SLU Showcases Innovation and Inclusion with Camp Invention and Autism Camp
08/28/2025
The School of Education at Saint Louis University spotlighted two transformative summer programs — Camp Invention® and the fourth annual Autism Camp — both designed to ignite creativity, build confidence, and foster inclusion among young learners on campus.
Camp Invention: 35 Years of Hands-On STEM Learning
For more than a decade, SLU has proudly hosted Camp Invention®, a nationally recognized
STEM day camp created by the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office. Directed by Ryan Wilson for the past six years, this year marks
Camp Invention’s 35th anniversary, offering a unique blend of creativity, critical
thinking, and innovation for students entering grades K–6.
This summer’s curriculum — centered on the theme “Discover” — inspired campers with
fresh project-based modules in sustainable design, AI navigation, optical illusions,
and game engineering. Activities ranged from building arcade machines and ecofriendly
gadgets to inventing new tools from recycled materials. As always, campers took home
their own creations and returned home energized and empowered.
Looking ahead to Summer 2026, SLU plans to extend Camp Invention to two full weeks, expanding opportunities for more students to participate in this immersive learning experience.
Autism Camp: Fostering Growth, Connection and Confidence
Simultaneously, SLU’s Institute for Cognitive and Autism Support (ICAS) hosted its 4th Annual Autism Camp, June 23–27. Purposefully limited to six campers ages 9–12, this inclusive, hands-on program focused on social skills, sensory engagement, and emotional well-being.
The week featured purposeful themes and activities tied to “Visit St. Louis”:
- Monday: A campus scavenger hunt and a helmet safety session with St. Louis Children’s Hospital — each child received a helmet and scooter for daily use.
- Tuesday: Zoo animal sketching with guest art teacher Paige Wade and the launch of a service project for North Side Charter Community School.
- Wednesday: A visit to SLU’s Garden and Peach Orchard, including nutrition demonstrations led by Martha Blaess, Ph.D., and Marilyn Claggett.
- Thursday: Gym time at the Simon Recreation Center and a fundraiser — selling pretzels and lemonade — raising over $200 for North Side Charter Community School.
- Friday: Sensory stations, outdoor play, games, and a culminating celebration.
The camp also featured a precamp Zoom Meet and Greet and an optional visiting day before the camp's start, along with visual schedules and social stories for families, ensuring a smooth and supportive transition for campers.
Camp leaders Diane Richter, Ph.D., Sarah Zimmerman, O.T.D., and Meredith Fehrer, were supported by an enthusiastic team of undergraduate and graduate volunteers: Irene Gao, Caroline Klos, Mariangela Acosta, Melanie Clark, Sayge Wiedman, Ally Wilson, Abby Tate and Anjum Umrani.
Building on this success, ICAS is planning three to four mini-Saturday camps during the 2025–26 academic year, each focusing on social expectations, sensory experiences, and adaptive skills centered around holidays and transitions.
At SLU, Making Summers Matter
By offering both Camp Invention® and Autism Camp, SLU’s School of Education demonstrates its deep commitment to hands-on learning, inclusion, and the holistic development of all young learners. From tinkering with inventions to mastering new social skills, our summer programs continue to create memorable and impactful learning experiences.