Uncle Carl’s Camp is designed for discovery, exploration & creativity. Come explore new and old worlds with us!

About "Uncle Carl"

Charles Kauffman, fondly known as Uncle Carl, brought his museum from South Dakota to North Newton, KS in 1940. He spent the next eighteen years bringing history and the outdoor world to life for children and adults at the Kauffman Museum. In keeping with Uncle Carl’s tradition, Kauffman Museum offers discovery-oriented, hands-on summer camps for children. 

2022 Uncle Carl’s Camps

Payment
Payment must be included with registration. For information about becoming a Kauffman Museum member or about need-based scholarships, contact the museum. Cancellation policy available upon request.

Questions?
If you have questions about the camps or Kauffman Museum, please contact us at 316-283-1612 or by e-mail at kmcamps@bethelks.edu or kauffman@bethelks.edu

Little Houses on the Prairie

May 31-June 3, 9:00-11:30 each day | Age 4 and 5 (not yet in kindergarten)

IN-PERSON

We will explore different types of homes from pioneer days. Come find out who built these homes, what they were made of, where they were built, what they did inside the houses, and why they did things that way! We’ll be inside and outside, so come prepared for both.

Application deadline: May 27

$70 per museum member / $85 per non-member 

Instructor:  
Kristin Neufeld Epp
New Creation Preschool

Unraveling History’s Mysteries

June 6-10, 9:00-11:30 each day | Age 9 to 12 (completed grade 3-6)

IN-PERSON

Get ready to dig deep in local archives, interview historians, and do detective work. Campers will investigate the rich history of Kauffman Museum, Bethel College and the local community. Come study artifacts, explore hidden stairways and mummify a piece of fruit. Are you ready for an adventure?!

Application deadline: June 3

$70 per museum member / $80 per non-member

Instructor:
Monty Graber
USD 373, Newton, KS

Exploring Printmaking 1

June 13-17, 9:00-11:00 each day | Age 6 to 8 (completed grade k-2)

IN-PERSON

Campers will explore a variety of simple printmaking techniques. Drawing from observation, students will use nature as the subject of their works. Exploring Printmaking 1 will introduce young artists to many forms of printing from the museum’s collection of paper and fabric artifacts.

Application deadline: June 10

$70 per museum member / $85 per non-member 

Instructor:  
LaDonna Unruh Voth
USD 373, Newton, KS

Exploring Printmaking 2

June 20-24, 9:00-11:30 each day | Age 9 to 12 (completed grade 3-6)

IN-PERSON

Campers will explore printmaking through the work of Kansas printmakers. Drawing from observation, students will use nature as the subject of their works. Exploring Printmaking 2 will give campers a unique inside glimpse into how an artist turns inspiration into art. Come discover a variety of processes for creating artwork on paper and fabric.

Application deadline: June 17

$70 per museum member / $85 per non-member

Instructor:
LaDonna Unruh Voth
USD 373, Newton, KS

 

Life on the Prairie

June 27-July 1, 9:00-11:30 each day | Age 6 to 8 (completed grade k-2)

IN-PERSON

There are more life on the prairie than you’d ever imagine!  It has been home to many plants, animals and people for a very long time. We will investigate many different organisms that live on the prairie–big and small–and imagine how the prairie might be different (or the same?) if we had lived hundreds of years ago.  Come ready to spend lots of time outside going on nature walks, doing experiments, and imagining life on the prairie through the ages!

Application deadline: June 24

$70 per museum member / $85 per non-member 

Instructor:  
Kendall Smith
USD 373, Newton, KS

 

Pedal Power

July 18-22, 9:00-12:00 each day | Age 9 and over (completed grade 3 through adult)

IN-PERSON

If you like to bike, this camp is for you! Campers will build endurance and learn bicycle safety, history of biking through Kauffman Museum’s collection, bicycle maintenance and repair and riding rules and etiquette. Campers must already know how to ride a bike and be ready to expand their skills and confidence. Each day campers will bike longer distances, ending in a 10-mile ride. Each participant must bring a bike in good working order and a helmet.

Application deadline: July 15

$75 per museum member / $90 per non-member

Instructors:
Karen Kreider Yoder
SF-USD, San Francisco, CA

Stephen Kreider Yoder
Wall Street Journal

VISIT US

27th and North Main St.
North Newton, KS 67117
Across from the main campus of
Bethel College

CONTACT US

(316) 283-1612
kauffman@bethelks.edu
Mailing address:
300 E. 27th Street
North Newton, KS, 67117-1716

HOURS

Tue-Fri  9:30am-4:30pm
Sat-Sun 1:30pm-4:30pm
Closed Mondays and
Major Holidays