Page 50 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2026

THE
ISSUE
Ian and Elijah C., Wenzel H. and Baylor L.
story by Cherie Ward photos by Katherine Sowers
Just before 9 a.m. on a Tuesday last June in Gulfport, the
doors hadn’t even opened to the public, but the energy inside TrainTastic was already humming. Backpacks landed with soft thuds. Someone proudly held up a LEGO creation from the
day before. A counselor asked, “Who remembers what makes a circuit work?” and a chorus of small voices answered back. In one corner, a group debated whether their bridge would hold more weight than the others. Summer hadn’t just started—it was already on track.
That energy played out inside the world’s largest model railroad museum, when during the summer, TrainTastic’s spotlight shifts to campers. Summer camp at TrainTastic is less about filling time and more about fueling curiosity. Summer 2025 was the museum’s most successful camp season to date, and leaders say they’re looking to capture that momentum again this year—and then some. From June 15 through July 31, campers ages 5 to 10 step into a space where science, imagination, and hands-on fun share the same platform.
Two age groups are available for camp: Conductors (ages 5–7) and Engineers (ages 8–10). Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and parents can register week by week—or for multiple weeks— depending on their summer plans. Each day blends structured STEAM activities with plenty of time to explore the museum before it opens to the public.
Wenzel H. and Baylor L.
50 | April 2026
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