Camp What If
idea creation
- 7-day sessions
- For students leaving 5th-8th grade in the spring
- Centered in specific cities
- Community-based design thinking skills
- Immersive community explorations
- Practice pitching and prototyping
- Explore launching your idea in the real world
- Camps In Akron and Canton!
Camp Explore
community exploration
- 4-day sessions
- For students leaving 5th-8th grade in the spring
- Centered around themes and community sectors
- Community explorations and hands-on projects
- 2026 Theme are:
- Manufacturing – Makers
- Construction – Home Builders
- City Planning – CityChangers
- Middle School Transition
2026 Camp Registration is Open!
SUMMIT CAMPS
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FREE for middle schoolers and their families!
Since 2012, TomTod Ideas has provided excellent summer programming for your community’s middle schoolers (students leaving 5th-8th grade). With 7-day camps and 4-day camps, there are options for everyone.
With over six decades of combined experience in facilitating summer camps for youth, our highly trained leadership team brings community exploration, positive youth development, and a whole lot of fun to Stark and Summit County middle schoolers every summer.
21 weeks of summer adventure await!
because middle schoolers matter
thanks to our generous sponsors and partners
TomTod camps are ALWAYS FREE to families
TomTod camps are ALWAYS FUN
TomTod camps are ALWAYS MEMORY MAKERS
Go ahead and do a happy dance!
Thanks to our community partners, including cities and school districts, sponsors, and individual donors who believe middle schoolers matter, all summer day camps are free to middle schoolers and their families.
Curious how a free summer program can impact your child?
I will honestly say that my daughter had a bit of a spark after our first week with TomTod. Quick “yes” or “no” answers turned into long narratives that filled our entire ride home each day.
Faith B – Parent
My son taught me things I didn’t know – I could feel the community coming into our home. He’s come back each day eager to share stories about the places he visited and the people he met.
Lisa T – Parent
After Camp What If, here’s what campers can do…
90%
confidently collaborate with adults and other campers
86%
learn to research real problems in the real world
94%
use their creativity and critical thinking to solve problems
85%
confidently present their ideas to adults and community members
*based on self-reported data from 2024 campers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is camp really free?
It sure is! We are dedicated to providing all our programming for free for middle schoolers and their families. That being said, we are proud to offer the highest quality experience possible. If you find value in providing high quality programming for middle schoolers, consider making a donation. Thank you!
Who are the camp counselors?
TomTod’s camp staff is a diverse mix of professionals dedicated to serving middle schoolers. Each summer staff member goes through a competitive application and review process that includes a background check before being hired. With over six decades of experience in facilitating summer camps for youth, our team is ready to create the best camp experience for your middle schooler.
Who is eligible to attend camp?
TomTod Summer Camps are open to middle schoolers leaving 5th through 8th grade. Each camp does have certain eligibility requirements, so be sure to check each camp’s description.
TomTod Summer Camps are educational but not school! All middle schoolers will be challenged and encouraged to make discoveries, ask questions, and learn something new about their community. Camp What If and Camp Explore, like all TomTod programming, is for middle schoolers of all learning styles.
Can my middle schooler attend more than 1 TomTod camp for FREE?
Yes! Middle schoolers can attend multiple camps with TomTod this summer. Just the geographic eligibility for each camp, and remember that a middle schooler can only attend 1 instance of each camp type.
For example, middle schoolers from Canton City can attend:
- Camp Explore: Middle School, if they are transitioning into Crenshaw Middle School or STEAMMAcademy,or ArtsAcademy,AND ALSO…
- Camp Explore: Stark Makers and…
- Camp Explore: Canton City Changers #1
For example, middle schoolers from Akron can attend:
- Camp Explore: Akron City Changers at Firestone Park or at Reservoir Park and…
- CWI: Akron at Summit Lake (a 2-week camp!)
- Camp Explore: Summit Makers
Note: Camps cannot attend 2 instances of the same camp – like both weeks of Camp Explore: Akron City Changers.
What will my child do at camp?
Campers will explore the community by going on Field Discovery Labs to area organizations and businesses. They’ll have lunch from local restaurants, play lots of games and make friends, and spend time learning how to create ideas for the community.