Welcome to the Neuron Garage, the kids summer camp in Austin, TX that helps campers discover their potential through open-ended, hands-on building challenges. Our summer campers take recycled materials and are empowered to find solutions in a fun, collaborative atmosphere. When your child can think creatively, work collaboratively, and respond resiliently, they can do anything.
At the Neuron Garage summer camp, your children repurpose recycled materials to solve fun, weekly building challenges. Along the way, they build the foundation for a vibrant and expansive future. The problems your kids tackle at Neuron Garage summer camp in Austin, TX are open-ended, with no set solutions.
At the Neuron Garage summer camp, your children repurpose recycled materials to solve fun, weekly building challenges. Along the way, they build the foundation for a vibrant and expansive future. The problems your kids tackle at Neuron Garage summer camp in Austin, TX are open-ended, with no set solutions.
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One summer growing up, my husband dreamed of building a boat. Day after day, he and a friend sweated and tinkered in the garage. They envisioned the boat. They biked to the store for supplies. The tried, failed, tried again. They worked together, remaining curious and creative, while they built that boat - and a foundation of resilience.
We believe in the transformational power of the Neuron Garage experience. That's what keeps us motivated all summer long and what drives us to work in the off-season to improve and expand our program!.
Going into our sixth summer, we have seen children with a vast range of interests get deeply engaged and energized by our building challenges, so we know that we have developed something that really works for children with all different backgrounds, learning styles and preferences.At Neuron Garage we are confident that people who are able to think creatively, work collaboratively, and respond resiliently will thrive in any situation.
Going into our sixth summer, we have seen children with a vast range of interests get deeply engaged and energized by our building challenges, so we know that we have developed something that really works for children with all different backgrounds, learning styles and preferences.At Neuron Garage we are confident that people who are able to think creatively, work collaboratively, and respond resiliently will thrive in any situation.
Days at Neuron Garage are a careful balance between individual and group activity, along with time for relaxation, reflection and play, featuring a different Building Challenge each week. Neuron Garage founder Kaylie Reed's background in developmental psychology and education infuses the team training and curriculum with best practices.
It is impossible to explain the joy and transformation campers experience at Neuron Garage kids day camp with words alone. Pictures do not even do it justice, but hopefully they can give you a little more insight. Regardless of the theme, our staff will work with your child to make sure they are connecting to the weekly challenge and developing their ability to think creatively, work collaboratively, and respond resiliently.
Join Neuron Garage in our mission to help educators and children develop the foundation for vibrant futures. We are always looking for Guides to join our team, either locally in Austin, or remotely as part of our online programming.
Whether online or in-person, you will help guide children through the different weekly challenges, provide positive feedback and thoughtful questions to motivate them, help them build a sense of community with each other, and instill soft skills that will help them for the rest of their lives.You will need to have huge reserves of energy, positivity, and a willingness to support growth and interpersonal connections.
Whether online or in-person, you will help guide children through the different weekly challenges, provide positive feedback and thoughtful questions to motivate them, help them build a sense of community with each other, and instill soft skills that will help them for the rest of their lives.You will need to have huge reserves of energy, positivity, and a willingness to support growth and interpersonal connections.
Reviews (18)
Alexandra Hasert
Aug 06, 2020
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Neuron Garage was such a joy for my 6-year-old son, Henry! He loved all the activities he got to do each day (they keep them busy) and he was so proud of the marble run he had built by the end of the week. The staff at Neuron Garage are wonderful and were incredibly kind to Henry. They also send photos throughout the week so you can see what your kids are up to, which, as a parent, is so fun!
Kaylie Reed, the owner, is so easy to work with and was very flexible when we had to change one of our weeks due to some summer plan updates. Even the lunches were a big hit with Henry, and that's a difficult
Kaylie Reed, the owner, is so easy to work with and was very flexible when we had to change one of our weeks due to some summer plan updates. Even the lunches were a big hit with Henry, and that's a difficult
Allison Hutto
Jun 12, 2020
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Neuron Garage has an amazing mission which inspires the kids. The counselors are mature, treat the kids with respect, and truly care about their development through the summer. The owners are phenomenal and work to make the camp fun and educational each year. This is the first time that my son said, "I can't wait for camp!"
Melissa Moloney
Sep 23, 2018
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We've been going to Summer Spark the past three summers, and my two 8 year olds are so excited to go back this summer. This is such a special camp. The owner picks very high quality staff (teachers, I'm pretty sure) and trains them very well. It's not just a camp, it's a giant leap forward in your child's social, emotional development and problem solving skills.
But the kids would not tell you that, they just love that they are having fun! I love that they get out and explore nature and create stuff out of recycled materials to solve fun challenges. They also learn the vocabulary of growth mindset
But the kids would not tell you that, they just love that they are having fun! I love that they get out and explore nature and create stuff out of recycled materials to solve fun challenges. They also learn the vocabulary of growth mindset
Kelly S.
Sep 14, 2018
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Jessica E.
Sep 12, 2018
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As an educator of over 18 years, it was a delight and an honor to work at Summer Spark. First off, I felt that albeit it was "just" a summer camp, it was so, so much more. The other Camp Guides I worked with were professional and I had a blast connecting with them as they connected with the campers. Working at Summer Spark was super fun; you could tell because I smiled and laughed every day. I learned much from the campers in the creation of their builds as they were inspired to create without the same constraints as a typical school year. I LOVED not having the stress of grading or
Sam H.
Aug 02, 2018
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Monica Sapirstein
Jul 28, 2018
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My son attended Summerspark last year, including the extended day program and loved it! We had just moved to Austin and it was important that his first experience would be a positive one; Summerspark did not disappoint! My son came home happy each day and looked forward to going to camp each morning! So much care and effort had gone into the planning of activities and provided just the right balance of free play time outdoors with more structured projects that were fun and enriching.
K. S.
Mar 20, 2018
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Our sons, then entering 3rd & 5th grades, attended for 6 weeks last summer and LOVED every minute. The downtown location is itself a school, so it's well equipped for activities; and each weekly session has a theme. My kids came home with bridges, egg-holders, castles...and tales of how the egg-cradle didn't let the egg break, from off the roof! Pickup/dropoff easy; Times are good for working parents with after-care onsite as well.
We're going back this year and bringing cousins with us!
:)
We're going back this year and bringing cousins with us!
:)
Mike W.
Mar 20, 2018
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We loved Summer Spark, and our 7-year old son had a blast. Lots of creative and inspiring activities, and set in a wonderful atmosphere that encourages kids to explore their interests, even during downtime. And, best of all, the staff -- every adult here is interested and engaged with the kids from the moment they walk in the door in the morning until they leave in the afternoon. A great place to send the kids for the summer!
Austin R.
Mar 14, 2018
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Innovative and progressive, my now 6 year old, then 5 year old benefited greatly from Summer Sparks! He loved solving challenges through collaboration and exploration. The camp is pretty top notch in terms of quality, and you can tell that the owners are pretty passionate about their mission purpose of creating a special experience for the kids. We highly recommend it! Be prepared, your trash will turn into treasures!
Carrie Murchison
Feb 04, 2017
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As a parent, all I know is that my kids have been elated after camp and truly 'sparked', as the name implies. It's the only camp they've actually begged to return to! But since I haven't attended camp myself, I asked them to write the review. :) My daughter says, "Give it all the stars. It's great because we have lots of freedom. We can do the group plan or we can do it our own way." I think that summarizes the spirit of what makes Summer Spark so appealing to them. The careful balance of structured planning with the space to not just 'tolerate', but actually encourage independent thinking and
Heather Schueppert
Jan 02, 2017
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Summer Spark is an amazing program that my son enjoyed every minute of every day. Sometimes it is difficult to create a program that equally challenges a child's mind as well as engage the fun side of it, but Summer Spark was able to do it! My son loved that he got the opportunity to work independently as well as in groups. We loved to see the inventions he developed every day, about the friendships he was making and watched how he took the lessons learned at Summer Spark and applied it to our own conversations or his play time. I would highly recommend Summer Spark and its teachers. We will be
Skye Kilaen
Oct 10, 2016
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My son was 7 last summer and attended "Spark Camp" (as he calls it) for four weeks total. Our plan had been for his grandmother to watch him for the summer, but it turned out she was going to need surgery. We couldn't believe our luck in finding such a high-quality summer camp experience. He attends a Montessori school during the year, so we were so happy to have his camp experience be a compatible style. We felt comfortable that Kaylie and any other teachers would create a community for positive social interaction as well as intellectual development, so we wouldn't lose ground on grace and courtesy
Tanner Shepard
Aug 26, 2016
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This is the second year our son has attended Summer Spark. My son loved it and was excited to go back for two weeks this year. This has been a great compliment to the many sport camps. My son loves the creative thinking and the out of the box ideas / projects. It's fun and challenging. We will again be sending our son and our daughter when she's old enough.
Margaret F.
Aug 21, 2016
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I worked with Kaylie and Stacy at Summer Spark this summer as a counselor - or, more specifically, a guide. We encouraged our wonderful, diverse group of campers to develop their creative problem-solving skills as we guided them to answer questions on their own or with each other. As each week progressed, we amended building challenges based on individual needs. We also adjusted our work/play schedule for each group. Free time was punctuated by relevant puzzles and community-building games. This allowed campers to connect, providing a network in case of frustration during building periods.
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Kim Lalande
Jul 21, 2016
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I was looking for a camp where my daughter could get more exposure to science based activities. Camp Spark provided just that. I loved the problem solving and creativity aspect of the camp. My daughter loved it and was excited to go each day. She came back with a big smile on her face proud of her creative work. We will definitely be back again.
Shannan R.
Jan 11, 2016
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My son absolutely loved this camp so much so that we ended up canceling all of his other camps and signing him for Summer Spark. Just to be clear, that is a huge accomplishment. My 7-year-old has high expectations and Kaylie and her team exceeded them all. Kaylie has a team of encouraging, caring and professional educators that not only taught my son to execute creative, science-based ideas, they taught him how to play chess. If you have a curious child that thrives in creative environments(who doesn't?!), this camp is for your child.
Chris H.
Jun 27, 2015
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My kids always choose TV and video games over doing things. Always...except for the week we tried Summer Spark. I've never in my life had my boys *ask* to go back to school or camp before. They loved it. They were active and engaged during the day, and at night all they wanted to talk about was their challenges from that day. They were even eager to share the lessons that were discussed at camp...whether they learned more from success or failure, etc. Thank you, Kaylie and SS -- we can't wait to come back!
