StarPoint Summer Camp

StarPoint Summer Camp 2025 Applications are now open! Apply Below.

StarPoint Summer Camp is a unique, educational summer camp for youth rising into 1^st–6^th Grade in The Children’s Museum neighborhood. All of the activities during the camp are curriculum-based and developed by trained museum educators. The best part is that the camp is affordable for any and all kids!

We offer four one-week summer sessions. The sessions are Monday through Friday for one week each, and camp hours are 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Lunch and a snack will be provided on all camp days.

NEW Application Process!

Applications to StarPoint Summer Camp 2025 will be accepted from 9 a.m. on December 2, 2024 until 5 p.m. on January 14, 2025. 

How to Apply:

Apply online https://webforms.childrensmuseum.org/242344536486058

• If you are unable to complete the application online, visit infoZone at The Children’s Museum to complete a paper application starting Tuesday December 3. These must be returned to infoZone staff no later than 5 p.m. on January 14, 2025. You can find the infoZone hours on their website.

Download How-To Guide

What you need to apply:

• Expiration Dates for Access or Neighborhood Club Memberships* (if applicable)
  • Must be valid through Feb. 17, 2025
• Household Income
• Youth information (name, grade level in Fall 2025) and which weeks you’d like them to attend camp
• Your contact information including address, email, and phone number

*Renew your Neighborhood Club or Access Pass Membership by coming in-person to the Box office or online:

• Neighborhood Club: https://www.childrensmuseum.org/join/neighborhood-club
• Access Pass: https://www.childrensmuseum.org/visit/access-pass

Eligibility to Apply:

To be eligible, youth must be rising into 1^st-6^th grade for the following school year. Youth must have completed Kindergarten to apply. Youth who are rising into 7th grade and above are not eligible.

Application help sessions:

We are offering two in-person sessions at the infoZone library where our team will be available to assist you with filling out the application either online or on paper.

• Dec.12, 2024 from 5:30–7:30 p.m.
• Jan. 9, 2025 from 6–7:30 p.m.

Selection:

Applications that meet our criteria will be randomized, and families will be notified of their registration status on January 31, 2025. Those who receive a spot will need to pay in full no later than 5 p.m. on February 16, 2025 to secure their place in camp.

• The following criteria will be used to determine priority placement:
  1. Families who are Mid-North Neighborhood* residents
  2. Families who qualify for free/reduced lunch
  3. Families who are enrolled in the Access Pass program
  4. Beginning in 2026, an additional criteria of 2025 StarPoint camper or sibling being in good standing** will be added. It is not included for 2025 since the entire process is new.

*Neighborhood residents include those living in Crown Hill, Highland Vicinity, Historic Meridian Park, Mapleton-Fall Creek, Meridian Highland, and Watson-McCord.

**In Good Standing means the camper does not miss more than 2 days in a week. Exceptions include illness or unexpected circumstances

Payment:

Enrollment in camp is not guaranteed until payment is received. Families can charge by phone at 317-334-4000 between 9am – 5pm daily or pay by cash or check in person at the Concierge Desk, Tuesday – Sunday 10:30am – 4:30pm. Payment must be received no later than 5 p.m. on February 16, 2025 to secure enrollment in the camp.

• Starting Monday February 17, 2025, spots will be forfeited if payment is not received.
• Any remaining open spots will be filled from the waitlist.

Camp Fees:

• $30/week/camper for families who qualify for free/reduced lunches based on their personal household income and/or have an active Access Pass
• $50/week/camper for families with an active Neighborhood Club membership
• $100/week/camper for all other families.
  • Fees are the same for each week of camp regardless of the number of days camp is in session.
  • Neighborhood Club Membership or Access Pass Membership must be active at time of payment to receive the discounted rate. Families will need to ensure their membership is renewed prior to submitting their application.

Waitlist:

Youth(s) who do not receive a spot will be placed on the waitlist if you indicated this on the application. If any spots open, we will fill from this list.

Refund Policy:

Full refunds will be given from February–April 30, 2025. Camp rosters will be finalized on May 1, 2025 and no refunds will be given after that date.

StarPoint Summer Camp 2025 Details:

Dates and Themes: Camp will be in session from June 16–July 11, 2025.

• Week 1: June 16–20, 2025 (no camp on Thursday, June 19)
  • Powerful Paleontology:

    Calling all paleontologists, stomp, glide, or dash your way to StarPoint to study the prehistoric. Immerse yourself in the world of dinosaurs and prehistoric reptiles. Make discoveries big and small, study the real science, and get creative in the process. An adventure of prehistoric proportions awaits you this summer.

• Week 2: June 23–27, 2025
  • 100 Years of Joy, Wonder, and Curiosity:

    Celebrate 100 years of the museum with us! Share your memories as you play and discover with activities new and old. Revisit beloved experiences, embrace current ones, and look forward to the next 100 years of magic and fun.

• Week 3: June 30–July 3, 2025 (no camp on Friday, July 4)
  • Retro is Rad!:
    
    Take a trip back in time to a world without social media, smartphones, and the internet. Learn what it was like to be a `90s kid! Discover popular trends, art, music, and much more. You won’t want to miss this rockin’ retro week.
• Week 4: July 7–11, 2025
  • A Peruvian Summer: 
    
    Travel down past the equator to Peru, the new Take Me There® exhibit! A country filled with alpacas, potatoes, and bright colors everywhere. Discover all the beauty and charm Peru has to offer through music, animals, art, and more! No passport needed.

Camp Eligibility: Camp is for children rising into 1^st through 6^th grade for the upcoming school year.

• Trains Cabin—Rising 1^st and 2^nd Graders
• Polar Bears Cabin—Rising 3^rd and 4^th Graders
• Race Cars Cabin—Rising 5^th and 6^th Graders

Camp staff:

• Each cabin will be managed by an experienced educator, a college intern, and a junior staff member. Museum staff are responsible for camp logistics and curriculum.
• A camp aide will also be present to work with campers in need of additional support.

Amazing access:

• Visits to Corteva Agriscience STEMLab, related galleries, and infoZone, where campers use the latest computer technologies and participate in the Summer Reading Program
• Behind-the-scenes looks at The Children's Museum collection
• Visits from local artists and experts
• Field trips to other learning institutions

Meals:

Lunch and morning/afternoon snacks are free and provided daily for every camper.

If you have any questions, contact Kate Hugo at khugo@childrensmuseum.org or 317-334-3629.