Collection: Nettelhorst Elementary Summer Camp (Chicago)

Ready to make this your child’s best summer yet? Look no further than Brains & Motion camps held at Nettelhorst Elementary!

Picture this: a week bursting with laughter, collaborative learning, and joyful movement outdoors. That’s the magic of BAM!, and it’s all within reach at this convenient location near you. 

Far from just a place to pass the time, BAM! is your child’s hub for discovery. Their imagination will soar as they experiment with coding, dabble with game design, nurture their artistic side, or sharpen their soccer skills. Here, they’ll lay a foundation to thrive in school, college, and life. We can’t wait for your family to join the fun!

Camp Location:
3252 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657

The STEAM Educator Parents and Schools Trust

With over 93,000 students empowered and 1,100 school partnerships, Brains & Motion is trusted by parents and teachers nationwide to deliver the highest quality STEAM and sports enrichment. From our inspiring instructors and cutting-edge curriculum to our focus on whole-child development, we’re uniquely equipped to help young learners shine.

Courses June 17-21 June 24-28 July 1-5 July 8-12 July 15-19 July 22-26 July 29- August 2 August 5-9
RoboKids: Engineering Adventures with the Dash Robot + Sports Adventures for Grades K-2 RoboKids: Engineering Adventures with the Dash Robot + Sports Adventures for Grades K-2
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CodeCrafters: Coding and Animation with Scratch + Sports Adventures for Grades K-2 CodeCrafters: Coding and Animation with Scratch + Sports Adventures for Grades K-2
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LEGO Innovators: Engineering and Design + Sports Adventures for Grades K-2 LEGO Innovators: Engineering and Design + Sports Adventures for Grades K-2
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MakersQuest: Explore Oceans to Outer Space while Creating Contraptions + Sports Adventures for Grades K-2 MakersQuest: Explore Oceans to Outer Space while Creating Contraptions + Sports Adventures for Grades K-2
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RoboMasters: Engineering with LEGO Robots + Sports Adventures for Grades 3-5 RoboMasters: Engineering with LEGO Robots + Sports Adventures for Grades 3-5
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GameCraft: Coding & Interactive Design with Scratch + Sports Adventures for Grades 3-5 GameCraft: Coding & Interactive Design with Scratch + Sports Adventures for Grades 3-5
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BlockCraft Coding: World Building with Minecraft & MakeCode + Sports Adventures for Grades 3-5 BlockCraft Coding: World Building with Minecraft & MakeCode + Sports Adventures for Grades 3-5
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BlockCraft Science: Interactive Minecraft Adventures + Sports Adventures for Grades 3-5 BlockCraft Science: Interactive Minecraft Adventures + Sports Adventures for Grades 3-5
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Rube Goldberg® Machines: Inventive Engineering + Sports Adventures for Grades 3-5 Rube Goldberg® Machines: Inventive Engineering + Sports Adventures for Grades 3-5
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Animation DreamLab: Character Creation & Storytelling in Motion for Grades 6-8 Animation DreamLab: Character Creation & Storytelling in Motion for Grades 6-8
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Coding Bootcamp: Comprehensive App Development for Grades 6-8 Coding Bootcamp: Comprehensive App Development for Grades 6-8
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AI Creator Lab - Harnessing The Power of Artificial Intelligence in Multimedia Storytelling for Grades 6-8 AI Creator Lab - Harnessing The Power of Artificial Intelligence in Multimedia Storytelling for Grades 6-8
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Rube Goldberg® Machines: Over Engineering Simple Solutions for Grades 6-8 Rube Goldberg® Machines: Over Engineering Simple Solutions for Grades 6-8
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BlockCraft Masters: Game Design & Modding with Minecraft and MakeCode for Grades 6-8 BlockCraft Masters: Game Design & Modding with Minecraft and MakeCode for Grades 6-8
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SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: PRE-CARE / CHECK-IN

Start the day early at pre-care, available every day of camp.

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: WARM-UP

Everyone starts with a fun game to warm up physically and mentally. Preparing for the day ahead allows kids to make new friends and break the ice.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM: CAMP-SPECIFIC ACTIVITY #1

Dive into your camp’s STEM, arts, or sports activity of the day with exciting learning and instructional time. In this morning session, instructors and coaches spark creativity, movement, and critical thinking.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: GAME & SNACK

Take a break from your camp’s topic to move, laugh, and grab a snack.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: CAMP-SPECIFIC ACTIVITY #2

Continue exploring your camp’s topic with exciting hands-on STEM and art projects or technical games in a sports camp.

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: LUNCH

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: CAMPER’S CHOICE ACTIVITY

Guided free time allows campers to recharge after lunch. This is a great way to get energized before the next fun-filled activity.

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: CAMP-SPECIFIC ACTIVITY #3

The afternoon sessions are where creativity flourishes through individual inspiration to extend morning projects or technical sports activities into custom creations and thrilling scrimmages.

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: PROJECT SHARING &CLEAN-UP

Whether sharing computer games they built or hosting an art showcase for another class, campers celebrate each other’s accomplishments.

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: POST-CARE / CHECK-OUT

Parents who did not enroll in the bonus camp will pick their campers up during this time.

3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: BONUS CAMP

An additional service provided by Brains And Motion, extended care is full of exciting activities and adventures that embody the full-day camp experience.

Nettelhorst Elementary Summer Camp (Chicago)

  • STEAM

    Deep dive into special topics like AI, machine learning, creative writing, game design, and more! Cross boundaries, discover new interests, and develop existing talents through project-based explorations. It's learning you can see and feel.

  • SPORTS

    Summer wouldn't be summer without tennis, basketball and more! Enjoy these and other activities in world-class facilities and inspiring surroundings. Whether you're new to a sport or a seasoned player, BAM meets you where you are, so feel free to try something new!

  • COMMUNITY

    Make real friendships that last way beyond summer. Get inspired by a collegiate environment and dream big. Develop leadership and teamwork skills in the warmth and safety of an encouraging camp community.

Our Instructors Are Our Top Asset

At BAM!, our vision for innovative K-8 education extends beyond just curriculum; it encompasses the educators who bring that curriculum to life. Selecting & training our educators is a continuous and meticulous process, ensuring they are not just equipped with subject matter expertise but also the skills to inspire and connect with students on a personal level.

  • 100% adult educators recruited from the prestigious universities ( No CITs at BAM!)
  • Highly refined interview and background check process 
  • Extensive training that goes well beyond curriculum & classroom management
  • Ongoing year-round opportunities to teach in our summer camp. After-school, and structured recess programs.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment/gear does my child need to bring to participate in BAMs’ activities?

Great question: None! For every BAM activity, our instructors provide all necessary equipment and gear. Kids do not need to bring anything additional. This includes laptops, robotic sets, art supplies and sports equipment.

What clothes, shoes and supplies do you require for the sports programs?

Kids must wear comfortable athletic clothing and shoes to play sports. For safety reasons, we do not permit open toe footwear/crocs/sandals. In addition, please send a full water bottle with your child daily so they stay hydrated during the entire session.

What is the age cutoff for kids to participate?

BAM! provides programs for kids 4 to 14. We list ages and grades for every program on our website. Please refer to that registration information to determine the age cutoff for the program of your choice.

What is your check-out procedure?

At the end of each session, instructors go through their rosters and check students out one by one. This sends an email to parents/guardians indicating that their child has been picked up. Teachers release students ONLY to the parent(s)/guardian(s) on file, or to their emergency contact.

If the parent/s or guardian/s on file, or their emergency contact, cannot pick up their student, a parent-written notice should be sent to BAM prior to the program start. Please reach out to our customer service team at contact@brains-and-motion.com with any questions.

What if I run late to pick up my child after the session is over?

If you run late, your child will be safe. Instructors leave no children alone for any reason. They will wait with your student until an authorized caretaker picks them up. However, we do charge a $5 per minute fee for late pick-ups (non-negotiable), beginning five minutes after the session ends.

How do I provide instructor feedback?

With each check-out email, you may rate your child’s instructor. We take instructor ratings seriously and encourage you to provide feedback at every opportunity. Our teachers benefit from hearing about a job well done – or one that requires change.

How do I communicate my child’s medical conditions with BAM?

During the registration process, you can – and should – note any relevant medical information pertaining to your child which might affect their participation in BAMs’ programs. However, please note that our instructors and coaches are not medical professionals. In most cases, they are permitted to perform only basic first aid. In emergencies, they must contact the school office, parents, and/or call 911. Each child’s safety and well being is our utmost priority, so instructors will always take prompt action to care for your child.

Is this program run by the school district, the city or local vendors?

No. BAM runs its own programs, in cooperation with public and private schools and local school districts.

My child attended a camp or program, and I need the information on that class to file my taxes. How can I get it?

You will find the tax ID number on any receipt you receive registering for a BAM program. If you need additional assistance, please email contact@brains-and-motion.com.

What do I do if I forgot to enter a discount code or if the discount code is not working?

Please reach out to customer service at contact@brains-and-motion.com with the following information:

  • The discount code you were trying to use
  • School name
  • Program/camp name or description of program

Can I sign up for summer camp(s) on a daily basis?

Unfortunately, we can only accept registrations for the full week of camp. No drop-ins or daily registrations can be accepted.

Are all summer camps co-ed?

Yes, all camps are co-ed.

What is the kid-staff ratio at your camps?

Each camp location will have one coach/instructor for each cohort (12 campers or less). All coaches and instructors are experienced background checked professionals

Each camp location will also have a Camp Director who is responsible for ensuring all programs are run smoothly and all campers are healthy and safe.

Will BAM be providing snacks, lunch, water and/or sunscreen?

In order to protect kids from any cross-contamination of food, we ask that all campers bring the following food and drinks with them each day to camp:

  • Bottled Water
  • Morning and afternoon snacks
  • Lunch

Please make sure to apply sunscreen to your child prior to arriving at camp. We recommend that you send a bottle of sunscreen with your child so they can re-apply as needed during the day.

How can I make sure my child is grouped together with his/her friends?

You may request that your child is grouped with his/her friends prior to the start of camp. Once camp begins, we can not move kids between groups.

Do I need to provide any additional information prior to the start of Summer Camp?

All parents will be required to sign a waiver. Following camp purchases, parents will also be prompted to fill out your child’s health information and other requirements.