Summer camps at the IMS Museum expose students to the innovation and excitement of racing through STEAM concepts. Robo Racers camp involves coding an autonomous LEGO robot. Racing Careers camp simulates what it’s like to be a team owner. In the Art in Racing camp, students create racing-inspired art pieces.
Basic Info:
Address: 4750 West 16th Street
Phone: (463) 244-2680
Email: [email protected]
Website: imsmuseum.org/summer-camps
Type of Camp or Summer Program: Day
Basic Categories: Arts, STEM
Gender of Campers: Any
Special Needs Offered: Wheelchair-accessible classroom and activities, access to a sensory room
Dates: June 8–12 (Robo Racers); June 22–26 (Racing Careers); July 13–17 (Art in Racing)
Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Monday–Friday)
Ages: Robo Racers: 5th–8th graders; Racing Careers: 5th–8th graders; Art in Racing: 4th–6th graders
Activities: Code a custom LEGO robot, build and modify a drag race car, build a brand, create racing-inspired art pieces
Q&A with Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum:
What makes the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum summer camps unique?
Each day, campers will set foot inside the hallowed grounds of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They’ll be immersed in lessons and activities about the innovation and excitement of motorsports while learning important skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
What activities are offered at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum summer camps?
Robo Racers: Campers will design, build, and code a custom autonomous LEGO robot. They’ll then guide their robots around a race course, competing head-to-head for the fastest lap time.
Racing Careers: This immersive camp allows students to step into the world of racing as rookie team owners. Throughout the week, they will manage every aspect of a simulated racing season—from forming their brand and attracting sponsorships to tracking a budget, building and modifying a drag race car, and overcoming unexpected challenges. Each day introduces campers to specific careers on a professional team, providing insight into the skills needed to succeed in roles beyond the driver.
Art in Racing: Each day, campers will dive into a different art medium and discover how it’s used to capture the excitement, culture, and rich history of racing. Students will learn fundamental artistic skills, create their own racing-inspired art pieces, and leave with tangible creations that showcase their newfound talents and appreciation for motorsports.
Campers will also have access to explore the Museum’s many galleries, including interactive activities in the Qualifying Zone, which features racing simulators, a reaction test, a pit stop challenge, and more.
What is the camper-to-counselor ratio at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum summer camps?
There will be a camp staff member or volunteer for every 5-8 campers depending on the specific camp in question.
How much time do campers spend outside at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum summer camps?
Outside time will depend largely on the weather and the specific camp or activity a student is participating in. Each camp will have at least 45 minutes to an hour of outside time scheduled each day.
Does the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum provide lunch/snacks, or do parents need to provide them?
Parents will need to provide lunch and snacks (no access to a refrigerator or microwave).
While campers will have access to light snacks, they’re encouraged to bring their own snacks and water. We ask that parents be cognizant of other campers who might have severe allergies to peanuts or tree nuts.
What is the typical daily schedule for campers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum summer camps?
Our camp schedules will vary by camp, but have these common elements divided up throughout the day:
- 2-3 hours of camp activity – these are specific tasks, classes, or project time devoted to the purpose of the camp outcome.
- 1 hour of lunch time – this will allow students to eat, socialize, and/or participate in special activities outside or in the Museum.
- 1-2 hours of challenge time – these are special tasks, activities, games, etc. that incorporate team building, problem solving, or other collaborative lessons among campers and teams.
How old are the counselors at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum summer camps, and how are they trained?
All camp staff and volunteers must be 18 or older and be high school graduates. Training is focused on appropriate camper interactions, specific camp jobs/tasks, and camp safety/logistics.
Camp is led by the Museum’s director of education and education manager, who together have 30+ years of classroom and leadership experience at Indiana schools.
What accommodations are made for campers with special needs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum summer camps?
As former educators, our directors understand that every child thrives in a different environment and we take a collaborative approach to meet our camper’s needs:
- Pre-Camp Consultation: Families can request a meeting with our directors, prior to the start of camp, to review the needs and goals of their camper. We will work with the families to create a tailored success plan whenever possible.
- Staff Preparation: Student success plans will be shared with any necessary staff and, if needed, specific training will be provided.
- Individual Advocacy: While we empower campers to express their needs, our staff can be trained to recognize cues and provide pre-planned accommodations—such as sensory breaks, modified activities, or visual schedules.
We invite you to contact us before registration so we can ensure we have the right support in place to give your child an incredible summer.
Will extended care be provided for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum summer camps?
Extended care is offered for an additional fee. Before camp care starts at 8 a.m. and after care runs until 5 p.m.
