2026 HRPO Summer Camp
(WebTrac Activity Number 231180)
OVERVIEW
HRPO Summer Camp is Baton Rouge’s original astronomy-oriented day camp. For over twenty-five years it has been fostering the innate interest children have in space and physics. HRPO Summer Camp might not create future athletes—but it just might create future astronomers, engineers and astronauts! For one week, children are immersed in the fascinating world of astronomy and space science. They have the opportunity to learn about planets, moons, comets, asteroids and craters. They will also enjoy hands-on activities; every year new activities are introduced and scheduled alongside old favorites! NOTE: HRPO Summer Camp is very popular. If your child is interested please enroll as quickly as possible.
DESCRIPTIONS
AstroStarters: This is the introductory session. Here, children first experience the concepts of enormous distances and incredibly lengthy time periods. They begin to learn the characteristics of different planets and moons, and prepare themselves for the higher-level sessions.
AstroPros: This is the workhorse session, for those children who are just starting to reach the age of more independent study. This age range occupies the lion’s share of each summer as a high percentage of them are both just starting in the skygazing hobby and continuing an interest obtained years earlier. At the end of this week parents receive a listing of other programs specifically designed for eight- to ten-year-olds.
Forces of Nature Explorers: This one-week-only session focuses on the four forces of nature: the weak nuclear force, the strong nuclear force, gravity and the electromagnetic spectrum (gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, color, infrared, microwaves and radio). Campers will investigate the spacecraft and instruments studying these forces, perform indoor and outdoor experiments demonstrating the presence of these forces in our lives and build basic devices connected to these inquiry! There will be special guests throughout the week to explain the process for obtain an Amateur Radio Service license. [The Saturday following this week is ARRL Field Day. Campers will receive a special prize if they attend.]
Lunar Explorers: This one-week-only session focuses on the accomplishments! There will be simulated moondust, overviews of transcripts and audio from actual Moon landings, and previews of actual human beings headed back to the Moon via Artemis and the Gateway, then on the Mars….
SESSIONS BY AGE RANGE
ASTROSTARTERS: for ages six and seven
Kids can only be registered for one of the two sessions.
Session Two: 8 June to 12 June
Session Seven: 13 July to 17 July
ASTROPROS: for ages eight to ten
Kids can only be registered for one of the four sessions.
Session One: 1 June to 5 June
Session Three: 15 June to 19 June
Session Six: 6 July to 10 July
Session Eight: 20 July to 24 July
FORCES OF NATURE EXPLORERS: for eleven to thirteen
Session Four: 22 June to 26 June
LUNAR EXPLORERS: for eleven to thirteen
Session Nine: 27 July to 31 July
SESSIONS CHRONOLOGICALLY
Session One: 1 June to 5 June / ages eight to ten
Session Two: 8 June to 12 June / ages six and seven
Session Three: 16 June to 20 June / ages eight to ten
Session Four: 22 June to 26 June / ages eleven to thirteen
Session Six: 6 July to 10 July / ages eight to ten
Session Seven: 13 July to 17 July / ages six to seven
Session Eight: 20 July to 24 July / ages eight and ten
Session Nine: 27 July to 31 July / ages eleven to thirteen
COST
$125 per in-parish child / $150 per out-of-parish child
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
1] Go to www.brec.org
2] Place cursor over “Calendar”.
3] Click “Summer Camps”.
4] Click “Highland Road Park Observatory”.