Week 1: July 6-10, 2026
Grades 2-3
Eco-Art Adventures
Campers explore the natural world through creative art and scientific discovery. They investigate ecosystems, textures, patterns, and sustainability while using natural and recycled materials to create unique art projects. Through fun experiments and artistic expression, children learn how science, technology, engineering, art, and math work together to better understand and protect our environment.
Engineer Training Academy
Calling all Questioneers! Building off popular books like, "Rosie Revere, Engineer" (Beaty, 2013), this program encourages problem-solving, creativity, and invention in campers through hands-on making. Campers learn how to think like an engineer while having fun. They learn how to dream big, fail forward, and persevere while making new friends and practicing communication and cooperation.
Games Galore
Games are a great tool for building relationships, cooperative learning, critical thinking, problem solving, team building, and developing creativity through play. Youth experience a wide genre of games, including board games and outdoor experiential learning opportunities. They become inventors of their own games, test them out, and create their own interactive tournaments with their new camp friends.
Mission Possible
Campers will become problem-solving agents on a series of daily challenges. Each day, teams work together to crack codes, design inventions, and engineer solutions to complete their “mission.” Campers use creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking to prove that no mission is impossible!
Grades 4-5
Electricity Science
Spark curiosity and light up your imagination! In this electrifying camp, campers explore the shocking world of electricity—discovering how circuits work, how energy is converted and used, and how energy powers our favorite gadgets. Through hands-on experiments, creative building challenges, and fun engineering projects, students safely investigate how to generate, store, and use electrical energy to make things move, light up, and buzz with excitement!
Heroes Vs. Villians
Where science and imagination collide, investigate the superpowers of heroes and villains. Campers explore real-world concepts such as forces, energy, and chemistry through hands-on experiments. Participants design their own epic superhero characters, origin stories, and plot twists. Learn how to play Disney’s Lorcana card game as part of this experience.
Muscle Mechanics
Flex your curiosity and strength! Campers explore how muscles, bones, and machines work together to create movement—from the way our bodies lift, stretch, and jump to how muscles allow for movement of everything in the human body. Through hands-on experiments, creative building challenges, and fun fitness-inspired activities, campers uncover the amazing mechanics behind strength and motion.
Science Training Academy
Calling all scientists! The scientific process is yours to control. Use scientific experiments to learn more about the world around you. What is found in living things? How does weather occur on the planet? How do catapults really work? All will be answered with an experiment, and your mind!
Grades 6-8
3D Modeling
Are you interested in how virtual worlds are built? From animated films, to games, to live-action greenscreen–we offer a behind-the-scenes peek at how their favorite media gets made. Campers will work primarily in Autodesk Maya, the industry standard for building 3D assets; exploring the modeling toolset, different approaches to 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting and rendering in order to produce a portfolio-level turnaround of their model by the end of the week. They’ll also be exposed to emerging technologies, like photogrammetry, and RIT’s 3D printing labs.
Dungeons & Dragons: Tigers of the Brick City
Well met, adventurers! This camp explores the wildly popular role-playing game by giving youth experience in team building, storytelling, probability, and improvisation. The possibilities are infinite as campers figure out how to work with (and around) the rules and gain confidence as they take on the role of a wizard, paladin, warrior or almost anything they can imagine. This camp is beginner friendly for anybody who wants to learn how to play the widely popular game. For more advanced players, we also offer a Dungeon Master’s Guild in this program for those that want to learn how to lead their players through a story of their own creation!
Makers Camp in the SHED (8th grade only)
Develop knowledge and skills in the SHED, a state-of-the-art facility for innovation and creativity. Each day has a different theme, as participants have fun and learn something new, as they gain skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. They complete hands-on projects in electronics, laser cutting, and 3D printing. This week-long experience provides hands-on activities utilizing a variety of maker technologies in the incredible RIT makerspaces.
Making Manga
Explore the art and science behind creating manga stories. Campers blend visual art, storytelling, and design thinking as they learn character development, panel layout, and digital illustration techniques. By the end of the camp, students will apply creativity and problem-solving skills to produce original manga pages they can proudly share.
Next Level Esports: Marvel Rivals (Grades 7 & 8 Only)
From beginner to advanced play, there is a place for everyone at RIT's summer Esports program. Combine in- and out-of-game activity that develops each camper's in-game performance, while providing strategies, resources and connections to help youth reach their full potential. The program is designed with the key core values of teamwork and collaboration. Develop skills for mind and body health and nutrition for athletes, and effective ergonomics practices. Learn about technology, fields of study, and careers connected to Esports. Build leadership skills and grow from competitive experiences with your teammates.
Science Citizens
What is YOUR role in science? Campers will spend a week exploring how the general public can interact with their environment and collect scientific data that can be used to better our world. Participants use scientific tools, common applications, and devices to showcase to the world what they found and what it all means.
Spike LEGO Robotics
For youth interested in robotics and engineering, this hands-on skill building program offers fun and supportive environment. Youth are guided through designing, building and programming LEGO robots. They work in teams, learning the value of collaboration and communication as they overcome challenges and solve problems.
Theme Park Enthusiasts
Twists, turns, and engineering challenges await! Discover the science behind your favorite rides from motion and speed to safety and thrills. Build coaster models, design your dream theme park, and watch your creations come to life.
Grades 9-12
Anatomical Studies
Every artist knows anatomy is hard to master, but what if it didn’t need to be? Enrolled students will learn how to depict the complex structure of the human body through techniques used by medical illustrators. Aspiring medical professionals and artists will be given the opportunity to utilize anatomical models, life drawings/poses, prints, and online resources to build a deeper understanding of the workings of the body.
Dungeons & Dragons: Tigers of the Brick City
Well met, adventurers! This camp explores the wildly popular role-playing game by giving youth experience in team building, storytelling, probability, and improvisation. The possibilities are infinite as campers figure out how to work with (and around) the rules and gain confidence as they take on the role of a wizard, paladin, warrior or almost anything they can imagine. This camp is beginner friendly for anybody who wants to learn how to play the widely popular game. For more advanced players, we also offer a Dungeon Master’s Guild in this program for those that want to learn how to lead their players through a story of their own creation!
Energy of the Future
Participants engage in a week of renewable energy exploration, covering topics such as solar, wind, hydrogen, geothermal, innovative agriculture, and hydropower. Scholars explore technological systems, career pathways, and alternative ways of generating energy, improving future innovators’ curiosity and knowledge while striving for continuous improvement.
Focus Forward: Photography Workshop
Unlock your creative potential at our photography workshop for high school students passionate about all things photography! Learn hands-on techniques, master the latest tools, and gain valuable insights from professional faculty from RIT’s renowned photography school. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this workshop will help you explore creative techniques, gain technical skills, and learn about the wide world of career options available in photography. (Photo by Abbie Pearson '25)
Makers Camp in the SHED
Develop knowledge and skills in the SHED, a state-of-the-art facility for innovation and creativity. Each day has a different theme, as participants have fun and learn something new, as they gain skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. They complete hands-on projects in electronics, laser cutting, and 3D printing. This week-long experience provides hands-on activities to a variety of maker technologies in the RIT makerspaces.
Money Moves and Bo$$ Skills
Level up your future! Participants build real-world skills that put them ahead of the game as they spend a week learning about personal finance and entrepreneurship. Youth create budgets to pitch their own business ideas through interactive workshops, creative challenges, and team activities. Connect with other motivated teens and walk away with the confidence to take control of your financial destiny.
Next Level Esports: Marvel Rivals
Are you interested in developing your skills as a gamer or looking to strengthen your skills in the world of Esports? From beginner to advanced play, there is a place for everyone at RIT's summer Esports. These programs combine in- and out-of-game activity that develop each camper's in-game performance, while providing strategies, resources and connections to help youth reach their full potential. The program is designed with the key core values of teamwork and collaboration in mind. Play side-by-side with teammates. Learn to prepare, communicate, and grow from competitive experiences, and develop leadership skills.