Be the first to register for Summer 2025!

Expression of Interest Form

 

 

Since 2012, Camp What If (CWI) has been the go-to summer program for middle schoolers to deep-dive into their city. Middle schoolers visit a broad range of organizations, speak with community leaders, and explore what makes their city tick.

What Sets Us Apart

MIDDLE SCHOOLERS MATTER

Middle schoolers don’t just listen—they have a voice. Using Design Thinking skills, they’ll brainstorm hundreds of ideas, develop one with a team, and present it to an audience of invested community members during Friday’s closing program.

HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMMING

Camp What If is often compared to many community leadership programs offered to adults. Parents and partners frequently tell us they wish there was a Camp What If for grown-ups.

cOMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING

Camp What If is centered around a specific community. Middle schoolers from that community explore their city, meet community leaders, and create ideas that will directly affect their neighbors. In 2024, CWI weeks occurred in Canton, Akron, and North Canton.

pERSONAL + relational

Leading up to camp, our texts, calls, and emails ensure you and your middle schooler feel connected to the summer staff. By the time camp starts, we’ll know their name, excitement, and any nerves. Plus, you’ll get daily update emails throughout camp to stay in the loop!

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

Read about a real camper’s experience

 

An average day at
Camp What If

While every day is different camp, this will give you an idea of the flow.

During the first four days, we spend time getting to know each other, exploring the community, and talking to community leaders.

After the weekend, campers come back for three days and we switch to ideation. Campers take all their learnings from last week, dive into Design Thinking, and come up with ideas to help the community thrive.

The two-week camp concludes with a Community Ideation Celebration, where campers pitch their ideas to engaged community members.

9am-11am

Camp Headquarters

Morning

Arrive! Play Giant Jenga Get-2-Know

Design Challenge – Design paper airplanes in groups of 3. Measure your test throws. What is your longest throw?

Choose a snack and relax in a bean bag chair with new friends.

11am-12pm

Centennial Plaza

Community Exploration Prep

20 Questions Game

Open-Ended vs. Closed-Ended Questions Game

Design Challenge – Design 5 different ways to reuse empty plastic containers.

12pm-1pm

Camp Headquarters

Lunch

Catered lunch from Deli Ohio

 

1pm-3pm

Out and About

Community Exploration

A community scavenger hunt around downtown.

Who will we meet? The Mayor? Local business owners? City officials? Who knows!

3pm-4pm

Camp Headquarters

Debrief in the Ball Pit

Back to camp HQ for snacks, more games, and exploration debrief

Parent pick-up at 4pm sharp!

 

Want to register for Camp What If?

Be the first to know when registration opens!

Expression of Interest Form