Camp Invention summer STEM program coming to Trinity Lutheran

A nationally recognized summer enrichment program is coming to Merrill this June, giving local kids a hands-on introduction to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Camp Invention will be held at Trinity Lutheran School June 8-12, 2026. The program, a nonprofit initiative of the National Inventors Hall of Fame developed in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, is designed for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Scott Johnson, Principal at Trinity Lutheran School, said the program is not limited to Trinity students.
“Lisa and I have hosted this science camp at two different schools in Minnesota,” Johnson said. “This is open to all students in the surrounding area who are finishing kindergarten through fifth grade.” Johnson and his wife, Lisa, taught in Minnesota for several years before returning to Merrill.
This year’s curriculum, called Spark, centers on four activity modules. In Space Morphers, children build and launch a DIY rocket and complete challenges in a simulated Space Lab. Make Waves puts campers in the role of entrepreneur, building prototypes and pitching products. Fur-ensics introduces forensic science concepts through an animal-themed investigation, and The Infringers challenges students to solve real-world problems while learning about cryptography and intellectual property.

A parent of 2025 Camp Invention campers said the program has benefits that extend beyond the classroom.
“I love that this camp lets my kids step out of the usual roles that they have at home and in school, and explore different parts of themselves,” the parent said. “At camp my son learns to be more creative and my daughter learns to be more independent.”
All Camp Invention programs are taught by local educators. The program serves approximately 147,000 students annually across more than 2,600 schools and districts nationwide.
Registration and additional information are available at invent.org/camp.