Math Camp
Where middle schoolers team up to play with big ideas.
Compelling Math. Spirited Community.
Dates: July 20 - 24th & August 8 - 7th
Time: 9 am - 3 pm
Location: Roseville (7/20 - 7/24) & Fridley (8/3 - 8/7)
A Day Camp for All Mathematicians
Camp Pythagoras is a summer experience that engages inquisitive students entering grades 6 through 8 who love patterns, puzzles, and the thrill of discovery. Campers join a vibrant community of young mathematicians who explore deep mathematical ideas through collaboration, conversation, and creative problem solving.
This isn’t traditional math class—there are no lectures, worksheets, or rote procedures. Instead, campers dive into rich problems, uncover surprising connections, and develop their own ideas in an atmosphere of intellectual play and joyful exploration. At Camp Pythagoras, every student is a mathematician.
How can math move beyond repetitive practice problems?
Math Circles = Compelling problems + Collaboration
At Camp Pythagoras, we do math circles - where
teams delve into mathematical phenomena and problem-solving for fun and intellectual challenge.
Math circles are....
Exploratory and Discussion-Based:
Investigations are open-ended and understood through exchanging ideas with one another.
Community-Oriented: The focus is on curiosity and collaboration.
Daily Problems
Monday: Bulgarian Solitaire
Explore what happens in a simple game in which it’s not possible to strategize and there are no winners or losers. Can math help you predict what will happen?
Tuesday: Sona
Investigate storytelling art from Africa. What patterns are in the design?
Wednesday: Nim
Analyze a game in which both players know everything happening at any moment and there is no chance involved. How can math help you develop a successful strategy?
Thursday: Mars Mission
Getting to, surviving on, and studying mars requires a diverse skill set. Where will math lead you in terms of which scientists will be selected for the mission?
Friday: A List of Numbers
Creating a list can be a deceptively simple task. How can patterns within hyperbinary be used to list all positive rational numbers without repeats?
A Day At Camp
Location
Camp Pythagoras is held in communities throughout Minnesota.
We convene outside at the beginning and end of the day for announcements, chants (it's camp - of course there is some loud yelling!), games, and celebrations.
During the day, we work on our math problems inside a classroom.
Schedule
8:45 - 9:00 Arrival
9:00 - 9:15 Camp Morning Circle
9:15 - 11:30 Math Circle
11:30 - 12:30 Lunch & Recess
12:30 - 2:45 Math Circle
2:45 - 3:00 Camp Afternoon Circle
3:00 - 3:15 Pick - Up
Frequently Asked Questions
Who attends Camp Pythagoras?
Camp Pythagoras is for students entering grades 6 through 8.
All levels of mathematicians are welcome! It is, however, important for campers to have a mastery of basic multiplication facts.
While we do have a small ratio of teachers to campers, we do not have enough support for students that need 1-on-1 support.
Will my kid leave camp a mathematical rock star?
No. Camp Pythagoras will immerse your kid in great problems and areas of math that students don't typically see at school. Your kid will experience the joy of thinking about a hard problem for a long time with their peers. And, your kid will develop new mathematical insights. Becoming a mathematical rock star is a lifelong quest.
What are the options for lunch?
Campers should bring their own lunches. Please be mindful that other students may have nut allergies.
Imaginary Reviews (This is our first year!)
Camp Pythagoras - Roseville
$145
Roseville Area Schools Community Education
July 20th - July 24th
9am - 3pm
Aŋpétu Téča Education Center
1910 County Rd B W
Roseville, MN 55113
Camp Pythagoras - Fridley
$100
Fridley Communiy Education
August 3rd - August 7th
9am - 3pm
Fridley Community Center - Room 112
6085 7th St Ne
Fridley, MN 55432