an e-campus, providing access to online courses.

"Slick" Science Workshops for kids ages 11 to 17 are offered at the Redwood Campus every summer. Younger campers build a camera a use it to learn about the physics of light, build a working windmill and learn about sustainable architecture, and take part in other activities. Older campers learn about forensic science and use it to solve a mystery on campus. The week-long camps run late June through late July, and cost $125. Mention GoCityKids to receive a $10 discount. Email sharon.dereamer@slcc.edu or visit www.slcc.edu for more information, or call 801.957.4827 to register.

Kids on Campus is summer program for younger children, offered at the Draper Center campus - 12441 South 900 East. The four-day camps run during the month of July for kids ages six through 11. Topics vary by age, but can include public speaking/debate for older children, yoga, dance, reading/math, sign language, martial arts, etc. All courses are designed to help children build self-confidence. For more information about Kids on Campus, visit www.slcc.edu/pcd, email miyon.hodges@slcc.edu, or call 801.957.5558. Register by the end of May for a 15% discount. Mention GoCityKids to receive an additional $10 off the price of tuition.

The average annual snowfall at Snowbird is 500 inches. The resort has 89 runs, served by one tram, four quad lifts, six double lifts, and two surface lifts. The terrain is 27% beginner, 38% Intermediate, and 35% advanced. Snowbird has the longest ski and snowboard season, running mid-November through mid-May, conditions permitting.

Camp Snowbird is a state-licensed, fully staffed child care center. It can take children between the ages of six weeks to 12 years old. Full and half-day programs are offered for the kids, including skiing, lunch, activities, and more. Advance reservations are required. For more information call 801.933.2256 or visit the website.

Ski and snowboard lessons are available for ages three and up. The only requirements for the very young children are that they are toilet trained and willing.

Besides skiing and snowboarding, guests can also rent snowshoes and take guided snowshoe tours. Guided snowmobile tours can be arranged as well.

During the warmer months, the resort shifts into summer mode with warm weather thrill attractions like the Alpine Slide, the ZipRider, Aerial Tram, and the Bungy Trampoline. All-Day Passes can be purchased for unlimited rides on the rides for $26 on the weekdays and $30 on weekends/holidays. Another option is the Combination Ticket, offering thrill seekers one ride on each of the four activities for $21 on weekdays or $24 on weekends/holidays.

Mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding are other popular summer activities on the mountain. The resort hosts several festivals too, including the Folk & Bluegrass Festival (early July), the Rock & Blues Festival (late July), Oktoberfest, a Wildflower Festival (late July), and a summer concert series. The Cliff Spa and patio dining are also available during the summer, as well as a 12-story climbing wall. All summer activities are weather permitting, so call ahead. The summer season typically starts in mid June.

Camp Snowbird Day Camp is offered from early June through late August for children ages four through 12. Camps cost $55/day plus a $25 registration fee. Activities include nature hikes, science experiments, and many mountain adventures. Tuition includes activities, transportation from the Park & Ride lot at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, lunch, and snacks. Reservations are required; call 801.933.2256 to reserve a spot at least 48 hours in advance.

For more information on the summer mountain activities at Snowbird, call 801.933.2147, or visit the website.

Snowbird offers four lodging properties, a spa, many dining options, and four-season activities. The Atrium restaurant offers continental breakfast and a lunch buffet every day throughout the winter ski season. During the summer months it serves a breakfast buffet daily from 7am to 10:30am, except for Sunday when it serves a continental breakfast buffet from 7am to 10am then a wonderful Sunday brunch from 10:30am to 2pm. The Atrium is located in the Cliff Lodge. Call or check Snowbird's website for pricing; children under the age of five eat free. For reservations, call 801.933.2181.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Day Camp for Teens in Salt Lake City, The Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center is a unique program combining space exploration with a simulated, futuristic adventure experience. Two inflatable StarLab Domes/Planetariums allow kids to study the night sky and it's constellations, while five starship simulators give kids the opportunity to serve as crew members on a 24th century starship as it goes on a mission into deep space - think Star Trek.

Space missions begin with a classroom mission briefing. Children then enter the starship simulator where they receive training for their individual posts on the bridge of the ship. After training, the mission begins. Missions differ by starship - sometimes kids are engaging aliens (good or bad), and sometimes they are exploring black holes, nebulas, and other planets.

The experience at The Space Center covers a large variety of disciplines. Kids learn about science, technology, humanities, leadership, team building, music, drama, and social studies.

The Space Center offers day camps ($11/person), overnighters ($40-$150), classes, and fieldtrips ($100/class) to schools and private parties. The focus group for the programs is ages eight to 14, but adults enjoy the experience as well. Overnight activities are for ages 10 to 14. The 2-1/2 hour private programs are suitable for birthday parties, scout groups, church groups, and family outings; call to reserve a spot. Camp enrollment happens in March and September.

Tracy Aviary is located on eight acres of land in Liberty Park, a park that many consider the heart of Salt Lake City. It maintains a collection of approximately 400 birds.

Bring some quarters to buy food from dispensers around the pond to feed the ducks, almost certainly the first birds you'll see as you pass the front ponds, then stroll along paved pathways under a canopy of shade trees. Some birds visitors can expect to see are tragopans, thrushes, condors, cranes, vultures, hornbills, plovers, owls, and eagles.

The Amazon Adventure is a spot where visitors enter an enclosure and hand-feed sun conures (South American parrots). Braver children get a kick out of the experience, as the birds land on people's hands, shoulders, and sometimes even heads, looking for handouts. Shy kids might find the experience somewhat alarming. Bear in mind that bird droppings can happen - bring wipes! This area requires an additional fee. Tickets can be purchased at the front entrance. Feeding times occur at 10:30am, 11:30am, and 12:30am daily. The sun conure exhibit is open in the spring, summer, and fall, weather permitting.

The Pelican Encounter is a year round bird feeding encounter. Visitors can talk to a bird trainer while feeding fish to a flock of American white pelicans. Visitors must pay an additional fee for this experience; purchase tickets at the front gate.

Bird shows are presented in the outdoor amphitheater during the warmer months of the year, weather permitting. Two different shows run daily. Each show features free-flighted birds and runs about 20 to 25 minutes. Once the the chilly weather arrives, visitors can head to the Chase Mill for indoor bird programs. The informal educational programs are held on Saturdays and Sundays and are free with aviary admission. In between the summer and winter shows, visitors can sit in on Trainer Talks, opportunities to meet some of the aviary's bird stars and learn what it takes to train them. Watch the calendar or check the aviary's website for specific dates, times, and details on bird shows and programs. Shows are free with aviary admission.

Informal bird chats are held at the Wildlife Encounter Zone year round, affording families opportunities to see birds up close and learn all about them. Current Wildlife Encounter Zone schedules can be found on the aviary's website.

Camps are offered during the summer months. The week-long camps are for kids ages four to nine. Half-day, full-day, and aftercare are available. Check the website for more information and to register.

Other activities at the aviary include guided tours, educational field trips, classes, and special events that run throughout the year. Kids can stop by the Aviary Alcove inside the gift store at anytime during aviary hours for do-it-yourself activities. Staff-led crafts, games, and storytimes are occasionally offered in the alcove; call the aviary or check its website for the current schedule.

Birthday Party Packages are available. The basic package is for ten guests, and includes one hour in a reserved party room, a party host, a visit from a bird, an activity, and a small gift for the birthday child. Check the aviary's website for details and pricing.

The aviary rents kid wagons and wheelchairs for nominal fees. Check at the front gate for rentals.

Bathrooms are located in the Chase Mill and at the south end of the aviary, and three water fountains are distributed at intervals throughout the aviary.

Since Liberty Park surrounds Tracy Aviary, plan on spending a half to a whole day in order to give yourself enough time to enjoy all the other activities available.

Membership: A family pass to the Tracy Aviary offers free entry for a family of four into the aviary for a year. Visit the aviary's website for a complete list of memberships available, and for information about member benefits.

The Utah Botanical Center is Utah State University's 100-acre demonstration garden. It features a large variety of draught tolerant plants that are native to Utah. USU uses the center to host workshops and community events, and conducts research, demonstrations, and courses to inform, inspire, and guide us toward a more sustainable future. Specific on-site offerings for children include school field trips, scouting programs, summer camps, and youth fishing camps. Family Nights are held three times each year, featuring crafts, garden walks, animal shows, and games. Check the UBC website for details on children and family programming at the center.

The Utah House is a model sustainable learning center at the UBC. The house and the grounds around the structure demonstrate how a home can be built and landscaped in ways that promote energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable resources, and healthy indoor environments. It is open Mon-Fri 1pm-5pm & Sat 10am-2pm. The house can be rented for private functions; call for details.

Plants aren't the only things to see at the botanical center. Birds are often found in abundance, especially on the ponds. Families can rent Birdwatching Backpacks for $6 at the Utah House; the packs have binoculars, field guides, bird lists, etc. to help folks see and identify the birds on the grounds.

Fishing is allowed at the center's four ponds; anglers must have a valid fishing license if over the age of 13. The daily limit is four fish of any kind (largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish). There is no size limit on any of the three species. Non-motorized watercraft is allowed on the ponds.

Tours of the greenhouse are available by appointment. Call to schedule a time.

The Utah Museum of Natural History's collections in the fields of earth sciences, biology, and anthropology rank among the largest and most comprehensive for the western United States. While emphasizing the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau, they also include material from throughout the world. But, frankly, when a kid sees a dinosaur skeleton for the first time, none of that really matters!

A new exhibit - Bugs Alive - unveiled in October of 2008 features living arthropods. This exhibit is the museum's first permanent live collection.

The museum offers Discovery Classes and Workshops for Kids. The two-hour classes cover a wide range of topics and offer hands-on activities and projects, and are appropriate for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. UMNH members receive discounted pricing. Check the website to find out more about these educational offerings.

Birthday parties are available for children ages four to 12 on Fridays and Saturdays. The museum provides themed party decorations, activities, crafts, goody bags, and a coordinator to host the party. All you need to do is bring the refreshments you would like served. Party themes include Magic Mixtures (ages seven to 12), Dinosaur Detectives (ages four to seven), and more. Parties run 90 minutes. A 50% deposit is required to reserve a party. The balance must be paid on the day of the party along with fees for any additional guests. UMNH accepts cash, checks, debit cards, and all major credit cards. [801.585.3948]

During the summer, UMNH offers Adventures in the Natural World Summer Camp - half and full-day week-long camps for kids entering kindergarten through fifth grade. The camp schedule is available in April of each year. [801.585.3948]

Family Membership are available; see the museum's website for details and pricing.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Place for Family Bonding in Salt Lake City, Utah's Hogle Zoo got its start in Liberty Park way back in 1911, and it's come a very long way, in terms of conservation and animal environments, since then. Instead of cages, many Hogle residents enjoy both indoor and outdoor areas.

The zoo is a manageable size; visitors can see everything in a couple of hours without walking for miles. Be prepared for lots of hills though - some pretty steep. For folks in need of a break, a short train ride on the Zoofari Express might fit the bill, and there are many benches and tables available throughout the grounds. Rides on the zoo's Conservation Carousel are another way to get off one's feet. Additional fees apply for train and carousel rides.

Concession stands are plentiful, and a hot dog or hamburger and fries costs about $5. Picnic areas are also available, and visitors are welcome to bring their own food. Ice cream and cotton candy are sold at the zoo, and are big hits with kids of all ages.

Diaper changing rooms and a nursing room are located near the entrance to the zoo. The nursing room is inside the women's bathroom, where nursing mothers can sit comfortably in one of several rocking chairs, away from the hustle and bustle of the zoo grounds.

Stroller and wagon rentals are available. Bear in mind that the jeeps are usually snapped up early. Wheelchairs and Electronic Convenience Vehicles are also available for rent.

The zoo offers birthday party packages, and groups of 20 or more receive $1 off per person with a minimum one-week reservation and a confirmation number from the group sales department. Picnic tables do not need to be reserved.

Folks that wish to return again and again might want to consider purchasing a membership. Members receive free admission for a year, discounts to stores, classes, special member-only events, and more.

Hogle Zoo offers various day classes, camps (for kids in grades 1-4), and programs for children from preschool to 7th grade. Call 801.582.1631 ex 763 for more information.

Westminster College is a small private, liberal arts college. It sits on a 27-acre campus near Emigration Creek. Founded in 1875, Westminster College offers more than 70 academic programs, including 35 undergraduate majors and nine master's degrees. With only 2,500 students on campus, class sizes are small, with an average student/faculty ratio of 10:1.

Westminster offers summer camps for students of many ages. Camps fall into three categories: academic, AWE+SUM (Attend Westminster, Explore Science, Use Math), and athletic. Some topics include aviation, environmental studies, finance, musical theater, paleontology, robotics, writing, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and volleyball. Camps vary in length and price. Early registration is recommended since space is limited. College credit can be earned at some of the camps. For more information or to register for any of the summer camp offerings, visit www.westminstercollege.edu/camps, email summercamps@westminstercollege.edu, or call Emily at 801.832.2562.

Youth education programs at the University of Utah give kids a chance to meet new friends, explore various interests, and develop new talents and skills. The programs offered include classes, spring break camps, summer camps, and a summer preschool program (for children ages two to five).

Club U is a series of week-long day camps offered at the University of Utah for children and teenagers. Each week's camp focuses on a new theme, so students can experience something different throughout the year. Activities occur on campus as well as off campus at many interesting and fun venues around town. Camps are offered year round, with the most variety of choices in May through August. The spring break camp occurs in April.

Check the website for the topics, dates, prices, and registration information for any of the classes, camps, or preschool programs.