Summer Camp FAQs

Students engage in a variety of hands-on activities that ultimately prepare them to design and build their own projects over the course of the week. Students will have a set of tools and materials available that they can use in their projects and inventions. The students will participate in games, work on group problem-solving challenges, learn about electricity and circuits, take part in hands-on safety training with the tools in the makerspace, engage in activities to inspire creativity, and put together daily take-home science-based magic tricks. Students will work with camp staff to create their own original creations utilizing the Bakken Museum's invention process: Think It, Make It, Improve It, Show It. 

Wednesday, January 15 (12 p.m.) - Scholarship Drive and Scholarship Applications Open  

Wednesday, January 22 (12 p.m.) - Bakken Museum Member Access Open  

Thursday, January 30 (12 p.m.) - General registration available to everyone 

Young Maker's Camp (Grades 2-3)

• Five-day camp: $240, $216 for Household and Supporting Members  

Camp Innovation (Grades 4-9)

• Five-day camp: $470, $423 for Household & Supporting Members

• Four-day camp: $380, $342 for Household & Supporting Members  

The Bakken Museum is committed to making youth programs accessible to all individuals regardless of their financial situation. Two levels of scholarship are available based on income, and space is reserved in each session of summer camp for scholarship applicants. View our complete scholarship guide here to learn more and apply.

Students will keep and take home their daily science tricks and their final projects at the end of the week. 

Camp Innovation officially starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. We will open the doors at 8:45 and greet arriving campers on their way in. Pick up will be available from 3:50 to 4:10 to allow for any campers who might finish the take-home activity early.  

Young Makers Camp will similarly open the doors 15 minutes before camp starts and have a drop off window 10 minutes before and after the half-day ends. 

Yes!  

Household and Supporting members receive a 10% discount on registration. 

Become a member and save. 

There are also two types of need-based scholarships available. Scholarships for 85% of the program cost are available to families receiving public assistance. Scholarships for 50% of the program cost are available to other families needing assistance with a qualifying income.  

For more information, visit our scholarship page or call André Phillips at (612) 446–3113. 

Campers should bring their own lunch and water bottle. Lunches and drinks will be set aside in the morning until lunchtime. There is no microwave or refrigerator available for camper use. All lunches will be conducted outdoors, except under extreme weather conditions. This will usually happen at our picnic tables or in the grass under a tree. 

The Bakken Museum will provide a small, individual serving of snacks in the morning. This usually consists of something like pretzels or goldfish crackers, and we do our best to avoid common allergens. Students are welcome to bring their own snacks if they want more to eat or do not want the snack provided. Campers are also encouraged to bring their own water bottle to prevent frequent trips to the drinking fountain. 

Weather permitting, we have three outdoor breaks on any full day. We step outside for a morning snack break (15 mins), eat lunch outside (30 min) and have an after-lunch outdoor break (45 min), and take another brief outdoor break (15 mins) in the afternoon to get some fresh air. A half-day camp will also have an outdoor break halfway through their day. 

Our all-girls camp features the same activities and challenges as the other camps, with the only difference being the composition of the class.

All-girls camps are intended to present girls with the opportunity to explore activities and environments that too often appear reserved for boys. By providing a camp for girls exclusively, we hope to provide a safe, comfortable environment that empowers young women to pursue science and innovation in their lives.

*The Bakken Museum seeks to be an inclusive and supportive environment for all learners. Our "Girls" camps include young people who identify as cis, trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, gender queer, gender expansive and any girl-identified young person).

The major difference between this session and the rest is what the students bring of themselves to the camp. The projects and challenge solutions from this session tend to be more advanced and/or complex. Otherwise, these camps are mostly intended to give our older campers a chance to work among their peers.

The Young Makers camp is designed for innovators who will be entering 2nd or 3rd grade in the fall. To best accommodate the younger audience, this is a half-day camp that has a morning session from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and a separate afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Students will engage with group problem-solving challenges, skill-building, project time, and take-home tricks, and we’ve tailored the activities, materials, and tools specific to this age group. 

No. Camp is restricted to one week per camper so we may share this experience with as many students as possible. We know that some campers want more. However, we are committed to keeping camp accessible to as many students as possible and are restricting participation for any one camper to one session per summer. 

Each year we come up with new challenges and tricks for our students to try. The inventions are up to the students, so they are free to come up with something entirely new and original.

Before camp, we will send you an email with logistical details, like drop-off time and location. We will also confirm student details like emergency contact information. Included in that email will be a link to review our safety, participation, and media waivers.

If you are unable to complete the waiver before you arrive, we will have a link to these forms you can complete on your personal device before releasing your student to us.

On the first day of the session, the only other things students need to bring are a bag lunch (you are welcome to include a snack for break times as well), closed-toed shoes, any masks, sunscreen, or hats if you choose, and a water bottle.

When students are working in the makerspace, they will need to have closed-toed shoes. There are many heavy, sharp, and hot things in the makerspace, and we like our students to leave with as many toes as they started with. So far, we have had a 100% success rate with this, and we would like to keep it this way.

If a session is filled, you can join our notification list. Throughout the season, if spots become available, we will periodically reach out to everyone on the list for that week.  After being emailed, you will be able to register for the open spot(s) on a first-come/first-served basis until the session is full again. 

Cancellation Before the Program Start Date   

• More Than 6 weeks: You may cancel at any time at least 6 weeks before the program begins. A $50 administration fee will be deducted from your refund.   

• Two to Six weeks: A refund is only available if we can fill your space. If we fill your spot, we will issue a refund minus a $50 administration fee. We will notify you as soon as possible if your spot is filled and a refund is approved.   

• Less than Two weeks: No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 14 days of the start date of the program.  

The Bakken Museum may cancel or reschedule programs if minimum enrollment is not met or due to unforeseen conflicts (such as staff, weather, or facility issues). If the museum cancels your program, you will not be charged an administration fee on the refund.   

When a program is canceled or a refund is requested, you have the following options for handling your registration fee:   

1. Apply It to Another Program: You may use your fee for any other appropriate session of the program currently available.   

2. Convert It to a Donation: Support our youth scholarship fund by converting your fee into a tax-deductible donation.   

3. Receive a Full Refund: Refunds are processed within 10 business days of cancellation.   

Please Note: For any cancellation resulting in a refund, please allow up to 10 business days for processing.   

For any questions or special circumstances, please contact us. We are happy to assist!  

At The Bakken Museum, we have three core rules: Be Safe, Be Aware, and Be Respectful. These rules apply to how campers interact with tools and materials, staff, fellow campers, and themselves. Here’s what we mean:  

• Be Safe: Use tools and materials properly and follow safety instructions from staff.  

• Be Aware: Pay attention to your surroundings and be mindful of how your actions affect others.  

• Be Respectful: Treat staff, fellow campers, and yourself with kindness and consideration.  

We love showcasing the creativity and ideas of young people! During most of our programs, The Bakken Museum takes photos and videos of students and their projects. We use this media to document our programs. We occasionally share the amazing work of our participants with the community through our website, social media, and other marketing materials.  

By registering your child for a program at The Bakken Museum, you are permitting us to use photos and video clips of your child for promotional purposes. Rest assured: Our priority is student safety and privacy. All marketing materials are edited or designed to omit student names and/or other identifying details.  

Opt-Out Option If you prefer that your child not appear in promotional photos or videos, please let us know. To opt out, email our program manager, Andre Phillips at phillips@thebakken.org at least 48 hours before the program starts. Opting out will not impact your child’s participation in the program.  

If you have any questions about how we use media or our privacy practices for minors, feel free to reach out to us. 

By registering for a youth program at The Bakken Museum you are providing permission for The Bakken Museum to use photos and/or video clips of students for promotional purposes. Please notify us if you do not want your child in promotional photos or videos.

We use real tools and materials in our programs, and with that comes some inherent risk. This is especially true when students are working with sharp, hot, or heavy tools. We believe that learning from mistakes is an important part of growth. Our staff will provide supervision and guidance to minimize risks and ensure a safe environment. Our team is trained in safety protocols, including basic first aid, and will act swiftly if any incidents occur.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about our behavioral expectations or safety practices.

If you have other questions, please feel free to contact André Phillips by email at phillips@thebakken.org or by phone at (612) 446-3113.