Up to their elbows in real history — building adobe bricks, tasting the desert, and exploring the actual grounds where Tucson began.
So much fun they won't even notice they're learning. Ages 8–12.
✓ Led by museum educators · ✓ Small groups · ✓ Two historic sites
Now for the good stuff for you:
Downtown, where Tucson began. Week of June 1 — adobe brick-making, period crafts, and the stories held in the oldest walls in the city.
Find this session →
Two weeks in June and July at the old fort. Splash-pad breaks, animal tracking, desert tastings, and hands-on history under the cottonwoods.
Find this session →El Presidio Museum · Fort Lowell Museum & Park · ages 8–12
Hands-on all day — a mix of science, history, culture, and art.
Mix mud and straw by hand, the way Tucson was built.
Prickly pear snow cones, mesquite, and Sonoran treats.
Period dress-up, crafts, and live demonstrations.
Cool off at Fort Lowell Park 2–3 times a week.
Tucson Succulent Society & Heritage Area guests.
Learn the birds, animals, and tracks of the region.
⚡ Small camps — sessions fill fast. Daily spots limited to 12 per day.
Weekly $250 member / $280 non-member · Daily $52 / $57 · 10% sibling discount
Spots are limited and small camps fill fast. Reserve your child's place today.
Register for Camp →Weekly or daily options · 10% sibling discount
"Best camps ever! My kiddo's behavior was fantastic the whole two weeks — that's how engaging it was."
"One of the greatest camps my son has attended. Each day I was eager to hear what he learned."
Everything a grown-up needs for a smooth, happy camp day.
Camp runs 8:30 am – 3 pm each day. Drop-off opens at 8:15 am. [TRUST TO CONFIRM: exact drop-off / pick-up location at each site, car-line vs. walk-in, and any early-drop / late-pick options.] For everyone's safety, children are released only to the authorized adults listed at registration, and we may ask for a photo ID at pick-up.
Each day, pack a refillable water bottle, a packed lunch and snack, a hat, and a small backpack. Please apply sunscreen before drop-off (campers can reapply their own during the day). On splash-pad days at Fort Lowell, send a swimsuit and towel. [TRUST TO CONFIRM: whether any snacks/treats are provided, and refrigeration availability.]
Closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get muddy and dusty — we're building adobe bricks and exploring historic grounds! Light, breathable layers are best for the Tucson heat. Nothing that can't take a little desert adventure.
Summer in the Sonoran Desert is no joke, and we plan around it: frequent shade and water breaks, the hottest part of the day spent in cooler indoor museum spaces, and splash-pad cool-downs at Fort Lowell. Staff watch closely for heat and keep everyone hydrated.
Tell us about allergies or medical needs at registration. Medication must arrive in its original packaging with written instructions. Staff are trained to seek emergency care if ever needed, with your authorization on file. [TRUST TO CONFIRM: medication handling and any nurse / first-aid details.]
Camp is led by museum educators of the Tucson Presidio Trust, with small group sizes (daily sessions capped at 12) for real one-on-one attention. [TRUST TO CONFIRM: staff background-check / ratio details to reassure parents.]
[TRUST TO PROVIDE refund policy.] A typical camp policy reads: cancellations made in writing at least 15 days before a session start receive a 50% refund; no refunds for missed days or cancellations within 15 days. If the Trust cancels a session, families receive a full refund. Please confirm the Trust's actual policy before launch.
Hands-On History Camp is recommended for children ages 8–12.
Weekly rates are $250 for members and $280 for non-members. There's also a 10% sibling discount.
Yes — you can schedule any single day for $52 (member) or $57 (non-member). Daily space is limited to 12 campers, first come, first served.
At the El Presidio Museum in downtown Tucson and the Fort Lowell Museum & Park. Each session lists its location.
Camp runs 8:30 am to 3 pm each day of the session.
Still have a question? Call us at 520-622-0594 — or go ahead and grab a spot.
Register for Camp →
Hands-On History Camp is run by the Tucson Presidio Trust, caretaker of both the El Presidio Museum and the Fort Lowell Museum. For years, our small camps have let kids touch the past — mixing mud for adobe bricks, wearing period dress, and tasting the foods of the Sonoran Desert — right where that history happened.
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