Summer STEM Explorers
Summer 2026 Camps
Additional camp spots available!
Get ready for an exciting journey of discovery at
the 2026 Summer STEM Explorers Camp at the
Saint Louis Science Center! Created for curious
young minds ages 5–9, this camp immerses children
in hands-on experiences that make science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) come
alive in meaningful and memorable ways.
Throughout the week, campers will investigate
fascinating topics—from paleontology and
engineering to biology and beyond—while building
confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
They’ll also explore real STEM careers and discover
the innovative science happening right here in
Saint Louis.
The Summer STEM Explorers Camp is the ideal
environment for young adventurers to spark
their imagination, develop new skills, and have an
unforgettable time filled with exploration and fun.
Stay informed by signing up for our newsletter!
Just The Details
| Registration | ONLINE ONLY |
| Ages | 5 to 9 years old |
| Camp Days | Monday to Friday (5 days) |
| Camp Times | 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM |
| Cost | $365 / week |
| Member Cost | $292 / week, 20% discount Family & Friends Level or Above |
| Aftercare | $75 / week, 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday |
| Before Care | Not Available |
| T-Shirts | 1 per registration, $15 for each additional t-shirt |
| Lunch / Snacks | Not provided, campers must bring their own. |
Registration Information
Registration is available online only.
Registration is now available for the general public!
Camp tuition is $365 for a one-week session. Camp sessions run Monday through Friday, 9am–3pm each day. One camp t-shirt is included.
How to Register
Registration closes ten business days prior to each camp. Campers are encouraged to register as early as possible as many sessions tend to fill quickly.
You will need to set up an account with Camp Brain, our camp registration system order to register.
Register for the grade your child will be entering in the fall of 2026. Campers must be at least 5 years old by the start date of their session to participate. No exceptions are allowed.
You will receive a confirmation email when your registration is complete. You will also receive additional camp information and a camp logistics video link prior to the start of your camp session.
Cancellation/Session Changes
Refunds will not be issued once sales are complete. If extenuating circumstances arise, contact the camp team. Please note, a $30 administrative fee will be charged for EACH changed or cancelled transaction. Each week is a separate transaction.
If a session has an unexpectedly low enrollment, it may be subject to cancellation. All campers registered for that session will receive a full refund. Cancellation decisions will be made by April 30.
Aftercare
This option is available from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM for parents who need supervision for campers after the camp day ends. The fee is $75 per week per camper. Preregistration is required and must be completed at least 5 days prior to the start of each camp week. There is no before care option.
Snacks and Lunch
Campers should bring a snack, sack lunch and water bottle to camp each day. Campers will have a snack break each day mid-morning. From 12–1pm, campers will have a lunch and recess break. Lunch and snack are NOT provided by the Science Center, nor will campers be able to purchase food on site.
There will be an additional afternoon snack time for campers who attend aftercare. Those campers should bring a second snack for aftercare.
Camp T-shirts
All campers are required to wear their Summer STEM Explorers t-shirts to camp each day. Campers will receive one camp t-shirt for each week they register.
You may request and purchase additional t-shirts when registering in CampBrain.
Science Center Members
Those having a membership at the Friends & Family level or above will receive a 20% discount on camp sessions. Membership must be valid at the time of registration.
For more information about becoming a member, what level membership you have, or to upgrade to the Plus or Max level, call our membership team at 314.289.4414, (toll free 800.456.SLSC x4491)..
Questions?
Contact the Camp Coordinator at 314.286.4696 or via email at daycamps@slsc.org
| WEEK | Session / Theme |
|---|---|
| June 1 – 5 – LIMITED AVAILABILITY | Big Science Adventure: A Jumbo Journey of Discovery |
| June 8 – 12 – ADDITIONAL SPOTS | Big Science Adventure: A Jumbo Journey of Discovery |
| June 15 – 19 – ADDITIONAL SPOTS | The Science of Play 2.0: Curious Minds at Work |
| June 22 – 26 – ADDITIONAL SPOTS | Paleo Party: Dig Into the Dino World |
| June 29 – July 3 | NO CAMP |
| July 6 – 10 – ADDITIONAL SPOTS | Paleo Party: Dig Into the Dino World |
| July 13 – 17 – FULL | Crazy Contraptions: Where Imagination Meets Engineering |
| July 20 – 24 – LIMITED AVALIABILITY | Crazy Contraptions: Where Imagination Meets Engineering |
Camp Hours
All camps will be full day from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Before care will not be offered. Campers may be dropped off beginning at 8:30 AM.
Campers will have snack time each morning. Campers should bring their own snacks.
From Noon to 1:00 PM, campers will have a supervised lunch and recess break. Campers should bring their own lunch to camp each day.
Aftercare hours are 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM. Aftercare is an additional cost of $75 per week. All campers must pre-register for aftercare.
Session Descriptions
All age groups will focus on the same general theme each week.
Specific experiences and activities will differ for each age group
Big Science Adventure: A Jumbo Journey of Discovery
June 1 – 5 – LIMITED AVAILABILITY
June 8 – 12
Get ready for a week of giant-sized curiosity! Campers will explore some of the largest, most amazing wonders in nature—from enormous ocean creatures to the vastness of outer space. Each day highlights a different “BIG” topic through exciting experiments, creative engineering, outdoor exploration, and an exclusive visit to the museum’s current special exhibition. By the end of the week, campers will understand how “big” things shape our planet—and spark BIG imaginations!
The Science of Play 2.0: Curious Minds At Work
June 15 – 19
Join us for a week of playful discovery! This session brings back some of last year’s most-loved activities— plus exciting new experiences for campers to explore. Kids will dive into science through hands-on play with toys, tools, and games that spark curiosity and creativity. This year, campers will revisit favorites like building with blocks, experimenting with motion toys, and toy design. They’ll also take on new STEM adventures. During the week, campers will uncover big ideas in physics, biology, and engineering. They’ll learn how the brain grows through hands-on exploration and how problem-solving skills develop as they tinker, build, test, and imagine.
Paleo Party: Dig Into the Dino World
June 22 – 26
July 6 – 10
Rawr! Step back in time to the age of dinosaurs in this discovery-filled camp designed for young paleontologists. Campers will explore what truly makes a dinosaur a dinosaur as we examine how different dinos ate, moved, and survived—whether they were sharp-toothed carnivores or plant-loving herbivores. Through fun games, stories, crafts, and sensory activities, campers will dig for “fossils,” compare real and replica bones, experiment with dinosaur tracks, and learn how paleontologists uncover clues about prehistoric life. Campers will see authentic fossils up close and connect their discoveries to real science. It will be a week of stomping, roaring, digging, fun for curious kids who dream of becoming paleontologists!
Crazy Contraptions:
Where Imagination Meets
Engineering
July 13 – 17 – FULL
July 20 – 24 – LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Unleash your inner inventor and engineer during this week full of hands-on engineering, tinkering, and awesome ideas! Explore engineering practices and the design process. Learn how simple machines make work easier and create chain reactions and Rube Goldberg-style inventions. Each day is packed with opportunities to imagine, design, test, and improve—while having a blast building wacky machines and lever creations from everyday materials. The week ends with a Carnival of Contraptions, where campers show off their creativity by running cardboard arcade games and inventive machines they built themselves. Campers will think like engineers as they experiment, solve problems, and discover how objects move, interact, and work together!
A Day at Camp
A typical day at camp would be structured as follows…
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Camper arrival and socializing with fellow campers and counselors
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
All camp huddle at the Energy Stage
Campers may experience songs, stories, group games or a STEM demonstration.
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Group community building in camp rooms.
Counselors will engage and build community among campers through stories, songs, team building games or activities.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Learning and Exploration
This may include stories, demonstrations, videos, hands-on investigation of materials, experiments, play or art experiences. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, campers will spend time learning and exploring in museum galleries.
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Outdoor play, weather permitting
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Lunch
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Quiet/Relaxing Activities
Campers will be offered the opportunity to take a brief rest after lunch by engaging in quieter experiences which may include a read aloud, book browsing, listening to quiet music, yoga, drawing, or mindfulness activities.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
More Learning and Exploration Activities
Campers may continue with morning activities or counselors may offer new activities to excite and engage campers in the afternoon.
3:00 PM
Camper pickup or transition to aftercareities
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Aftercare (Campers must be pre-registered to attend aftercare.)
Aftercare will be a choice time. Each day, staff will offer a variety of toys, games, puzzles, and art activities. Campers will be able to choose what they would like to do under the careful supervision of camp staff. Campers may also choose to bring and eat an afternoon snack during this time.
