DES MOINES, IA

Des Moines Summer Camp

All year long, kids find themselves encased in rigid structure.

When summer comes, we give them what they desperately need — freedom to expand and evolve. At Steve & Kate’s, campers choose which activities they do, whom they do it with and for how long. For kids, this experience is pure joy. It’s also a kind of training ground for life, where they’ll need to be empowered and independent and resilient and responsible for their own decisions. Happy human-ing starts here.

Grown-ups adore freedom, too.

We’ve described the magical gift you give your kids when you empower them to make their own decisions. Now let’s talk hardcore convenience for you:

Buy a any number of days and send your kid to camp any day you want? Check.
Drop the kiddos off and pick them up whenever you want? Yup.
Long camp hours, all included? Totally.
Tasty meals and snacks, also included? You bet.
Get an automatic refund for unused days at summer’s end? For sure.
Do you deserve this kind of freedom? Yes, you do.

WHAT IT COSTS

Camp details

CAMP DETAILS

DATES

Jun 9 - Aug 15

HOURS

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

AGES

4–12

ADDRESS

Bergman Academy
100 45th St
Des Moines, IA 50312

DIRECTOR

Katrina

desmoines@steveandkate.com

CALL/TEXT

515-335-8077

FOOD

View Weekly Menu

Additional info for Des Moines campers

Local Camp Drop-off/Pick-Up Procedures

As we get closer to summer, we’ll email registered families a link to our virtual, camp orientation. This will provide important information such as our local camp drop-off & pick-up procedures, how to check-in and check-out of camp each day, what to bring (and not bring), and a few more camp details.

Campus & Accessibility Details

Campus details coming soon.

Activities

Choosing activities: the daily dilemma.

Coding. Sewing. Baking. Making. Sporting. Filming. Lounging. Every day, campers face the excruciating task of choosing from these and many more engrossing activities. Some select a mix of many. Others burrow deep into one or two. Either way, each day they face new experiences bristling with trade-offs and tantalizing possibilities.

In the early morning and late afternoon, campers ramp up and wind down with recreational choices. For the bulk of the day, children will choose from the activities listed below.

animation5 — Create animated art in our bustling Media Lab, as you breathe life into your stories via stop-motion “shorts” filmed on our purpose-built animation stages.

Copy of fashion_28 — Use customized patterns and challenges—and a mix of hand and machine sewing—to manufacture bags, clothing and other fashionable, funky creations. This year campers can even use stencils to design their own fabric.

coding_5 — Absorb hands-on coding concepts using curated iPad apps with drag-and-drop platforms that cater to both early and advanced readers. Our approach gamifies the learning process to put power in the hands of new coders.

dance_Perform_stage — Move and groove with motion-based games like Just Dance, or film your own music videos with friends. New this year campers can also make puppets for our custom theater. Want to burst out in song and dance, or act out a gripping dramatic scene? This is your big moment.

robots1 — Leverage leading-edge robotic technology to empower your learning and problem-solving. Choose from guided activities and self-directed games, plus tools like robot landscapes and custom mazes.

breadmaking1_web-309 — Bake up a storm in our wildly popular test kitchen. Choose fillings, spices, and add-ons, explore new flavors, and customize confections to satisfy your discerning palate.

maker_boys — Release your inner innovator with crafts, inventor kits, 3D pens, and giant foam blocks. Construct take-home projects or collaborate on large-scale builds such as forts or thrones. Our hand-selected STEAM-based materials fuel your curiosity and inspire exploration.

piethrowing_7 (2) — Participate in decades-old Steve & Kate’s traditions like Find Chuckie—our beloved, elusive, rubber chicken—and Friday Pie-Day—where you can cap off a productive week by treating friends and camp staffers to a refreshing pie in the face.

gaga_girl — Run, jump, throw, kick, play. Each site is equipped with go-karts and additional athletic gear optimized for the available fields and play spaces. Team up with peers and staffers to play sports, design games, concoct obstacle courses and more.

5U9A0319 — Every day, experience a special, show- stopping activity. A giant inflatable, a musical performance or guest speaker, a movement class, obstacle course—anything’s possible. We’ll announce our official 2024 specials lineup this spring.

waterslide_6 — On a sweltering summer afternoon, nothing keeps you cooler than games and activities like water tag, inflatable slip n’ slides and giant sprinklers. Wherever space, weather, and local water restrictions allow ‘em, we provide ‘em.

lounge_2 (1) — Enter a pulsating paradise of foosball, marble mazes and other indoor diversions. Retreat to a quiet corner with sensory objects, puzzles and fidget toys. Or immerse yourself in a selection from our library of books curated for all ages and interests.

FEES & REFUNDS

Even more activities.

At Steve & Kate’s, enough is never enough. So every week we supplement our main offering of activities with thrill-inducing weekly specials. Here’s what’s coming this summer to your location:

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Additional activity schedule coming soon!

CARNIVAL DAY

On the last day of camp we’ll trade in our traditional activities for a giant end-of-summer celebration! Get excited for carnival games, extra treats, and plenty of chances to win prizes!

Youngest campers fly solo, but there’s a net.

Most kids take to life at Steve & Kate’s like the naturally hardy individuals they are. For some, especially our younger campers, it can take a little longer to get their wings. That’s why each camp has staff dedicated specifically to supporting our youngest campers. Helping these campers discover their camp magic is the whole point of our Youngest Camper Support Staff, and every time it’s exhilarating to behold.

Food

Eat your heart out. (It’s included.)

Life without delicious food sucks. That’s why our cuisine de camp features a mouth-watering array of tasty, nourishing grub. In partnership with fan favorite restaurants, we keep kids fired up with food they love — from piping hot pizza to salubrious Caesar salads to tangy tomato soup, and much more. Our menus include rotating specials as well as healthy snacks and sides kids can grab whenever their fuel gauge dips into the red. Chomp, chomp. Munch, munch.

DAILY SIDES & SNACKS

VG= Vegetarian , VV= Vegan , GF= Gluten Free , DF= Dairy Free , SF= Soy Free , EF= Egg Free

Fees

What camp costs.

Perhaps you are a grown-up who loves to plan. Or maybe you’re an expert of the fine art of logistical improvisation. Miraculously, our camp fees are designed to scratch both of your respective itches. Buy any number of Day Passes or a Summer Pass, and use them whenever you want during the summer. Don’t even bother to let us know when you’re coming — just roll up. If your plans change, don’t sweat it. We’ll automatically refund your unused Passes in full at summer’s end. How many other summer camps can offer you that level of flexibility?*

*Not one that we know of.

Day Pass and Summer Pass fees cover the entire Steve & Kate’s experience, including lunch, snacks, activities and the entire day from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Fee includes lunch, snacks, activities and all hours 8:00am to 6:00pm.

Buy any number of Day Passes and use them any day at any open location.
Add more Day Passes to your account at any time.
All unused passes are automatically refunded back at the rate you paid, by September 29, 2025.

Fee includes lunch, snacks, activities and all hours 8:00am to 6:00pm.

One fee covers the entire summer–That’s up to 50 days of camp in Des Moines!
If you purchase a Summer Pass and use less than 30 days of camp, we’ll calculate what you would have paid at the Day Pass rate and refund you the difference automatically by September 29, 2025.

FINANCIAL AID

Does your employer offer back-up care through Bright Horizons? Learn how to use your benefits at Steve & Kate’s Camp, here!

Testimonials

These people are very smart. You should listen to them.

I really like that you've carved out something truly unique - a completely low-stress experience for parents. No pre-planning, no need to make lunch, no need to decide which days to attend, automatic refunds. It took some stress out of planning our summer.

Dan C.

(S&K parent)

Even though there are so many kids, she was able to put a personal touch to it by remembering every kid’s name, being open to suggestions as well as remembering to remind my 4 year old daughter to go to the bathroom! My daughter had so much fun making a dress for her bear, making bread, dancing, playing with the weekly specials and the list goes on and on.

Elaine C.

(S&K parent)

It's great to pick up your kid from camp with a smile and excited about the day they spent doing various activities. Staff was wonderful and not having to think about food was such a relief.

Christian K.

(S&K parent)

Staff

Our dedicated camp
team.

For our team members, giving kids the space to liberate their true potential becomes a kind of calling. Think of them as a high-energy, warm-hearted crew of child advocates who deftly balance two invaluable skills — that of providing structure and guidance, and that of staying the heck out of campers’ ways. If that’s not enough, they’re all background-checked and trained in CPR and first-aid. Say “hi” to them at camp — they’d love to meet you.

Events

Steve & Kate's Events

Join us at an upcoming virtual Information Session to learn all the camp basics. We’ll give a quick presentation and overview on our program, and then answer any questions you have. Please note that Information Sessions are open to all Steve & Kate’s Camps, and are not specific to any given location. All Information Sessions are listed in ET.

Local Events

Your camp director

Get in Touch.

Feel free to contact us anytime with your questions about life at Steve & Kate’s, or questions about life in general.

We would love to help you learn more about our program and at the same time learn more about you and your camper.

EMAIL US

CALL OR TEXT US

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AND DOZENS MORE!

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Des Moines Summer Camp

DES MOINES, IA

Des Moines Summer Camp

All year long, kids find themselves encased in rigid structure.