JOHNSON CITY – Children interested in paleontology, science, art and nature are invited to participate in the annual Paleo-Camp at the East Tennessee State University and General Shale Natural History Museum and Visitors Center at the Gray Fossil Site.Scheduled for June and July, Paleo-Camp allows children to explore paleontology in the field and lab at the five-acre Gray Fossil Site, as well as the museum and education center.Campers will dig at the fossil site to find fossils, rocks and minerals; wet-screen for micro-fossils and identify them in the lab; make casts of bones; tie-dye a t-shirt; and play “Fossil Feud.” Each camp section will also have plenty of age-appropriate activities.“Paleo-Camp is a unique summer camp offering and a great way to expose children of all ages to science and hands-on application. The interactive nature of the fossil site allows for campers to be fully immersed in the science they learn,” said Sarah Mullersman, Education Coordinator for the museum.Several sessions for children from pre-K through 8th grade are available. Session dates are organized by age group and are as follows:Session 1-Mornings: June 9-13 (pre-K and kindergarten)Session 1-Afternoons: June 9-13 (pre-K and kindergarten)Session 2: June 16-20 (1st-3rd grades)Session 3: June 23-27 (1st-3rd grades)Session 4: July 7-11 (3rd-5th grades)Session 5: July 14-18 (3rd-5th grades)Session 6: July 21-25 (6th-8th grades)Morning and afternoon classes in Session 1 (pre-K and kindergarten only) are $90 per session. Sessions 2-6 (grades 1-8) are $185 per session. Discounts are available for museum members and ETSU faculty and staff at a rate of $80 for Session 1 or $165 for Sessions 2-6.Reservation forms and camp schedules can be accessed online at http://www.etsu.edu/naturalhistorymuseum.The ETSU and General Shale Natural History Museum and Gray Fossil Site continually showcases the 5-million-year-old Gray Fossil Site and its unique ecosystem. Visitors are invited to observe live excavations from May through October. There are also special events held at the Museum, such as the monthly “Lunchtime Lecture Series,” “Fossil and Artifact ID Nights” every other month, and numerous ongoing youth programs.The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and is located 1.8 miles off Exit 13 on Interstate 26. For more information, call (866) 202-6223 or visit the museum at www.etsu.edu/naturalhistorymuseum. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at (423) 439-8346.
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