Elementary & Middle School Summer Camps 2025 (Grades K–8)

Camp Invention® 2025

Developed by the National Inventors Hall of Fame® and hosted at more than 1,500 sites nationwide, the 2025 Camp Invention program is called Discover. Campers explore hands-on challenges and open-ended adventures designed to encourage new discoveries and bring big ideas to life! Participants experience all of the following modules during this lively and exhilarating week:

• Uncover Spectacular Special Effects With Illusion Workshop^™
  Campers step into the mesmerizing world of optical illusions, where things aren’t always as they seem! They discover how special effects work in art, movies, theater and animation, and they invent moving props with inspiration from real-life inventors behind special effects technology.
• Create a Customized Claw Machine With Claw Arcade^™
  Campers unleash the power of creativity as they construct their own functional claw machine, exploring physics concepts in easy-to-reach ways. Finding inspiration from claws in nature, they build, test and adapt their clawsome machine, then fill it with novel prizes.
• Embark on an Eco-Expedition With Penguin Launch^™
  Campers unlock their imagination as they head to Antarctica to explore penguin habitats in snowy landscapes. With the help of a Snow-ver – a rover equipped with a robotic research penguin – they glide across icy surfaces to enter penguin colonies undetected. To deliver planet-saving eco-messages, they design launchers to propel their own magnetic, wearable plush penguin.
• Hop in the Driver’s Seat With In Control^™
  Campers hit the road for the ultimate trip! They assemble a custom control panel complete with a transmitter and receiver, reference a travel map and explore the use of artificial intelligence in everyday items such as the GPS.

Learn more and register at the Camp Invention website (link opens in new tab).

You must register and pay the tuition for this program at the Camp Invention website; register for add ons, such as after care or lunch, on CampDoc.

Wonder Works

Have you ever wondered how an elevator knows when to stop at the right floor? Or how spies break secret codes? At Wonder Works, campers will tackle fun, hands-on challenges that engage their minds and spark their creativity. They’ll dive into an Escape Room Challenge, where teamwork and logic will help them crack clues to escape in time. They’ll embark on a Puzzle Hunt, following clues and riddles to uncover hidden treasures. Plus, campers will use their creativity to build structures and machines, designing things like skyscrapers or bridges. With plenty of fun experiments and playful challenges, Wonder Works is the place where campers learn how fun problem-solving can be!

Design a Community

How do cities grow and thrive? What makes neighborhoods come to life? At Design a Community, you’ll step into the shoes of an urban planner! You’ll design, build, and name your very own community, using problem solving skills and imagination to overcome challenges like layout, transportation, and green spaces. We’ll also take time to explore Baltimore architecture and the Fell’s Point community with neighborhood walks. Get ready to bring your ideas to life as you discover what it takes to create a neighborhood that’s both fun and functional!

Food & Science

In Food & Science, campers will explore the fascinating connections between food and science through hands-on experiments and recipes. Through fun activities like making homemade ice cream, mixing fizzy lemonade, or experimenting with emulsions, this camp blends science with culinary fun.

It’s a flavorful way to discover scientific concepts while developing kitchen confidence and curiosity!

Fun with Forces

How does a superhero leap tall buildings in a single bound? How do magnets create invisible forces? How do sound waves travel to make music? At Fun with Forces, campers dive into these questions like these through hands-on experiments and activities. From building mini Rube Goldberg machines to exploring the science behind sound, campers will uncover the secrets of motion, magnetism, and momentum. With exciting themes like superheroes, music, and sports, this camp turns physics into a week-long adventure of discovery and fun.

Bay Explorers

Dive into the wonders of nature! At Bay Explorers, campers will discover the natural world of Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay through hands-on learning. They’ll visit waterfront areas to practice skills such as identifying plants and animals and explore how these species contribute to the environment. Campers will also investigate what makes the Chesapeake Bay a vital and unique habitat, connecting science with real-world exploration.

Playmakers’ Studio with Alexandra Hewett

Join actor, storyteller, and teacher Alexandra Hewett for an exciting week of devised theater, a collaborative approach to creating a theatrical performance. Instead of starting with a pre-written script, participants work together to develop a story, characters, and dialogue through improvisation, workshops, ensemble building, and other creative processes. This method allows for a highly personalized and unique performance that reflects the ideas, experiences, and contributions of everyone involved. Family and friends are invited to see our original theatre production on the last day of camp!

Ms. Hewett has led TNCS theater camps for more than 10 years and is also teaches theater at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company.

Tippi Jam Dance

Join Tippi Toes® for a high-energy dance camp designed to keep participants engaged and in motion from the first step to the last beat. Our positive, upbeat classes are based on original, imaginative, and FUN music which has hit the Billboard charts! This enables participants to exercise their bodies and imaginations while getting a wonderful introduction to dance.

With a vision based on instilling confidence, positivity, and joy into the lives of children, Tippi Toes has led children’s dance classes since 1999.

Game On! Sports Camp with Señor Gonzalez

Get ready for a week filled with excitement, teamwork, and skill-building with experienced player and teacher/coach Rafael Gonzalez. This week, we’ll enjoy different sports, including flag football, volleyball, and soccer. Whether your child is a seasoned player or trying these sports for the first time, they’ll find a good balance of fun and skill development. Campers will also participate in team-building activities, friendly competitions, and learn skills that extend beyond the playing field.