Summer Camp
Summer Camps at Thaden School offer opportunities for children and teens to experience our distinctive educational programs. We will host six fun-filled weeks of camps with offerings in art exploration, cycling, culinary arts, outdoor water skills, paper engineering, pollination, storytelling, stop-motion filmmaking, and more.
General Information
Thaden Camps
Includes culinary arts, cycling, food science, and stop-motion filmmaking, and more!
- You do not have to be a Thaden student to attend.
- Camps will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
- Tuition per camp is $350 (includes a t-shirt).
- Campers will bring their own lunches and water bottles from home (water and snacks will be provided at camp).
How to Register
1. Read all the camp descriptions below.
2. Click on the registration link.
3. Make an account with Popsicle and enter your child’s information.
4. Add any camps to your cart and check-out.
5. After registered, expect additional information about the camps closer to summer.
Please note that you will first create an account on our summer camp platform, Popsicle, and then complete separate registrations for each camper. Financial assistance may be available; contact Michael Kirk before registering if you would like more information.
Full Camp Descriptions by Week
Week 1 (June 5 to 9) Pollinators, Flowers, and Food | Be a Wheelie
Pollinators, Flowers, and Food
- For ages 10 and up
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350
Get outside and explore the beautiful butterflies, busy bees, and beneficial insects that make their homes on the Thaden campus! Campers will discover the importance of pollinators for the ecosystem and for our own food production through hands-on activities in our pollinator garden, wildflower plantings and teaching kitchen. We'll look inside a honeybee hive and build our own mason bee houses. We'll prepare healthy snacks with honey, fruits, and vegetables that rely on pollinators. Campers will learn how to support these essential insects and take home herbs and flowers to create their own pollinator habitat.
Be a Wheelie
- For ages 8 to 12
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350
Nothing says “summer” like riding bikes with your buddies, so gather your best ones together and sign up to be a “Wheelie” at Thaden School’s week-long, bike-centric summer camp. Wheelies will learn basic maintenance skills (like how to fix a flat and adjust a derailleur), bike to attractions throughout Bentonville, and tackle beginner mountain biking trails. Wheelies will also saddle up to compete in slow races, navigate obstacle courses, and play fun and accessible bike-based games.
Week 2 (June 12 to 16) Adventure Camp with 37 North | Food and Farm | Wild and Wacky World of Sound | Stop-Motion Storytelling
Adventure Camp - Provided by 37 North
- For ages 10 and up
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350
If you love exploring, water, and want to know more about the outdoors from the 37 North pro guides, this course is for you! This water-focused camp is filled with hands-on outdoor activities. Try out paddle boarding and kayaking on the lake! Go fishing with the Arkansas Fish & Game Commission. Work as part of a team to problem-solve and learn how to collect, filter, and purify water. We'll also play fun water activities and games. Enjoy the great outdoors in a new way with 37 North! 37 North focuses on connections- with self, others, and nature.
What to expect: A fun time outdoors and being around water- Our goal is to be outside as much as possible!
What to bring: A bag with- towel, water shoes, full change of clothes, water bottle, healthy snacks, sunscreen, hat/sunglasses
*We require all participants to wear a lifejacket at all times when in the water and will have life jackets available. If you prefer to send one with your child, please write their name on it with a permanent marker.
Food and Farm
- For ages 10 and up
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350
During this action-packed week, participants will explore connections with the food system and the natural world through hands-on cooking, gardening and science activities. Campers can look forward to learning to cook in the teaching kitchen, exploring all that is growing in the Thaden School greenhouse and garden, eating delicious food, taking a farm field trip to pick blueberries, and more! On the last day of camp, participants will take part in a culinary competition as they use the skills they have learned all week to try to create the most delicious pizza!
Wild and Wacky World of Sound Camp
- For ages 9 to 11
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350
Have you ever… played a banana piano? experienced a music garden? composed original music or created sound effects to aid in storytelling? This one-week camp will allow students to use their imaginations to explore musical intersections of technology, found objects, and nature. From assisting chickens in making music to learning how to use GarageBand to compose your very own soundtrack to getting curious about musical lasers at the Scott Family Amazeum, this camp will be sure to ignite curiosity and wonder.
Stop-Motion Storytelling
- For ages 9 to 12
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350
In this week-long camp, participants explore the history and theory behind stop-motion storytelling. Viewings of historic and contemporary stop-motion works will allow students to identify and examine the underlying principles that make stories effective. Students also write their own short stories, design relevant sets, and bring their ideas to life with a unique brand of video production and Dragonframe software and hardware, just like Hollywood features. The camp will culminate with students presenting their short stories to their friends and family on the big screen here at Thaden.
Week 3 (June 19 to 23) High Five Film Camp | Marvelous Mixtures Art Camp | Spanish Immersion Camp
High Five Film Camp
- For ages 8 to 11
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350
In this week-long camp, participants explore the five points of filmmaking; Camera, Light, Sound, Writing and Editing. Each day students will devote their energy to study and experiment with a major aspect of production. Students will actively collaborate with other participants and work as a team to discover the complexities of capturing stories. The camp will culminate with students presenting their experiences to their friends and family on the big screen here at Thaden.
Marvelous Mixtures Art Camp
- For ages 6 to 9
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350
In this hands-on art camp students will not only have fun creating works of art in a variety of media, but will also play with the processes for making their own art materials using things that can often be found at home. Recipes for homemade clay and other art media will be provided for future exploration.
Spanish Immersion Camp
- For ages 9 to 12
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350
Stories, indoor activities, crafts, outdoor games, songs, excursions, cooking and conversations will be in Spanish and revolve around the culture of each day’s theme: things that run, things that grow, things that glow, things to try and things that fly. From arrival to departure, participants will be fully immersed in Spanish language and culture. Instructors will use comprehensible input methods to visually and kinesthetically reinforce communication to the participants. Children with no language proficiency or previous exposure, as well as participants who want to improve their Spanish skills during the summer are welcome.
Week 4 (July 10 to 14) Food Science | Paper Engineering Art Camp
Food Science
- For ages 10 and up
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350 per week
Participants will learn the science behind the food we eat. Campers will also learn technical cooking skills, ingredient sourcing, research and development, and food photography. We will explore food systems by creating our own pollinator box and harvesting honey.
Paper Engineering Art Camp
- For ages 10 to 13
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350 per week
With simple tools and a variety of folds, two-dimensional paper can be transformed into three-dimensional objects. In this art camp students will learn tricks and techniques for creating pop-ups, paper airplanes, and origami forms.
Week 5 (July 17 to 21) Adventure Camp with 37 North | Be a Wheelie
Adventure Camp - Provided by 37 North
- For ages 10 and up
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350
If you love exploring, water, and want to know more about the outdoors from the 37 North pro guides, this course is for you! This water-focused camp is filled with hands-on outdoor activities. Try out paddle boarding and kayaking on the lake! Go fishing with the Arkansas Fish & Game Commission. Work as part of a team to problem-solve and learn how to collect, filter, and purify water. We'll also play fun water activities and games. Enjoy the great outdoors in a new way with 37 North! 37 North focuses on connections- with self, others, and nature.
What to expect: A fun time outdoors and being around water- Our goal is to be outside as much as possible!
What to bring: A bag with- towel, water shoes, full change of clothes, water bottle, healthy snacks, sunscreen, hat/sunglasses
*We require all participants to wear a lifejacket at all times when in the water and will have life jackets available. If you prefer to send one with your child, please write their name on it with a permanent marker.
Be a Wheelie
- For ages 8 to 12
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350 per week
Nothing says “summer” like riding bikes with your buddies, so gather your best ones together and sign up to be a “Wheelie” at Thaden School’s week-long, bike-centric summer camp. Wheelies will learn basic maintenance skills (like how to fix a flat and adjust a derailleur), bike to attractions throughout Bentonville, and tackle beginner mountain biking trails. Wheelies will also saddle up to compete in slow races, navigate obstacle courses, and play fun and accessible bike-based games.
Week 6 (July 24 to 28) Science of Bread | Stop-Motion Storytelling | Words Create Worlds Storytelling
Science of Bread
- For ages 10 and up
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350 per week
Fun and interactive hands-on baking workshop to explore the wonderful world of bread baking, baking theory, and fundamentals. Children will learn how yeast works and discover the history and relevance of traditional breads from various cultures. They will go over ingredients, equipment, and techniques such as weighing ingredients, kneading, shaping, scoring and baking. Some themes include the parts of the wheat berry, hydration, gluten formation, and what happens during baking and cooling. Our bakers quickly come to appreciate the endless options and creativity that surround breadmaking.
Stop-Motion Storytelling
- For ages 9 to 12
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350 per week
In this week-long camp, participants explore the history and theory behind stop-motion storytelling. Viewings of historic and contemporary stop-motion works will allow students to identify and examine the underlying principles that make stories effective. Students also write their own short stories, design relevant sets, and bring their ideas to life with a unique brand of video production and Dragonframe software and hardware, just like Hollywood features. The camp will culminate with students presenting their short stories to their friends and family on the big screen here at Thaden.
Words Create Worlds Storytelling
- For ages 8 to 11
- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
- $350 per week
Whether you are interested in traditional writing, visual narratives, or performance art, join us to experience the magic of story. We will explore a variety of traditional narratives, poetry, graphic novels, oral histories, spoken word, and drama to inspire our own work and develop our craft. Our week will expand your ideas of storytelling, strengthen your literacy skills, and introduce you to publishing tools to share your ideas with the world.
Partner Camps
In addition to Thaden Summer Camps, two of our community partners will host their own camps at Thaden School.
- Buddy Pegs will host three camps at Thaden this summer. Each camp will run the weeks of June 12 to 16, June 19 to 23, July 10 to 14, and July 17 to 21 from 9 am to 12 pm. Click here for additional details and registration.
- Learn to Pedal Camp helps kids ages 5 to 10 learn the fundamentals of riding a bike without pedals (no training wheels) thanks to our no-pedal glide method of teaching.
- Adventure Bike Camp is perfect for kids ages 5 to 10 who are rolling along on two wheels without training wheels.
- Mountain Bike Camp is perfect for beginner, intermediate, and advanced trail riders ages 5 to 10 learn mountain biking skills and maintenance.
- Trike Theatre will host a camp from June 26 to July 9 for ages 8 to 18 to sing, dance, and act in a professionally-run production of "The Addams Family (School Edition) A New Musical." Participants are required to audition (starting April 15), and each participant will receive a role in the show.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the schedule of the camp day?
The camp day begins with check-in at the main entrance to the school campus at the Home Building on SE C Street (a campus map can be found here). Campers should plan to arrive between 8:30 and 9 am, and parents/guardians should be prepared to spend a few minutes signing them in.
The camp program begins promptly at 9 am, with breaks for lunch between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm and a Thaden-provided snack in the morning and afternoon.
Camp ends each afternoon with check-out at 3 pm; campers should be picked up between 3 and 3:15 pm at the same location where they were dropped off in the morning. Again, parents/guardians should plan to take a few minutes to sign their camper out.
What if I am late dropping off or picking up?
Call the Main Office at 479-268-5321 to report absences, late arrivals, or late pick-up. Please note that late pick-ups are subject to fees of $20/day.
What should campers wear?
Campers should wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty! Sneakers or other closed-toe shoes are important because campers will be very active and making, cycling, gardening, and more. Each camper will receive a camp t-shirt on the first day that they should wear on subsequent days of the week.
What should campers bring with them?
Campers should be sure to bring the following items each day, marked clearly with their names:
- Small day/backpack of sufficient size to carry other items listed below
- Water bottle, filled
- Lunch and ice pack or cooler (please be sure that all food is free of tree nuts)
- Towel
- Sunscreen (please also apply before arrival)
- Extra set of clothes
What should campers NOT bring with them?
Please leave all electronics and cell phones at home! Thaden School will provide any technology that is needed to participate fully in our summer camps. Any parent or guardian who needs to contact their camper during the day should call the Main Office at 479-268-5321.
Will there be a nurse on staff? Is it possible to have medications administered to my child during the camp day?
We will have several CPR and First Aid certified faculty and staff on campus throughout Thaden summer camps. We will also have a team lead administering any prescribed medications and communicating with parents if a child is sick or injured. Our summer camps will also have a campus safety officer on campus at all times.
Any prescription medications to be given during the camp day should be limited to antibiotics or ADD/ADHD medications. These will need to be checked in by a parent or guardian on the first day of camp and must be delivered in the original prescription bottle.
What if my child requires medical care?
A parent or guardian will be contacted should your child require medical care other than routine first aid.
In case of emergency, we will access 911 and contact the parent or guardian as soon as possible.
What is your inclement weather policy and do you offer refunds in the event of a closing?
Thaden School reserves the right to modify daily camp activities due to inclement weather. In the event of severe weather, the campus may be closed for safety reasons. In the event of campus closure, Thaden School will provide prorated refunds or alternate camp dates.
Who should I contact if I have an urgent need or question?
Call the Main Office at 479-268-5321 to contact or leave messages for campers during camp hours.