Expert teachers, small groups, hands-on, and in person! 
Keep learning and interacting with teachers and peers.

​We are offering full-day, 1-week summer camps. Each camp week consists of our award-winning STEM camps and is a different theme or focus. Each day consists of a fun, well-rounded day of activities including:

• ​Two hands-on science or engineering labs based on that week’s focus
• Daily outdoor time in the form of nature hikes or outdoor play
• Daily book and game club
• Lunch and a 30-min science or engineering film (e.g. TED talk, documentary)

Camp times (Monday - Friday)

• Regular camp day is from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm 
• Before Care available from 8 - 8:30 am for Morning Explorers ($40 per week)
• Aftercare available from 3:30 - 6:00 pm ($150 per week)​

Location: Ideaventions Academy, 12340 Pinecrest Road, #100, Reston, Virginia 20191
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Notes

• If a camp week is full, please email [email protected] with the name and grade of your child this fall to be added to the waiting list. 
• Individual pre-packaged lunches may be ordered through Schoolhouse Grill for individual days. We will provide the link for ordering with the welcome email the week before the start of each camp week. The cost for lunches is not included in the camp cost. ​​​​

Register

Best Day Camp - Virginia
​Best STEM Camp

Best STEM Camp

Sample Schedule
​Each day consists of two science or engineering labs, a book club, a STEM or computing lab, and outdoor time. 

If your plans change and you need to register for extended care after the initial camp registration, please do so here:

Register for Extended Care

Descriptions

Dates	Name	Description	Cost	Registration
6/16 - 6/20* ​no camp on 6/19	Woodworking Workshop	​Enjoy making creations with wood in this weeklong woodworking workshop experience. We will learn about the properties of different types of wood and how to shape and join wood to make useful creations. We will learn to use tools such as a bandsaw, planer, joiner, measuring/marking tools, and belt/handheld sanders. We'll start with making cutting boards made from different types of wood, then move to working on creating a chessboard, small boxes, and/or hand-carved wooden spoons. We experiment with a laser engraver to add personalized graphics onto our creations. Student woodworkers will take home their cutting board or wooden box project.	$475	Register ​2 spots remain
6/23 - 6/27	The Science of Special Effects	​​Explore how movie special effects are made using science, then create and record your own film using some of the special effects you've learned. In this hands-on lab and film studio environment, you will be introduced to the field of chemistry, as well as some physics. Investigate the fundamental properties of matter, as well as elements and compounds. Next, through experiments and lab activities, we'll examine the properties of different compounds such as polymers, metals, and organic molecules. Finally, design your special effects and film a short video clip incorporating them based on chemistry and physics principles.	$550	FULL Please email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist
​6/30 - 7/3* ​no camp on 7/4	Projectiles!	Based on William Gurstelle’s book Backyard Ballistics, and with a strong emphasis on safety, we engineer mechanisms to launch projectiles. Additionally, we will delve into the “physics of the projects, with profiles of the scientists and extraordinary experimenters such as Michael Faraday, Alfred Nobel, Henrik Lorenz, and Isaac Newton.” Sample projects include paper match rockets, potato cannons, and the Pnewton's Petard	$475	Register 3 spots remain
7/14 - 7/18	Genetics Makerspace: Gene Editing and CRISPR	Campers will start by learning about the central dogma, which underlies the connection between genes and traits. Next, we will harness modern biotechnology techniques to insert a small circle of DNA called a plasmid into bacteria. This will allow us to "hack" the bacteria so that they would start making a protein of our choosing (a dye). Finally, we will move on to more fine-tuned technique called CRISPR, which allows us to edit the bacteria's own DNA instead of needing to add something new.	$650	FULL Please email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist
​7/21 - 7/25	Battlebots: Combat Robotics	Your life won't be the same once you've built and battled robots! Learn how to build a combat robot from scratch, then battle it in our custom arena. In our workshop, you will build Ant Weight Class (1 lb) robots to battle. Come up with your strategy, design it, and then build it. Will you design a bot with a weapon, or will you choose to make a more defensive-minded "wedge" bot? ​ Note, there is a $135 supply fee for the materials to build their bot and students can take home their bot. Bots may be heavily damaged or destroyed during battles. A battery and controller will be provided for battles during camp. However, students would need to supply or purchase a rechargeable battery (~$35), a charger, and remote control (cost varies based on quality; $75-$300) to use at home.	$685 (includes $135 supply fee)	FULL Please email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist
7/28 - 8/1	Exploration in AI and Python	Artificial Intelligence, particularly neural networks, have advanced through new techniques, computing power, and data availability. How can an AI make sense of the visual world? How can we build an AI from scratch? In this hands-on class, we will build, train, and test neural networks on computer vision tasks --- the ability to use AI to identify objects or understand visual information. In the first part, we will learn about how neural networks work and important neural network advances in the last 30 years. Using Python and online notebooks (Colab, Kaggle), we code neural networks and train them on various datasets such as identifying flowers, vehicles, or animals. Experiment with various architectures, evaluate networks, and learn conceptually how key parameters such as depth and learning rate affect neural networks. Prerequisites: You should be comfortable typing and be able to type 30 words per minute. You should be familiar with at least one typed programming language: Python, Javascript, C, Java, or similar. It is OK if you are not familiar with Python. Your experience could have been through an online course or camp in the past.	$550	Register 4 spots remain
8/4 - 8/8	Drones: Remotely Operated Vehicles (Fixed Wing)	Join us for a week in our Drone Lab where you’ll learn how to build and remotely fly a fixed-wing drone. Integrating the fields of aeronautical engineering, physics and electronics, build a remote-controlled stunt plane based on the Flite Test Simple Cub design (or similar airframe). Construct the airframe, install the electronics, motor and propeller, train on flight simulators, and conduct human-controlled test flights with our finished planes. As part of the experience, we’ll research the science and engineering behind drone flight and their use, as well as learn about current regulations and ethical issues surrounding drones. In this hands-on lab experience, we’ll learn and practice electronics skills, such as reading schematics, building circuits, assembling electronics, and soldering. Students will also gain proficiency using tools such as X-acto knives, measuring tools, and hot glue guns to construct their planes. During the final two days, we'll take our planes out to a local field and test fly them, and then making modifications and repairs. Option to Take Home: Our lab group of 10 students will be building 5 drones, working in pairs. For an extra fee ($150), students may take home their finished planes, which includes an R/C receiver, electronic speed controller, brushless motor, propeller, servos and rechargeable battery. An R/C transmitter (controller - cost varies based on quality; $75-$300) and battery charger will need to be purchased separately, if the student does not already own these items. Please select the option to purchase the drone when you register. Drones may (will?) crash or be lost in trees (we'll do our best to train on R/C simulators to avoid these outcomes).	$700 (includes $150 supply fee)	FULL Please email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist
​8/11 - 8/15	​Naturalist & Engineering Survival Skills	Learn about the natural world and what it takes to survive in the wilderness. Through outdoor hikes and labs, grow your naturalist skills such as identifying plants and tracking animals, as well as survival skills such as starting and building a fire, engineering a survival shelter, and discover new ways to use the resources around you to help you survive. We will travel by van to Lake Fairfax to practice our fire lighting skills.	$550	Cancelled due to low enrollment

FAQs ​
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What happens if my child needs to be quarantined for the camp session? If your child needs to quarantine and is not able to attend camp for an extended period of time (the full week), please provide a doctor's note, and we will refund the prorated amount based on the time attended/missed. Due to the very hands-on nature of the program, we won't be able to have a concurrent virtual access to camp. Note: we will not be able to refund tuition for non-COVID illness, vacation, or other events. Of course, if there is a serious family issue, please call and speak with Mr. Ryan (co-founder). 

Withdrawals and Refunds:
If you need to withdraw from a course, please send an email to [email protected] requesting the withdrawal. We will not process withdrawals from voicemails. Refunds minus the $100 non-refundable fee can be processed prior to June 1. After June 1, refunds minus the $100 non-refundable fee can be processed if we are able to fill the spot in the course. We appreciate your understanding, as this is a small program, and we make commitments to our faculty for their summer. 

Confirmations:
We will email you the Wednesday before the first day of camp with details for the following week. We do not require a Virginia Medical form filled out by your doctor.

Invoicing: 
If you selected to pay the deposit, we will invoice you on April 1 via email.