Young Science Young Science

S.T.E.A.M. Camps

Hands on Art

Weeks 3, 5 & 7

Entering grades K-2: AM

Entering grades 2-5: PM

Engage your imagination and natural creativity! Campers-turned-artists work with a variety of materials such as paint, clay, sand, pastels and natural materials from the surrounding environment to create and develop fun projects, acquire new skills and express personal style. This is the camp where creativity thrives!

Young Scientists

Weeks 2, 4 & 6

Entering grades K-2: AM

Entering grades 2-5: PM

Gain a better understanding of how basic scientific properties affect the world around us! Fun discoveries and hands-on learning are in store as we mix Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math into this creative and exploratory camp. Kids work both individually and as teams to tackle complex challenges with science, engineering and design. 

Chess

Weeks 2 & 8

Entering grades 1-2: PM

Entering grades 3-5: AM

Develop critical thinking skills, improve academic performance, and build sportsmanship, self-confidence and discipline. Experience a fun mix of formal instruction, practical exercises, and playing opportunities. Beginners learn the basic moves and strategies of the game. Intermediate and advanced players take their games to the next level by learning more complex strategies, practicing tactics, and preparing for and participating in chess tournaments.

The curriculum and instruction for the following camps are provided by the Montclair Learning Center:

Kitchen Chemistry

Week 1
Entering grades 1-2: 12:30-4:30pm
Entering grades 3-5: 8:30am-12:30pm

Understand the chemistry behind food and cooking through hands-on and fun experiments using kitchen ingredients. Create amazing chemical reactions while learning about the science behind it.

Coding

Week 3
Entering grades 3-5: 8:30am-12:30pm

Learn the fundamentals of computer programming at your own pace with MIT’s Scratch, a beginner-friendly software designed for kids. Using colored drag-and-drop command blocks, create animations, music, and games as you build a strong foundation in coding.

Jurassic Land

Week 3
Entering grades 1-2: 12:30-4:30pm

Journey back to the dinosaur age and discover different species, discovering their habitats and diets, and explore how earth has changed to understand their extinction. Become a paleontologist as you dig for fossils and identify bones, then build your own dinosaur out of everyday materials.

Weather Science

Week 4
Entering grades 1-2: 12:30-4:30pm
Entering grades 3-5: 8:30am-12:30pm

Discover the science of weather through hands-on projects and experiments. Build instruments like rain gauges and anemometers, explore phenomena such as snowstorms and tornados, and learn the water cycle. Record and graph data, act as weather observers, and use tools to analyze patterns in the atmosphere.

Environmental Engineering

Week 5
Entering grades 1-2: 12:30-4:30pm
Entering grades 3-5: 8:30am-12:30pm

Learn about renewable energy through engaging hands-on projects. Using the engineering design process, create and build innovative machines powered by the sun, wind, or water, and tackle real-world challenges like cleaning up oil spills with creative solutions.

Spa Science

Week 6
Entering grades 1-2: 12:30-4:30pm

Create spa products while uncovering the science behind them. Through hands-on experiments, combine creativity with chemistry to craft items such as bath bombs, sugary scrubs, aromatic bath salts, soaps, and more.

Roller Coaster Engineering

Week 7
Entering grades 3-5: 8:30am-12:30pm

Future roller coaster engineers will apply the basics of physics (Newton’s laws, force, energy, gravity, speed, and friction) while applying the engineering design process to create and test their own roller coaster using everyday materials.

Transportation Engineering

Week 7
Entering grades 1-2: 12:30-4:30pm

Explore the world of transportation through STEM and principles of aerodynamics, discovering how cars, trains, and aircrafts work. Though experimental learning and hands-on activities, gain insight into the science behind modern transportation. 

Electrical Engineering

Week 9
Entering grades 1-2: 12:30-4:30pm
Entering grades 3-5: 8:30am-12:30pm

Discover the basics of electronics by building circuits that power lights and alarms. Explore conductors, make instruments from everyday items, and conduct hands-on experiments with different educational kits like Snap Circuits, Makey Make, and littleBits.

Questions? Contact:

Amanda McCaskill

Director of Camp & Mountainside SACC

Phone: 908-301-9622 ext. 265

Marty Collett

Senior Director of Child Care Services, Camps & Teens

Phone: 908-301-9622 ext. 223

Tarajee Russell

Assistant Director of Camp and School Age Childcare

Phone: 908-301-9622 ext. 271