STEM CAMP OVERVIEW
We take Science, Technology, Engineering and Math camp to the moon and beyond! Our campers launch rockets, design and test parachutes, dust for fingerprints, build roller coasters and robots, and create their own video games with Scratch programming. Each week of camp focuses on a specific topic, which campers explore through various projects and challenges, such as identifying inks and liquids left at a crime scene to find out whodunit in Forensics. STEM participants are divided into three levels to provide age-appropriate activities, so while all three sections might be doing Robotics one week, their projects will vary. All groups enjoy water play and indoor/outdoor games each day, and any experiments that can be done outside will be. After all, it is summer camp.
THE KID EXPLORER DIFFERENCE
Each week of STEM camp will focus on a theme, such as Robotics, Forensics, or Aviation. Then, through a mix of fictional story narratives, daily challenges, and real-life examples from scientists like Alfred Nobel, Louis Pasteur and Marie Curie, our campers will learn how to overcome obstacles, and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude in the face of adversity. We infuse our unique Super Six curriculum, designed to cultivate curiosity and strengthen six core developmental skills, into each day of camp, to make sure your camper takes home more than just a completed project at the end.
STEM BY LEVEL
STEM I (Rising K & 1st Grade)
Themes Explored: Robotics, Forensics, Flight, Animation, Space, Game Design, Simple Machines.
STEM II (Rising 2nd & 3rd Grade)
Themes explored: Coding, Robotics, Forensics, RokenBok, Minecraft and Physics.
STEM III (Rising 4th & 5th Grade)
Themes explored: Conservation, Inventions, Coding, Robotics, Minecraft and RokenBok®
View our sample schedule and weekly themes.
CONVENIENCES & EXTRAS
We can make your summer run more smoothly! We offer extended care hours as well as a daily enrollment option, bus service, and a lunch program to deliver hot or cold lunches to your camper.
To learn more about our philosophy, click here.
Financial Assistance
All low-income working families may qualify for a tuition grant and scholarship to satisfy up to 100% cost of the program.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?
Please note: Parent must be receiving TANF/RASP or working and/ or in school/training to qualify.
A link will be sent to your email after you complete registration. Click on the link and it will take you to DicuSign an electronic application, fill out the information that pertains to your family and sign with your e signature. Type N/A ( Not Applicable) in every space that does not apply to you. You will receive a confirmation email upon completion and you will receive a copy in your email. SCAN or take a picture of verification documents needed to complete your application and upload.
Verification Documents
Examples: School letterhead with days and hours of classes and/ or check stubs dated from the last 30 days; TANF letter of approval.
Remember, incomplete applications can add an additional two or more weeks for processing. It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Important: Please upload all additional information that is required as an attachment (scanned documents or pictures are acceptable) to DocuSign.
Transportation
Transportation is included within a 10 mile radius of the host site location from designated bus stops ( (()/schools near/ or your child’s school)
Watch this Video
Kid Explorer Camp’s ROKENBOK overview and approach to STEM:
This 16-Year-Old Waiting to Get His License Is A Bit Unusual
Mark Matthias, who organizes the Westport Maker Faire in Connecticut, shared with us the story of Ryan Felner, a sophomore in high school who figured out how to start a drone business. Mark invited Ryan to give a talk at Maker Faire titled “Adventures of a 16-year-old Drone Pilot.” We learned more about Ryan’s adventures in a story written by his mother, Michele.
FAST FACTS
HOURS
9am–4pm
AGES
Rising 2nd to 7th Grade
RATIO
10:1
PROGRAM LOCATIONS
- South Loop -Chicago, IL
- Lakeshore – Chicago,IL