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

Dryden Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark

Dryden Elementary School · ★ 3.5 (12 reviews)

Camp Invention: Spark at Dryden Elementary School offers an engaging STEM day camp experience for K-6th graders, focusing on hands-on innovation and problem-...

▌ Editor's read The provided URL loads to a specific Camp Invention program hosted at Dryden Elementary School in Arlington Heights, IL. Camp Invention is a national program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, offering STEM-focused day camps for grades K-6. The website states that all program instructors are local educators and that all staff undergo background checks. The program is not ACA accredited, which is common for school-based day camps. Google reviews for 'Camp Invention' generally show high satisfaction, with an average rating of 4.8 stars from over 1,000 reviews, praising the engaging activities and educational value. The program is a day camp, and the owner type is a school hosting a national program. Social media handles for the overarching Camp Invention program are @campinvention on Instagram and 'campinvention' on Facebook.
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Who thrives here Ages 5–12

Dryden Elementary School - 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 →

Financial aid is available in the form of need-based scholarships. A scholarship request form must be completed.

FSA eligible
Not FSA eligible
Session lengths
5-day (full week)
What campers take home
Campers will build a DIY rocket, hatch a mysterious animal egg, and construct a wearable cryptography device.

Details

  • Category: STEM
  • Ages: 5–12
  • Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Address: 722 South Dryden Place, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
  • 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 Dryden Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark

What ages does Dryden Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark accept?
Dryden Elementary School - 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 Dryden Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark cost?
Dryden Elementary School - 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 Dryden Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark's hours?
Dryden Elementary School - 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 Dryden Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark?
Dryden Elementary School - 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 Dryden Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark provide lunch?
Dryden Elementary School - 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 Dryden Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark offer financial aid?
Yes — Dryden Elementary School - 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 Dryden Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark with other camps.