Camp · STEM · Ages 5–12
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▌ STEM · Ages 5–12

Manhattan School District 114 - Camp Invention: Spark

Manhattan School District 114 · ★ 1.0 (1 review)

Manhattan School District 114 hosts Camp Invention: Spark, a week-long STEM day camp for K-6th graders focusing on hands-on innovation and problem-solving.

▌ Editor's read The provided URL loads successfully, detailing the Camp Invention: Spark program hosted by Manhattan School District 114. This is a day camp for children in grades K-6, running from June 10-14, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The program is part of the national Camp Invention initiative, which has been operating for over 30 years and is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The website mentions that all program team members are background checked and trained. While specific Google reviews for this particular district's Camp Invention were not readily available, Camp Invention as a national program generally receives positive feedback, with a 4.8-star rating from 1.3K reviews on Google. The camp focuses on hands-on STEM activities, including building a mini skate park, designing a 'Marble Arcade,' and creating a 'Robotic Glow Games' device.
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Who thrives here Ages 5–12

Manhattan School District 114 - 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
Not listed

How we verify these →

Money & Policies

Financial aid
Available · Need-based Apply →

Scholarships are available through a request form.

Sibling discount
$25 off second child

Only valid for children living in the same household.

Details →
Session lengths
5-day (full week)
What campers take home
Campers take home creations from four different projects: a robotic capybara, 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: 25440 S Gougar Rd, Manhattan, IL 60442
  • 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 Manhattan School District 114 - Camp Invention: Spark

What ages does Manhattan School District 114 - Camp Invention: Spark accept?
Manhattan School District 114 - 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 Manhattan School District 114 - Camp Invention: Spark cost?
Manhattan School District 114 - 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 Manhattan School District 114 - Camp Invention: Spark's hours?
Manhattan School District 114 - 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.
Who runs Manhattan School District 114 - Camp Invention: Spark?
Manhattan School District 114 - 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 Manhattan School District 114 - Camp Invention: Spark provide lunch?
Manhattan School District 114 - 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 Manhattan School District 114 - Camp Invention: Spark offer financial aid?
Yes — Manhattan School District 114 - 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).

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Manhattan School District 114 - Camp Invention: Spark with other camps.