Cary Spotlight Connect 🎧
Host: Dr. Chris Coetzer, Founder of Cary Spotlight
Guest: Robert Leonard, Co-Owner of BrainSpark Camp
Business: BrainSpark Camp, Cary, North Carolina
Where Cary Kids Discover the Fun of STEM
What if your child could spend school breaks building roller coasters, exploring DNA, and discovering science while having so much fun they don't realize they're learning?
Families with kids in year-round schools in Cary know the track-out scramble. A track-out lasts three to five weeks, and they need care that is safe, close to home and worth the kids’ time.
In this episode of Cary Spotlight Connect, host Dr. Chris Coetzer talks with Robert Leonard, co-owner of BrainSpark Camp. It’s a STEM camp for track-out and traditional students, from kids who have finished kindergarten through fifth grade.
Robert explains how weekly themes like roller coaster engineering, DNA exploration and Lego stop-motion animation mean returning campers never repeat the same week. He also explains why the camp caps enrollment at 15 kids with two counselors on site.
He walks through the safety standards behind every drop-off and how being a mile from Turner Creek Elementary keeps morning routines the same. He shares how his wife’s decade as a Wake County science teacher shaped the program.
Robert also introduces a flexible five-day camp package that makes a thoughtful gift for families navigating year-round school schedules, teacher workdays, and holidays.
What You’ll Learn
How BrainSpark Camp makes STEM education exciting through hands-on projects, experimentation, and creative play.
Why weekly themes, including roller coaster engineering, DNA exploration, and LEGO stop-motion animation, keep campers coming back.
How small groups of 15 children and two counselors create opportunities for personalized attention.
What safety measures BrainSpark Camp uses, including background checks, drug screening, and CPR-certified supervision.
Why Cary's year-round school schedules inspired Robert and his wife to launch their family-owned business.
How the flexible five-day camp package helps parents plan school breaks and gives relatives a meaningful gift option.
Memorable Quotes
"Nothing else matters if the kids are not safe." — Robert Leonard
"I wish seven year olds could do Google reviews, because we would have more five star reviews than we do now." — Robert Leonard
"And that is for all of our kids to be better people than we are." — Robert Leonard
Call to Action
Give your child an opportunity to explore, create, and discover at BrainSpark Camp! Visit the website to explore upcoming STEM camp themes, learn about full-day and half-day options, or consider gifting a flexible five-day camp package to a family in your life.
Subscribe to Cary Spotlight for more conversations with inspiring local business owners and community leaders.
Business: BrainSpark
Website: www.brainsparkcamp.com
Stats & Moments
15 campers maximum: Small-group environment supported by two counselors.
Grades 1–5: Children must have completed kindergarten to attend.
9 AM–4 PM: Camp hours, with full-day and half-day options.
New themes every week: Campers explore different STEM activities throughout their school breaks.
Five-day package: Five individual camp days that can be used within one year.
Convenient Cary location: 2716 NC Highway 55, near the intersection of High House Road and Highway 55.
Over a decade of teaching experience: Robert's wife previously taught science in Wake County and directed Cary Parks and Recreation's space camp.
Chapters
00:00 — Welcome to Cary Spotlight Connect
00:28 — Introducing BrainSpark Camp and its mission
01:13 — Understanding STEM education
01:34 — Exploring creative weekly camp themes
02:39 — Why small camp sizes matter
03:36 — Putting camper safety first
05:11 — Age requirements and eligibility
05:51 — Camp hours and Cary location
06:24 — Why kids love returning to BrainSpark Camp
07:51 — The family story behind BrainSpark Camp
09:08 — Why Cary is the ideal community
10:33 — Enrollment planning and flexible five-day packages
13:06 — Supporting local families and building a stronger community
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