Summer of Discovery: The Power of STEM Camps

As pools close, temperatures drop, and days shorten, it’s time to come to terms with the inevitable: summer is over. For our Challenger Learning Centers, that means shifting gears toward the school year ahead. But did you know many Centers stay just as busy during the summer?

Across the country, Centers open their doors to students for summer camps filled with discovery and adventure. From rocket launches and robotics to art projects and team missions, campers had the chance to learn, create, and discover in exciting new ways. Here’s a look at how four Centers spent their summer vacation inspiring the next generation of explorers.

A Record-Breaking Summer in Paducah, KY

Challenger Learning Center at Paducah offered an impressive 37 different camp sessions this summer, welcoming campers from kindergarten to 12th grade. Some themes included aviation, robotics, drones, the solar system, spy camp, and even space-themed cooking and art.

STEM summer camps give students hands-on opportunities to explore in ways a regular classroom can’t. The less formal-feeling setting means these camps are a great way for kids to meet new friends, try out new interests,  practice teamwork, and stay engaged and learning throughout the summer. 

“I think it’s so important for kids in our community to have enrichment opportunities that keep their minds active over the summer, and Challenger Learning Center at Paducah goes beyond that,” said Geelyn Warren, Director of Institutional Planning, Research and Effectiveness, at West Kentucky Community & Technical College. “My daughter describes their camps best: ‘You are learning so much, but you don’t even realize it until later because you are having so much fun!’”

This year, Paducah had a record-breaking 621 registrations. Camps ran with the help of 21 staff and volunteers, including 12 former campers like alumni Alexis Cryts, who attended Aviation Camp as a child and returned this summer as an aerospace engineer to inspire today’s students.

Micronauts Blast off in Wheeling, WV

Challenger Learning Center at Wheeling University hosted its Micronaut Summer Camps, where young explorers launched rockets, conducted science experiments, and created cosmic art projects. Campers went on planetary quests and STEM adventures that stretched their imaginations and taught them new things about the universe.

Micronauts is aimed at campers going into K-4, and parents heartily give their approval. One parent made a point of expressing how excited their son was to return to camp each morning, and another loved seeing how her son came out of his shell. Kids love it too, with a young camper proudly exclaiming, “I love the night light planet I made while learning about the solar system!”

The camp welcomed many young campers for three days of hands-on STEAM activities, and many left with new skills and new friends. These camps invite the littlest students to dream big, to experiment, and to explore.

Sold-Out STEM Adventures in Hammond, IN

Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana ran week-long camps for kids from kindergarten to 6th grade, along with shorter pop-up sessions throughout the summer. Topics included engineering, physics, chemistry, space, environmental science, and even the animal kingdom. Many camps integrated art, turning STEM into full STEAM experiences.

Parents praised the camps for being both fun and educational. One wrote, “This is my son’s 4th year, and he absolutely loves it! Not only has it kept his interest in STEM, but it keeps him grounded and focused on pursuing his dreams.” Another said, “My son came home excited every day, eager to share his new knowledge and tell me all about what they did. As a science teacher myself, I love hearing about the diversity of STEM activities being introduced.”

Highlights included a Bluey-themed “Parent & Me” camp that was so popular it sold out three times. The Center also completely sold out its week-long and pop-up sessions and introduced a new 3-day culinary field trip camp for middle schoolers.

Eureka Moments in Oregon, OH

Challenger Learning Center of Lake Erie West focused on hands-on, inquiry-based STEM experiences with themes like space exploration, robotics, engineering, and environmental science. Campers built, tested, and refined their ideas while working in teams — thanks in part to activity plans from their partnership with AstroCamp.

Summer camps like these are essential to prevent summer learning loss and keep students engaged in meaningful learning during out-of-school time. Most importantly, they inspire students to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, and innovators — opening doors to new passions and career pathways.

Parents praised the caring staff, interactive programming, and inclusive environment. One parent wrote, “You guys did such an amazing job with all aspects of camp… Ollie can’t wait for camp next year!” Another appreciated the Center being “neurodivergent-friendly.”

The summer was filled with “eureka moments” as students made discoveries and saw themselves as future scientists, engineers, and innovators.

2026 Summer Camps

While the 2025-2026 school year has just begun, keep checking back for details about the 2026 Challenger Learning Center summer camps. Info will be shared early next year!