Power on your imagination this summer with ECM!

2025 Summer Camp registration coming soon!

Summer STEAM Institute

What is the location of the 2024 Summer STEAM Institute?

Mt. Pleasant Academy, 605 Center St, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

What are the dates of camp?

July 17 - August 2, 2024 (no camp July 1-5)

How much does the Summer STEAM Institute® cost?

$375 per week. A non-refundable $100 deposit is due to reserve your spot for the week. 

What is the daily schedule?

7:30 - 8:00 am: Drop-off

8:00am - 4:00 pm: Instruction

4:00 - 4:30 pm: Pick-up

Do you offer early drop-off or late pick-up?

Yes!  Early drop-off begins at 7:00 am and late pick-up ends at 5:00 pm.  There is a nominal fee. 

Can my child come for partial weeks?

Due to costs involved, we are only able to register campers for full week sessions.

I have multiple children who will be attending camp this summer. Is there a sibling discount?

We love when siblings attend camp together and wish we could offer a discount but, because we provide scholarships for students who might not otherwise attend camp during the summer, we cannot offer sibling discounts.  We want all children to experience the joy of the arts this summer so if finances are a barrier for you, please contact us at [email protected] and someone will reach out to discuss options.

What will my child need to bring to camp?

Campers should come each day with a water bottle, lunch, snacks, and wear closed-toe shoes. We are up and active during most of the day, so everyone will need to stay well-hydrated. Summer STEAM Institute® provides breakfast and lunch each day to keep campers energized!  Campers are welcome to bring their own lunch from home. 

My child is allergic to peanuts. Is your camp peanut-free?

No, our camp is NOT a peanut-free program. 

What happens if my child has a medical emergency at camp?

All staff are CPR/First Aid certified. If our staff is unable to handle the emergency, we will get them to the hospital that you specify on your safety waiver. We will contact you about any medical issues or emergencies that occur during the camp day.

What is the counselor to camper ratio in your groups?

We have a 1:10 counselor to camper ratio in each group.  

Who leads classes and groups during the day?

Each group of 10 campers will have one adult counselor who attends classes with their campers. Our counselors have been CPR/First Aid and certified and have completed Darkness to Light training. Your child will be placed with a counselor for the entirety of the week. Each class is taught by one of our ECM Instructors who have been trained in our curriculum and are a part of our in-school programming. All staff and administration have passed a SLED background check.

What is the cancellation policy?

A 50% refund (excluding the non-refundable deposit) is available up to two weeks before the week of camp begins. 

yellow-circle

camp

Summer STEAM Institute®

Our highly successful, national award-winning Summer STEAM Institute® features arts integrated learning and instruction and is winner of the 2016 New York Life Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Award!

grey-circle

Our summer camps are designed to increase literacy, offset summer learning loss, and engage students in exciting educational activities.

Students in K-8th grade  are engaged in weekly innovative STEAM* learning experiences and athletics. Students work with certified teachers, artists, and STEM professionals and cultural organizations to design and produce projects, experiments, and unique art. Themes change weekly and focus on 21st-century skills such as fostering imagination, collaboration, and creativity. 

*STEAM = science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics

Did you know?

• During the summer, students lose 2 months of math skills.
• Low-income students also lose 2+ months in reading achievement.
• 9 in 10 teachers* spend at least 3 weeks re-teaching lessons at the start of the school year.

*Surveyed by the National Summer Learning Association

Afterschool and Summer programs provide the building blocks kids need to succeed in life and school.*

82% of parents surveyed agree that students who regularly participate in quality after-school and summer programs…

• Get excited about learning
• Improve work habits & grades

The Summer STEAM Institute was created to address summer learning loss and provide opportunities for rising K- 8th grade students to engage in meaningful experiences that keep them engaged and on track for the next school year by working alongside local STEM professionals, artists, and athletes. We believe children should have fun over the summer, and that is why all of our weekly themes are generated by students. Our themes are so fun and engaging, they don’t even know they are learning. 100% of our campers tell us they hope to come back the following summer – it’s just that much fun!

**According to the Afterschool Alliance

Special Thanks to Arts Grow SC!

We are excited to be part of the Arts Grow SC initiative, funded by the South Carolina Arts Commission and the South Carolina Department of Education through American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds, providing summer camps and
afterschool programs in school districts across South Carolina. The goal of Arts Grow SC is to provide equitable access to learning in and
through the arts for South Carolina students.