Discover Summer at The Grayson School
The best accelerated summer enrichment programs from young EXPLORER camps through advanced CATALYST coursework begin June 15, 2026!
EXPLORERS | Grades K-2
One-week guided explorations and fun STEAM activities for our youngest campers, delivering new discoveries and fast-paced learning.
Around the World in Four Meals
Across this four-day culinary adventure, students will explore four different meal types: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, sampling cuisine inspirations from around the globe. Whether whipping up Venezuelan arepas, classic American pancakes, homemade sandwich bread, or Korean-style egg salad, students will practice careful measuring, ingredient preparation, and teamwork as they cook together. Along the way, they will also learn to keep a tidy kitchen and follow the cooking and baking process from start to finish. By the end, each young chef will take home new recipes and a whole host of new skills to help them host their next picnic or dinner party!
NOTE: The Grayson School is a nut-free environment. Due to the nature of this hands-on, global culinary program, this camp features ingredients containing other common allergens such as wheat and eggs. Please contact us if you have questions prior to registration.
SESSION 1: June 15-June 18, 2026 (no camp on 6/19); CLOSED
SESSION 2: June 29-July 2, 2026 (no camp on 7/3); 9:00 am-3:00 pm
COST: $400
Inspiring Artists
Explore the stories, secrets, and styles of four influential artists and discover what makes each creator’s style and medium truly unique. Inspired by each of their stories and techniques, campers will create original artworks across various media. From painting and collage to sculpture and mixed media, we will experiment with a variety of artistic forms. Every day ends with a masterpiece to take home and share in celebration of imagination and creativity!
SESSION 1: June 15-June 18, 2026 (no camp on 6/19); CLOSED
SESSION 2: June 29-July 2, 2026 (no camp on 7/3); 9:00 am-3:00 pm
FACULTY: Mary Lyon
COST: $400
A Measurement Mystery
Campers will become active mathematical detectives in this hands-on investigative camp. They will work to solve a thrilling measurement mystery by following clues and solving puzzles and challenges. We’ll use various units of measure to collect evidence, evaluate clues, and piece together the solution. Campers with emerging math skills will focus on measurement precision and understanding relationships such as greater than and less than, while those with more advanced skills will dive deeper into concepts like perimeter, volume, and other complex measurements. By the end of the week, every young detective will have sharpened their math skills and cracked the case!
SESSION 1: June 15-June 18, 2026 (no camp on 6/19); CLOSED
SESSION 2: June 29-July 2, 2026 (no camp on 7/3); 9:00 am-3:00 pm
COST: $400
Imagine That!
For the young child whose imagination likes to run wild, this camp is an introduction to the world of creative problem solving as a team sport. Campers will brainstorm and collaboratively generate creative solutions to interesting and wacky problems while working within the confines of specific parameters (for example, solutions must incorporate an animal) and/or limited resources (for example, you may only use materials that are blue). This week is guaranteed to energize and delight!
SESSION 1: June 22-June 26, 2026; CLOSED
COST: $500
Tink Tank
Does your child love to build, design, and figure out how things work? In this hands-on program, students will become curious creators as they explore the properties of different materials and strengthen their design-thinking skills. Campers will experiment with both construction and deconstruction, taking apart simple machines like wind-up toys to discover what makes them move and then using what they learn to build their own creative inventions. From simple circuits and light-up creations to clever, electricity-free contraptions like marble runs, students will have plenty of opportunities to experiment, test, and tinker as they bring their inventive ideas to life.
SESSION 1: June 22-June 26, 2026; CLOSED
SESSION 2: July 6-July 10, 2026; 9:00 am-3:00 pm
COST: $500
The Great Lemonade Stand Challenge
Is your young camper ready to start a business? This hands-on project challenge transforms learning into a festive adventure as campers take on the exciting project of building their very own lemonade stand from start to finish! Along the way, they’ll strengthen their STEM and communication skills by: determining the perfect balance of sour and sweet as they measure lemon juice and sugar; exploring currency and pricing strategies; designing and building their displays and practicing persuasive communication as savvy salespeople. For students ready for an extra challenge, differentiated instruction will extend into testingvariations in market pricing strategies, calculating profit margins, and more. The week will wrap up with a festive lemonade stand event, where students share their creations and recipes. Families are welcome to join us after 2:30 pm to help celebrate their success!
NOTE: The Grayson School is a nut-free environment. Due to the nature of this culinary challenge, while we do not plan ingredients containing other common allergens such as wheat and eggs, the camp environment is not guaranteed to be allergen-free. Please contact us if you have questions prior to registration.
SESSION 1: June 22-June 26, 2026; CLOSED
SESSION 2: July 6-July 10, 2026; 9:00 am-3:00 pm
COST: $500
BUILDERS | Grades 3-5
Get ready for teamwork, skill acquisition, and a more complex, structured process in these exciting one-week STEAM camps.
The Erdös Number Project
Calling all math enthusiasts: if you are a curious problem solver who loves numbers, asks lots of questions, and enjoys being a little silly, this camp is the perfect fit. Throughout the week, students will explore four branches of discrete mathematics not often introduced until much later in school: graph theory, combinatorics, number theory, and game theory. Campers will discover mathematical patterns in real-world contexts, collaborate to generalize solutions, and use manipulatives and games to investigate advanced ideas. The camp is named for Paul Erdös, a famously eccentric mathematician known for his love of math, his quirks, and his extensive collaborations, reflecting the spirit of this program: joy in mathematics, a bit of uniqueness, and a strong sense of teamwork.
SESSION: June 15-June 18, 2026 (no camp on 6/19); CLOSED
COST: $400
Reverse Engineering
Has your student ever wondered what makes a toaster pop, a fan spin, or a wind-up toy move? In this program, students will become engineers and investigators as they take apart everyday machines to uncover the secrets of how they work. Along the way, they’ll explore key concepts in motion, energy, and design, using what they learn to reimagine and rebuild their own creations. From gears and switches to circuits and motors, campers will gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that power our world. By the end of the program, they’ll have strengthened their problem-solving skills and discovered the fun of engineering from the inside out.
SESSION 1: June 15-June 18, 2026 (no camp on 6/19); CLOSED
SESSION 2: June 29-July 2, 2026 (no camp on 7/3); 9:00 am-3:00 pm
COST: $400
Art Workshop: Drawing and Painting
This camp is perfect for budding artists ready to explore their creativity! Students will explore drawing and painting techniques, working on a variety of prompts from still lifes to landscapes using both pencil and pigment. They’ll take inspiration from classic artists like Vincent van Gogh and modern artists such as Kara Walker, and enjoy mini-lessons from the instructor to grow their skills. There will also be plenty of time for free creation, letting students experiment and bring their own ideas and style to life. By the end of each day, campers will leave with a brand-new masterpiece to take home and celebrate!
SESSION: June 15-June 18, 2026 (no camp on 6/19); CLOSED
COST: $400
FrankenStuff Factory: Creature Design Lab
Ever wonder what it takes to bring a creature to life? This unique camp blends classic literature with fascinating hands-on science and design!
Students will explore the classic tale of Frankenstein through developmentally appropriate graphic novels, with multiple versions available to meet diverse reading levels. As they read, campers will compare the stories, discussing similarities and differences in each retelling. At the same time, students will learn the art of suturing, discovering how stitches can repair a wound or create an entirely new creature. Using various suture threads, they will practice on synthetic skin and fruit before culminating the week by stitching together their very own FrankenStuff, an imaginative creature of their own design. Perhaps it will have the head of a bear, the body of a pig, and the legs of a bird, or something completely different and totally unique.
SESSION 1: June 15-June 18, 2026 (no camp on 6/19); CLOSED
SESSION 2: June 29-July 2, 2026 (no camp on 7/3); 9:00 am-3:00 pm
COST: $400
Real-Life Dashers: A Geometry Challenge
Inspired by the popular tablet game, students will step into the role of the rolling ball as they recreate and reimagine Geometry Dash in real life. Students will begin by mapping and measuring their course, racing through it to determine their rate, and using skills such as calculating averages and representing data to establish a baseline. Next, they will dive into geometry by exploring geometric nets, carefully measuring, cutting, and constructing life-sized obstacles to add to their evolving course. Once new obstacles are in place, students will race again to compare how their rates change, applying math in an active, hands-on way. By the end of the week, students will have strengthened their geometry skills, burned off plenty of energy, and had a blast running their own student-designed obstacle course!
NOTE: This camp includes many outdoor activities, so campers must have water bottles, clothing suitable for active play, and additional sunscreen for re-application.
SESSION 1: June 22-June 26, 2026; CLOSED
SESSION 2: July 6-July 10, 2026; 9:00 am-3:00 pm
COST: $500
StormE: A Weather Simulation
Is your child fascinated by the weather? This simulation camp allows them to be a part of a team of meteorologists examining the conditions of a real-world nor’easter affecting the East Coast of the United States. We’ll predict the course of the storm by analyzing air pressure, fronts, temperature, dew point, winds, and clouds. On the last day of camp, the young weather people will have an online conference with experts at the Challenger Learning Center at Wheeling Jesuit University. Together, they will use their maps, graphs, and charts to make a recommendation to NYC officials who have asked for a timely and accurate weather forecast for the annual New Year’s celebration in Times Square. Actual data and new science and math concepts converge as campers make powerful brain– and rainstorms!
SESSION: July 6-July 10, 2026; 9:00 am-3:00 pm
FACULTY: Kelly DiLullo
COST: $500
3D Design Lab
In this hands-on program, students will explore the world of 3D modeling, design, and fabrication. Using TinkerCad, they will create printable designs that bring them joy and solve real-world problems, learning to think like both engineers and artists. Campers will design and print items such as custom cookie cutters, reusable stencils, game pieces, and personalized nameplates, gaining experience with measurement, spatial reasoning, and iterative improvement. By the end of the program, students will leave with a collection of unique 3D printed creations that reflect their creativity and growing design skills.
SESSION 1: June 22-June 26, 2026; CLOSED
SESSION 2: July 6-July 10, 2026; 9:00 am-3:00 pm
FACULTY: Holly Klavans
COST: $500
Picture Book Studio for Author/Illustrators
Does your child have a story that must be told? Do they love to look at picture books and draw pictures themselves? They’ll become author-illustrators over the course of thisweek! Campers will explore the art and stories of many beloved picture books, examining different mediums and strategies authors and illustrators use to tell a story through both words and images. They will develop their writing and artistic skills while experimenting with colors, textures, composition, and layouts to bring their stories to life. Each day will balance storytelling and page design, giving students time to imagine, write, and illustrate. By the end of the week, campers will have completed a beautiful picture book they planned, wrote, and designed from scratch, leaving as proud author-illustrators with skills to create even more stories!
SESSION: June 22-June 26, 2026; CLOSED
COST: $500
DESIGNERS | Grades 6-8
Middle school campers will take on authentic challenges and strategic decision-making and problem-solving in these engaging two-week sessions.
Forensic Science: A Crime Lab Intensive
Are you fascinated by forensic science? Middle School students who want to dive deep into the techniques, methods, and investigative approaches used to solve crimes will enjoy many hands-on activities in the field of forensic science in these two weeks. These include: analyzing fingerprints using dusting and superglue fuming methods; testing soil samples and trail tracking; evaluating DNA profiles with polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis; and investigating blood through typing and splatter analysis. Campers will also use microscopy to examine hair and skin samples left at the crime scene and learn proper techniques for bagging and tagging evidence without transferring their own DNA or contaminating the scene.
SESSION: June 15-June 26, 2026 (no camp on 6/19); CLOSED
COST: $1080 + $250 fee
Young Investors Club: Building Financial Literacy
Are you ready to grow your wealth and beat the market? This hands-on enrichment program invites students to step into the world of finance, focusing on the essential strategies for building and protecting a diversified investment portfolio. We move far beyond the basics to explore how wealth is truly created and sustained.
Students will examine traditional forms of investing such as mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and high-yield savings accounts, as well as nontraditional investments like rare violins, fine art, wine, and more. The concept of a diversified portfolio will be emphasized, especially in the second half of the program when students put their investment strategies to the test in a Game of Life–style simulation. They will track their investments over time, responding to market crashes, floods that damage rare assets, and sudden surges in value, applying strategic thinking and risk management. By the end of the program, campers will have gained a deeper understanding of the work that goes into selecting and maintaining an investment portfolio and will leave with thoughtful insights on managing real funds in the future.
SESSION: June 15-June 26, 2026 (no camp on 6/19); CLOSED
COST: $1080
The Mini-Golf Engineering Challenge
This intensive hands-on program is perfect for Middle School students who love to design, build, and work with real materials. Using Grayson’s Projects Room, campers will tackle the challenge of creating their very own, custom mini-golf course hole—a functional piece of engineering and art to take home! Starting the design process with small cardboard models, campers will plan, rethink, and redesign their fairway, rough, or bunkers before moving to final production. All campers will receive full training on a variety of tools to cut, drill, and assemble their part of the course. Creative elements to bring their hole to life are added, and those with extra time may tackle additional challenges, such as turning a block of wood into a smooth-rolling golf ball or adding moving obstacles. The program culminates in a fun showcase of the completed, playable course! Campers leave with new engineering skills and a masterpiece to take home and enjoy all summer long!
NOTE: This is a hands-on, tool-based course, and students will be trained on all equipment and expected to follow safety instructions at all times. In addition, students must come wearing closed-toed shoes and have long hair tied back. There is a materials fee to cover supplies used during projects.
SESSION: June 15-June 26, 2026 (no camp on 6/19); CLOSED
COST: $1080 + $250 materials fee
Underground Mathematics: Tackling the Puzzles School Forgot
Middle School students will investigate mathematical problems and concepts that are rarely addressed during the school year in this academic enrichment camp. They will tackle challenging ideas such as fair cake cutting, the amoeba problem, the pigeonhole principle, and other advanced conjectures, developing logical reasoning and problem-solving skills along the way. Students will also construct physical models of mathematical principles, including a hyperbolic paraboloid, a physically contradictory curved surface made entirely of flat pieces, and a Sierpiński triangle, a fractal shape that repeats its triangular pattern at smaller and smaller scales. By the end of the program, campers will have engaged with nontraditional mathematical challenges and developed a more sophisticated appreciation for the depth and creativity inherent in mathematics.
SESSION: June 29-July 10, 2026 (no camp on 7/3); 9:00 am-3:00 pm
COST: $1,080
DNA Discovery Lab: Genetic Engineering
Middle School students fascinated by biology can dive deep into cells, the genome, and inheritance in this academic enrichment camp. Using microscopes to explore the inner workings of life,campers will investigate advanced topics and techniques in genetic engineering, including the history of genetic modification and discussions on the ethics and equity of modifying organisms. The course culminates with a hands-on experiment in which students will genetically modify E. coli bacteria to express a novel gene that changes its color, putting their knowledge and skills into practice while observing real-world results using CRISPR-Cas9 biotechnology. Throughout the program, students will develop a sophisticated understanding of genetics, scientific reasoning, and the power and responsibility of modern biotechnology.
NOTE: This is a science lab-based course, and students will be expected to follow all lab safety protocols, which will be explained on the first day of camp. In addition, students must come wearing closed-toed shoes and have long hair tied back. There is an additional materials fee to cover supplies used during laboratory experiments.
SESSION: June 29-July 10, 2026 (no camp on 7/3); 9:00 am-3:00 pm
COST: $1080 + $250 materials fee
CATALYSTS | Grades 9-12
These four-week intensive courses provide advanced rigor and conceptual depth at an accelerated pace, building a student’s portfolio and preparedness.
About Catalyst Courses
The Catalyst Program offers highly motivated students the opportunity to complete a full-length academic course in just four weeks through an intensive and fast-paced model. Students engage in approximately six hours of focused instruction and guided practice each day, supported by an additional hour of homework each evening to reinforce their learning and prime them for the subsequent lessons. These rigorous courses are designed for learners who are eager to accelerate their study of mathematics or computer science, who demonstrate strong self-motivation and academic stamina, and who are ready to meet and exceed elevated expectations. Throughout the program, students will complete interim and final assessments that provide clear evidence of their understanding and mastery of course content. This program provides a rare opportunity for students to engage with advanced material at a depth and pace suited to them.
- Students must apply for entry into these courses.
- Full payment and enrollment confirmation will be required after the student’s application has been reviewed and accepted.
- This course covers a full-year of material in four weeks. If you plan to use this course for acceleration, please consult with your student’s school.
- While these courses are designed for rising 9th–12th graders, qualified 8th graders may apply.
Interested in a particular course we are not offering this summer? We welcome your suggestions for future classes! Please reach out to summer@thegraysonschool.org.
Geometry
Geometry is the study of the properties and relations of space, points, lines, surfaces, and solids. Despite being one of the oldest branches of mathematics, it remains highly relevant in contemporary life, with applications in myriad fields. In addition to the core concepts, the course focuses on logical thinking and spatial reasoning. Students are challenged to solve problems in novel (to them) contexts and reason from first principles. Topics include foundations of geometry; parallel lines and transversals; congruence and similarity in triangles and other polygons; classification and properties of triangles; classification and properties of quadrilaterals; transformations; geometry in the plane; the distance formula; the Pythagorean theorem and properties of right triangles; circles, tangents, and secants; area of plane figures; and the volume and surface area of solids. Students are expected to rise to the challenge of mastering a full course in just four weeks, working diligently in and out of class.
SESSION: June 15-July 10, 2026 (no camp on 6/19 or 7/3); CLOSED
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Algebra I by beginning of this course
FACULTY: Brian Landis
COST: $2,999
Calculus II
SESSION: June 15-July 10, 2026 (no camp on 6/19 or 7/3); CLOSED
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Calculus I by beginning of this course
FACULTY: Dr. Luther Rinehart
COST: $2,999
A few other details
- All camps and Catalyst courses are held at our Radnor, Pennsylvania campus.
- Everyone must bring a water bottle, lunch, and a few snacks each day. Please note that Grayson is a nut-free school.
- A media release and liability waiver are included in registration.
- International students interested in registering for camp should contact us for eligibility and information about international program pricing.
- For K-8 campers: Aftercare until 5:00 pm is available for an extra cost. As we plan to spend time outdoors, we ask that you apply and pack extra sunscreen each day.
Get ready for summer now and secure your spot!
