Exploring All Interests: Why Camp Invention Is for Every Kid

From robotics and space to animals and design, every child has unique STEM interests – even if they have yet to connect the dots to STEM. Through hands-on programs that highlight just how broad the umbrella of STEM is, every child has an opportunity to build confidence and explore a variety of interests!

At Camp Invention^®, K-6 students bring their ideas to life with a combination of everyday materials and unique and proprietary products as they enjoy active discovery through sketching, building, testing and enhancing their creations. Through hands-on, exploratory learning, children can build confidence in science, technology, engineering and math. In four dynamic experiences packed with fresh concepts and cross-curricular challenges, Camp Invention’s all-new program, Discover, sparks joy for kids with diverse interests. Read on to learn what STEM topics will engage curious campers this summer!

For the Environmentalists

Calling all animal lovers! In Penguin Launch^™, campers imagine themselves as eco-explorers and embark on a research mission in Antarctica. As children become penguin experts and discover fun facts about a variety of penguin species, this multidisciplinary experience also introduces robotics, physics and space exploration.

Learning about ecosystems and how to protect their penguin pals, campers use magnets to lift and move iron filings representing the microplastic pollution in their habitat. As they study penguin flippers, investigate instant snow and grow their environmental awareness, campers build launchers to make their penguins fly and explore the science behind physics, trajectory and air pressure to launch their pals on a planet-saving mission. They’ll even write an eco-message that can help the environment and launch it to a satellite to spread far and wide.

For the Adventure Seekers

In Control^™ is the ultimate confidence-boosting experience for kids who love adventure, tinkering and technology. On this innovative journey, campers explore everything from the science of circuitry to navigation and artificial intelligence (AI). After they practice navigational skills using a compass, campers explore electromagnetic waves as they wire and assemble their own receiver and transmitter and even learn how to decode Morse code messages.

Throughout the week, children discover how AI is incorporated into commonly used road trip items, such as GPS, and hear from National Inventors Hall of Fame^® Inductee Asad Madni about the history and possibilities of AI. From electrical engineering to creative problem solving, children pick up important STEM vocabulary and design solutions for road trip challenges. Provided with flexible learning paths, campers practice decision-making skills as they invent their way around every bump, turn and twist!

For the Gamers

In Claw Arcade^™, campers are met with hands-on design challenges as they ignite their creativity to build and customize their very own cardboard claw machine with one-of-a-kind prizes. Energized by physics, campers encounter materials science, functional design and entrepreneurship concepts along the way.

Drawing inspiration from claws and grabbers in the natural world, campers demonstrate persistence and ingenuity as they build their machine and discover physics and mechanics. As children learn how to commercialize their invention and bring their new product to market, they practice entrepreneurship skills by creating a pitch to hook investors, discover the value of intellectual property and create logos and billboards as they receive feedback from their fellow campers.

For the Entertainers

In Illusion Workshop^™, Hall of Fame Inductee and Disney Imagineer Lanny Smoot challenges children to explore techniques used in his theme park technology. As campers explore the science behind optical illusions and special effects, they will engineer their own visual experiences backed by neuroscience.

In this workshop, campers build, wire and design a Spin-o-scope^™ to bring animations to life, applying scientific ideas to design, test and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another. Campers also conduct investigations to determine the effect of placing objects in the path of a beam of light as they experiment with illusion techniques like “Pepper’s Ghost.” As these young engineers and animators explore exciting careers in STEAM, they’ll unleash their creativity, create personalized moving pneumatic props and uncover the important role of science and art in crafting innovative entertainment experiences!

Secure Your Spot at the All-New Camp Invention

Brand-new adventures await! You won’t want to miss all the fresh STEM fun at Camp Invention this summer. Explore our website to learn how the all-new 2025 Camp Invention program is the perfect opportunity for your child to explore their own unique talents and interests. Don’t forget to sign up today!