IMAS Camp

Operation Imagination: Winter Camp

December 30, 2024 – January 3, 2025

Winter Camp Registration

Operation Imagination: Winter Camp is back!

Camp includes engaging activities, museum exhibit exploration, outdoor recess and an afternoon snack (campers with dietary needs are welcomed to bring their own snacks). Campers must have a reusable water bottle. Campers must provide their own packed lunch or have lunch dropped off at 11:00 a.m. for lunch time. Camp runs from December 30 through January 3, excluding Wednesday, January 1, when we will be closed in observance of New Year’s Day.

$190 per Camp
$152 for IMAS Members ( Family Membership and above)

5% Sibling Discount Code: OISB2
All children must be in same family unit and fall within the camp week’s grade level. Improper use will result in cancellation.

Dinosaurs Among Us

OI Winter Camp at IMAS 2025

For 3rd–5th graders.

Swoop into IMAS and immerse yourself in the Dinosaurs Among Us exhibit at Operation Imagination Winter Camp. Learn about our ancient feathery friends that once roamed the Earth! Investigate reptile and bird adaptations, take part in a Dino Dig and help solve the mystery of the missing Dino egg! This camp is designed for 3rd-5th graders. Camp excludes January 1st, closed in observance of New Year’s Day.

Winter Camp
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Operation Imagination: Summer Camp is $190 (discounted to $150 for IMAS Members, Family Membership level or higher) per camp week, per camper. The IMAS has a no refund or credit policy on camps, admission, and workshop fees. Registrations cannot be transferred to other campers.

Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To upgrade membership level to family and qualify for the camper discount, please contact Celina Michel, Membership and Events Coordinator, at cmichel@theimasonline.com or 956-681-2817. The cost to upgrade from Individual to Family is $40.)

Camp will run Monday-Friday from December 30 through January 3, excluding Wednesday, January 1, when we will be closed in observance of New Year’s Day.

Camp days are 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Drop off from 8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.

Pick up from 3:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.

For early or late pickups, the caregiver must come inside for assistance.

Camp takes place at IMAS inside exhibit spaces and outdoor areas within the museum grounds.

Address:
1900 West Nolana Avenue McAllen, TX 78504

  • Camps are held in an indoor classroom though capacity is limited so there is plenty of space.
  • Handwashing before meals.
  • All camp staff are CPR and First Aid certified.

Campers should be within the assigned grade level range for the camp week. Our camps are specifically designed with those levels in mind. To ask for an exception, please email Selena Garza at sgarza@theimasonline.com with case details. Not all inquiries will be granted. A reminder that camps are non-refundable and non-transferrable, and credit cannot be offered for camp week changes.

The camp fee includes daily camp activities, exploration of the museum exhibits, an afternoon snack (campers with dietary needs are welcomed to bring their own snacks), and unforgettable winter camp memories!

Campers need to bring a reusable water bottle. A light jacket is recommended.

Campers must provide their own packed lunch or have lunch dropped off at 11:00 a.m. for lunch time.

An afternoon snack and juice is provided each camp day. In the case of dietary needs, an alternate snack (fresh fruit) will be provided. Campers may bring their own sack lunch and snack if desired.

Caregivers are welcome to supply an extra set of clothes for the week, if desired. Campers are welcome to bring items that help them cope such as stuffed animals or fidgets. We discourage campers from brining gaming devices.

Please be sure to provide the correct parent/guardian and emergency contact information upon registering online. Caregivers are contacted in cases of sickness, if a change of clothes is needed, or if campers are not picked up on time. You are welcome to send your camper with an extra set of clothes at the beginning of the week. Full or partial refunds based on the health of a child are not eligible.

Camp runs from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. Campers may be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and picked up between 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

A late fee of $5 per child will apply for children not picked up by 3:35 p.m. Drop off and pick up will be located outside in the semi-circle drive in front of the museum.

Sample Camp Schedule:
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Drop Off
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. – Team Building
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Activity 1
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. – Exhibit Exploration
11:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Lunch
11:30 – 12:00 p.m. – Recess (Discovery Pavilion)
12:00 – 1:45 p.m. – Activity 2
1:45 – 2:00 p.m. – Snack Time
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Activity 3
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. – Pick Up

Camp drop off and pick up will take place outside in the semi-circle drive in front of the museum. Campers will be escorted to and from the vehicle each day. It is helpful if caregivers let campers know what drop off and pickup will be like at camp before arriving.

Drop Off: Caregivers and campers should remain in the vehicle until greeted by an IMAS staff member. Caregiver will be prompted to sign their camper in on the paper roster. Campers will then be walked to the classroom by an IMAS staff member.

Pick Up: After pulling into the semi-circle drive, an IMAS staff member will ask for your camper’s name. A photo ID may need to be provided by additional designated adults for camper release. Caregiver will be prompted to sign their camper out on the paper roster. Caregivers will wait in their vehicles for the camper to come out from the museum, escorted by a staff member.

Campers may be dropped off between 8:30-9:00 AM and picked up by 3:30 PM. A late pickup fee of $5 per child will apply for children not picked up by 3:35 PM.

In the case of early or late pickup, the caregiver will need to come inside for assistance.

We understand that occasionally caregivers will be late due to situations outside of your control. If you are running late, please call our main line at (956) 681-2800. Otherwise, we will wait 5 minutes past the pickup end time and then call caregivers.

A late pickup fee of $5 per child will apply for children not picked up by 3:35 PM. Late pickup fees can be paid via check, cash, or credit card upon arrival at the Admissions desk. Caregivers will need to come inside to pick up children past 3:35 PM.

Register for camp through the link provided above. Our system will require a log in. You will need to create an account if this is your first registration with IMAS. Be sure to use a previous account if you have purchased online previously. You may call the IMAS at (956) 681-2800 for assistance, though we are no longer able to register camps over the phone or in person.

Be sure to select the correct ticket pricing based on child’s age before adding to cart. Then, go to your cart and select Complete Purchase. You will be required to fill out the information for your camper. Please double check your information is correct before purchasing.

Members, when registering online, please log in first to see the discounted price. If the discounted price does not appear, please call during business hours at (956) 681-2800 for assistance.

Yes. We are offering a sibling discount when registering 2 or more children. Children must be within the same family unit and fall within the camp week’s required grade level.

Use code “OISB2“ at checkout for 5% off the camp week price per child.

Only valid for minimum of 2 campers and maximum of 5 campers per Patron.Improper use of code will result in a cancellation and request to pay the correct amount. This could result in a loss of the camp seat.

The IMAS has a no refund, no credit policy. Campers cannot be moved to other camp weeks. Camp registrations cannot be transferred to another child, regardless of relation. All proceeds benefit the IMAS, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and cancellations or no-shows will be retained as a donation to the museum.

Single days are not offered. The camp is being sold for each week in its entirety.