The CR Smith Museum’s award-winning Aviation STEM Summer Camp provides students in grades 3–6 the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with STEM in the aviation industry. To expand access and reach more children, our 2026 camp program will very closely mirror the 2025 camp experience. This allows us to reach new campers over returning participants. No membership is required to register, and registration will open to for everyone at the same time. Below, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about camp in 2026. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact education@crsmithmuseum.org.
Camp dates
Grades 3 – 6:
- June 15 – 19 (Sold out)
- June 22 – 26 (Sold out)
- July 13 – 17 (Sold out)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Extended hours: 8 – 9 a.m. and/or 4 – 5 p.m.
Registration and pricing
Registration: Thursday, February 12 at 10 a.m. CT (first come, first serve)
Pricing: Camp registration packages start at $475*. Extended hours may be added for an additional $75
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About the curriculum
Our Aviation STEM Summer Camps are tailored for students grades 3 – 6. Your camper will get hands-on experience with STEM in the aviation industry. Our curriculum is modeled around two core principles:
Experiential learning
That means hands-on science and engineering workshops and dedicated flight simulator instruction by trained camp staff and American’s flight instructors (based on availability). Students will also compete in a week-long STEM challenge to build critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration skills.
Career exploration
Students take field trips, complete presentations and connect with American Airlines professionals to learn about the airline’s operation and various career paths. Pilots, flight attendants, IT specialists, engineers, mechanics, meteorologists and graphic designers are examples of professionals they may connect with from the industry!
Award-winning programming
The Museum’s education programs have been recognized repeatedly in the community. In 2022, North Texans voted our summer camp Best in DFW — Gold for summer camps in Dallas-Fort Worth. In 2021, our education programs were awarded the Million Women Mentors Texas Stand Up For STEM award. Check out our website to see the full program portfolio.
What camp offers – through the eyes of a camper!
Frequently asked questions
If I decide to purchase the extended hours, can I take advantage of both early drop-off and late pick-up?
Yes! If you select to add extended hours to your child’s registration, you may drop your child off between 8 – 9 a.m. and/or pick them up between 4 – 5 p.m.
How is grade eligibility calculated?
During the registration process you will enter your child’s date of birth. Eligibility is calculated based on the age and corresponding grade of your camper on September 30, 2026. If your camper’s age does not qualify him/her to attend a certain group, an “age mismatch” error message will appear on the screen, and you will not be able to register for that group. For example, if you attempt to register a 14-year-old, you will receive an ‘age mismatch’ error message and will not be able to proceed with the registration.
How many different groups are there for each week of camp?
There is only one single group for each week of camp. For instance, if the decision says “grades 3 – 6” it means campers from rising 3rd graders to rising 6th graders will jointly experience camp. We have found that interactions across multiple grade levels greatly benefit our campers, as they significantly contribute to their social development.
What should I expect if my child is on the waitlist?
In the case that a spot opens in a session for your child’s grade level, the Museum team will call and email you to reserve the spot. You must respond within 24 hours of our outreach. If not, we will move to the next person on the list. We appreciate your understanding.
What does a typical camp day look like?
Although each day is different, your camper can expect:
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- Hands-on science activities
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- Exclusive behind-the-scenes access to parts of American’s operation
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- Airline expert interactions
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- Access to our flight simulators
- Fun games
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Students can also expect built-in free time to explore the Museum and work on their week-long challenge. The week will literally “fly by.”
How many kids are in each camp session?
There is a maximum of 26 students in the group. In addition to our three full-time camp staff, we also have many experts and volunteers who help support the program. This allows camp staff to support individual campers if/as needed.
Do I need to pack my child’s lunch?
Yes, please pack your child’s lunch, snacks and a refillable water bottle.
How should my child dress for camp?
Campers will receive a camp T-shirt on the first day of camp. We ask that campers wear the provided T-shirt every day as we will embark on daily field trips and it will help our camp staff easily identify each student. We recommend bringing a sweater as it can be cool in the classroom. Closed toed shoes are required.
What are the qualifications of your camp staff?
Prior to campers’ arrival, our camp staff go through comprehensive training following best practices established by the American Camp Association (ACA) to provide a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for campers. Additionally, the Museum team and Marie Eve Poirier-Harris, Director of Museum Education, were awarded the 2021 Million Women Mentors – Texas Stand Up for STEM Educational Organization and Educator awards. And in 2022, the program was voted Gold for summer camps in the Best in DFW awards.
What if I need to cancel my child’s registration in camp?
A cancellation fee of $200 applies to cancellations made 30 days or more prior to the camp start date. No refunds or credits will be issued if the cancellation is made less than 30 days prior to the camp start date.