The Best Part of Summer

See Below for 2025 Dates and Sessions

Baker Summer Discovery Registration Site

 We’re thrilled to introduce a revamped Middle School camp experience, offering the perfect balance of specialized learning and classic camp fun.

 ⭐️ ⭐️ Registration Opens Tuesday, March 11th, on the Baker Summer Discovery Registration Page ⭐️ ⭐️

 Middle School Summer Camp (Rising 6th-8th Graders)

 Each week, campers will dive into engaging, hands-on learning in the mornings, led by expert instructors. Afternoons will be filled with classic camp activities, including fun swim (2x per week), art studio, outdoor activities and more! On Friday afternoons, campers will join the rest of our camp groups on a trip to LightHouse Beach. 

Session Dates & Weekly Themes:

📅 Session 1: June 23 – June 27 

Robotics Week (Led by Baker’s Own: Becky Crawford)

Get ready to dive into the world of robotics! Using Lego Spike robots, we’ll explore programming, building, and tackling exciting challenges. Plus, we’ll have fun designing custom creations like stickers, signs, and 3D projects with Cricut Design Space.

📅 Session 2: June 30 – July 2 (No Camp July 3-4)

Leadership Lab Week 

The Leadership Lab curriculum is designed to help middle school students discover and develop essential leadership skills through engaging team-building exercises and interactive activities. Over three days, participants will explore leadership traits, improve communication and decision-making skills, and collaborate on a group project. By the end of the week, students will have gained hands-on experience in leading, working as a team, and reflecting on their personal leadership growth.

📅 Session 3: July 7 – July 11 

Game Design Week (Led by Baker’s Own: Becky Crawford)

Unleash your creativity in Game Design Week! You’ll learn the basics of programming with Scratch, explore both digital and non-digital game design, and even try your hand at 3D modeling and printing with 3D printers and pens. This is your chance to bring your game ideas to life!

📅 Session 4: July 14 – July 18 

Electronics Week (Led by Baker’s Own: Becky Crawford)

This week, we’ll jump into the world of electronics with Makey Makey and MicroBits. We’ll focus on programming, circuitry, and using unique conductive materials to create cool projects. You’ll work on both individual and group projects, plus try your skills with some exciting laser-cut creations.

📅 Session 5: July 21 – July 25

Storytelling & Creative Writing Week

Campers will explore a variety of genres such as fantasy, mystery, and poetry. They’ll have the chance to create graphic novels, short stories, or spoken word pieces, while also engaging in interactive storytelling games and writing workshops to inspire their creativity and improve their skills.

📅 Session 6: July 28 – August 1

 Innovators & Entrepreneurs Week

Participants will brainstorm, design, and pitch an original product or service. Working in teams, they will develop a business plan, create a prototype, and craft a marketing strategy. At the end of the week, they’ll present their ideas to a panel of “investors” for fun prizes and valuable feedback.

📅 Session 7: August 4 – August 8

Urban Sketchers Week (Led by Baker’s Own: Julie Toole)

This week, we’ll combine drawing techniques and exercises with real-world sketching adventures! Take your sketchbooks and drawing tools outside the classroom to capture the vibrant surroundings of Baker and Evanston. The focus will be on observational drawing from life, where we’ll sketch everything from architecture and people to nature. Back in the studio, we’ll refine our drawings and wrap up the week with a pop-up gallery exhibit showcasing our work.

 Baker Summer Discovery Registration Site

Before you dive in, please take a moment to review our updated cancellation policy so you’re fully prepared:

Before April 1, 2025: Full refund, minus the Active processing fee and a $100 non-refundable deposit.

April 1 – June 1: 50% refund, minus the Active processing fee and $100 deposit.

After June 1: No refund.

We can’t wait to see you at camp this summer! Let us know if you have any questions.

 Preschool – Rising 6th Grade CAMP OVERVIEW

Baker Summer Discovery Camp is for preschool students (age 3+) through rising sixth graders and is located on Baker Demonstration School’s campus in Wilmette, just north of the Evanston border on Sheridan Road. The campus includes a beautiful gym, indoor pool, maker lab, art studio and spacious field and playgrounds and is in walking distance to Lake Michigan and several outdoor nature spots for exploration.  Each camp day will include creative arts, instructional swimming, outdoor sports, games, and movement, and team time to allow campers to choose their own adventures and form lasting friendships. 

2025 Camp SCHEDULE

Session 1: June 23 – June 27

Session 2*:  June 30 – July 4 

*(No Camp Thursday, July 3rd and  Friday, July 4)

Session 3:  July 7- July 11

Session 4:  July 14 – July 18 

Session 5: July 21 – July 25 

Session 6:  July 28 – August 1 

Session 7:  August 4 – August 8 

Camp runs from 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m and includes weekly swimming, art and movement classes! On Fridays, 1st – 6th graders venture out on a walking trip to nearby Lighthouse Beach for time in the sand, sun and water, while our PreK and Kindergarteners enjoy a water day out on the Baker Field!

Both Morning Care (7:30- 8:15am) and After Care (3:15-5:00pm) are available for those looking to extend their campers day.

If you have any additional questions or are interested in employment at Baker Summer Discovery Camp (hiring begins January 2025), please feel free to contact us at: summer@bakerdemschool.org

Progressive Education

Baker has been nationally recognized for its practice of this proven educational model for over 100 years. The mark of progressive education is a community of students driven by their innate love of learning to grow as independent, empathetic and academically accomplished people.