Investigative Learning Camp (Grades 5-8)
Exploration and play lead to serious learning at Lakeside's Investigative Learning Camp. Our camp is open to the public.
Students from any school entering grades 5-8 enjoy morning and afternoon classes in the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) realm. Campers are taught by dynamic middle-school teachers and supported by a diverse group of camp counselors who share campers’ passion for learning.
Class options
Families register for individual weeks. Campers select one morning class and one afternoon class for each week of camp. Please note that some classes will be offered in certain weeks and not others. Classes that repeat for multiple weeks will cover the same material and activities, except for our Sports & Games class. Please do not sign up your camper(s) for the same class during multiple weeks.
- Week 1: July 7-11, 2025
- Week 2: July 14-18, 2025
- Week 3: July 21-25, 2025
- Week 4: July 28-August 1, 2025
Week 1: July 7-11, 2025
Morning Classes
- Art of Collage
- Digital Music Production
- DNA to Disease
- Engineering Design Challenge
- Intro to Python
- Marine Biology
- Physics of Flight
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing
- Sculpture: Creative Art in 3D
- Thinking Like a Mathematician
Art of Collage
Let your imagination run wild with the power of collage! Transform magazines, construction paper, and other 2D objects into works of art! No previous art skill is required for this camp, just a little bit of patience and creativity. Over the course of the week, we will learn about collage techniques that master artists use, as well as a little bit about those artists themselves. Join us and learn how to use collage to make landscape illustrations, beautiful cards, funny comics, and more! The possibilities are endless in the world of collage.
Digital Music Production
Do you dream of creating your own tunes and beats? Do you love listening to music? In this fun and creative camp, you’ll learn the basics of music production and editing using easy-to-use digital tools. Explore how to mix sounds, layer tracks, and bring your musical ideas to life. At the end of the week, we’ll celebrate with a class listening party where everyone gets to share their musical creations!
DNA to Disease
Where do diseases come from? How does the first person get them? How do they spread? Get ready to dive into the mysteries of biology and explore some big questions. From molecules to worldwide populations, be prepared to investigate the big-picture and microscopic aspects of biology in a completely hands-on and interactive way.
Engineering Design Challenge
Do you think you can build the longest marble run or the tallest tower? Each day you'll compete in a myriad of team challenges. By the end of the week, you'll have engaged in absurd tasks of lateral thinking, created instruments to participate in a battle of the bands, and built your very own Rube Goldberg machine! Come to class with a collaborative spirit and a love of unusual competitions, and you will learn to think like an engineer and solve problems creatively.
Intro to Python
Discover the power of Python! This course introduces coding through exciting, hands-on projects, from creating digital art to designing interactive games. Students will start by exploring Python basics with easy-to-follow examples before diving into customizing their projects as they build skills each day. Perfect for beginners, this course offers a fun and interactive way to get started with one of the world’s most popular programming languages!
Marine Biology
From microscopic copepods to underwater forests and massive sharks, the marine environment is teeming with impressive organisms, ecosystems, and phenomena to investigate. During this introductory marine biology course, we will learn about the diversity of marine ecosystems on Earth and then take a deeper dive into the organisms we’re most likely to encounter here on our beaches in the Puget Sound. We’ll use microscopes to take a close look at live plankton samples and we will also investigate some of the conservation issues that most impact our waters. At the end of the week we will visit the intertidal to observe and actually meet some of our favorite local marine species!
Physics of Flight
Take your learning to new heights by exploring the physics behind flight. Learn the elementary principles of flight such as lift, weight, thrust, drag, and about Bernoulli’s principle and Newton’s laws of motion. Engage in a variety of hands-on activities, such as parachute and glider construction, and NASA kite building, to help solidify your understanding of flight. Create paper airplanes that maximize speed and distance and enter them into friendly competitions with your fellow campers.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing
Do you have an interest in other worlds and technologies? Do you enjoy fiction that makes you ponder, "What if ...?" In this course, students will read works of science fiction and fantasy to understand how the two genres differ and where they overlap. Using these texts as models, students will create a fantastical realm, develop the characters that inhabit these unique worlds, and consider plot lines that invite the reader on an adventure propelled by the question: What if ...?
Sculpture: Creative Art in 3D
Unleash your imagination and discover the exciting world of sculpture! In this hands-on class, students will explore various materials, including paper mâché, wire and clay to create unique 3D works of art. From building structures and textures to adding color and detail, students will learn essential sculpting techniques while designing and crafting their own creations. Whether making figures, animals, or abstract forms, this class is perfect for students eager to bring their ideas to life and develop their artistic skills in a fun and supportive environment. All experience levels are welcome!
Thinking Like a Mathematician
You may think of a professional mathematician as a pensive individual seated at their desk or standing over a board covered in complex mathematical symbols. In reality, everyone can think like a mathematician, as long as they are open to conjecture, exploration, ambiguity, and the formation of new ideas and connections. Thinking like a Mathematician revisits elementary mathematical ideas through a new lens, not as formulas to remember but as naturally occurring truths which are all around us in the world. This inquiry-based course will explore puzzling pictures, perplexing patterns, and powerful propositions. Come join us for some mathematical fun and discovery!
Afternoon Classes
- Art of Portraits
- Debate
- International Cooking
- Makerspace: Intro to Entrepreneurship
- Musical Theater: Classical Vibes and Modern Styles
- Physics of Amusement Parks
- Sports & Games
- Boys Basketball - Specialized Athletic Camp
- Girls Soccer - Specialized Athletic Camp
Art of Portraits
Students will explore and discover figurative art, self-portraits, and the written word to understand and communicate who they are. Possible creative projects may include life map, auto-biography, poetry, proportion, and human anatomy. We may cover skills such as collage, composition, rhythm, and pattern to culminate in an original large-scale work of art by the end of the week. All skill levels are welcome!
Debate
International Cooking
Through chef demonstrations and hands-on cooking, you’ll learn a variety of cooking skills. We will discuss basic cooking methods and tips, ingredient selection, and plating techniques. Around the world you will go, having fun while learning to cook the fresh, exciting flavors of Asia; iconic cuisines of the Americas; and the aromatic flavors found throughout the Mediterranean. Our cooking boot camp will culminate in a friendly group “top chef” competition on the final day of our journey!
NOTE: this class is not recommended for campers with severe food allergies.
Makerspace: Intro to Entrepreneurship
What makes a product fly off the shelf? How do internet “influencers” successfully market products? What is an “elevator pitch”? If you have wondered about the answers to these questions, this is the course for you! Using the design- thinking process, learn to identify a market opportunity, create a marketing strategy, build a prototype, and pitch it to a panel of judges in a “Shark Tank”-like competition at the end of the week.
Musical Theater: Classical Vibes and Modern Styles
Take a trip into the past to learn about the early days of Musical Theatre, and then fast-forward into discovering the pop/rock stylings that are heard on Broadway today. In addition to learning about how to create those styles with your voice, classes will also explore character development and finding a commanding stage presence, so that you act and sound like a star!
Physics of Amusement Parks
Have you ever wondered how roller coasters stay on their tracks when they go upside down, or why you stick to the wall in a Gravitron ride? Learn about Newton’s laws of motion, the force due to gravity, centripetal force, kinetic and potential energy, and much more in this fun, physics-filled camp. Study bumper cars, carousels, and roller coasters to learn about these laws. Wrap up the week by designing and building your own model of an amusement park using a variety of craft materials.
Sports & Games
Boys Basketball - Specialized Athletic Camp
Campers have the opportunity to attend the athletic camp offered on the Upper School campus (accompanied by camp counselors) as their afternoon class. Our athletics camps are designed for beginning to intermediate athletes. Dedicated coaches and Lakeside varsity student-athletes create an inspiring, supportive environment for campers. There is an additional $55 fee for this option.
Girls Soccer - Specialized Athletic Camp
Campers have the opportunity to attend the athletic camp offered on the Upper School campus (accompanied by camp counselors) as their afternoon class. Our athletics camps are designed for beginning to intermediate athletes. Dedicated coaches and Lakeside varsity student-athletes create an inspiring, supportive environment for campers. There is an additional $55 fee for this option.
Week 2: July 14-18, 2025
Morning Classes
- Backyard Birders
- Comics and Cartooning
- Intro to AI
- Intro to Investing
- Math Patterns, Puzzles and Games
- Mathematical 3D Designs
- Medical Mysteries
- Painting: Explore Acrylics
- Physics of Circuitry
- Spanish for Beginners: Language, Cooking, and Crafts
Backyard Birders
Who is drumming on your chimney? Who is making that high-pitched song before the sun rises each morning? Why do we only notice it during certain times of the year? During this introductory birding course, we will enjoy time out in the field with binoculars and field guides to learn how to use both sight and sound to identify the birds we are most likely to find in our own neighborhoods and parks. We’ll not only learn who’s calling, but also what they’re talking about! By the end of this course, you will know a lot more about your feathered neighbors and how to make our homes and communities more welcoming to native wild birds.
Comics and Cartooning
In this course, you will delve into the world of comics, cartoons, and visual storytelling. We will explore a wide variety of illustration styles through various reading selections, including classic comic strips, political cartoons, and excerpts from manga and graphic novels. We will then create our own cartoons and comics, practicing how to express character and emotion by combining words and pictures. No artistic skills are required for this course, though a passion for doodling is strongly encouraged!
Intro to AI
Explore the exciting world of Artificial Intelligence! In this course, students will train models to recognize images, classify text, and create interactive AI-powered games using beginner-friendly tools. Each session introduces a new AI domain, and the course culminates in a final project of their own design. Experience with Scratch or Python is a plus, but not necessary—just bring your curiosity and creativity!
Intro to Investing
Discover the fundamentals of investing in this engaging summer class. Students will explore key concepts like stocks, ETFs, and personal finance through practical examples and hands-on activities. By the end of the course, participants will have a foundational understanding of how markets work and the tools necessary to start building their own financial future.
Math Patterns, Puzzles and Games
Enjoy math? Do you like to play with numbers? Do you love finding patterns? In this class, you will explore many areas of mathematics by solving puzzles and playing games. We will find mathematical patterns everywhere, and use it to make art and predict the future. Build your math and logic skills while you explore great math puzzles and games, some which have stumped people for generations and others which are completely new inventions. Join us for some puzzle-solving fun!
Mathematical 3D Designs
In describing mathematics, the physicist Richard Feynman once said, “If you want to learn about nature, to appreciate nature, it is necessary to understand the language that she speaks in.” In this course we will unpack visual patterns to be found in mathematics to create two- and three-dimensional artwork. From Celtic Knots to Platonic Solids to Escher’s famous tessellations, we will use patterns and designs to create eye-pleasing artwork which exemplifies the visual beauty of mathematics.
Medical Mysteries
Are you interested in health, medicine, or physiology? If so, this is the class for you! Throughout the week, you will do hands-on investigations focusing on different body systems. Each day you get to explore different organs, conduct labs to see how they work, attempt to build working models, and put your problem-solving skills to the test to diagnose patients with mystery ailments. Get ready to grab your clipboard and put on your doctor's coat!
Painting: Explore Acrylics
Discover the vibrant world of acrylic painting! In this dynamic class, students will learn essential acrylic techniques, from color mixing and brushwork to creating texture and depth. Whether painting landscapes, portraits, or abstract art, students will experiment with different styles and approaches to develop their own artistic expression. With hands-on guidance, each student will build confidence and skill while creating their own masterpieces on canvas. This class is perfect for young artists looking to explore the versatility of acrylics and expand their creative abilities!
Physics of Circuitry
Explore circuitry with a variety of hands-on activities. Construct a simple circuit by making bristlebots and brushbots and enter them in races with those of your fellow campers. Build an artbot that makes cool art designs, and a junkbot using a variety of recycled materials. Engage in sewing activities involving conductive thread and LEDs, and design and create your own plushy with facial features that light up. Learn how to do simple coding with the BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized computer that has several built-in sensors. Continue learning about circuitry by creating fun and engaging games to play with your peers, using the micro:bit, test leads, tinfoil, and cardboard.
Spanish for Beginners: Language, Cooking, and Crafts
In this one-week course, students will explore basic Spanish vocabulary and structures through fun, hands-on activities and projects. For instance, students will learn to make simple, traditional Latin American dishes such as tortillas and guacamole while practicing Spanish words and phrases related to food and cooking. They will also play card games designed to help practice greetings, numbers, and basic conversational phrases in Spanish.
This course integrates language learning with creative and interactive experiences, making Spanish come alive through culinary exploration and engaging activities. Perfect for beginners and students with some prior exposure to Spanish, the course offers a welcoming and dynamic way to build foundational language skills while celebrating culture.
Afternoon Classes
- Graphic Design
- International Cooking
- Lego Robotics
- Makerspace: Architecture and Engineering
- Mock Trial
- Musical Theater: New York, New York!
- Sports & Games
- Boys Soccer - Specialized Athletic Camp
- Girls Volleyball - Specialized Athletic Camp
Graphic Design
From Op Art to Pop Art, students will explore various artistic genres and create optical illusions. They will develop logo identity design, original typography, and conceptual brand development. In collaboration, teams will create unique graphic ideas, and refine their ideas using Adobe Illustrator. We will practice writing, public speaking, presenting, evaluating and critiquing each other's work. Skills taught will include color, shape, line, compass, kinetic energy, design concepts, and constructive critiques.
International Cooking
Through chef demonstrations and hands-on cooking, you’ll learn a variety of cooking skills. We will discuss basic cooking methods and tips, ingredient selection, and plating techniques. Around the world you will go, having fun while learning to cook the fresh, exciting flavors of Asia; iconic cuisines of the Americas; and the aromatic flavors found throughout the Mediterranean. Our cooking boot camp will culminate in a friendly group “top chef” competition on the final day of our journey!
NOTE: this class is not recommended for campers with severe food allergies.
Lego Robotics
Makerspace: Architecture and Engineering
Step into the shoes of an architect and engineer in this exciting course! Practice design thinking as you plan and create your own building model, bringing your vision to life. At the end of the week, visit our upper school campus to meet the industry experts behind our campus’s upcoming new building. Gain firsthand insight into how creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork shape the spaces we live and learn in!
Mock Trial
Camp court is now in session! In this class, students will learn critical thinking and public speaking skills through an interactive courtroom experience in which they role-play as attorneys and witnesses. They will write opening statements and closing arguments, learn problem-solving, and develop skills in argumentation and communication. Join us for a week of mock trial learning and fun!
Musical Theater: New York, New York!
Discover what it takes to make it on Broadway as you explore what it is to be a "triple-threat" (singer/dancer/actor). Classes will involve developing acting skills, singing-techniques, and basic dance choreography. Whether you have performance experience or just like to sing in the shower, this is a chance to be inspired and reach for the stars!
Sports & Games
Boys Soccer - Specialized Athletic Camp
Campers have the opportunity to attend the athletic camp offered on the Upper School campus (accompanied by camp counselors) as their afternoon class. Our athletics camps are designed for beginning to intermediate athletes. Dedicated coaches and Lakeside varsity student-athletes create an inspiring, supportive environment for campers. There is an additional $55 fee for this option.
Girls Volleyball - Specialized Athletic Camp
Campers have the opportunity to attend the athletic camp offered on the Upper School campus (accompanied by camp counselors) as their afternoon class. Our athletics camps are designed for beginning to intermediate athletes. Dedicated coaches and Lakeside varsity student-athletes create an inspiring, supportive environment for campers. There is an additional $55 fee for this option.
Week 3: July 21-25, 2025
Morning Classes
- Art of Collage
- Digital Music Production
- DNA to Disease
- Engineering Design Challenge
- Game Design
- Intro to Python
- Marine Biology
- Physics of Flight
- Printmaking
- Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing
Art of Collage
Let your imagination run wild with the power of collage! Transform magazines, construction paper, and other 2D objects into works of art! No previous art skill is required for this camp, just a little bit of patience and creativity. Over the course of the week, we will learn about collage techniques that master artists use, as well as a little bit about those artists themselves. Join us and learn how to use collage to make landscape illustrations, beautiful cards, funny comics, and more! The possibilities are endless in the world of collage.
Digital Music Production
Do you dream of creating your own tunes and beats? Do you love listening to music? In this fun and creative camp, you’ll learn the basics of music production and editing using easy-to-use digital tools. Explore how to mix sounds, layer tracks, and bring your musical ideas to life. At the end of the week, we’ll celebrate with a class listening party where everyone gets to share their musical creations!
DNA to Disease
Where do diseases come from? How does the first person get them? How do they spread? Get ready to dive into the mysteries of biology and explore some big questions. From molecules to worldwide populations, be prepared to investigate the big-picture and microscopic aspects of biology in a completely hands-on and interactive way.
Engineering Design Challenge
Do you think you can build the longest marble run or the tallest tower? Each day you'll compete in a myriad of team challenges. By the end of the week, you'll have engaged in absurd tasks of lateral thinking, created instruments to participate in a battle of the bands, and built your very own Rube Goldberg machine! Come to class with a collaborative spirit and a love of unusual competitions, and you will learn to think like an engineer and solve problems creatively.
Game Design
Learn how to code animations, interactive art, and games! Start with simple shapes and build up to more sophisticated sprite-based games, using the same programming concepts and the design process computer scientists use daily. You will complete a personalized, interactive program that you can share on the Internet.
Intro to Python
Discover the power of Python! This course introduces coding through exciting, hands-on projects, from creating digital art to designing interactive games. Students will start by exploring Python basics with easy-to-follow examples before diving into customizing their projects as they build skills each day. Perfect for beginners, this course offers a fun and interactive way to get started with one of the world’s most popular programming languages!
Marine Biology
From microscopic copepods to underwater forests and massive sharks, the marine environment is teeming with impressive organisms, ecosystems, and phenomena to investigate. During this introductory marine biology course, we will learn about the diversity of marine ecosystems on Earth and then take a deeper dive into the organisms we’re most likely to encounter here on our beaches in the Puget Sound. We’ll use microscopes to take a close look at live plankton samples and we will also investigate some of the conservation issues that most impact our waters. At the end of the week we will visit the intertidal to observe and actually meet some of our favorite local marine species!
Physics of Flight
Take your learning to new heights by exploring the physics behind flight. Learn the elementary principles of flight such as lift, weight, thrust, drag, and about Bernoulli’s principle and Newton’s laws of motion. Engage in a variety of hands-on activities, such as parachute and glider construction, and NASA kite building, to help solidify your understanding of flight. Create paper airplanes that maximize speed and distance and enter them into friendly competitions with your fellow campers.
Printmaking
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing
Do you have an interest in other worlds and technologies? Do you enjoy fiction that makes you ponder, "What if ...?" In this course, students will read works of science fiction and fantasy to understand how the two genres differ and where they overlap. Using these texts as models, students will create a fantastical realm, develop the characters that inhabit these unique worlds, and consider plot lines that invite the reader on an adventure propelled by the question: What if ...?
Afternoon Classes
- Debate
- International Cooking
- Makerspace: Intro to Entrepreneurship
- Musical Theater: Classical Vibes and Modern Styles
- Physics of Amusement Parks
- Sports & Games
Debate
International Cooking
Through chef demonstrations and hands-on cooking, you’ll learn a variety of cooking skills. We will discuss basic cooking methods and tips, ingredient selection, and plating techniques. Around the world you will go, having fun while learning to cook the fresh, exciting flavors of Asia; iconic cuisines of the Americas; and the aromatic flavors found throughout the Mediterranean. Our cooking boot camp will culminate in a friendly group “top chef” competition on the final day of our journey!
NOTE: this class is not recommended for campers with severe food allergies.
Makerspace: Intro to Entrepreneurship
What makes a product fly off the shelf? How do internet “influencers” successfully market products? What is an “elevator pitch”? If you have wondered about the answers to these questions, this is the course for you! Using the design- thinking process, learn to identify a market opportunity, create a marketing strategy, build a prototype, and pitch it to a panel of judges in a “Shark Tank”-like competition at the end of the week.
Musical Theater: Classical Vibes and Modern Styles
Take a trip into the past to learn about the early days of Musical Theatre, and then fast-forward into discovering the pop/rock stylings that are heard on Broadway today. In addition to learning about how to create those styles with your voice, classes will also explore character development and finding a commanding stage presence, so that you act and sound like a star!
Physics of Amusement Parks
Have you ever wondered how roller coasters stay on their tracks when they go upside down, or why you stick to the wall in a Gravitron ride? Learn about Newton’s laws of motion, the force due to gravity, centripetal force, kinetic and potential energy, and much more in this fun, physics-filled camp. Study bumper cars, carousels, and roller coasters to learn about these laws. Wrap up the week by designing and building your own model of an amusement park using a variety of craft materials.
Sports & Games
Week 4: July 28-August 1, 2025
Morning Classes
- Backyard Birders
- Comics & Cartooning
- Drawing
- Intro to AI
- Intro to Investing
- Medical Mysteries
- Mobile App Development
- Physics of Circuitry
- Real-World Math
- Spanish for Beginners: Language, Cooking, and Crafts
Backyard Birders
Who is drumming on your chimney? Who is making that high-pitched song before the sun rises each morning? Why do we only notice it during certain times of the year? During this introductory birding course, we will enjoy time out in the field with binoculars and field guides to learn how to use both sight and sound to identify the birds we are most likely to find in our own neighborhoods and parks. We’ll not only learn who’s calling, but also what they’re talking about! By the end of this course, you will know a lot more about your feathered neighbors and how to make our homes and communities more welcoming to native wild birds.
Comics & Cartooning
In this course, you will delve into the world of comics, cartoons, and visual storytelling. We will explore a wide variety of illustration styles through various reading selections, including classic comic strips, political cartoons, and excerpts from manga and graphic novels. We will then create our own cartoons and comics, practicing how to express character and emotion by combining words and pictures. No artistic skills are required for this course, though a passion for doodling is strongly encouraged!
Drawing
Drawing is the foundation of all art. During this action-packed week students will learn various techniques and complete a series of drawings and sketches. Skills covered will include drawing from life, value study, and incorporating the elements of design. Students will use a range of media such as pencil, ink, colored pencil, oil pastel, and charcoal. All levels of experience are welcome.
Intro to AI
Explore the exciting world of Artificial Intelligence! In this course, students will train models to recognize images, classify text, and create interactive AI-powered games using beginner-friendly tools. Each session introduces a new AI domain, and the course culminates in a final project of their own design. Experience with Scratch or Python is a plus, but not necessary—just bring your curiosity and creativity!
Intro to Investing
Discover the fundamentals of investing in this engaging summer class. Students will explore key concepts like stocks, ETFs, and personal finance through practical examples and hands-on activities. By the end of the course, participants will have a foundational understanding of how markets work and the tools necessary to start building their own financial future.
Medical Mysteries
Are you interested in health, medicine, or physiology? If so, this is the class for you! Throughout the week, you will do hands-on investigations focusing on different body systems. Each day you get to explore different organs, conduct labs to see how they work, attempt to build working models, and put your problem-solving skills to the test to diagnose patients with mystery ailments. Get ready to grab your clipboard and put on your doctor's coat!
Mobile App Development
Physics of Circuitry
Explore circuitry with a variety of hands-on activities. Construct a simple circuit by making bristlebots and brushbots and enter them in races with those of your fellow campers. Build an artbot that makes cool art designs, and a junkbot using a variety of recycled materials. Engage in sewing activities involving conductive thread and LEDs, and design and create your own plushy with facial features that light up. Learn how to do simple coding with the BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized computer that has several built-in sensors. Continue learning about circuitry by creating fun and engaging games to play with your peers, using the micro:bit, test leads, tinfoil, and cardboard.
Real-World Math
“When will I ever use this in my life?” Have you ever wondered why the math you learn in school is important? In this camp, we’ll dive into some of the fascinating and practical ways these concepts are applied in the real world. Explore how mathematicians model situations like climate change, wildlife population management, map-making, and earthquake preparation. Uncover how the Greeks calculated the Earth’s circumference over 2,000 years ago or analyze where Sound Transit should locate stations to serve the most people. From cooking to money management, math is everywhere!
Spanish for Beginners: Language, Cooking, and Crafts
In this one-week course, students will explore basic Spanish vocabulary and structures through fun, hands-on activities and projects. For instance, students will learn to make simple, traditional Latin American dishes such as tortillas and guacamole while practicing Spanish words and phrases related to food and cooking. They will also play card games designed to help practice greetings, numbers, and basic conversational phrases in Spanish.
This course integrates language learning with creative and interactive experiences, making Spanish come alive through culinary exploration and engaging activities. Perfect for beginners and students with some prior exposure to Spanish, the course offers a welcoming and dynamic way to build foundational language skills while celebrating culture.
Afternoon Classes
- International Cooking
- Lego Robotics
- Makerspace: Architecture and Engineering
- Mock Trial
- Musical Theater: New York, New York!
- Sports & Games
- Girls Basketball - Specialized Athletic Camp
International Cooking
Through chef demonstrations and hands-on cooking, you’ll learn a variety of cooking skills. We will discuss basic cooking methods and tips, ingredient selection, and plating techniques. Around the world you will go, having fun while learning to cook the fresh, exciting flavors of Asia; iconic cuisines of the Americas; and the aromatic flavors found throughout the Mediterranean. Our cooking boot camp will culminate in a friendly group “top chef” competition on the final day of our journey!
NOTE: this class is not recommended for campers with severe food allergies.
Lego Robotics
Makerspace: Architecture and Engineering
Step into the shoes of an architect and engineer in this exciting course! Practice design thinking as you plan and create your own building model, bringing your vision to life. At the end of the week, visit our upper school campus to meet the industry experts behind our campus’s upcoming new building. Gain firsthand insight into how creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork shape the spaces we live and learn in!
Mock Trial
Camp court is now in session! In this class, students will learn critical thinking and public speaking skills through an interactive courtroom experience in which they role-play as attorneys and witnesses. They will write opening statements and closing arguments, learn problem-solving, and develop skills in argumentation and communication. Join us for a week of mock trial learning and fun!
Musical Theater: New York, New York!
Discover what it takes to make it on Broadway as you explore what it is to be a "triple-threat" (singer/dancer/actor). Classes will involve developing acting skills, singing-techniques, and basic dance choreography. Whether you have performance experience or just like to sing in the shower, this is a chance to be inspired and reach for the stars!
Sports & Games
Girls Basketball - Specialized Athletic Camp
Campers have the opportunity to attend the athletic camp offered on the Upper School campus (accompanied by camp counselors) as their afternoon class. Our athletics camps are designed for beginning to intermediate athletes. Dedicated coaches and Lakeside varsity student-athletes create an inspiring, supportive environment for campers. There is an additional $55 fee for this option.
Daily Schedule 2025
8-8:30 a.m. | Drop off |
8:30-9 a.m. | Morning assembly |
9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Morning class |
12-12:20 p.m. | Lunch |
12:30-3:30 p.m. | Afternoon class |
3:30-4 p.m. | Pickup |
3:30-6 p.m. | Aftercare (optional) |
- Tuition and Financial Aid
- Important Dates
- Refunds and Withdrawals
- Bus Service
- Aftercare
- Health and Safety
- International Students
- How to Register
Tuition and Financial Aid
1 week of camp: $595
1 week of camp with Specialized Athletic Camp: $650 (only offered Weeks 1, 2, and 4)
Financial aid is available. The financial aid application is included as an option in our online registration process.
The program awards financial assistance according to demonstrated family need on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more via the link below.
Important Dates
Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 8 a.m.: Registration opens for current Lakeside students, Downtown School students, and children of alumni.
Monday, Feb. 17 - Feb. 21: Lakeside campus is closed for mid-Winter break.
Monday, Feb. 24 at 8 a.m.: Registration opens to the public. "Register Now" button will be posted on this webpage.
Friday, May 16: Registration closes for non-Lakeside students applying for for-credit Upper School classes, and for international students registering for any Summer at Lakeside program.
Sunday, June 1 at 5 p.m.: Registration closes.
Refunds and Withdrawals
Bus Service
There will be limited bus service offered during the summer session (June 23-August 1, 2025). The cost is $110/week. Financial aid is available. Families can register for bus service when they register for any Investigative Learning Camp, Investigative Learning Camp Jr, or High School course that is offered within the summer session dates. Bus service is not available for Athletics Camps participants or Service Learning Experience students.
Aftercare
Health and Safety
Summer at Lakeside follows all of the same Health and Safety protocols that Lakeside follows during the school year. A summer nurse will be available during summer programs. For questions about health and safety, please email SummerSchool@lakesideschool.org.
Medication at Lakeside School
Allergy Action Plan
Asthma Action Plan
Diabetes Action Plan
Seizure Action Plan
International Students
How to Register
Watch a video tutorial of the registration process here.
See this infographic from our summer management software, Campbrain, for best practices during registration.
Questions?
SummerSchool@lakesideschool.org
206-440-2700
Summer at Lakeside office closures:
- December 23 - 31, 2024
- January 1, 2025
- January 20, 2025
- February 17 - 21, 2025
- April 14 - 18, 2025
- May 26, 2025
- June 19, 2025
- July 4, 2025
ILC Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I sign up for just one week of camp?
- If my child’s first-choice class is full, can I be put on a waitlist?
- Is there bus service to campus this summer?
- Is there financial aid available?
- Is lunch provided?
- Is aftercare available?
- What should campers bring to camp with them every day?
- When and where is drop-off and pickup?
- If my child has an appointment, can I pick up my student early or drop them off late?
- Can international students attend?
Can I sign up for just one week of camp?
If my child’s first-choice class is full, can I be put on a waitlist?
Is there bus service to campus this summer?
Yes, we offer limited bus service over the summer for Summer School, ILC, and ILC Jr. students. Bus service costs $110/week. Financial aid is available. Please see here for our 2025 bus schedule, which may be subject to change.
Is there financial aid available?
Yes. Summer at Lakeside does its best to make all of our camps and classes accessible to all families, regardless of income. Aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Families may choose to apply for financial aid as part of the online registration process. Financial aid information can be found here.
Is lunch provided?
Is aftercare available?
What should campers bring to camp with them every day?
Snacks and camp t-shirts are provided. Face masks are optional. Campers should bring their own lunches and water bottles. Families receiving financial aid have the option to receive a bag lunch at no cost provided by our camp.
Sunscreen will be available, but campers may also choose to pack their own sunscreen and/or hat for outdoor activities. Campers should wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes if they are signed up for a sports activity.
When and where is drop-off and pickup?
Campers should be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. They should be picked up between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. unless they are signed up for the Aftercare program. Aftercare runs 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. and costs $20/day. Families may register for Aftercare as part of the registration process.
Drop-off and pickup occurs at both the South and North entrances of the Middle School campus. Further drop-off and pickup instructions will be emailed out two weeks before the start of camp.
If my child has an appointment, can I pick up my student early or drop them off late?
Yes. Please email SummerSchool@lakesideschool.org to schedule early pickup or late drop-off. A counselor or administrator will escort your student to the Middle School front entrance.
Can international students attend?
Summer at Lakeside welcomes applications from international students. Learn more about international student participation in Summer at Lakeside.