Astronomy Camp is directed by astronomer Dr. Don McCarthy together with an engaging, knowledgable staff, many of whom are former Astronomy Campers. Building on 35 years of experience, they offer an opportunity for both young and old to experience the universe in new and exciting ways. Teenage students gain a cosmic perspective of the earth and themselves. We examine career alternatives and reinforce school lessons through real scientific and engineering applications and investigations. With the wide range of topics incorporated into the Astronomy Camp curriculum, it is much more of a science camp than purely star gazing. Adults escape from regular routines of daily life freeing them to wonder and seek answers to a lifetime of questions. Every Camper is able to Reach for the Stars!

At night, Campers observe a plethora of celestial objects under dark skies. They become astronomers, operating research-class telescopes, keeping nighttime hours, interacting with leading scientists, interpreting their own observations, and investigating their own questions about astronomy and the universe. Depending on the specific event, Campers use telescopes on Mt. Lemmon, such as a 12-inch Meade LX-200 telescope, the 61-inch Kuiper telescope, and the 24, and 32-inch telescopes on Mt. Lemmon. It is sometimes possible to use the 90-inch Bok telescope, the Arizona Radio Observatory's 12m telescope, and the Submillimeter Radio Telescope on Mt. Graham. By the end of Camp all Campers are intimately connected with some of the most advanced technology available for cosmic discovery. Astronomy is about exploration of the unknown, and Astronomy Camp fosters that philosophy.

Campers have an amazing array of unique tools to help them explore their universe. All telescopes can be equipped with a selection of instruments, including 35mm cameras, digital cameras, a photometer, three CCD cameras, two CCD spectrometers, and specialized equipment for detailing imaging of the Sun. The Advanced Camps feature access to professional instruments for imaging at visual and radio wavelengths. A complement of computers allows campers to analyze data using professional languages (IRAF, IDL, and others) and to simulate astronomical phenomena.

During the daytime, internationally known scientists speak on current scientific topics, including the latest NASA space missions. Students also engage in engineering-related projects (e.g., eTextiles, crystal radios, dissecting cameras), explore the diverse geology and ecology though hiking, outdoor demonstrations, and travel between mountaintop observatories. The Camps also incorporate Space art and musical interpretations of scientific processes. All Camps include an in-depth tour of The University of Arizona's Richard F. Caris Mirror Laboratory, now producing not only the world's largest telescope mirrors with 8.4-meter diameters but also some of the most advanced large-format optical designs for telescopes to date.