Camp Update
APPLIcation for SPICE CAMP 2024 closed.
SPICE Camp 2025 applications will open
January 2025
Have you ever wished you had an invisibility cloak or gone looking for the end of the rainbow? Are you the kind of person who always wants to know WHY?
SPICE Camp is a UO supported program designed to engage young women in the sciences through hands on experimentation.
Camp Topics
Rising 6th Graders - More than Meets the Eye: Science Discovery
Navigate the science scavenger hunt, visiting well-known and hidden features of the UO campus to collect data and solve the puzzle. Learn about the scientific method with paper airplanes, plumb the depths of the mystery box, and apply what you've learned in the Amazing Science Race.
Rising 7th Graders - Whodunit? Forensic Investigation
How do we know what happened before we arrived on the scene? Forensics is the science of figuring out just that, whether it's a 100 million year old comet strike or a murder that happened just last night, learn how scientists solve mysteries with geology, chemistry, and archaeology.
Rising 8th Graders - Build It! Maker Camp
Learn about simple and complex machines, computer programming and all the physics in between. Then put your knowledge to work building a series of maker projects such as BEAM bots, e-textiles, and interactive Automata.
Who can participate?
Students who will be in the 6th through 8th grades in Fall 2024 (exception will be made for returning rising 9th graders). SPICE camp is designed to yield maximum benefit to girls. Preference is given to girls, transgender, and non-binary applicants. For boys who are interested in a similar experience, we recommend camps from the Eugene Science Center, Nearby Nature, and the Boys and Girls Clubs.
What is the participation cost?
Camp tuition is $750. Scholarships are available and awarded on a need basis.
Camp tuition can be paid by check, cash, or through our e-commerce site (for credit or bank card services). In mid-April, we send camp enrollment documentation and we will activate the link for Payment Here!
If you have requested a scholarship, we will notify you of the amount due the first week of June (subject to change).
Payment is due 2 weeks prior to the start of camp (Session 1: June 26, Session 2: July 15, Session 3: July 29).
Can I sign my child up for part of camp?
SPICE camp is designed to be experienced for the full two weeks. If a camper must miss a day or two we can usually accommodate, but we do not recommend attending if you will miss more than 1-2 days. We cannot pro-rate tuition for missed days. Our costs are largely fixed, regardless of daily attendance.
Where?
Camp will be held on the University of Oregon Campus:
Oregon Center for Optical, Molecular, & Quantum Science
240 Willamette Hall
1274 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1274
When?
Session 1: July 8th - 19th - Discovery, Forensics, Maker
Session 2: July 29th - August 9th - Discovery, Forensics, Maker
SPICE Camp 2024 Application closed
Selection Criteria:
Returning participants from previous years are guaranteed a spot if application is received by a predetermined registration deadline. Returning applicants should select the successive camp (Discovery in 2023 will be in Forensics in 2024, Forensics in 2023 will be in Maker in 2024). New applicants will be added to a waitlist for the appropriate grade level, and are accepted on a first come, first served basis after the registration deadline for returning campers. SPICE Camp 2024 registration opens on March 1st. New campers can expect to be notified beginning April 15th.
Students from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
All rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who identify as girls in Lane County are eligible. As camps fill up we may offer applicants positions in a different camp in order to serve as many girls as possible.
Registration
Once you are notified of acceptance to camp you will be sent links to the camp registration form and our eCommerce site for payment. This registration form provides us with additional information we need in order to serve your camper and information about our research program.
Research
SPICE administrators will be conducting research on the effects of the program. Campers will all have the opportunity to participate in this research. More information on the research plan will be available soon.
Questions? Contact Jorjie Arden at spicescience@uoregon.edu or (541) 346-4528.
SPICE is supported by funding from the University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences, the University of Oregon Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, the Oregon Center for Optical, Molecular, and Quantum Science, Oregon Community Foundations grant, and a generous donation from the Rosaria P. Haugland Foundation.