Calvin University Chemistry Camps – Grand Rapids, MI
Calvin University Chemistry Camps offer rising sixth through eighth graders a chance to explore real chemistry in a university lab setting. Hosted on Calvin’s Grand Rapids campus and led by a university professor alongside experienced high school chemistry teachers, these half-day summer sessions use hands-on experiments to introduce topics like acids and bases, food analysis, and the reactivity of metals. With small groups, real lab equipment, and a mix of demonstrations and student-led experiments, the camps are built for middle schoolers who are curious about science and ready for something beyond a typical classroom experience.
Program Details
Status: Available
Last reviewed by Michigan STEAM Kids: April 13, 2026
Program name: Calvin University Chemistry Camps
Ages served: Ages 11–14 (entering grades 6–8)
Program type: Summer STEM camp
Focus areas: Chemistry, laboratory science, scientific observation
Format: In-person
Pricing: $220 single registration; $390 paired registration (2 siblings or friends sharing a lab station)
Date and time: Six one-week sessions, Monday–Friday, June–July 2026. Morning sessions run 9:30 AM–12:00 PM; afternoon sessions run 1:00–3:30 PM. Morning and afternoon sessions cover similar topics but feature different activities.
Week 1 (June 15–19): Session A (morning) | Session B (afternoon)
Week 2 (June 22–26): Session C (morning) | Session D (afternoon)
Week 3 (July 6–10): Session E (morning) | Session F (afternoon)
Location:
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Program Overview
Calvin University Chemistry Camps put middle school students into a working university chemistry lab where they conduct real experiments rather than watching from the sidelines. Each week-long session runs as a half-day program — either morning or afternoon — giving families scheduling flexibility. Morning and afternoon sessions cover similar core topics but feature different activities, so students interested in attending more than one session will encounter new experiments each time.
The curriculum focuses on accessible but genuinely scientific topics: testing the acidity of common substances, analyzing the fat content of foods, and observing how different metals react with various solutions. Students learn to use lab equipment safely and to record and interpret their observations, building habits that carry into middle and high school science coursework. The emphasis is on doing chemistry, not just hearing about it.
What sets this program apart is the instructional team. Sessions are led by a Calvin University chemistry professor working alongside experienced high school chemistry teachers, which means students get both the depth of university-level expertise and the teaching style calibrated for their age group. The paired registration option also allows siblings or friends to share a lab station, which can ease the transition for students who are new to a lab setting.
Learning Focus & Skills Developed
Introductory chemistry concepts: acids and bases, chemical reactions, properties of metals
Laboratory safety and proper handling of lab equipment
Scientific observation, data recording, and interpretation
Hands-on experimental techniques (measuring, mixing, testing)
Analytical thinking through food science and materials analysis
Who This Program Is Best For
Middle schoolers who enjoy science and want a more rigorous, lab-based experience than a general STEM camp
Students entering grades 6–8 who are curious about chemistry but have not yet taken a formal chemistry course
Kids who learn best by doing — mixing, testing, and observing rather than reading and listening
Siblings or friends who want to attend together (paired registration option available)
About the Provider
Calvin University is a private Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a strong reputation in the sciences. The university’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is part of its School of STEM and offers undergraduate programs that regularly place students into graduate programs and professional careers in the sciences. The department is also home to the Clean Water Institute, which conducts applied research on water quality.
The Chemistry Camps are part of a broader portfolio of Camps at Calvin, which includes science, nature, music, and sports programming for kids. The chemistry program specifically draws on the department’s faculty and lab facilities, giving campers access to university-grade equipment and instruction that most middle schoolers would not otherwise encounter.
Program Location & Local Context
The camp takes place on Calvin University’s 400-acre campus in southeast Grand Rapids. The campus is located along Burton Street SE, accessible from major routes including the East Beltline and I-96. Families coming from elsewhere in West Michigan will find the location convenient, with ample campus parking available for drop-off and pick-up.
For Grand Rapids-area families, this is one of few summer programs that gives middle schoolers direct access to a university chemistry lab. The half-day format also makes it practical to combine with other summer activities or camps running in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages or grades are eligible for Calvin University Chemistry Camps?
The camps are designed for students entering grades 6, 7, or 8 in the upcoming school year.
Do students need prior chemistry experience?
No. The camps teach introductory concepts through hands-on experiments and are built for students who have not yet taken a formal chemistry course.
What is the difference between morning and afternoon sessions?
Morning and afternoon sessions cover similar core topics but feature different activities. A student could attend both a morning and afternoon session in the same week and still encounter new experiments.
How much does the camp cost?
Single registration is $220 and paired registration (two siblings or friends sharing a lab station) is $390.
How do I register?
Registration opens on the Camps at Calvin website. Applications are reviewed first-come, first-served. Late applications may be placed on a waitlist if space is available.
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