Camp · STEM · Ages 5–12
Directory · United States · Illinois · Chicago
▌ STEM · Ages 5–12

Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark

Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies · ★ 4.8 (4 reviews)

Camp Invention: Spark at Helen C. Peirce School offers a STEM-focused day camp experience for children in grades K-6, emphasizing hands-on innovation and pro...

▌ Editor's read The provided URL loads to a specific Camp Invention program hosted at Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies in Chicago, Illinois. This is a day camp for children in grades K-6, running from July 8-12, 2024. The Camp Invention website states that all program teams are led by certified local educators and that all staff and volunteers undergo background checks. The program is designed by the National Inventors Hall of Fame, which has been operating for over 30 years. Google reviews for 'Camp Invention' generally show a positive sentiment, with an average rating of 4.7 stars from over 1,000 reviews, praising the engaging activities and educational value. Specific accreditation for this individual school-hosted program is not listed, but the overall Camp Invention program is a well-established national initiative.
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Who thrives here Ages 5–12

Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark fits middle-elementary campers — old enough for skill-building to land, young enough that friend-group dynamics and counselor warmth still matter more than program rigor. Parents at this age band tend to prioritize a balanced rhythm of structured activity and unstructured play, which is the actual differentiator inside any given stem program.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Day camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
Not listed
Operator
School program
Staff-to-camper ratio
1:8

How we verify these →

Money & Policies

Financial aid
Available · Need-based Apply →

Financial aid is available through a scholarship program, awarded based on financial need on a first-come, first-served basis.

Session lengths
5-day (full week)
What campers take home
Campers create various items like a sleuthing gadget, a floating billboard boat, a DIY rocket, and a wearable cryptography device.

Details

  • Category: STEM
  • Ages: 5–12
  • Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Address: 1423 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL 60660
  • Cost notes: Pricing starts at $285 or ~$9/hour. Payment plans are available. See local camp for exact pricing.

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: Yes
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark

What ages does Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark accept?
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark is open to children ages 5–12. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark cost?
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. Pricing starts at $285 or ~$9/hour. Payment plans are available. See local camp for exact pricing. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
What are Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark's hours?
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark runs 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
What is Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark's staff-to-camper ratio?
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark publishes a 1:8 staff-to-camper ratio. ACA recommends roughly 1:6 for ages 4-5, 1:8 for 6-8, 1:10 for 9-14, and 1:12 for 15-18 in day camps; tighter ratios than recommended usually signal more attentive supervision but can also reflect smaller program scale.
Who runs Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark?
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark is operated by a school program. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark provide lunch?
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
Does Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark offer financial aid?
Yes — Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark offers financial aid or scholarships. Most camp aid is need-based, application-based, and awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, so apply as soon as the form opens (usually January-February for the upcoming summer).
How does Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark compare to other stem camps in Chicago?
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies - Camp Invention: Spark is one of 13 stem camps in Chicago that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

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