1 WEEK SESSIONS
GRADES : RISING 1ST-8TH
SKILLS & TECHNIQUES
Each week, campers engage in hands-on projects, learning key skills and mindsets:
- Foundation Skills: Design thinking, engineering principles, and construction techniques through brainstorming, planning, and assembling.
- Technical Abilities: Safely operating age-appropriate tools while building focus, self-regulation, and responsibility.
Also, as they build and create, campers strengthen essential character skills too: - Collaboration: Working in teams to problem-solve and persevere through challenges.
- Resilience and Perseverance: Refining designs and sticking with bringing big ideas to life through trial and error.
By the end of each session, campers take home their finished creations, along with a new level of confidence, enhanced skills, and the mindset of a true innovator.
GENERAL DAILY SCHEDULE
HOURS
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INNOVATION LAB EXPLORERS (1ST-2ND)
Get ready to imagine, build, and discover!
Innovation Lab Explorers is a hands-on space where curiosity leads the way and big ideas are always welcome. Designed for young innovators, this program blends STEAM learning with creativity and fun, helping campers build confidence as they try new strategies and explore how things work.
With guidance from supportive counselors, campers dive into projects like designing simple chain-reaction machines, coding robots to complete challenges, and building imaginative structures with cardboard, wood, gears, wheels, and 3D pens. Along the way, they practice design thinking, basic engineering skills, and safe tool use while building collaboration, resilience, and creativity through trial and error.
On Friday, campers proudly display their creations in a celebratory showcase before taking them home along with stronger problem-solving skills, growing independence, and the confidence of a true Explorer.
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INNOVATION LAB ACHIEVERS (3RD-4TH)
Design. Innovate. Create!
Innovation Lab Achievers is where curious campers become confident problem-solvers. This project-based program challenges Achievers to think deeper, plan smarter, and stick with ideas as they learn that meaningful innovation takes persistence, teamwork, and reflection.
With counselors acting as coaches, campers tackle builds like designing complex machines, constructing moving structures with gears and motors, experimenting with circuits and LED lights, and coding creative solutions. As they plan, test, revise, and improve their work, campers strengthen collaboration, resilience, and responsibility while managing materials and contributing to shared goals.
On Friday, Achievers proudly showcase their finished projects, leaving camp with confidence in their abilities, stronger problem-solving skills, and the satisfaction of seeing hard work turn into real results.
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INNOVATION LAB NAVIGATORS (5TH-8TH)
Step into the lab and take the lead!
Innovation Lab Navigators is designed for older campers ready to think bigger, work smarter, and take ownership of their ideas. This challenge-driven program empowers Navigators to explore complex problems, set goals, and push their creativity while developing real-world innovation skills.
Campers dive into advanced STEAM projects like designing multi-step machines, building systems with motors, sensors, and circuits, and coding solutions to open-ended challenges. With counselors facilitating rather than directing, Navigators plan, test, adapt, and refine their designs by building agency, resilience, and collaboration as they balance leadership with teamwork.
At the Friday Showcase, campers present their finished projects in a showcase that celebrates effort, growth, and ingenuity. They leave with sharpened critical-thinking skills, confidence in their independence, and pride in tackling complex challenges from start to finish.
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BLUEPRINT CREATORS NAVIGATORS (5TH-8TH)
Design it. Plan it. Own it.
Blueprint Creators is a one-of-a-kind experience for Navigators who are ready to take full ownership of their learning. Campers choose from a wide range of project paths, including woodworking, STEAM engineering, sewing and textiles, culinary creation, writing and publishing, and design-based builds, then take the lead in bringing one meaningful idea to life from start to finish.
At the start of the week, campers select a project from a catalog of options and work with an expert instructor to design a personalized plan. Whether they’re engineering a prototype, sewing an outfit, writing and publishing a book, building a custom skateboard, or creating a dining experience, campers manage timelines, break big ideas into steps, and adapt when challenges arise, all while building project management, self-direction, and creative problem-solving skills.
At the Friday Showcase, campers proudly showcase their completed projects, celebrating a week of focus, perseverance, and growth. They leave with confidence, independence, and the mindset to tackle complex challenges well beyond camp.
Passport to YUM
the world of sweet imagination
is it cake?
DEAN Adventure Camps - Premium summer day camps serving Haverford PA (Main Line/Philadelphia area) and Lawrenceville NJ (greater Princeton). Specialty programs for ages 4-16 include woodworking, machine sewing, robotics, culinary arts, performing arts, STEM, and leadership and entrepreneurship development. Full-day care with breakfast, lunch, and snacks included. Serving families from Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Radnor, Princeton, Hopewell, and surrounding communities since 2001. Call 610-660-9600.