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Summer Camps 2026
Discover the Wonder of STEM at Canyon Ferry Lake!
At Montana Learning Center, we believe in igniting curiosity and inspiring young minds through the power of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Our 2026 summer camps offer hands-on experiments, interactive projects, educational games, and immersive simulations designed to excite and engage students entering grades 1-12. From building robots to exploring ecosystems, every camp is a gateway to discovery!
Set against the stunning backdrop of Canyon Ferry Lake, campers can dive into more than just STEM – they’ll fish, kayak, boat, and swim, creating unforgettable memories along the way. For our overnight campers, the magic continues after sunset with stargazing at our on-site observatories. Featuring Montana’s largest public-access telescope, our facilities give students the chance to observe the Moon, galaxies, nebulae, and even the Sun (safely!).
Join us for a summer filled with wonder, learning, and adventure. Let’s spark a lifelong love of STEM together!
Discovery
Students entering primary grades 1-3 can experience a four-day, day-only, science camp. Campers are bussed to the Montana Learning Center’s campus on the shores of Canyon Ferry Lake from Helena Monday through Thursday. Lunch and snacks are provided.
Young Naturalist AdventureS
Camp Young Naturalist Adventures is a five-day, overnight camp for students entering grades 4-6. Campers arrive on Sunday afternoon and leave Thursday afternoon. Students are involved in STEM activities and recreation. They spend their time exploring the fascinating world of science. Campers can expect activities that challenge them to be curious and problem solve with other students. All camp activities take place at our campus on the shores of Canyon Ferry Lake or nearby.
Innovations
Camp Innovations is a five-day, overnight camp for students entering grades 7-9. Students arrive on Sunday afternoon and leave Thursday afternoon. Students are involved in STEM activities and recreation. They spend their time exploring the fascinating world of science. Campers can expect activities that challenge them to be curious and problem solve with other students. Each camp features exciting field trips and tours in the Canyon Ferry Lake area.
Extreme Yellowstone Expedition
Camp Extreme Yellowstone Expedition is a six-day, overnight camp for students entering grades 9-12. Students arrive Sunday afternoon and leave Friday afternoon. The Quake Lake area serves as the hub for camping and science experiences and as a jumping off point for excursions to Old Faithfull, Grand Prismatic Spring and Yellowstone Falls.
Dinosaur Camp
Montana Learning Center is partnering with Carter County Museum in Ekalaka, MT for a unique camping experience. This adventure, for students entering grades 9-12, includes three days of field expeditions to active paleontological dig sites in the Hell Creek Formation. In addition to fossil digs, campers will tour Carter County Museum, sort material collected in the field, learn the basics of fossil preparation and prepare fossils they gathered at the digs for display in the Museum.
Explore the Universe
Camp Explore the Universe is a five-day, overnight camp for students entering grades 9-12. Students arrive Sunday afternoon and leave Thursday afternoon. Campers study the universe with our state-of-the-art telescopes, including Montana’s largest public-use telescope. They learn how to locate objects in the night sky, photograph them, and manipulate astronomical data just like astronomers do.
NASA Partnerships:
Real Space, Real Science
At MLC, students don’t just learn about space—they experience it. Thanks to our partnerships with NASA-funded organizations across the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest, we offer exclusive, hands-on aerospace programs that connect kids directly with real NASA missions, data, and experts.
We’re proud to host the Montana Aerospace Scholars program, part of NASA’s prestigious High School Aerospace Scholars initiative. This immersive experience allows high school students to collaborate with NASA scientists and engineers, and even qualify for summer residencies at MLC—launching them into the world of aerospace like never before.
Working on a landing mission
6:1
Student to Staff Ratio
We’re small and personal. Our camp staff is composed of certified teachers, many of whom are award winning. Our student to instructor/counselor ratio is 6:1. All of our instructors and counselors are CPR & First Aid certified.
Fun and Play are part of the curriculum
Campers have fun working together
Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, scholarships are available. We are committed to making camp possible for everyone, regardless of ability to pay.
View Our 2026 Summer Camps
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