Discover Summer Fun

Even with rising gas prices, families can still enjoy memorable summer adventures at local attractions. The Sacramento Discovery Museum Science & Space Center offers interactive, educational fun for the whole family at a fraction of the cost of theme parks and with less travel required! Families can enjoy a close-up visit with local wildlife or explore the stars together -- all without leaving Sacramento.

• See the stars at Sacramento's only public planetarium! Each weekend the Center is open to provide the general public with wildlife presentations and planetarium shows. With the price of admission, parents and children can learn to identify constellations and other objects in the night sky, then have fun quizzing each other throughout the summer in their own backyards. Escape the blistering summer heat while enjoying these engaging star shows! Presentations are at 1 and 3 pm on Saturdays.

• Get close to Nature! Learn about local wildlife during the Center’s wildlife presentations! Visitors get an-up-close-and-personal look at amazing animals, such as Bella the giant bunny, JR —one of the oldest living porcupines— and many more animals. Wildlife presentations take place in the shaded amphitheater at noon and 2 pm on weekends.

•  Go to day camp! The Center also provides educational, hands-on daycamps for children. Right now there are still openings for the “Kids in Nature” camp (ages 5 &6.) During this weeklong, half-day summer camp, kids will be guided through nature activities on the Center’s 14 acres of parkland. Children will learn about the Earth and the environment through interactive experiments with rocks, insects, and water. This camp is from August 4-8, 2008, 9am to noon. To register your child for summer camp, please call (916) 485-8836.

Forget long, costly trips to far-away theme parks: come enjoy the activities at the Science & Space Center — and save the gas money.

The Discovery Museum Science & Space Center’s mission is to provide interactive learning experiences, engaging students in the power of science while participating in hands-on exhibits. The Center is located at 3615 Auburn Blvd. For more information about the above activities and more call (916) 575-3941.