“He said it’s the best camp he’s ever been to! We can see how much it inspired him.”
— MK Parent, Summer Cohort I

“He said it’s the best camp he’s ever been to!

We can see how much it inspired him.”
— MK Parent, Summer Cohort I

“He said it’s the best camp he’s ever been to!

We can see how much it inspired him.”
— MK Parent, Summer Cohort I

Meridian-Kessler's

Meridian-Kessler's

Afterschool Maker Club
& Fall Break Camp

3D print an axolotl and build him the perfect habitat. Create custom decor for your dream dollhouse or explore the REAL tools you can use to start a real business.

  • Digital Cutter
  • 3D Printer
  • Heat Press
  • Foil Finishing
  • Embosser
  • Embroidery
  • Prototyping
  • 3D Printing
  • Button Maker
  • Package Design
  • Calligraphy
  • Modeling Clay
  • Building

A program for kids who love making, tinkering, drawing, inventing, selling, storytelling, building, or turning “what if?” ideas into real things.

Tools To Explore For the Young Entrepreneur

From hands-on making to live demos, campers explore real tools — discovering what they love to create, and what they might want to sell. Each cohort works with a focused mix of tools that best fits their age, interests, and the project they're building.


Returning campers can come back for a new session to try more tools from the library, build different products, or go deeper with a favorite.

From hands-on making to live demos, campers explore real tools — discovering what they love to create, and what they might want to sell. Each cohort works with a focused mix of tools that best fits their age, interests, and the project they're building.


Returning campers can come back for a new session to try more tools from the library, build different products, or go deeper with a favorite.

Bambu P1S 3D printer used for camper design projects.

3D Printer

Bambu P1S

Campers turn digital designs into real objects — from charms and signs to prototypes, product samples, and tiny inventions they can hold, test, and improve.

Bambu P1S 3D printer used for camper design projects.

3D Printer

Bambu P1S

Campers turn digital designs into real objects — from charms and signs to prototypes, product samples, and tiny inventions they can hold, test, and improve.

Cardboard play structure and construction tools for camper builds.

Cardboard Construction Tools

Makedo

Campers can safely cut, connect, and construct cardboard into prototypes, displays, storefronts, and big imaginative structures.

Cardboard play structure and construction tools for camper builds.

Cardboard Construction Tools

Makedo

Campers can safely cut, connect, and construct cardboard into prototypes, displays, storefronts, and big imaginative structures.

Silhouette Cameo digital cutter used for stickers, signs, and packaging.

Digital Cutter

Silhouette Cameo

Campers create digital artwork for stickers, signage, shirts, and totes. It’s a fast way to make an idea feel like a real brand — polished, useful, and repeatable.

Silhouette Cameo digital cutter used for stickers, signs, and packaging.

Digital Cutter

Silhouette Cameo

Campers create digital artwork for stickers, signage, shirts, and totes. It’s a fast way to make an idea feel like a real brand — polished, useful, and repeatable.

Button maker with custom Lemonade Lab pin designs.

Commercial Button Maker

Tecre 300

Campers turn their original artwork into wearable, professional-grade badges and pins — the perfect high-energy giveaway to promote their business concept.

Button maker with custom Lemonade Lab pin designs.

Commercial Button Maker

Tecre 300

Campers turn their original artwork into wearable, professional-grade badges and pins — the perfect high-energy giveaway to promote their business concept.

Silhouette Mint stamp maker used for custom logos and packaging.

Custom Stamp Maker

The Mint - by Silhouette

Campers turn logos, drawings, and brand marks into real stamps for bags, tags, packaging, and thank-you notes — their own stamp of approval, literally.

Silhouette Mint stamp maker used for custom logos and packaging.

Custom Stamp Maker

The Mint - by Silhouette

Campers turn logos, drawings, and brand marks into real stamps for bags, tags, packaging, and thank-you notes — their own stamp of approval, literally.

Sewing & Embroidery

Sewing & Embroidery Machine

Brother SE400

Campers add stitched details, names, patches, and simple embroidered branding to fabric goods and wearable designs.

Sewing & Embroidery

Sewing & Embroidery Machine

Brother SE400

Campers add stitched details, names, patches, and simple embroidered branding to fabric goods and wearable designs.

Minc Foil Finsher by Heidi Swapp

Foil Finisher

Minc - by Heidi Swapp

Campers add shiny foil accents to cards, tags, signs, and packaging — a small detail that makes a project feel polished and special.

Minc Foil Finsher by Heidi Swapp

Foil Finisher

Minc - by Heidi Swapp

Campers add shiny foil accents to cards, tags, signs, and packaging — a small detail that makes a project feel polished and special.

Air Dry Clay

Air Dry Clay

Crayola

Campers shape air-dry clay into prototypes and sellable keepsakes — jewelry dishes, charms, tags, and tiny decorative goods finished with paint, paper, and gloss.

Air Dry Clay

Air Dry Clay

Crayola

Campers shape air-dry clay into prototypes and sellable keepsakes — jewelry dishes, charms, tags, and tiny decorative goods finished with paint, paper, and gloss.

Emboss & Die Cuttery by Evolution Lifestyle Crafts

Emboss & Die Cutter

Evolution - by Lifestyle Crafts

Campers cut shapes, add texture, and layer paper details that make cards, tags, and displays feel polished. It’s a lesson in presentation — how small touches make a product feel more valuable.

Emboss & Die Cuttery by Evolution Lifestyle Crafts

Emboss & Die Cutter

Evolution - by Lifestyle Crafts

Campers cut shapes, add texture, and layer paper details that make cards, tags, and displays feel polished. It’s a lesson in presentation — how small touches make a product feel more valuable.

Punchboards for Package Design

Package Punchboard

We R Memory Keepers

Campers design and fold boxes, bags, envelopes, and tags that make products feel giftable and ready to sell — a lesson in how packaging shapes value.

Punchboards for Package Design

Package Punchboard

We R Memory Keepers

Campers design and fold boxes, bags, envelopes, and tags that make products feel giftable and ready to sell — a lesson in how packaging shapes value.

smART projector

Design Projector

smART Sketcher

Campers scale, trace, and refine artwork for signs, displays, and repeatable designs — turning one good idea into something clear and recognizable.

smART projector

Design Projector

smART Sketcher

Campers scale, trace, and refine artwork for signs, displays, and repeatable designs — turning one good idea into something clear and recognizable.

Calligraphy

Calligraphy

Caran d'Ache

Campers practice lettering for signs, menus, labels, thank-you cards, product names, and all the little details that make a brand feel real.

Calligraphy

Calligraphy

Caran d'Ache

Campers practice lettering for signs, menus, labels, thank-you cards, product names, and all the little details that make a brand feel real.

Swipe to explore

→

autumn 2026 offerings

Autumn 2026 Dates

Nothing is due today!

Afterschool and Camp programming designed for Ages 5-10. But if your budding maker is slightly younger or older, reach out! We’re happy to talk it through.

Ages for Homeschool Programming are fully flexible and customizable.

Afterschool Cohorts

Meet once a week after school for 4 consecutive weeks


🍋 Choose your start date.
🍋 Choose your day of the week.

Up to 10 hours of studio access + instruction


Schedule:
  • 3:30-4:15pm — open studio access + flexible dropoff

  • 4:15–5:15pm — core group instruction

  • 5:15-6:00pm — independent studio time and floating one-on-one instruction + flexible pickup


Tuition & Uniform:
  • $120 includes tuition, studio time, materials + custom merch

  • Official Lemonade Lab apron required

  • New students: $12 one-time apron purchase

  • Returning campers/students may reuse theirs

Afterschool Cohorts

Meet once a week after school for 4 consecutive weeks


🍋 Choose your start date.
🍋 Choose your day of the week.

Up to 10 hours of studio access + instruction


Schedule:
  • 3:30-4:15pm — open studio access + flexible dropoff

  • 4:15–5:15pm — core group instruction

  • 5:15-6:00pm — independent studio time and floating one-on-one instruction + flexible pickup


Tuition & Uniform:
  • $120 includes tuition, studio time, materials + custom merch

  • Official Lemonade Lab apron required

  • New students: $12 one-time apron purchase

  • Returning campers/students may reuse theirs

FALL Break Camp

October 12-16


$350 Tuition includes:
  • 5 full days

  • all snacks & sides**

  • all materials

  • custom camp swag

  • before & aftercare

    ** You pack a sandwich or similar entrée item and we provide the sides!


HOURS:
  • 10:00am-4:00pm, Core Camp

  • 9:00am-5:00pm, extended hours included for flexible dropoff and pickup

FALL Break Camp

October 12-16


$350 Tuition includes:
  • 5 full days

  • all snacks & sides**

  • all materials

  • custom camp swag

  • before & aftercare

    ** You pack a sandwich or similar entrée item and we provide the sides!


HOURS:
  • 10:00am-4:00pm, Core Camp

  • 9:00am-5:00pm, extended hours included for flexible dropoff and pickup

FALL Break Camp

October 12-16


$350 Tuition includes:
  • 5 full days

  • all snacks & sides**

  • all materials

  • custom camp swag

  • before & aftercare

    ** You pack a sandwich or similar entrée item and we provide the sides!


HOURS:

10:00am-4:00pm, Core Camp

9:00am-5:00pm, extended hours for flexible dropoff and pickup

*Drop-In* Day Camp during fall break

Can't make it the full week? Snag a spot as a drop-in camper and choose between 1 and 4 days to attend. Day Rate is $75-$90. Fall Break is Oct 12-16


Drop-In Tuition includes:
  • tuition

  • all snacks & sides**

  • all materials

  • custom camp swag

  • before & aftercare

    ** You pack a sandwich or similar entrée item and we provide the sides!


Day Rate:
  • 1 day, $90

  • 2 days, $170 ($10 off)

  • 3 days, $240 ($30 off)

  • 4 days, $300 ($60 off)

  • 5 days, $350 ($100 off)


HOURS:
  • 10:00am-4:00pm, Core Camp

  • 9:00am-5:00pm, extended hours included for flexible dropoff and pickup


*Drop-In* Day Camp during fall break

Can't make it the full week? Snag a spot as a drop-in camper and choose between 1 and 4 days to attend. Day Rate is $75-$90. Fall Break is Oct 12-16


Drop-In Tuition includes:
  • tuition

  • all snacks & sides**

  • all materials

  • custom camp swag

  • before & aftercare

    ** You pack a sandwich or similar entrée item and we provide the sides!


Day Rate:
  • 1 day, $90

  • 2 days, $170 ($10 off)

  • 3 days, $240 ($30 off)

  • 4 days, $300 ($60 off)

  • 5 days, $350 ($100 off)


HOURS:
  • 10:00am-4:00pm, Core Camp

  • 9:00am-5:00pm, extended hours included for flexible dropoff and pickup


*Drop-In* Day Camp during fall break

October 12-16

Cohorts
$120
Get Started
Camp
$350
Get Started
Homeschool
$90
I'm Interested
Age Rangei
5-10, flexible
5-10
customizable
Enrollment
Frequency
once a week
daily
1-2x a week
Program Length
4 weeks
5 days
4 weeks
Total Hours
10
30-40
8
Rolling Enrollment
Tuition Includes
Materials
Snacksi
Before + Aftercare
Custom Merch
Cohorts
$120
Get Started
Camp
$350
Get Started
Homeschool
$90
I'm Interested
Age Rangei
5-10, flexible
5-10
customizable
Enrollment
Frequency
once a week
daily
1-2x a week
Program Length
4 weeks
5 days
4 weeks
Total Hours
10
30-40
8
Rolling Enrollment
Tuition Includes
Materials
Snacksi
Before + Aftercare
Custom Merch
Cohorts
$120
Get Started
Camp
$350
Get Started
Homeschool
$90
I'm Interested
Age Rangei
5-10, flexible
5-10
customizable
Enrollment
Frequency
once a week
daily
1-2x a week
Program Length
4 weeks
5 days
4 weeks
Total Hours
10
30-40
8
Rolling Enrollment
Tuition Includes
Materials
Snacksi
Before + Aftercare
Custom Merch
Sample Camp Day Schedule
Sample Camp Day Schedule
Home Studio
Home Studio

Prototyping, testing and building. Our cozy corner of Meridian-Kessler is ready for makers.

Backyard Cardboard Construction Activity
Backyard Cardboard Construction Activity

From button maker to digital cutter — everything a kid needs to go from idea to finished product.

Cubbies for campers inside home
Cubbies for campers inside home

A little landing spot for big ideas: each camper is assigned her own cubby for the week — a home for lunch, layers, projects and treasures-in-progress.

A little landing spot for big ideas: every camper gets a dedicated cubby for the week — a home for lunch, layers, projects, and treasures-in-progress.

Team pace

Team pace

Meet your camp director, Alexia, and the crew supporting the next generation of creative entrepreneurs.

turn   --->

turn --->

Nice to meet you ♡

I grew up in Indiana and went to school right down the street at St. Richard’s, before heading to IU and then to San Francisco for law school.


My arrival in San Francisco coincided with the golden years of startup culture, when it felt like everyone you knew was beta testing something — Pinterest, Airbnb, Twitter, Uber back when it still felt like a luxury black car experiment.


I spent that decade surrounded by people turning ideas into something real through confidence, collaboration, and a willingness to start.


At the same time, I was working closely with Bay Area families to build the routines, expectations, and creative opportunities that help curious kids become capable, self-directed ones. The first version of this work took shape during summers with children in Healdsburg, California.


Lemonade Lab brings it home to Indianapolis: entrepreneurial thinking, made for kids, hosted in Meridian-Kessler for a small cohort of six campers who are trusted with real tools, and encouraged to see their ideas as worth building.


Lemonade Lab runs in a home where my husband Damon is also working — upstairs, in his office, available if needed. His background includes startups, e-commerce, Techstars Austin, and volunteer disaster-response work, and he brings a calm, careful, systems-minded presence to the home behind Lemonade Lab.


Our family includes two daughters (18y and 4y) and a small, old rescue pup we've had since 2014.

I grew up in Indiana and went to school right down the street at St. Richard’s, before heading to IU and then to San Francisco for law school.


My arrival in San Francisco coincided with the golden years of startup culture, when it felt like everyone you knew was beta testing something — Pinterest, Airbnb, Twitter, Uber back when it still felt like a luxury black car experiment.


I spent that decade surrounded by people turning ideas into something real through confidence, collaboration, and a willingness to start.


At the same time, I was working closely with Bay Area families to build the routines, expectations, and creative opportunities that help curious kids become capable, self-directed ones. The first version of this work took shape during summers with children in Healdsburg, California.


Lemonade Lab brings it home to Indianapolis: entrepreneurial thinking, made for kids, hosted in Meridian-Kessler for a small cohort of six campers who are trusted with real tools, and encouraged to see their ideas as worth building.


Lemonade Lab runs in a home where my husband Damon is also working — upstairs, in his office, available if needed. His background includes startups, e-commerce, Techstars Austin, and volunteer disaster-response work, and he brings a calm, careful, systems-minded presence to the home behind Lemonade Lab.


Our family includes two daughters (18y and 4y) and a small, old rescue pup we've had since 2014.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Lemonade Lab take place?

Meridian-Kessler, northside of Indianapolis. Lemonade Lab is hosted inside a dedicated creative space in a historic, 109-year-old, classic American Foursquare. The bright, thoughtfully prepared setting is designed for small-group hands-on making, experimenting, and kid-led entrepreneurship.

Where does Lemonade Lab take place?

Meridian-Kessler, northside of Indianapolis. Lemonade Lab is hosted inside a dedicated creative space in a historic, 109-year-old, classic American Foursquare. The bright, thoughtfully prepared setting is designed for small-group hands-on making, experimenting, and kid-led entrepreneurship.

Lunch & Snacks (Camp Only)

LUNCH: We provide all the sides! You just need to pack a sandwich or similar entrée item, such as a wrap, soup, or salad. SNACKS: Fresh fruit and plenty of kid-friendly fuel will be provided daily. WATER: Please pack a leak-proof, refillable water bottle. We’ll provide cool, filtered water for refills. Small-group perk: Because Lemonade Lab serves a small cohort, we’re happy to keep entrée items refrigerated and reheat them as needed.

Lunch & Snacks (Camp Only)

LUNCH: We provide all the sides! You just need to pack a sandwich or similar entrée item, such as a wrap, soup, or salad. SNACKS: Fresh fruit and plenty of kid-friendly fuel will be provided daily. WATER: Please pack a leak-proof, refillable water bottle. We’ll provide cool, filtered water for refills. Small-group perk: Because Lemonade Lab serves a small cohort, we’re happy to keep entrée items refrigerated and reheat them as needed.

What are the hours?

CAMP: Early drop-off is available starting at 9:00am Core Camp runs from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Aftercare is included until 5:00pm

What are the hours?

CAMP: Early drop-off is available starting at 9:00am Core Camp runs from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Aftercare is included until 5:00pm

Cancellation Policy

You may cancel for any reason, at any time. Refunds are contingent on the spot being filled from the waitlist. Full replacement: full refund Partial replacement: pro-rated refund No replacement: no refund

Cancellation Policy

You may cancel for any reason, at any time. Refunds are contingent on the spot being filled from the waitlist. Full replacement: full refund Partial replacement: pro-rated refund No replacement: no refund

What does my camper need to wear/bring?

DAILY: • leak-proof water bottle • clean socks for the maker space — grippy socks preferred • closed toe shoes for outdoor play and projects • comfortable top in white or any shade of blue (suggested, not required) FOR THE WEEK (Camp only): These items may be stored in the camper’s cubby for the week. • warm sweatshirt for indoor A/C • full change of clothes • sunscreen

What does my camper need to wear/bring?

DAILY: • leak-proof water bottle • clean socks for the maker space — grippy socks preferred • closed toe shoes for outdoor play and projects • comfortable top in white or any shade of blue (suggested, not required) FOR THE WEEK (Camp only): These items may be stored in the camper’s cubby for the week. • warm sweatshirt for indoor A/C • full change of clothes • sunscreen

What ages is this for?

Lemonade Lab is designed for ages 5–10 — but it didn’t start that way. The very first cohort was a group of rising 4th-grade boys. The next summer, a few younger sisters joined, and something unexpected happened. The dynamic shifted completely. Older kids stepped up in ways they never had with peers. Younger kids reached further than anyone expected. What we stumbled into has a long history behind it. For most of human history, children learned together in mixed-age groups — the neighborhood cul-de-sac, the one-room schoolhouse, the backyard full of cousins of every age. The mix wasn’t a compromise. It was the whole point. If you have an older maker who you think would thrive here, reach out before registering and we’ll figure it out together.

What ages is this for?

Lemonade Lab is designed for ages 5–10 — but it didn’t start that way. The very first cohort was a group of rising 4th-grade boys. The next summer, a few younger sisters joined, and something unexpected happened. The dynamic shifted completely. Older kids stepped up in ways they never had with peers. Younger kids reached further than anyone expected. What we stumbled into has a long history behind it. For most of human history, children learned together in mixed-age groups — the neighborhood cul-de-sac, the one-room schoolhouse, the backyard full of cousins of every age. The mix wasn’t a compromise. It was the whole point. If you have an older maker who you think would thrive here, reach out before registering and we’ll figure it out together.

Safety Culture

Lemonade Lab is intentionally set up so kids are visible, supervised, and working in spaces designed for their age and abilities. Our home is smoke-free, drug-free, and firearm-free, and the maker space is on one open level, with campers working together in shared, visible areas that make supervision natural throughout the day. Medication and alcohol are stored and secured on a different level of the house that is not accessible to campers. Our senior dog has his own quiet space up there too, away from all the excitement. Both adults on-site are trained in CPR and First Aid, and the house has working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and fire blankets on every floor. The backyard is fully fenced and secure. At pickup, your child is released only to the person you specify at registration, every time.

Safety Culture

Lemonade Lab is intentionally set up so kids are visible, supervised, and working in spaces designed for their age and abilities. Our home is smoke-free, drug-free, and firearm-free, and the maker space is on one open level, with campers working together in shared, visible areas that make supervision natural throughout the day. Medication and alcohol are stored and secured on a different level of the house that is not accessible to campers. Our senior dog has his own quiet space up there too, away from all the excitement. Both adults on-site are trained in CPR and First Aid, and the house has working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and fire blankets on every floor. The backyard is fully fenced and secure. At pickup, your child is released only to the person you specify at registration, every time.

Simon says -- and science agrees:

Ages 5–10 are when to begin—the transition from Build-A-Bear to build-a-business.

Apple Podcasts
Podcast · Apr 15 · 3 min
A Glimpse Into the Power of Kids Markets
Host Samantha White spotlights young entrepreneurs ages 5–17 navigating real business experiences — confidence, sales, and the scrappiness of starting young.
Listen
Apple Podcasts
Podcast · Jan 23 · 27 min
Empowering Child Entrepreneurs with Leah Ellis
Leah Ellis of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs shares how her 4½-year-old started a real business — and why asking "Why?" is the most powerful entrepreneurial tool a parent has.
Listen
ScienceDirect
Peer-reviewed · 2023 · 450 students
Entrepreneurship Education for Primary School Children
A study of 450 primary school kids found hands-on entrepreneurship programs measurably increase entrepreneurial intention and close confidence gaps between girls and boys.
Read Study ↗
ScienceDirect
Peer-reviewed · 2021 · 320 students
Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy in Elementary School Students
Research across 320 elementary students finds that hands-on entrepreneurship education at primary school age directly builds self-efficacy — a core entrepreneurial trait.
Read Study ↗