STEM Summer Camp

It’s never too early to start looking for summer camps. Why not try a STEM summer camp this year? Your kids will thank you!

Who? STEM Camp will be fun for most kids. It might sound like the last thing you want to sign your kids up for, because it might sound like school. While there will be a lot of learning going on in a STEM summer program, it will be so much fun that your kids won’t even know they are learning!

What is STEM camp? It doesn’t even have to sound like STEM. It could be a Minecraft modding camp, or a LEGO camp, or a Makerspace camp where your kids 3D print some cool figures or objects. Look for STEAM camps too, that integrate arts into their programs.

Why? This stuff is important. Seriously. Even if your kids don’t grow up to be engineers, rocket scientists, app developers, or  something else STEMmy, they will learn other skills that will be even more valuable. STEM camps will have all sorts of project based learning tasks. Teamwork skills, leadership skills, and stick-to-it-iveness will all be honed.

Several organizations offer STEM camps all over the United States, such as:

Play-Well Teknologies has camps in 27 states.
NASA Robotics Camps held at various locations.
Engineering Education Service Center has a listing for each state of summer engineering camps.
Pathways to Science has a database you can search.
Digital Media Academy also has camps in many states.
If you live in the DC area, check out TIC Camps – they offer sports and technology! Great combo!

In Australia, visit:
Innovate Tech Academy

How to Search for STEM Summer Camps

Search for more in your state or location! Think about different types of camps that might be a good fit for your child. Here are some search terms to get you started. Make sure to add your town or a nearby city, too!
LEGO summer camp
Robotics summer camp
Coding summer camp
Science summer camp
STEM or STEAM camp
WeDo camp
Arduino camp
Electronics camp
Raspberry Pi camp
Makerspace camp
Technology camp

This sounds great…but it also sounds expensive!

Check your local recreation department or makerspace to see if they are hosting a STEM camp. Often, a town camp will be much less costly than one held at a specialty center. If you need financial assistance, be sure to ask if there are programs available. If you are involved in your child’s school and they ever hold auctions/raffles, see if you can get local companies to donate a week of STEM camp as a raffle item. You may be able to win a week of camp this way!

Have any recommendations for camps not listed? Please let us know in the comments! We are always excited to hear about new STEM summer camp opportunities.