Camp · Science/Tech · Ages 8–12 · $625/week
Directory · United States · California · Los Angeles
▌ Science/Tech · Ages 8–12

reDiscover — Tinkering Camp

Mid City · $625/week · ★ 4.6 (7 reviews)

A week-long camp where kids bring their wildest ideas to life using wood, plastic, metal, and fabric.

▌ Editor's read The reDiscover Center website loads as a legitimate site for a non-profit organization offering various programs, including summer camps. Founded in 1998 by Jonathan Meade, the center focuses on creative reuse and hands-on learning. While not ACA accredited, the website states that all staff undergo background checks and are CPR/First Aid certified, with a camper-to-staff ratio of 6:1 for ages 5-7 and 8:1 for ages 8-12. The Tinkering Camp is a day camp program, with sessions running from 9 AM to 3 PM. Google reviews for 'reDiscover Center' show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 100 reviews, with parents frequently praising the engaging activities, supportive staff, and the unique focus on sustainable materials. The center actively maintains a presence on Instagram (@rediscovercenter) and Facebook (rediscovercenter), showcasing camp activities and projects.
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Since 281998+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 8–12

reDiscover — Tinkering Camp sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right science/tech fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Day camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
28 (1998 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
1:5

How we verify these →

Money & Policies

Financial aid
Available · Need-based, Sliding-scale Apply →

Sliding-scale financial aid at multiple income levels. Example: A family of 4 with an annual income under $100,000 qualifies for a 50% discount.

Sibling discount
$50 off second child

$50 off when registering 2 people

Details →
Session lengths
5-day (full week)
What campers take home
Campers build projects with cardboard, wood, plastic, metal, and fabric. An optional take-home toolkit is available for $50.

Details

  • Category: Science/Tech
  • Ages: 8–12
  • Hours: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
  • Address: 2375 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
  • Phone: (310) 393-3636
  • Email: [email protected]

↗ What parents like

  • Creative building with various materials
  • Hands-on tinkering projects

↘ Watch for

  • Higher cost than Cardboard Camp
  • Specific material focus

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: Yes
  • Setting: indoor

Frequently asked about reDiscover — Tinkering Camp

What ages does reDiscover — Tinkering Camp accept?
reDiscover — Tinkering Camp is open to children ages 8–12. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does reDiscover — Tinkering Camp cost?
reDiscover — Tinkering Camp publishes $625/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are reDiscover — Tinkering Camp's hours?
reDiscover — Tinkering Camp runs 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
What is reDiscover — Tinkering Camp's staff-to-camper ratio?
reDiscover — Tinkering Camp publishes a 1:5 staff-to-camper ratio. ACA recommends roughly 1:6 for ages 4-5, 1:8 for 6-8, 1:10 for 9-14, and 1:12 for 15-18 in day camps; tighter ratios than recommended usually signal more attentive supervision but can also reflect smaller program scale.
Who runs reDiscover — Tinkering Camp?
reDiscover — Tinkering Camp is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 1998 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does reDiscover — Tinkering Camp provide lunch?
reDiscover — Tinkering Camp does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
Does reDiscover — Tinkering Camp offer financial aid?
Yes — reDiscover — Tinkering Camp offers financial aid or scholarships. Most camp aid is need-based, application-based, and awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, so apply as soon as the form opens (usually January-February for the upcoming summer).
How does reDiscover — Tinkering Camp compare to other science/tech camps in Los Angeles?
reDiscover — Tinkering Camp is one of 525 science/tech camps in Los Angeles that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

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