Camp · STEM · Ages 6–12 · $310/week
Directory · United States · New Jersey · Maplewood
▌ STEM · Ages 6–12

Camp Invention: Illuminate

Tuscan Elementary · $310/week · ★ 4.3 (4 reviews)

Camp Invention: Illuminate at Tuscan Elementary offers a STEM-focused day camp experience for K-6th graders, emphasizing hands-on innovation and problem-solv...

▌ Editor's read The provided URL loads successfully, directing to the Camp Invention program search page for the 'Illuminate' program at Tuscan Elementary in Maplewood, NJ. Camp Invention is a national program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, a non-profit organization, and has been operating for over 30 years. The program is a day camp for children in grades K-6, focusing on STEM education through hands-on activities. While specific Google reviews for the 'Illuminate' program at Tuscan Elementary were not readily available, Camp Invention as a whole generally receives positive feedback, with many locations averaging 4.5 stars or higher on Google Reviews, often praised for engaging activities and inspiring creativity. The website mentions that all program staff are vetted and trained, and background checks are conducted. No specific state license number for this particular location was found, which is common for programs hosted within school facilities. The camp's social media handles are @campinvention on Instagram and CampInvention on Facebook.
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Since 199630+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 6–12

Camp Invention: Illuminate 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

How we verify these →

Money & Policies

Financial aid
Available · Need-based Apply →

Scholarships are awarded based on financial need on a first-come, first-served basis.

FSA eligible
Yes — FSA / DCFSA accepted
Sibling discount
$60 off second child

A $60 discount is offered on the second week of camp when registering for two weeks.

Details →
Session lengths
5-day (full week)
What campers take home
Campers create and take home various projects including a light-up game board and a customized Glow Box.

Details

  • Category: STEM
  • Ages: 6–12
  • Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Address: 25 Harvard Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040
  • Cost notes: USD

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: Yes
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Camp Invention: Illuminate

What ages does Camp Invention: Illuminate accept?
Camp Invention: Illuminate is open to children ages 6–12. 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 Camp Invention: Illuminate cost?
Camp Invention: Illuminate publishes $310/week for the standard session. USD Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Camp Invention: Illuminate's hours?
Camp Invention: Illuminate runs 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Camp Invention: Illuminate?
Camp Invention: Illuminate 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 Camp Invention: Illuminate provide lunch?
Camp Invention: Illuminate 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 Camp Invention: Illuminate offer financial aid?
Yes — Camp Invention: Illuminate 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).
Is Camp Invention: Illuminate eligible for Dependent Care FSA reimbursement?
Yes — Camp Invention: Illuminate qualifies for Dependent Care FSA / 401(k) Dependent Care reimbursement under IRS rules covering work-enabling childcare for kids under 13. Save the camp's W-9 / EIN; you'll need it for the IRS Form 2441 filing in April.
How does Camp Invention: Illuminate compare to other stem camps in Maplewood?
Camp Invention: Illuminate is one of 5 stem camps in Maplewood that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp Invention: Illuminate with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp Invention: Illuminate.