Camp · STEM · Ages 5–12
Directory · United States · Michigan · Plainwell
▌ STEM · Ages 5–12

Gilkey Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark

Gilkey Elementary School

Camp Invention: Spark at Gilkey Elementary School offers a week-long STEM program for K-6th graders, focusing on hands-on innovation and problem-solving.

▌ Editor's read The provided URL loads successfully, directing to a specific Camp Invention program hosted at Gilkey Elementary School in Plainwell, MI. Camp Invention is a national program, and this specific 'Spark' session is a day camp for grades K-6. The website states that all program instructors are local educators and that all staff and volunteers undergo background checks. While Gilkey Elementary School is the host, the program itself is run by Camp Invention, which is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The Camp Invention Facebook page (CampInvention) has a 4.6-star rating from over 1,000 reviews, with many parents praising the engaging activities and positive impact on their children's interest in STEM. The program focuses on hands-on activities like building a 'bot-buddy' and creating a 'Marble Arcade.'
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Who thrives here Ages 5–12

Gilkey 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 →

Details

  • Category: STEM
  • Ages: 5–12
  • Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Address: 707 S Woodhams St, Plainwell, MI 49080
  • 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: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Gilkey Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark

What ages does Gilkey Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark accept?
Gilkey 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 Gilkey Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark cost?
Gilkey 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 Gilkey Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark's hours?
Gilkey 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 Gilkey Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark?
Gilkey 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 Gilkey Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark provide lunch?
Gilkey 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.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Gilkey Elementary School - Camp Invention: Spark with other camps.