Merkley Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark
Camp Invention: Spark at Merkley Elementary offers K-6th graders an engaging STEM day camp experience focused on hands-on innovation and creative problem-sol...
▌ Editor's read The provided URL leads to a specific Camp Invention program at Merkley Elementary School. Camp Invention is a well-established national program, founded in 1990, and operated by the National Inventors Hall of Fame, a non-profit organization. The main Camp Invention website (invent.org) states that all program team members undergo background checks and that they maintain a low staff-to-camper ratio of 1:8 for Pre-K/K children. While the specific Merkley Elementary page is brief, the overarching Camp Invention program provides a structured, curriculum-based STEM experience for K-6th graders, focusing on hands-on activities and innovation. The program's longevity and national reach suggest a robust operational framework.
Who thrives here Ages 5–12
Merkley 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
- 1996 (30 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Money & Policies
- Financial aid
- Available
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Payment plans and options for company reimbursement, tax savings, and state programs are available.
- FSA eligible
- Not FSA eligible
- Sibling discount
- $60 off second child
Use code SIBWEB30 to save a total of $60 on two camp registrations. For families with three or more siblings, use code SIBWEB40 for $120 or more in savings. Sibling discounts are valid only for children living in the same household. Discounts cannot be combined.
Details → - Session lengths
- 5-day (full week)
Details
- Category: STEM
- Ages: 5–12
- Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Address: 9340 5th St, Highland, IN 46322
- Cost notes: 2026 pricing TBD as of 2026-04-16.
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: Yes
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Merkley Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark
- What ages does Merkley Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark accept?
- Merkley 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 Merkley Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark cost?
- Merkley Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. 2026 pricing TBD as of 2026-04-16. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
- What are Merkley Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark's hours?
- Merkley 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 Merkley Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark?
- Merkley Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 30 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Merkley Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark provide lunch?
- Merkley 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 Merkley Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark offer financial aid?
- Yes — Merkley 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).
Camps near here
Same city, overlapping age range. Other options to consider alongside Merkley Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark.
- Highland Christian School - Camp Invention: Spark · Highland Christian School - Camp Invention: Spark · Ages 5–12