Overview

Campers design, build, and show their inventions during summer camp at The Bakken Museum. In addition, campers will practice creative thinking skills, learn magic tricks, play games, and explore science, math, technology, and engineering in a fun, engaging environment.

Additional Information

Young Makers Camp (Grades 2-3) Five-day camp: $240, $216 for Household and Supporting Members

Camp Innovation (Grades 4-9) Five-day camp: $470, $423 for Household & Supporting Members Four-day camp: $380, $342 for Household & Supporting Members

Scholarships are funded by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education Summer Academic Enrichment Program and donations from generous supporters. Two levels of scholarship are available based on income, and space is reserved in each summer camp session for scholarship applicants.

Students learn to responsibly use tools and technology. Students spend time outdoors on our grounds at the adjacent park. Bakken educators, camp counselors, and volunteers provide guidance and room for failure. Students learn to share their challenges and celebrate successes. Campers go home with a project of their own design. Students benefit from a low student-to-staff ratio (4:1).

Campers should bring their own lunch and water bottle. Lunches and drinks will be set aside in the morning until lunchtime. There is no microwave or refrigerator available for camper use. All lunches will be conducted outdoors, except under extreme weather conditions. This will usually happen at our picnic tables or in the grass under a tree.

Weather permitting, we have three outdoor breaks on any full day. We step outside for a morning snack break (15 mins), eat lunch outside (30 min) and have an after-lunch outdoor break (45 min), and take another brief outdoor break (15 mins) in the afternoon to get some fresh air. A half-day camp will also have an outdoor break halfway through their day.

When students are working in the makerspace, they will need to have closed-toed shoes. There are many heavy, sharp, and hot things in the makerspace, and we like our students to leave with as many toes as they started with.

Our experienced educators lead camps. Our education staff is supported by high school and college-aged counselors who have a passion for STEM and experience working with children.

All members of The Bakken Museum receive early access to the museum's summer camps. Members at the household, senior household, and supporting levels also receive a 10% discount on registration to all camps and classes throughout the year.

General registration for 2026 summer camp will be announced soon. Summer camps sell out quickly. Waitlists will be made available as sessions become full.

Our "Girls" camps are open to trans girls, cis girls, non-binary young people, and/or any gender expansive young people.

Each year we come up with new challenges and tricks for our students to try. The inventions are up to the students, so they are free to come up with something entirely new and original.

Students will keep and take home their daily science tricks and their final projects at the end of the week.

Camp Innovation officially starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. We will open the doors at 8:45 and greet arriving campers on their way in. Pick up will be available from 3:50 to 4:10 to allow for any campers who might finish the take-home activity early. Young Makers Camp will similarly open the doors 15 minutes before camp starts and have a drop off window 10 minutes before and after the half-day ends.

Our all-girls camp features the same activities and challenges as the other camps, with the only difference being the composition of the class. All-girls camps are intended to present girls with the opportunity to explore activities and environments that too often appear reserved for boys. By providing a camp for girls exclusively, we hope to provide a safe, comfortable environment that empowers young women to pursue science and innovation in their lives.

We use real tools and materials in our programs, and with that comes some inherent risk. This is especially true when students are working with sharp, hot, or heavy tools. We believe that learning from mistakes is an important part of growth. Our staff will provide supervision and guidance to minimize risks and ensure a safe environment. Our team is trained in safety protocols, including basic first aid, and will act swiftly if any incidents occur.

There are also two types of need-based scholarships available. Scholarships for 85% of the program cost are available to families receiving public assistance. Scholarships for 50% of the program cost are available to other families needing assistance with a qualifying income.

The Bakken Museum will provide a small, individual serving of snacks in the morning. This usually consists of something like pretzels or goldfish crackers, and we do our best to avoid common allergens. Students are welcome to bring their own snacks if they want more to eat or do not want the snack provided. Campers are also encouraged to bring their own water bottle to prevent frequent trips to the drinking fountain.

STTEM Camp (ages 8-13) This camp is free for all participants and SPUT has given priority to youth from underrepresented and historically excluded communities within the STEM field.

The STTEM camp is sponsored in part by The Bakken Museum board of directors member Georgine Busch.

3D Printing for the Robotically Inclined (Ages 9-13, grades 4-8) When: Tuesday, December 30th - Wednesday, December 31st Time: 12:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. Price: $270 ($243 for household members) This camp has sold out. Please check back soon for future opportunities.

Inventors Club (Grades 4-9) Saturdays, April 15-May 20

LEGO Robotics (Grades 3-6) Saturdays, April 29-May 20

Inventors Club (Grades 6-9) Starts this Saturday, February 10 (six-week workshop)

Spring Break Camp (Grades 4-8)

Young Makers Camp (Grades 2-3)