Junior STEM Explorers Camp - Crawly Reptiles

Seneca Hill Summer Camp: Explore, Learn & Play!

At Seneca Hill Summer Camp, curiosity becomes creation, and play becomes problem-solving . Our Engineering & Exploration program blends hands-on STEM learning with energetic outdoor fun and thoughtful skill-building, making each summer day an exciting opportunity to think like an engineer, explore like a scientist, and connect with new friends along the way.

What Makes Our Program Special?

This isn’t a typical summer camp — it’s a STEM adventure designed to spark imagination and build real critical-thinking skills. Every week features a different STEM Building Challenge where campers dive into the engineering design process: identifying problems, imagining solutions, planning, building prototypes, testing ideas, and iterating improvements 📐🔧. These challenges encourage creativity, collaboration, and confidence, and campers get to take home their own engineered creations at the end of each week. 

Our experienced educators — many of whom are classroom teachers throughout the school year — guide children through these projects with patience and enthusiasm, creating a supportive environment where curiosity leads the way.

What Will Children Do & Experience this week? 

Weekly STEM Building Challenge

Each week, campers participate in a STEM Building Challenge where they use a kid-friendly Engineering Design Process to imagine, design, build, test, and improve a project they get to take home. These challenges are designed to spark curiosity while strengthening problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills — all while having tons of fun.

Using an age-appropriate engineering framework, campers will:
Test & Improve: Try it out, analyze results, make adjustments, and improve performance.
Create: Build a working prototype using hands-on STEM tools and materials.
Plan: Select a design and gather materials.
Imagine: Brainstorm ideas, explore possibilities, and sketch designs.
Ask: What is the problem? What are we trying to build?

Week 5: Creepy Crawly Reptiles – Moving Snakes

Get ready to slither into STEM! Week 5 invites campers to explore the fascinating world of reptiles through hands-on engineering and movement. In Creepy Crawly Reptiles, campers design and build a moving snake that wiggles and slithers using simple linkages as part of our signature Weekly STEM Building Challenge 🐍⚙️.

Moving Snakes: Engineering Motion & Linkages

This week’s challenge encourages campers to think like mechanical engineers as they explore how linked parts work together to create motion 🔩🐍. Campers investigate key STEM concepts such as linkages, movement patterns, cause-and-effect, sequencing, and basic mechanics, while learning how real snakes move without legs.

Campers will experiment with connected segments, joints, and movement mechanisms to see how changes affect flexibility and motion. Through hands-on testing and iteration, they discover that engineering solutions improve through observation, problem-solving, and creative design.

By the end of the week, campers leave with:

• A deeper understanding of motion inspired by the natural world
• Increased confidence in problem-solving and creative thinking
• Hands-on experience with the engineering design process
• A fully built moving snake model to take home
• Excitement for the STEM adventures still to come

A Typical Day at Camp

Each day is thoughtfully structured to ensure a balance of active play, learning, and free time. While activities vary by week, here’s a general schedule:

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM | Welcome & Morning Meeting
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Sports, Games & Outdoor Play
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM | Snack Break
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM | Science Experiment or Craft Project
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM | Lunch
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM | Reach Ahead Language & Math / Special Theme Activities
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Water Play, Nature Walk, or Special Event
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM | Snack Break
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM | Games & Wind-Down Activities
4:00 PM | Dismissal

At Seneca Hill Summer Camp, every camper leaves with new skills, lasting friendships, and cherished summer memories. Whether they are discovering new passions, strengthening academics, or simply having the best summer ever, our camp is the perfect place to explore, learn, splash, and play!

👉 Join us for a summer of fun and discovery!