What ages is the camp for?

Camp is designed for students entering grades 5–9.

What are the daily hours?

Drop-off starts at 7:30 AM (flex window) and pick-up is available until 5:30 PM; program blocks run during the standard daytime hours.

Do campers need prior experience with rockets or electronics?

No—activities are scaffolded so beginners can join and learn core concepts through supervised, hands-on projects.

Are lunches and snacks provided?

Bring lunch and snacks; instructors will communicate any allergy or food policies in advance.

What safety measures are in place for model rockets?

Model rocket launches are supervised with safety gear and controlled zones; all materials are non-toxic and tool use is monitored.

How will parents see what campers made?

The final day includes a small showcase so families can view prototypes, projects and short creative pieces produced during the week.

Sci‑Fi Camp 2026 in Lockport, NY — Five-Day Rocket-Building Maker Camp for Grades 5–9 | Workshop

At the corner of curiosity and summer planning sits Sci-Fi Camp 2026, a five-day day camp for students entering grades 5–9 based in Lockport, New York. Set in a small city shaped by the Erie Canal locks and the exposed ledges of the Niagara Escarpment, this program blends hands-on maker projects with speculative science to equip kids with tools for creative problem solving. Over five full days — drop-off begins at 7:30 AM and pick-up runs until 5:30 PM — campers move between rocket-building workshops, planet-exploration modules, and rapid prototyping labs. The camp uses simple physics, basic electronics, model rocketry and guided readings from classic and contemporary science fiction to tie imaginative ideas back to real-world science. Key features include half-day design sprints to build and test small launchers, collaborative “planet station” activities that explore atmosphere, geology and potential habitability, and a makerspace block where campers invent future tech from everyday materials. What makes this run stand out in Lockport’s recreation scene is how it sits amid recognizable local markers: the canal’s stonework and the escarpment’s limestone bedrock. Those elements offer teachable moments — engineering stories from the Erie Canal’s opening in 1825 and the visible strata of the escarpment — that contrast historic human engineering with the forward-looking play of the camp. Instructors guide discussions that move from fictional devices to the basic scientific principles that could make them possible. The daily rhythm balances structured lessons, hands-on experimentation and free creative time so students practice teamwork, iterative design and public-speaking skills in low-pressure settings. The camp is geared toward curious middle-schoolers who like building things, reading science fiction, or tinkering with simple circuits and sensors; no prior experience is required. Safety protocols focus on supervised tool use, non-toxic materials and controlled model rocket launches when appropriate. Parents in the region appreciate the extended hours for working schedules, the curriculum’s mix of STEM and creative writing, and the emphasis on imagination-serving-rigorous-think. The program’s outdoor-adjacent location in Lockport also makes short field breaks possible, whether a quick walk to view the canal locks or a nearby greenspace for a launch test. Daily check-ins include teacher-led demos and a small showcase on the final day so families can see prototypes and experiments. Expect clear communication from staff about safety and progress, with suggested at-home follow-ups to extend learning. Whether your child leaves with a prototype, a short science-fiction story, or a new question about the universe, the camp is built to convert curiosity into skill, giving campers practical practice in iteration, documentation and collaboration.

About Challenger Learning Center of Orleans, Niagara & Erie Counties

Challenger Learning Center of Orleans, Niagara & Erie Counties is a science education nonprofit located in Lockport, New York. The center operates a hands-on Space Station Simulator and a professional planetarium, offering immersive STEM programs for birthday parties, school field trips, team-building events, and community gatherings.

Programs include timed Space Mission experiences—ranging from 1.5-hour missions to extended 2.5- and 3-hour party formats—that place participants in simulated roles working with Mission Control on scenarios such as Expedition Mars. The facility also offers a Planetarium Party using a Digitarium Delta 4 system, private planetarium shows, and a Mobile Planetarium Rental that fits up to 20 adults or 25 children for on-site events. Younger learners can join seasonal programs such as the Robotics Club FLL Fall 2025, designed for ages 9 to 14, with flexible scheduling from August through November and a culminating competition in Buffalo. The center emphasizes hands-on problem solving, teamwork, and real-world science skills through guided simulations and interactive presentations. Staff and instructors facilitate missions and planetarium shows, and events can include space-themed celebrations with cake and pizza in designated party spaces. Facility offerings are suitable for a wide range of group sizes and ages, and equipment details like dome capacity and simulator timeframes are provided for planning. The Challenger Learning Center of Orleans, Niagara & Erie Counties supports educational outcomes by combining experiential STEM programming with community access to space science resources. Programs accommodate schools, birthday groups, scouts, and corporate teams seeking unique science-focused experiences in Western New York.