Celebrate 35 Years of Camp Invention!

This year, the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® will be celebrating our 35th anniversary of Camp Invention^®! As we reflect on all that has happened since 1990, we feel proud and privileged that we’ve been able to bring our one-of-a-kind invention education curricula to millions of K-6 students across the country by working closely with many inventors, sponsors, donors, educators and families.

Let’s take a look back at how camp began and celebrate how far we’ve come together.

Launching Camp Invention in 1990

The National Inventors Hall of Fame launched our first Camp Invention program, where kids had fun with hands-on problem-solving challenges inspired by real-world inventors. What started as eight local camps in Akron, Ohio, sparked the question, “How can we spread invention education to everyone?”

Inspiring Young Innovators in 1995

As the number of camp programs grew, the activities and innovative ideas grew alongside them. From tinkering and taking apart everyday items to stretching their imagination and creating new solutions, children embraced the spirit of invention. Curious to know what we were up to in the ’90s? Campers explored STEM through these fun Camp Invention experiences in 1995:

Boulder Builders – This experience invited kids to explore medieval history and scientific principles through hands-on creativity. As they constructed four pieces of a “castle,” campers explored the Dark Ages and the importance of invention. From testing the center of gravity to experimenting with the wheel and axle, campers worked together in small groups to identify how medieval drawbridges and catapults required scientific knowledge. Today, Camp Invention continues to introduce the next generation to some of the earliest innovations while honoring historical Inductees.

Scampering Scoops – Many things have changed since the ’90s, but kids’ love for ice cream is not one of them! In one of Camp Invention’s earliest experiences, campers made predictions about the future of ice cream while completing hands-on challenges, from inventing something new using an ice cream cone to producing their best flavor ideas.

Want to make ice cream like kids did in the ’90s? Check out this DIY activity.

Extending Our Reach in 2008

By 2008 there were 1,000 Camp Invention programs running every summer nationwide. Many Hall of Fame Inductees have even made personal visits to camp over the years to mentor the next generation of innovators. We were reaching our goals of spreading the innovative spirit to students and educators, and we were ready to keep going! As the years continued, inquisitive young innovators like Jaden Stock, Landri Drude and Mya Sewell (2013) attended Camp Invention and learned the value of their ideas, helping them to succeed long into the future.

Growing Across the Country in 2018

By 2018, Camp Invention was continuing to grow, and we had programs in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Each year, all-new experiences were led by local educators at Camp Invention to boost confidence and creativity in kids year after year.

Investing in the Future in 2025

Time flies when you’re having fun with STEM! We’ve hit the milestone of 35 years of sparking joy and creativity while fulfilling the mission to honor inventors and inspire innovation. Thanks to incredible partnerships with over 5,000 schools and 204,000 educators across the country, Camp Invention has made a lasting impact on more than 3 million K-6 students.

As we enter 2025, the future is bright! Our mission to inspire innovation across America remains steadfast, and with the help of our supporters, we’re excited to keep making a difference – one kiddo at a time.

What’s Your Camp Invention Story?

Thank you for celebrating 35 years with us! Did you recognize the 1995 Camp Invention program? If you have a story to share about your experience with camp, we’d love to hear from you at [email protected].