Where STEM Meets Summer Camp
Boats, floats, and rockets. Float 2 Flight is a STEM-focused week that takes campers from the surface of the water to the edge of the sky. Rubber duck races teach about currents and flow. Water bottle rockets turn a lunch break into a physics lesson. Rocketry demos show what happens when science gets loud. And between every experiment, campers still get the full day camp experience at Gretna Glen.
This isn't a classroom disguised as camp. It's camp with a STEM twist, where curiosity drives the fun and every discovery leads to the next question. Campers will use their brains, get their hands wet, and delight their imaginations as they explore how things float, fly, and launch into the unknown.
A Week of Water, Sky, and Hands-On Science
STEM experiments, outdoor fun, and classic camp activities from 9 to 3:30 every day.
Water Science
Rubber duck races, boating experiments, and water play turn the lake and creek into a hands-on science lab. Campers explore buoyancy, currents, and what makes things float, sink, and move through water.
Rockets and Flight
Water bottle rockets, rocketry demonstrations, and flight experiments take the learning skyward. Campers design, build, and launch their own creations, then figure out why some flew farther than others.
Classic Day Camp Fun
Swimming, fishing, boating, nature walks, group games, crafts, and songs fill the rest of every day. The STEM theme adds a layer of discovery, but the core camp experience is always at the center.
Faith and Wonder
Bible discovery time connects to the theme of exploring the unknown, including the unknown things God has in store. Campers learn that curiosity and faith can work together.
Built for Ages 5-8 and 9-13
Float 2 Flight runs two tracks side by side. Younger campers (ages 5-8, code DCY3) and older campers (ages 9-13, code DCO3) share the same camp but experience age-appropriate STEM activities. Younger campers focus on observation and hands-on play. Older campers dig deeper into the science behind the experiments.
Both groups launch rockets, race rubber ducks, and get their hands wet. The difference is in the depth of the conversations, not the amount of fun. When registering, you can request one bunkmate in the same age category as your camper.
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW
Day camp runs Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Lunch and one snack are included. STEM activities use safe, age-appropriate materials and are supervised by trained staff.
Campers should pack clothes they don't mind getting wet. Water play and rocket launches are messy by design.
Gretna Glen is ACA-accredited, meeting over 300 health, safety, and quality standards. Staff are trained specifically for the age groups they serve.
Extended Day Options
AM extended day: 7:30-9:00 AM (drop off any time). PM extended day: 3:30-5:30 PM (pick up 5:15-5:30). Both available for an additional fee and include an extra camp activity. Register online.
WHO THIS PROGRAM IS FOR
- Kids who love asking "why?" and "what happens if?"
- Campers who want a summer week that's equal parts science and fun
- Families looking for a STEM-focused outdoor experience (not a classroom)
- First-time campers who need a welcoming, structured introduction to camp life
Sample Day
9:00 - Arrive & settle in.
9:15 - Bible Discovery & Worship.
9:45 - Open play.
10:30 - Morning activity rotations (fishing, boating, theme fun, games, nature).
11:15 - Lunch & singing.
12:30 - Pool/waterslide.
1:45 - Theme activities.
3:00 - Daily closing, singing & snack.
3:30 - Pick up.