Discovery STEM Camp is a week long program (5 days) that is open to all youth entering 2nd-5th grade in fall. Each day will be filled with activities such as swimming, hiking, climbing, archery, outdoor skills, crafts, and more, all viewed through the scientific method! All activities will be age appropriate and guided by our well trained and enthusiastic staff. Seven sessions are available in 2025 at Base Camp (Fort Snelling, MN).
Campers will be split into groups as youth entering 2nd – 3rd grade and youth entering 4th – 5th grade.
Registration opens January 13th
Some Activities You'll Do
GAGA BALL
Enter the Octagon with your friends and try and be the last to survive the round!
CRAFTS
Crafty things to do at our camps
STEM
STEM activities can be anything that gets you thinking scientifically about a project.
NATURE
Explore the outdoor areas you live in.
FIRE BUILDING
Start and stop a fire the right way.
ARCHERY
Take up a bow and fire a few arrows toward the bullseye
CLIMBING
We have climbing structures at four locations, providing physical and mental challenges to campers of all ages
WHO CAN ATTEND?
Discovery STEM Camp is open to all youth entering 2nd - 5th grade in the fall. All youth must have a minimum of 2nd grade reading and writing level to participate in this program.
DO PARENTS HAVE TO ATTEND?
Discovery STEM Camp is a drop-off program 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?
2025 fees:
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:
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:
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 Discovery Camps, you may use the same Health Form each time (given back at the end of each session).
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 and Participant Day Camp 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. Youth will not be allowed to move into groups outside their age bracket for Discovery STEM Camp.
IS THERE EARLY DROP OFF / LATE PICK UP OPTIONS?
All locations offer early and late drop off for an additional fee per camper per week.
To participate in early drop off and late pickup you must register your camper for it ahead of the start of camp for an additional fee. If you have not already registered your camper and would like to, go back into your registration, and add early drop off/late pickup. Early drop off can starts at 8:00AM and will follow the same drop-off procedures as if you participated in drop-off at the usual time. Late pick up goes till 5:00PM and will follow all pick up procedures as regular pick up. Programming during these times is unstructured supervised activities such as gaga ball, coloring, legos, puzzles and more.
SWIMMING QUALIFICATIONS
Our swimming areas are supervised by staff who are certified lifeguards and trained in CPR and First Aid. Participants will be classified as beginners or swimmers and will only be allowed into areas for those classifications. Parents will be asked for input regarding their campers swimming ability.
Life jackets will be provided upon request. If may also send personal life jackets or flotation devices for your child to use if you wish.
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 Camp Northern Star program camps share the same cancellation policy, found at the page linked at the button below:
Camp Northern Star Cancellation Policy
The deposit for this program is $50 per youth.