Fun with DNA: A Hands-On Science Day Camp

Porter’s Center for Global Leadership is proud to partner with the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center to offer a one-of-a-kind camp for curious middle school girls ready to explore the building blocks of life. Over five days of engaging hands-on activities and lab experiments, campers step into the role of scientists and discover how genetics and cell biology shape the world around us.

Dates: August 3 – 7, 2026

Times: 8:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Who: Girls ages 11-14

Where: Miss Porter’s School, Farmington CT

Tuition: $950 with lunch and snacks included

Capacity: 24 campers; first come, first served

Sign up for an info session and to access early bird registration for 2026!

Early bird registration opens December 1, 2025. General registration opens on January 5, 2026.

Why this camp is unique:

Hands-On Science

From extracting DNA to engineering glow in the dark bacteria, campers engage directly with the same tools and techniques used in modern biology labs.

Confidence Through Discovery

Each experiment encourages curiosity, creativity, and problem solving, building critical thinking skills that last well beyond camp.

Foundations for the Future

Fun with DNA introduces essential concepts in genetics, heredity, and biotechnology, providing a strong foundation for future STEM exploration.

What Campers Do

Throughout the week, campers construct cell and DNA models, use microscopes to explore biodiversity, and extract DNA from plants and animals. Campers observe genetic mutations in fruit flies and nematodes, and engineer glow-in-the-dark bacteria with firefly genes. The big project for the week is investigating a real world mystery using bioinformatics and forensic analysis. The week concludes with a student-led showcase, where campers present their experiments and share what they’ve learned with faculty, family, and friends – becoming teachers as well as scientists.

Skills Building

💪 Confidence in problem solving and collaboration

🔍 Curiosity and
critical thinking

🎓 A stronger STEM foundation for school and beyond

My daughter came home every day excited and proud. She learned how to persevere through challenges and discovered how capable she really is.

Fun with DNA

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:45 a.m. – Camper drop-off

9:00 a.m. – Cells, the Building Blocks of Life (create a 3D cell model)

10:30 a.m. – Break with snacks

10:45 a.m. – Use compound microscopes to view specimens representing the kingdoms of life

12:00 p.m. – Lunch

1:00 p.m. – DNA, the Blueprint of Life (build a DNA double helix)

2:30 p.m. – Break with snacks

2:45 p.m. – Extract DNA from plant cells

4:00 p.m. – Choose your afternoon activity! (EX: swimming, Gaga Ball, friendship bracelets, arts & crafts)

5:00 p.m. – Camper pick-up

She Means Business

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:45 a.m. – Camper drop-off

9:00 a.m. – Discovering the CEO in You

10:30 a.m. – Break with snacks

10:45 a.m. – Brainstorm creative ideas and decide together how to design a small business as a social enterprise

12:00 p.m. – Lunch

1:00 p.m. – Money Matters: Personal Finance Basics

2:30 p.m. – Break with snacks

2:45 p.m. – Apply lessons to planning your business budget

4:00 p.m. – Choose your afternoon activity! (EX: swimming, Gaga Ball, friendship bracelets, arts & crafts)

5:00 p.m. – Camper pick-up

Girls in Gear

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:45 a.m. – Camper drop-off

9:00 a.m. – Introduction to your motorcycle for the week (Welcome & Safety, Prep & Documentation)

10:30 a.m. – Break with snacks

10:45 a.m. – Remove bodywork and controls; wheels, exhaust suspension prep

12:00 p.m. – Lunch

1:00 p.m. – Let disassembly begin! (engine removal prep, frame and suspension breakdown)

2:30 p.m. – Break with snacks

2:45 p.m. – Engine external disassembly, wrap-up and group reflection

4:00 p.m. – Choose your afternoon activity! (EX: swimming, Gaga Ball, friendship bracelets, arts & crafts)

5:00 p.m. – Camper pick-up

Leaders in Training

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:45 a.m. – Arrival

9:00 a.m. – Leadership Workshops

11:30 a.m. – Support group transitions

12:00 p.m. – Lunch

1:00 p.m. – Shadow and assist in activity areas

3:00 p.m. – Mentorship check-ins

3:30 p.m. – Supervised practice leading a warm-up, game or activity

4:30 p.m. – Reflection, feedback, and goal setting

5:00 p.m. – Departure

Technology, Arts, and AI: Future Creator's Lab

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:00 a.m. – Wake up

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast and 1-on-1 check-ins for International+ campers

9:30 a.m. – Tech Meets Art: Exploring the Digital Canvas

12:30 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 p.m. – AI Artistry: Redfining Creativity

3:00 p.m. – Camper free time (down time in dorm, snacks at the Daisy, change for afternoon activities)

3:45 p.m. – Gather & Go

4:00 p.m. – Afternoon activities

5:30 p.m. – Dinner

6:30 p.m. – Evening activity (kickball tournament)

8:30 p.m. – Dorm meeting and games

9:30 p.m. – Relax and prepare for bed

10:00 p.m. – Lights out

Idea Lab

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:00 a.m. – Wake up

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast and 1-on-1 check-ins for International+ campers

9:30 a.m. – Unpacking Human-centered Design

12:30 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 p.m. – Idea to Impact: Prototyping for Change

3:00 p.m. – Camper free time (down time in dorm, snacks at the Daisy, change for afternoon activities)

3:45 p.m. – Gather & Go

4:00 p.m. – Afternoon activities

5:30 p.m. – Dinner

6:30 p.m. – Evening activity (Color Wars)

8:30 p.m. – Dorm meeting and games

9:30 p.m. – Relax and prepare for bed

10:00 p.m. – Lights out

Global Discourse: A Leadership Exploration

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:00 a.m. – Wake up

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast and 1-on-1 check-ins for International+ campers

9:30 a.m. – The Politics of Peacekeeping

12:30 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 p.m. – Speak Up! Engaging in Respectful Conversations

3:00 p.m. – Camper free time (down time in dorm, snacks at the Daisy, change for afternoon activities)

3:45 p.m. – Gather & Go

4:00 p.m. – Afternoon activities

5:30 p.m. – Dinner

6:30 p.m. – Evening activity (movie night)

8:30 p.m. – Dorm meeting and games

9:30 p.m. – Relax and prepare for bed

10:00 p.m. – Lights out

Issues to Action

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:00 a.m. – Wake up

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast and 1-on-1 check-ins for International+ campers

9:30 a.m. – Opportunities and Challenges of Globalization

12:30 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 p.m. – Global Goals in Action: Understanding the UN’s Path to Sustainability

3:00 p.m. – Camper free time (down time in dorm, snacks at the Daisy, change for afternoon activities)

3:45 p.m. – Gather & Go

4:00 p.m. – Afternoon activities

5:30 p.m. – Dinner

6:30 p.m. – Evening activity (campfire, S’mores, and yard games)

8:30 p.m. – Dorm meeting and games

9:30 p.m. – Relax and prepare for bed

10:00 p.m. – Lights out

Our Water Planet

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:00 a.m. – Wake up

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast and 1-on-1 check-ins for International+ campers

9:30 a.m. – Exploring Connecticut’s Ecosystems

12:30 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 p.m. – Farmington River Study

3:00 p.m. – Camper free time (down time in dorm, snacks at the Daisy, change for afternoon activities)

3:45 p.m. – Gather & Go

4:00 p.m. – Afternoon activities

5:30 p.m. – Dinner

6:30 p.m. – Evening activity (Talent Show)

8:30 p.m. – Dorm meeting and games

9:30 p.m. – Relax and prepare for bed

10:00 p.m. – Lights out

Lead With Impact

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:00 a.m. – Wake up

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast and 1-on-1 check-ins for International+ campers

9:30 a.m. – Naming Your Purpose, Knowing Your Path

12:30 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 p.m. – Frameworks for Social Change

3:00 p.m. – Camper free time (down time in dorm, snacks at the Daisy, change for afternoon activities)

3:45 p.m. – Gather & Go

4:00 p.m. – Afternoon activities

5:30 p.m. – Dinner

6:30 p.m. – Evening activity (Guest speaker followed by bonfire and S’mores)

8:30 p.m. – Dorm meeting and games

9:30 p.m. – Relax and prepare for bed

10:00 p.m. – Lights out

Leading Well

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:00 a.m. – Wake up

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast and 1-on-1 check-ins for International+ campers

9:30 a.m. – Life in Balance: Exploring the Seven Elements of Wellness

12:30 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 p.m. – Element 1: Physical – Creative Movement Workshop

3:00 p.m. – Camper free time (down time in dorm, snacks at the Daisy, change for afternoon activities)

3:45 p.m. – Gather & Go

4:00 p.m. – Afternoon activities

5:30 p.m. – Dinner

6:30 p.m. – Evening activity (Talent Show!)

8:30 p.m. – Dorm meeting and games

9:30 p.m. – Relax and prepare for bed

10:00 p.m. – Lights out

Resilience and Risk-taking

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:00 a.m. – Wake up

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast and 1-on-1 check-ins for International+ campers

9:30 a.m. – Lead & Lean: Harnessing Collaborative Strength

12:30 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 p.m. – Trust Tower Challenge

3:00 p.m. – Camper free time (down time in dorm, snacks at the Daisy, change for afternoon activities)

3:45 p.m. – Gather & Go

4:00 p.m. – Afternoon activities

5:30 p.m. – Dinner

6:30 p.m. – Evening activity (Color Wars!)

8:30 p.m. – Dorm meeting and games

9:30 p.m. – Relax and prepare for bed

10:00 p.m. – Lights out

Principles and Practice

Sample schedule, subject to change

8:00 a.m. – Wake up

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast and 1-on-1 check-ins for International+ campers

9:30 a.m. – Leadership Compass: Finding Your Direction

12:30 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 p.m. – Blueprint for Leaders: What Sets them Apart?

3:00 p.m. – Camper free time (down time in dorm, snacks at the Daisy, change for afternoon activities)

3:45 p.m. – Gather & Go

4:00 p.m. – Afternoon activities

5:30 p.m. – Dinner

6:30 p.m. – Evening activity (campfire, S’mores and yard games)

8:30 p.m. – Dorm meeting and games

9:30 p.m. – Relax and prepare for bed

10:00 p.m. – Lights out