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

Every Session Includes:

• 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)

Activities: Students engage in a variety of hands-on activities that ultimately prepare them to design and build their own projects over the course of the week. Students will have a set of tools and materials available that they can use in their projects and inventions. The students will participate in games, work on group problem-solving challenges, learn about electricity and circuits, take part in hands-on safety training with the tools in the makerspace, engage in activities to inspire creativity, and put together daily take-home science-based magic tricks. Students will work with camp staff to create their own original creations utilizing the Bakken Museum's invention process: Think It, Make It, Improve It, Show It.

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

Camp Duration: Camp is restricted to one week per camper so we may share this experience with as many students as possible. We are committed to keeping camp accessible to as many students as possible and are restricting participation for any one camper to one session per summer.

Curriculum: 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.

Meals: 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.

Staff: 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.

Scholarships: The Bakken Museum is committed to making youth programs accessible to all individuals regardless of their financial situation. 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. 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.

Discounts: 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. Household and Supporting members receive a 10% discount on registration.

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

Safety and Supervision: 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.

Inclusion: The Bakken Museum seeks to be an inclusive and supportive environment for all learners. Our "Girls" camps are open to trans girls, cis girls, non-binary young people, and/or any gender expansive young people.

Project Showcase: There is a project showcase at the end of the week.

STTEM Camp (Science, Technology, Tennis, Engineering, and Math): This combined summer camp is offered in partnership with St. Paul Urban Tennis (SPUT) at the Eastview Recreation Center in St. Paul. Students ages eight through 13 will play tennis and design, build, and showcase their very own inventions. The STTEM camp is free for all participants and SPUT has given priority to youth from underrepresented and historically excluded communities within the STEM field. Throughout the week, campers will practice creative thinking and problem-solving skills, make magic tricks, and play games while exploring science, technology, and engineering concepts in a fun, engaging environment. Youth will also participate in two separate sessions of tennis throughout the day. The STTEM camp is sponsored in part by The Bakken Museum board of directors member Georgine Busch.

Bakken Summer Camp in St. Paul (at Bethel University): We're bringing our summer camp to Bethel University! Join us for the same hands-on innovation exploration as our on-site program. Students will plan, build, improve, and show off a project of their design with support from museum educators and camp counselors.

Pricing for 2025 Summer Camp (subject to change for 2026):

• Young Maker's 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)

Drop-off and Pick-up: Before camp, we will send you an email with logistical details, like drop-off time and location. We will also confirm student details like emergency contact information. Included in that email will be a link to review our safety, participation, and media waivers. 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. Half-day camp volunteer shifts are 8:45am-12:15pm and 12:45-4:15pm.

Camp Differences:

• Young Makers Camp: Designed for innovators who will be entering 2nd or 3rd grade in the fall. This is a half-day camp that has a morning session from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and a separate afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Activities, materials, and tools are tailored specific to this age group.
• Camp Innovation (7th, 8th, and 9th Graders): Projects and challenge solutions from this session tend to be more advanced and/or complex. These camps are mostly intended to give our older campers a chance to work among their peers.