Week 3: July 20-24, 2026

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Grades 2-3

Boy working on tower made with spaghetti and marshmallows on a table.

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. 

Youth made a cyphering machine with a cardboard tube.

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! 

A boy and girl are wearing safety glasses and looking at plants outdoors.

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! 

A drawing of a city using shapes, including square, rectangle and ball shapes.

Shape Explorers

Discover how shapes shape our world! Campers will explore the amazing ways geometry appears in buildings, board games, nature, art, and engineering. From designing sturdy structures and creating geometric art to spotting patterns outdoors and inventing their own shape-inspired games, campers will see how science, technology, engineering, art, and math all come together—one angle at a time! 

Grades 4-5

Camp staff working with a boy at the computer, learning how to develop a video game.

AT&T Junior Game Development (5th Grade Only)

This is a free camp funded by AT&T for families in financial need. Must complete a scholarship application to be considered for this camp.

In this camp, students will use current game development technology to customize their own 2D video game level.  Using the Godot Game Engine and other applications, they will create their own character, enemies, and environments.  They will then use the Godot interface and C# to integrate their customizations into the game level.  This will be a one-week camp focused on the process of game development.  Through this, students will learn about digital art and animation, level design, and simple code. All applications used in this camp are free and open-source, giving the students the knowledge and resources to continue making games in the future. 

Two boys working together using cardboard on a project in a classroom.

Cardboard Camp

Turn cardboard into amazing creations through hands-on building, art, and imaginative design. Campers use math, construction concepts, and problem-solve as they work individually and in teams to bring their ideas to life. From towering structures to creative sculptures, this camp is all about creativity, collaboration, and making something awesome out of simple materials. 

hand drawing a picture of a comic strip with color pencils.

Creating Comics

Dive into the exciting field of comics and its unique history! This program provides hands-on instruction with various components and terminology of comics creation. Youth explore different formats and methods of comics, such as comic strips, zines, and much more. 

Boy making a pulley system with wooden dowels, string, cup and tape in a classroom.

Gears and Gadgets

Design, build, and test their own machines and mechanical creations. Campers explore gears, levers, pulleys, and simple mechanisms as they invent gadgets that move, lift, spin, and solve problems. This camp blends creativity and engineering to turn curious minds into confident makers. 

Campers working on creating their villain disguises with a variety of materials.

Heroes Vs. Villains

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. 

Grades 6-8

Camp staff working with a boy at a computer, learning how to create a video game.

AT&T Junior Game Development (Grades 6 & 7 Only

This is a free camp funded by AT&T for families in financial need. Must complete a scholarship application to be considered for this camp.

In this camp, students will use current game development technology to customize their own 2D video game level.  Using the Godot Game Engine and other applications, they will create their own character, enemies, and environments.  They will then use the Godot interface and C# to integrate their customizations into the game level.  This will be a one-week camp focused on the process of game development.  Through this, students will learn about digital art and animation, level design, and simple code. All applications used in this camp are free and open-source, giving the students the knowledge and resources to continue making games in the future. 

 

Four campers playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Dungeons and 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! 

Youth working on an innovative project on the computer.

Makers Camp 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. 

RIT student teaching two youth on how to use a microscope in a lab.

Medical Science Exploration

Are you interested in a career in medicine or the health professions? This highly interactive program, led by faculty from RIT's College of Health Sciences and Technology, introduces youth to key scientific concepts that form the foundations of human medical diagnosis and treatment. 

Girl taking a picture of a large pink flower with a camera outdoors.

Picture Perfect (Photography)

 It’s time to show the world from YOUR lens. Participants in this camp explore the creative intersection of art and technology through photography and design. Campers learn how to use photography equipment and design tools in order to showcase the world around them in the best way.   

Campers and staff collecting data across a pond for a science project.

Science Citizens

What is your role in science? Campers 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 find and what it all means. 

Youth working on Lego robotics project with camp staff.

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. 

Grades 9-12

Boy sitting at a computer working on a 3D project in a computer lab.

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. 

Staff leading Dungeons and Dragons session.

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! 

Two instructors working with a teen to connect a mother board sensor on a drone outdoors.

Environmental Sensing with Drones: Science from the Sky

Drones are revolutionizing how we study the environment! In this camp, students get hands-on experience with UAS (unmanned aerial systems) technology. Students will learn drone flight fundamentals, explore environmental applications in wetlands, forests, and agriculture, and work with advanced sensing tools like thermal and multispectral imaging. Through guided activities and real data collection, participants will discover how aerial sensing supports environmental monitoring, conservation, and sustainable land management. 

Youth working on an innovative design on the computer.

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 utilizing a variety of maker technologies in the incredible RIT makerspaces. 

Three teens working with an instructor to draw human skeleton bones in a classromm.

Medical Editorial Illustration 

Ever wonder what goes into making a medical illustration? Join us to explore the concepts and processes used in making didactic and editorial medical illustrations, as seen in medical textbooks, posters, and research papers. Enrolled students will have the opportunity to create three projects showcasing different approaches in the medical illustration field using digital programs and medical imaging software.  

Youth working with an instructor building a roller coaster construction project on a table in a classroom.

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.