Des Moines is a major city in Iowa known for its technology and business sector. Tech giants like Microsoft and Facebook have large data centers in this lively city, and there are many opportunities for children to study STEM topics.
Summer camps throughout Des Moines offer interactive programs to capture your child’s attention. These STEM programs introduce students to technology concepts from an early age and show them how fun science and tech can be.
Whether based on the nature sciences or focused on engineering and coding, Des Moines has opportunities for every future scientist or techie.
1. Steve & Kate’s Camp
Steve & Kate’s Camp in Des Moines offers kids the freedom to choose summer camp activities that inspire them. Your child can dive into one or two STEM topics each day or try out many projects for shorter periods of time.
Steve & Kate’s approach to gamifying coding makes the activity even more fun to learn. Kids can opt for guided or self-directed programs in Robotics, Stop-Motion Animation, or Tinker Lab exercises.
Summer camp is open from mid-June to mid-August at Bergman Academy in Des Moines every weekday from 8 am to 6 pm. You can reserve daily, weekly, and full-summer passes for your children or simply drop them off any day without advance registration.
Entertaining physical activities such as sports, water play, and drama are available every day. Nutritious, tasty meals and snacks are also included with your camp fees.
2. DMACC
DMACC, the Des Moines Area Community College, hosts numerous Summer Kids College Youth Tech Camps focused on the world of computers. These fun, interactive sessions are held on the DMACC West Campus in 4-day blocks. Children ages 6-17 can join the morning or afternoon camps.
Younger kids can enjoy programs like Gamers Paradise for mobile game development and Young Engineers sessions to build interactive creations. Older students go deeper into video game and app design. There is also a 4-day AI Discovery camp for high school students. Several classes like Robotics-Battle Bots, Roblox Programming, and Movie Making are open to all ages.
DMACC also offers a virtual summer camp, so kids at home or from any other place don’t miss out on fun topics like virtual reality, eSports, and coding.
3. Science Center of Iowa
The Science Center of Iowa (SCIOWA) offers Schools Out SCI Day Camps for students whenever Des Moines schools are out of session. The one-day camps during school breaks are for Kindergarten to 6th graders who want to make new friends and explore the fascinating world of science.
These engaging camps and interactive exhibits prompt curiosity and exploration into the mysteries of science. Popular topics include physics and motion, fossils and dinosaurs, creative 3D innovation, and planetarium space exhibits.
A camp day of STEM activities, lessons, and free-play recess times generally lasts from 9 am to 4 pm. Snacks are provided, and you just need to send your kids with cozy clothes, lunch, and a water bottle.
Classes for preschool children 3-5 years old and workshops for homeschooled kids are also available.
4. Tiger Lily Stem
Tiger Lily STEM in Des Moines offers educational activity camps for students. The weekday summer camps occur at elementary schools in Ankeny, Waukee, Urbandale, and Johnston. Students between grades K-9 from all districts can attend camps at any location.
Exciting topics for younger children include exploring the light spectrum, making seasonal crafts, studying solar energy, and mastering building challenges. Astronomy camps include programming a lunar robot, spacecraft design, and geology.
Older students can have a blast designing virtual reality worlds, coding games, and exploring graphics. These hands-on, half-day classes run from 9 am-12 pm or 1-4 pm in blocks during the week. Tiger Lily also provides science and math tutoring during the school year.
5. Tech Journey
Tech Journey is a non-profit whose mission is to introduce STEM career options to underrepresented local youths.
Each summer, a small group of 8th-9th grade students are selected to join a returning cohort to study STEM. Tech Journey packs the 4-day program with study sessions covering software and hardware, web development, media, and physical computing.
Hands-on sessions feature cloud computing, game development, cybersecurity, robotics, Python, and HTML/CSS, among other topics. Students receive educational advice from dedicated teachers and Des Moines professionals who volunteer as mentors.
Each Tech Camp member is invited to return for the next 4-5 years to continue their journey. The classes take place at Franklin Jr. High School in Des Moines. The camp provides each child with a computer and other needed tech equipment for use at the camp.
6. Camp Brainiac
Camp Brainiac was created by two licensed Des Moines teachers who wanted to keep students in grades K-5 engaged over the summer. Weekly themed camps take place at Ankeny and Waukee locations during June and July in morning, afternoon, or full-day sessions.
The focus is on experiential learning, which allows children to question, create, play, and challenge themselves. A typical day might include individual and group activities like science experiments, building gadgets, or escape room challenges. Children have time to play indoor and outdoor games with friends during scheduled free time.
Campers should come ready to gain knowledge and have fun! Parents just need to pack a lunch for their kiddos. Camp Brainiac also features a 2-day, 2-hour Kinder Prep Camp in August.
7. Des Moines County Camps
Des Moines County Environmental Camps are for children between 3 and 15 years old, grouped according to age. The fun camps teach kids about conservation and how to explore the wonders of nature.
The summer morning, afternoon, and evening camps meet at Starr’s Cave Nature Center (SCNC). Children under five attend camp with a parent or guardian and have fun on daytime nature walks, making crafts, and playing games. Students between 5-13 years enjoy creek stomping, critter catching, hiking, and cave exploring. An evening camp is also available for learning about nocturnal animals, observing fireflies, hiking, and playing games.
A 3-day overnight canoeing camp on the Skunk River is available for 12 to 15-year-old students. During this energizing trip, campers develop outdoor skills like rowing techniques and safety, tent set-up, and camp break-down.
8. Des Moines Y Camp
Des Moines Y Camp has 100 years of experience providing stellar camping adventures for families. They offer three-night and one-week overnight and day camps for students between 9 and 17 years, family camps, and Leadership Programs.
All camps at Scenic Valley Camp in Boone encourage independence, caring, and responsibility within a group of peers. Campers expand their capabilities, learn to move with others and develop physical skills. Overnight campers stay in cabins with their age group, making new friendships during the day and enjoying special evening programs under the stars.
All campers can try daily fun activities such as horseback riding, canoeing, sports, archery, zip-lining, and making crafts. Des Moines Y Camps are accessible to all income groups with financial aid available.
9. Blank Park Zoo
Blank Park Zoo offers year-round school break Safari Camps for kids between ages 4-12. The full-day camps take place at the Zoo on SW 9th Street in Des Moines.
Children can have a ton of fun with hands-on games, lessons, animal encounters, exploring the zoo, and creating art. Each day brings new and exciting ways to learn about animal life and nature.
Your child can get in on the action at the Spring Safari during Spring Break and the Summer Safari during the long school break. School’s Out Safari is offered during teacher holidays and other one-day holidays for Des Moines metro students during the school year. Winter Safari takes place during school winter breaks in line with specific vacation dates.
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