Science

Science, Robotics, Engineering

Winter

BUILD A ROBOT

6-9 Yr Olds

Join us for a crazy fun robot experience while also getting a chance to improve skills like problem solving, creativity, engineering and more! Participants will build their own robot, decorate it, and play with it, while also learning all about how robots work! You even get to take home your robot at the end of the night!

  • Register Here 
  • Cost: $26r/$41nr
  • Instructors: Amped Reality Staff
  • Doodle Robot: Tue, Jan 7 | 6:00pm-7:00pm
  • Doodle Robot: Tue, Jan 28 | 6:00pm-7:00pm (NEW)
  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room 

INTRO TO ROBOTICS & CODING

4th-7th Gr

Join us for one of the most popular programs nationwide! “Coding” is when you give a computer instructions to perform a task, which then translates to knowing how to make apps, websites, computer systems and more. During this class, we will learn the basics of coding and ensure students know how to continue coding after class ends. Join us to develop a highly valued lifelong skill while also learning how to create something new, improve your problem solving skills, advance your computational thinking and more!

  • Register Here
  • Cost: $43r/$58nr
  • Instructors: Amped Reality Staff
  • Session 3: Thur | Jan 9-16 | 6:00pm-7:30pm
  • Session 4: Tue | Jan 14-21 | 6:00pm-7:30pm 
  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room 

LEARN HOW TO 3D PRINT & COMPUTER-AID-DESIGN (CAD)

9-14 Yr Olds

Join us to learn how to use technology to design a solid object using TINKERCAD, a 3D app used for design, electronics and coding! Participants will design their own small object that we will then 3D print for you to take home (ex: chess pawn, keychain, mini-figures, etc). Join us to have a blast while also learning the basics of designing, mechanics, electronics and coding. Since 3D printing takes some time, you will pick up your project at a later date from Zeeland Recreation.

valentine's kids steam night out

7-11 Yr Olds

Join us for three hours of non-stop fun! Participants will dissolve some hearts, launch kisses with Cupid, fly Valentine planes and even make some friendship slime! Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity to give your kids a night to remember while parents enjoy some well-deserved time off!


Spring & Summer

steam-warts family night out: sheltering from the sinister class

All Ages

Grab the entire family and dive into a magical realm where creativity knows no bounds and learning is an enchanting adventure! Families will work together as they engage in a series of thrilling challenges that will transport you to a world filled with imagination and innovation. Prepare to build the magnificent Library Tower Bridge, a feat of engineering that will stretch your teamwork and creativity to new heights! And that's not all—unleash your inner wizard as you concoct Slime Protection Orbs and master the Snitchee Charm! Plus, hold on tight as we launch the Flight of the Dragon, a soaring experience that promises to be a blast! Join us for a fun evening of STEAM based family activities! 

  • Register Here (Registration Opens Jan 20)
  • Cost: $79r/$94nr (per family)
  • Registration Deadline: Sat, Mar 8 (or when full)
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Sat, Mar 15
  • Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

"under the sea" slime mini camp

7-11 Yr Olds

Join us to embark on an underwater journey to craft your very own Yellow Slimemarine, inspired by the iconic Beatles’ submarine! Participants will also create their own delightful “Yellow Butter Slime”, a sensory experience that’s sure to bring smiles all around. And for those little artists eager to express themselves, our interactive “Wheel of Slime” will allow you to mix and match ingredients, resulting in custom slime creations that are as unique as you are!

  • Register Here (Registration Opens Jan 20)
  • Cost: $46r/$61nr
  • Registration Deadline: Tue, Apr 1 (or when full)
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Tue, Apr 8
  • Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

ultimate boston roadtrip - steam mini camp

7-11 Yr Olds

Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey with our Ultimate Boston Road Trip STEAM Camp! This isn't just any ordinary camp - it's a thrilling blend of history, science, and creativity that will leave young learners buzzing with excitement! Dive into the famous Boston Molasses Disaster as we whip up our very own molasses slime, where hands-on fun meets sticky science! Budding engineers will get to channel their inner sports fan as they design and build their very own home run derby game, combining the thrill of the Red Sox with essential STEAM skills. And let's not forget the grand finale - a hilarious and inventive Tea Party Catapult challenge that will have everyone launching their creativity into the air!

  • Register Here (Registration Opens Jan 20)
  • Cost: $46r/$61nr
  • Registration Deadline: Thur, Apr 3 (or when full)
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Thur, Apr 10
  • Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

slimetopia 2 - kids night out (awesome asia)

7-11 Yr Olds

 “Kids Night Out” is the perfect way to turn a Saturday night into an unforgettable adventure! Join us as we embark on a journey to Awesome Asia, where we’ll craft our very own Ring of Fire Slime that’s sure to ignite your imagination! Get ready to leap into excitement with our Super Mario inspired volcano jump, where teamwork and critical thinking will help you conquer each challenge. And who could resist the delightful Strawberry Jelly Cube Bubble Tea slime? It’s not just about making slime; it’s about learning through playful exploration in a whimsical atmosphere! Come join our slime squad and let’s make some magical memories together! 

  • Register Here (Registration Opens Jan 20)
  • Cost: $46r/$61nr
  • Registration Deadline: Sat, Apr 19 (or when full)
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Sat, Apr 26
  • Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

disaster island - kids night out

7-11 Yr Olds

Prepare for a blazing adventure as Challenge Island invites your explorers to embark on a thrilling journey through the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire, the wild wonders of designing a grizzly proof campground, and the explosive excitement of Mount Vesuvius! Our Disaster Island themed STEAM “Kids Night Out” is not just an event - it’s a fantastical voyage that connects science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to some of nature's most captivating tales!

  • Register Here (Registration Opens Jan 20)
  • Cost: $46r/$61nr
  • Registration Deadline: Sat, May 10 (or when full)
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Sat, May 17
  • Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

islandmon steam-quest family night out

All Ages

Join us for a mini-monstrous journey into the Challenge Island wild! Our adventurous family STEAM teams are on a quest to catch, collect and train all of the island's mini-monsters. You’ll visit gyms, earn badges, go on treasure hunts and even engage in a battle or two. With the help of their Islandmon allies, STEAMaroo and her baby STEAMpuff, our STEAM teams will tackle an island-full of engineering challenges as you evolve into true STEAM Champions.  Ready? Let's go!

  • Register Here (Registration Opens Jan 20)
  • Cost: $79r/$94nr (per family)
  • Registration Deadline: Tue, June 3 (or when full)
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Tue, June 10
  • Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

slimetopia 4: once upon a slime twilight camp

7-11 Yr Olds

Once upon a time there was a bestselling camp that turned favorite children’s books into fantastical slimy adventures. Our STEAM teams will mix up new slime classics like Alice’s Unbirthday Cake Slime, Charlie’s Everlasting Gobstopper Slime, Percy’s Blue Cookie Slime, Narnia’s Turkish Delight Slime and STEAMwarts ButterBeer Slime. Join us for an unforgettable slime adventure!

  • Register Here (Registration Opens Jan 20)
  • Cost: $200r/$215nr
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, June 9 (or when full)
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: June 23-26
  • Time: 5:30pm-9:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

slimetopia 2: high flying slime mini camp

7-11 Yr Olds

Once upon a time there was a bestselling camp that turned favorite children’s books into fantastical slimy adventures. Our STEAM teams will mix up new slime classics like Alice’s Unbirthday Cake Slime, Charlie’s Everlasting Gobstopper Slime, Percy’s Blue Cookie Slime, Narnia’s Turkish Delight Slime and STEAMwarts ButterBeer Slime. Join us for an unforgettable slime adventure!

  • Register Here (Registration Opens Jan 20)
  • Cost: $57r/$72nr
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, June 16 (or when full)
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Mon, June 30
  • Time: 8:00am-12:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

summer science camp

5 Yr Olds-8th Gr

Join us to be a real-life scientist for a week! Participants will have fun improving their science knowledge by participating in science-related collaborative group challenges! 5 Yr Olds: Register based on age at the start of the program. K-8th Gr: Register based on 2025-26 grade level

  • Register Here (Registration Opens Jan 20)
  • Instructor: Brad Stevens (ZPS Science Teacher)
  • 5 Yrs-1st Gr: July 14-18 | 8:00am-9:00am | $60r/$75nr 
  • 2nd-3rd Gr: July 14-18 | 9:30am-11:00am | $65r/$80nr
  • 4th-5th Gr: July 14-18 | 11:30am-1:00pm | $65r/$80nr
  • 6th-8th Gr: July 14-18 | 1:30pm-3:00pm | $65r/$80nr

  • Location: ZWHS - Room J125

space explorer camp

7-11 Yr Olds

Get ready for a journey through time and space as we meet the great explorers. From Copernicus to Galileo, to the Wright Brothers to Amelia Earhart. From Neil Armstrong to Mae Jemison to wherever your imagination will take you!

  • Register Here (Registration Opens Jan 20)
  • Cost: $229r/$244nr
  • Registration Deadline: Fri, June 23 (or when full)
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: July 21-24
  • Time: 8:00am-12:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

slimetopia 4: once upon a slime morning camp

7-11 Yr Olds

Once upon a time there was a bestselling camp that turned favorite children’s books into fantastical slimy adventures. Our STEAM Teams will mix up new slime classics like Alice’s Unbirthday Cake Slime, Charlie’s Everlasting Gobstopper Slime, Percy’s Blue Cookie Slime, Narnia’s Turkish Delight Slime and STEAMwarts Butter Beer Slime. Join us for an unforgettable slime adventure!

  • Register Here (Registration Opens Jan 20)
  • Cost: $229r/$244nr
  • Registration Deadline: July 21 (or when full)
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Aug 4-7
  • Time: 8:00am-12:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

amusement park island mini camp

7-11 Yr Olds

Welcome to Amusement Park Island STEAM Camp, where the only limit is your imagination! At Roller Coaster Cliff, you will dive into the exhilarating world of physics by designing roller coasters that defy gravity and create unforgettable thrills. Zipline Zone offers a heart-pounding adventure, where you’ll learn about aerodynamics and teamwork while soaring through the sky! And in the magical Bubble Springs, creativity bubbles over as you’ll explore the science of water and design their very own bubbly creations!

  • Register Here (Registration Opens Jan 20)
  • Cost: $46r/$61nr
  • Registration Deadline: July 23 (or when full)
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Wed, Aug 6
  • Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room