LAS VEGAS (June 2020) – For the first time, The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, will host “Operation Summer Camp,” a virtual summer camp offered beginning Monday, July 6. Camp sessions will incorporate fun, hands-on programming for youth ages 8 to 17 years old, delivering age-appropriate STEM and social studies activities focused on criminal investigation and forensic science. The new program displays the Museum’s commitment to community and is available to students who live in Las Vegas and to youth nationally with mailing services. “Operation Summer Camp” is a live, Museum educator-directed virtual program offered as daily, 3-hour Zoom sessions plus additional activities to be completed at the campers’ leisure, providing a total of 4 to 5 hours’ worth of activities per day. Campers’ days will include icebreaker activities, small-group sessions, videos, light physical activity, experiments, special guest experts as well as self-motivated activities designed to be completed throughout the week. Two camps targeting different age groups are available:
- “Operation: Investigation” – appropriate for campers age 8 through 14 years old or rising grades 3 through 8. Each day will focus on a different topic, including how to build a case by collecting evidence, analyzing DNA, fingerprint examination, trace evidence collection, witness interrogation and more. Offered weeks of July 6 and July 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. PDT. Each session can accommodate 25 campers.
- “Operation: Forensic Science” – appropriate for campers age 11 through 17 years old or rising grades 6 through 12. Each day will focus on a different topic, including crime scene investigation, death investigation, fingerprint analysis, firearm and bullet examination, DNA analysis and more. Offered weeks of July 13 and July 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. PDT. Each session can accommodate 25 campers.
The cost for Operation Summer Camp is $150 per camper or $125 for Museum Members. Cost includes a prepared kit with all activities and materials needed to complete summer camp projects. Kits will be available for pick up at The Mob Museum or campers’ families can request for the kit to be mailed. To become a member and to take advantage of membership pricing for Summer Camp, click here.
In addition to these camp experiences, the Museum will offer “Mob Museum Special Agent Kits,” a budget-friendly, flexible option including activities that can be completed at the camper’s leisure without the confines of daily Zoom calls or check-ins. The kit, recommended for ages 10 and up, includes two activities for campers to complete each day, such as videos, online scavenger hunts, instructions for science experiments and other fun activities. Educational topics covered in this kit include crime scene investigation, fingerprinting, DNA analysis, undercover police work and more. In addition to activity kits, campers will also have access to three optional video check-ins with educators and fellow campers on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. PDT to review their kits and projects. Campers can pick up their “Special Agent Kit” in person at a pre-reserved date and time at the Museum or request for the kit to be mailed. Space is limited, up to 150 campers may participate each week and the cost is $65 per participant.
All registered campers will be invited to join the program capstone event, “Summer Camp Family Night,” which takes place on the final day of camp, Friday at 4:30 p.m. PDT. During this activity, campers and their families participate in a camp-exclusive forensic activity and trivia game. Each week, winners of Family Night will be awarded a family-four pack of tickets to visit The Mob Museum.
For more information or to purchase Operation Summer Camp or Mob Museum Special Agent kits, click here.