A twist on Discovery Day Camp, we will focus in on STEM based activities for your curious kids, while still doing traditional camp activities such as rock climbing, archery, outdoor skills, and more! During the day, participants will be in divided into small groups by grade level. This allows us to provide age appropriate activities for all of our campers.
2024 Curriculum
Program Highlights
- STEM Activities
- Crafts
- Tie Dye
- Outdoor Skills
- Archery
- Rock Climbing
SCHEDULE
- 9:00 am Camper Drop Off
- 9:15 am - 11:30 am Morning Activities
- 11:30 - 12:00 pm Lunch (bring your own lunch)
- 12:00 - 3:15 pm Afternoon Activities
- 2:00 pm Snack/Rest Time
- 2:15 pm - Afternoon Activities Continued
- 4:00 pm - Camper Pickup
Location: Base Camp (Leadership Center); 6202 Bloomington Rd, Fort Snelling, MN
Camp Invention Parent Guide
WHO CAN ATTEND?
Camp Invention is open to all youth (boys and girls) entering Kindergarten through 5th grade.
DO PARENTS HAVE TO ATTEND?
Camp Invention is a drop-off programs run by qualified and trained staff. Our staff ratios meet our supervision requirements. Parents are not part of the Day Camp programs.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The fee to participate in this program is $295, of which $50 is the program deposit. This includes all program supplies, staffing, activities, and any other fees associated with the full-week program.
IS THERE FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?
Yes! We think that every camper should have an opportunity to attend Summer Camp and we do not want cost to hold anyone back from this experience. If you are in need, please complete the form linked in the "Related Articles" section on the right-hand side (or below on mobile devices) to receive up to 50% of the youth cost covered.
WHEN IS CAMP?
Sessions will be offered starting mid June and running until the end of August. See the Register tab for dates and locations!
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
We recommend that each youth participant brings a back pack each day with the following items:
- Sun screen
- Bug spray
- Hat or sunglasses
- Snack
- Any medications that they might need (tell staff about these at check in)
- Rain jacket
- Bag lunch
Every day, participants should have closed toed shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather. They will be spending a majority of the day outdoors so it is important that they are dressed properly.
WHAT FORMS DO I NEED TO BRING?
Each participant must have:
- Signed parts A and B of the Health Form
- A signed Participant Day Camp Waiver
- Additionally, each participant who would like to participate in shooting sports activities must have a completed Shooting Sports Waiver.
These forms can be found under the "Related Articles" header to the right (below on mobile devices).
Forms will be turned into the staff at check in on Monday morning. If you do not have them completed, you will be asked to fill them out once you arrive.
If you are attending multiple sessions of Camp Invention or Discovery Day Camp, you may use the same forms each time.
FOOD SERVICE
Please bring a bag lunch each day.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT CHECK IN
On the first day (Monday) please be prepared to turn in a completed Health Form, Particpant Day Camp Waiver, and Shooting Sports Waiver. Make sure you have an emergency contact listed on the Health Form and if anyone else plans to drop off or pick up your child during the week, their names and phone numbers need to be listed as authorized persons.
If your child needs to take any medications during the day please inform the staff.
Groups
In order to run our camp as effectively as possible, we split up all youth in the session into smaller groups. This allows us to maintain better youth-staff ratios and ensures everyone is always able to stay busy - they never need to wait their turn for an activity.
If you want your kid to be in a group with another kid, you can submit up to two names and we'll do our best to keep everyone together. When registering, please enter the full name (first and last) of anyone else attending that session that you want your kid to be in a group with.
IS THERE EARLY DROP OFF / LATE PICK UP OPTIONS?
All locations offer early and late drop off. See the parent guide for more details.
FIRST AID & ONSITE MEDICAL STAFF
Each camp property has at least 50% of their staff trained in First Aid and CPR. In addition to that, they have a designated staff member to respond to any injuries or other medical situations that might happen while at camp. If something happens that will require a trip to a clinic or hospital, emergency contacts will be called immediately.
What is the Payment Timeline?
Full payment is required at the time of registration.
Cancellation Policy
All events hosted by the Northern Star Camping Department utilize the same cancellation policy:
Requests for refunds/cancellations need to be made in writing (preferably via email). The amount refunded is determined by when we are notified. If we are notified:
- 30 or more days prior to the start date of your session: all fees paid besides the deposit will be refunded to you or your unit (dependent upon the program you are cancelled for).
- 29 to 8 days prior to the start date of your session: all fees paid besides the deposit will be refunded to you or your unit as a credit that can used for any program operated by the Northern Star Camping Department.
- This credit can be applied to any future registration(s) that have a balance due.
- This credit will be available for 365 days from the date of the cancellation.
- Some examples of programs this credit could be used at include: Cub Summer Camp, Scouts BSA Summer Camp, Fall Day Camp, Polar Cubs, North Wind, Snow Base.
- This credit currently cannot be applied to facility reservations or events held by other parts of Northern Star, such as the Klondike Derby or Wood Badge.
- 7 or less days prior to the start date of your session: all fees paid will be forfeited.
Exceptions will be made at the discretion of the camp director for family or medical emergencies.