STEAM camps

What happens in STEAM camps?

STEAM camps prepare young minds for the future of business. Unlike STEM camps, STEAM camps promote the integration of arts with science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines, usually in the form of design. Activities in woodworking, engineering, or coding programs integrate design, and creative problem solving, bringing out kids’ artistry. Promoting this integration between the arts and science pushes kids to perfect both hard and soft skills.

The camp structure provides a condensed learning experience, as STEAM activities and projects are completed within a week or longer. In specialised STEAM camps, both day and overnight options are available. Kids use professional-level equipment like circuit boards and high-level computer software, under the supervision of expert teachers.

STEAM camps are open to children with varying passions and include a variety of niche focuses from oceanography to robotics to astronomy. Most camps are coeducational, however, there are also programs for girls only. Children as young as 4 years old can enrol in STEAM camps, and, no matter what, children are assigned age-appropriate projects. Prices for STEAM camps start at $100, though there are a few under this price range. More advanced camps can cost over $700. 

Choosing the right STEAM camp

When selecting the best STEAM camp for your child, here are some things to consider. First, decide whether a day camp or overnight camp is best for you. Overnight STEAM camps offer a deep immersion in the STEAM curriculum, permitting prolonged interaction among campers.

The breadth of variety among STEAM camps makes the decision challenging. We recommend you try as many as you can. Here are some questions to help you decide, as you browse your list. 

• Do kids work mostly by themselves or in groups?
• What can my child expect to learn and to take home from the camp?
• What is your approach to teaching and learning? Is it mainly hands-on or instructional? 
• In what ways do you combine the five educational disciplines of STEAM? Can you pinpoint one subject that has more focus than others? 
• Who are instructors’ qualifications? How long have they been teaching? How long have they been engaged in the STEAM field the program teaches? 
• What kinds of facilities and equipment are available for campers? 

Why go to STEAM camp?

STEAM camps challenge both sides of children’s brains, uniquely preparing them for life and the adult world. Here are some benefits kids gain from STEAM camp:

• Preparation for the future through learning fundamental concepts and skills of STEAM disciplines. Niche fields like video game design or cooking are also a focus, increasing children’s postsecondary options. 
• Practice structured work habits. Children research, design, and construct projects. Camps typically ingrain project planning and execution into students. They carry this forward into academics and other areas of their lives. 
• Guest experts are available in more advanced STEAM camps, demonstrating to students the real-world applications of STEAM.
• Holistic learning. Children participate in fun, hands-on activities while increasing their knowledge of math, science, and arts concepts.
• STEAM programs offer inclusive environments where children of any gender, orientation, race, and ability are grouped together.

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