Just Announced!
Scroll down to check out our 2025 schedule of Summer Fun classes. Each class name listed below is a red link so you can register and pay online. Registration starts February 18 for Members only. Non-Member registration begins March 12.
We are thrilled to announce our 2025 schedule of summer classes for kids! We welcome all school-age learners and offer a variety of programs designed for students PreK–6 to explore the Hastings Museum.
The Ashley Kulwicki Scholarship is available for students to participate in the Hastings Museum’s Summer Fun program. To apply, students must qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Funds are limited. The scholarship covers 100% of the class fee. Limit one scholarship per person.
REMEMBER:
Members can register starting February 18. Registration for Non-Members begins on March 18. If you want to pay with cash or check, please download and complete the registration forms below. Forms can be dropped off at the Museum or mailed to Hastings Museum, 1330 N. Burlington Ave., Hastings, NE 68901.
| Class Prices | Members | Non-Members |
|---|---|---|
| All Classes | $50 | $60 |
| Create Together | Kids are the price listed above; adults are FREE, but must register by calling the Museum | |
Fees are due at time of enrollment and are refundable up to 7 days prior to the first day of class.
- Note: Due to food-related activities, please let us know of any food allergies or restrictions.
- Note: Although we will do out best to contain the mess, please be aware we will be working with materials that may not wash out of clothing well.
Connect with the outdoors as we explore the natural world around us through hands-on activities. Take a nature hike through the arboretum as we learn about the different parts of trees and find out if you can eat a tree cookie. Investigate the world of creepy crawlies and other animals as we observe them from our sit spots. We will also discover how plants can predict the weather, and of course…play with DIRT!
- Note: This class will take place both inside and outdoors. Hats or sunglasses, sunscreen, and water bottles are encouraged.
Instructor: Raksha Shrestha
Put on your science goggles and join us for colorful crafts as we discover how various hues make up our vibrant world. Create your own rainbow with a kaleidoscope, as well as other fun, hands-on projects. We will take a walk in nature and explore the wonderful colors we can find in our own backyards. Students will also explore primary and secondary colors.
- Note: Although we will do out best to contain the mess, please be aware we will be working with materials that may not wash out of clothing well.
July 14-18, 10 am-12pm (10/20)
Instructor: Raksha Shrestha
Beat the heat this summer as we enjoy the fun of winter a bit early. We will create cool crafts as we learn some hot new tricks. Students will make snow, snowmen, and iced hot chocolate to blow off the summer heat. They will sing and move to the Penguin Dance as we learn about these cute creatures of the cold!
- Notes: Due to food-related activities, please let us know of any food allergies or restrictions. Although we will do out best to contain the mess, please be aware we will be working with materials that may not wash out of clothing well.
Instructor: Katie Karr
Grab your favorite adult and join us for three days of adventure! First, we will see how the museum creates an exhibit and use that knowledge to make our own. Then we will blast off into space and build a rocket together. On our last day, we will sharpen our kitchen skills and make some tasty snacks together.
- Notes: Due to food-related activities, please let us know of any food allergies or restrictions. Although we will do out best to contain the mess, please be aware we will be working with materials that may not wash out of clothing well.
- Note: Due to food-related activities, please let us know of any food allergies or restrictions.
Instructor: Marie Law
Get down and dirty with soil, plants, succulents…and so much more. Students will learn all about the Earth’s soil, water cycle, and various plants while creating their own succulent garden and terrarium. We must warn you; campers may leave with two green thumbs!
- Notes: We will provide snacks, but students need to bring their own lunch. Although we will do out best to contain the mess, please be aware we will be working with materials that may not wash out of clothing well.
How long will your LEGO® minifigure survive on a desert island? Can your LEGO® brick sailboat cross the ocean safely? Is your bridge strong enough to hold ten rocks? Time to put your brick building skills to the test and find out! We will also challenge our creativity by making a LEGO® brick movie to share with the class.
- Note: We will provide snacks, but students need to bring their own lunch.
Amazing Animals Grades 2-3
July 22-24, 9am-12pm (10/20)
Instructor: Katie Karr
Join us as we dive to the to bottom of the ocean to investigate how animals move around in the dark. We will also soar the skies to determine why different birds have different wings, as well as roam the lands in search of hidden mammals. We will end the week by watching Superpower Dogs on our large screen to learn about animals with jobs!
- Note: Due to food-related activities, please let us know of any food allergies or restrictions.
What’s similar between SpongeBob and Patrick? What about Robert and Nathaniel Martin? Grab your sibling or best friend and join us for a day of fun as the two of you work together to compete against the other dynamic duos. Students will get to learn more about one another through activities like charades, scavenger hunts, and more. Compete with other groups to become the top dynamic duo and find the common thread the ties all of us to one another.
- Notes: Due to the type of camp this is, students must register with another person who is between grades 3-6. We will provide snacks, but students need to bring their own lunch. This class will take place outdoors. Hats or sunglasses, sunscreen, and water bottles are encouraged.
- Note: Although we will do out best to contain the mess, please be aware we will be working with materials that may not wash out of clothing well.
Instructor: Marie Law
Learn the ropes of macramé knot tying. Practice some basic knots to create your own wall hangers, key chain, and plant hanger to show off your knotty skills. You won’t be a square (knot) in this class, but we may get half-hitched (knot) as we spiral (knot) into this ancient craft from Arabic weavers and Medieval Moor sailors.
- Note: Due to food-related activities, please let us know of any food allergies or restrictions.
Instructor: Marie Law
From keychains to sketch books to custom cups, this camp is sure to be a hit with any artist in the making. This day long camp will be packed full of open-ended art projects where the sky is the limit! Our artists will even get to take home supplies to keep their creative juices flowing.
- Notes: We will provide snacks, but students need to bring their own lunch. Although we will do out best to contain the mess, please be aware we will be working with materials that may not wash out of clothing well.