As a learning resource, our team at beanz magazine is here to help you find a tech summer camp, because learning and fun never stop! Kids technology summer camps range from one- or two-week sessions, day camp or residential, from outfits iD Tech and Digital Media Academy to local colleges and universities who sometimes offer technology summer camps. There are several groups that offer technology classes, including Tech Kids Unlimited, Black Girls Code, the coding club Coder Dojo, and more. Another helpful hint is to search online with the phrase “technology summer camps” and your city might reveal other choices to look into. The local YMCA or YWCA also might have summer camps with technology options.
So you found a computer camp for kids. What do you do next? How do you evaluate these camps? The first step is to look at how many years of experience that the company has. The number of years in business is a great metric because a company that can successfully run camps over years suggests they have happy kids and parents. We also suggest giving them a call to get a personal read if this is the camp for you. The company will also be able to provide you with references. Another metric might be turnover rate for their teachers and camp organizers. And what kids learn also matters: ask your kids if the technology or software taught interests them, especially if they learn a subject like game design instead of software like Minecraft.
If you have a favorite camp not listed here, please let us know.
For more ideas about how to find and evaluate summer tech camps, read How to Find Summer Tech Camps.
Find Summer Technology Camps by Location:
Technology Holiday Summer Camps: United Kingdom
TechCampNew
Non-residential and residential summer tech camps in Winchester, Abingdon, Chelsea, Harrow, and elsewhere. Campers play with robots, Raspberry Pi, laser tag, quadcopters, and lots of other gadgets, as well as learn about game physics and invention.
http://www.techcamp.org.uk/
Fire Tech Camps
Courses in Arduino, Java, Python, Game Design, and more in London, Brighton, Bristol, Reading, Cambridge, Buckinghamshire, and Manchester.
http://www.firetechcamp.com/
Tech CampsNew
Java, Minecraft, Lego NXT, 3D Game Design, Drones, and other tech courses taught in Maidenhead, Hampstead, Richmond, Reading, Oxford, St. Albans, Northwood, Weybridge, Tonbridge, and Bristol (Clifton and Badminton).
http://funtech.co.uk/
Active Coding AcademiesNew
Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, their curriculum includes Scratch, Python, JavaScript, HTML, Java, Android, and Big Data. There are no requirements to participate in summer program, only a desire to learn.
https://activecodingacademies.co.uk/
Technology Summer Camps: United States
Multiple US States
These camps offer programs in multiple states across the US. Be sure to browse these camps to see if they offer courses in your town or state. More local programs are listed by city and state below these listings.
Maker Ed DirectoryNew
Scroll down, pick your US state from the dropdown list, and likely there are a few great summer and year round programs to investigate.
http://makered.org/resources/directory/
iDTech Camps (Internal Drive)
One and two week camps at colleges and universities in US. Kids 7-17 plus Teen Camps. Registration starts November 1, 2013 for summer 2014.
http://www.idtech.com/
Alexa Cafe
A new camp operated by iDTech but for girls 10-14 in Silicon Valley to teach leadership and tech skills, as well as programming, entrepreneurship, brand identity, design, and philanthropy.
http://www.idtech.com/alexa-cafe/
App Camp for GirlsNew
Their camps empower girls entering 8th and 9th grade in fall by providing engaging programs in software development. Camps in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, and Southern California.
http://appcamp4girls.org/
Digitech UNew
Classes in Brain Juice, Lego Robotics, Minecraft, and Programming at their Georgia locations in Atlanta, Columbus, and Marietta, as well as Montgomery, Alabama.
http://www.digitechu.com/
Digital Media Academy
Includes Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal locations in Canada, as well as US. Ages 6 to 17 and adults.
http://www.digitalmediaacademy.org/
Emagination Summer Camps
Locations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
http://www.computercamps.com/
The Flatiron School
Learn to write code using the same technologies used by coders at some of the coolest tech companies around, like Twitter and Hulu. Camps in New York City, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Greenwich (CT), Miami, and San Francisco
http://summer.flatironschool.com/
Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science (imacs)
Located in South Florida, North Carolina, St. Louis, and Connecticut.
http://www.imacs.org/
Make Games With Us
A two-month camp in San Francisco, New York City, Boston, and Silicon Valley to teach kids the complete process of creating a game, from idea to design to coding to an app for download in iTunes.
http://www.mgw.us/academy
Black Girls Code
Summer of Code 2013 was in Pittsburgh, Detroit, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles, Memphis, New York, District of Columbia, Chicago, and Oakland, California.
http://www.blackgirlscode.com
National Computer Camps
Locations in Connecticut, Atlanta, and Cleveland. Their camps have operated since 1977.
http://www.nccamp.com/
Kids-N-Technology
Locations in Texas, North Carolina, and Memphis.
http://www.kidsntechnology.net/
Children’s Technology Workshop
Located in Colorado, Virginia, and Ontario, Canada. They also appear to have locations Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai, Seoul, and Singapore.
http://ctworkshop.com/
Coder Dojo
An international coding club to connect programming professionals with kids 7-17 and their parents (if parents want to get involved).
http://www.coderdojo.com
YMCA Technology Summer Camps
Here’s a search results page from Google. Just add your town or city name to the query and resubmit.
https://www.google.com/#q=ymca+technology+summer+camps
Young HacksNew
Young Hacks Academy offers summer Computer camps and after School Programs for ages 6-14 currently in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts.
http://younghacks.com/
Alabama
Digitech UNew
Classes in Brain Juice, Lego Robotics, Minecraft, and Programming at their Georgia locations in Atlanta, Columbus, and Marietta, as well as Montgomery, Alabama.
http://www.digitechu.com/
Arizona
CodaKidNew
A mix of traditional summer camps, online courses with tutors, and afterschool programs.
https://codakid.com/
Chicago Area
Americademy/CodeverseNew
Weekly classes and summer camps in an immersive environment with coding, 3D printers, robots, and other technologies.
https://www.codeverse.com/
https://www.americademy.com/
PowerUp Tech Academy
#CivicsSummer
Based in Chicago, this has been a successful summer program for teenagers. They may have a program summer 2015.
http://www.smartchicagocollaborative.org/projects/civic-innovation-summer-2/
Colorado
New
Programming classes and camps for kids in Highlands Ranch, Parker, and Littleton Colorado areas. Summer programs run June through early August.
http://ColoradoCodeClub.com
Los Angeles Area
CodeREV Kids
Kids Can Code
Based in Southern California with a focus on Python, Scratch, and Raspberry Pi.
http://kidscancode.org/
Planet Bravo
Based in the Los Angeles, California area.
http://www.planetbravo.com/camps/
Connecticut
Manchester Community College Summer Enrichment ProgramsNew
A technology and engineering program for Grades 2-4 and Grades 5-8.
http://www.manchestercc.edu/continuing-education/excursions-in-learning/
http://www.manchestercc.edu/continuing-education/excursions-in-learning/summer-enrichment-program/
Robotics and Beyond
Based in New Milford, CT, this program — with a full range of STEAM activities plus interaction with professional programmers and technologists (men and women) — has grown to 120+ campers over 4 weeks, from over 50 towns, three states, and a 50 mile radius.
http://roboticsandbeyond.org/wp_index.php/summer-camp-details/
Georgia
Digitech UNew
Classes in Brain Juice, Lego Robotics, Minecraft, and Programming at their Georgia locations in Atlanta, Columbus, and Marietta, as well as Montgomery, Alabama.
http://www.digitechu.com/
Maryland Area
See Com-Star Learning below for Rockville, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia locations.
Massachusetts Area
Empow Studios
KT Bytes
Based in Lexington, MA, near Boston, they offer automated online courses, web conference lessons, in person group lessons, and different levels of camps during the summer.
https://www.ktbyte.com/
Young HacksNew
Young Hacks Academy offers summer Computer camps and after School Programs for ages 6-14 currently in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts.
http://younghacks.com/
Wolfram Tech Innovation Summer Camp
Run from Bentley University, near Boston, they’ve added this tech innovation camp in addition to their excellent math and science summer programs for kids.
http://education.wolfram.com/summer/
Miami, Florida
Wyncode Academy
A Miami-based code bootcamp with a focus on learning the basics of coding hands-on in weeks.
http://wyncode.co
New Hampshire
Young HacksNew
Young Hacks Academy offers summer Computer camps and after School Programs for ages 6-14 currently in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts.
http://younghacks.com/
New York Area
Think Space StudioNew
Academically rich, seriously fun computer coding classes and camp for middle and high school students. Located in Tarrytown, NY.
https://thinkspacestudio.com
Coding Camp SpaceNew
Located near Central Park, their summer camp offers a mix of coding, site visits of tech companies, and outdoor activities for kids.
http://www.thecodingspace.com/summer-camp.html
TechBridges
A two-week game design for global good program taught by NYU and Columbia instructors at Columbia. Offer commuting and boarding options.
http://www.newpathwayeducation.com/services/camps/techbridges/
Tech Kids Unlimited
Based in the New York City area, this camp specializes in kids who learn differently with special needs.
http://www.techkidsunlimited.org/
The Flatiron School (New York City)
Five two-week summer terms for kids 13-18. Learn to write code using the same technologies used by coders at some of the coolest tech companies around, like Twitter and Hulu.
http://summer.flatironschool.com/
Upperline (New York City)New
Upperline teaches high school students how to turn their ideas into reality using the power of code. Student learn Ruby, Javascript, HTML, CSS and Swift in two week summer courses for high school students.
http://www.upperlinecode.com
New York Code + Design Academy
http://nycda.com/classes/summer-code-camp/
http://nycda.com/classes/web-development-for-teens/
The Digital Arts Experience
For kids and teens from Westchester, Rockland, and Fairfield communities to explore the world of creative technology, digital art, STEM related fields, and more.
http://www.thedae.com/
Girls Inc Long IslandNew
Organizations has a number of camps for girls ages 5-18 teaching coding, robotics, and sports.
http://girlsincli.org/summer-camps/
Young HacksNew
Young Hacks Academy offers summer Computer camps and after School Programs for ages 6-14 currently in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts.
http://younghacks.com/
Ohio Area
Classroom Antics
Numerous LEGO robotics, programming, video game, and other classes in Cincinnati, Dayton, Cleveland, Akron, and Columbus locations.
http://www.classroomantics.com/
Pennsylvania
Lancaster Country Day School (Technology)
Programming and robotics classes in Lancaster area with Scratch, Python, Arduino, and more.
http://www.lancastercountryday.org/Page/About-LCDS/Summer-Programs
Texas
CodeNinjasNew
Based in Pearland and Shadow Ranch area, their programs include drop-in sessions, summer camps, and parents night out. Teach video games, JavaScript, and Minecraft hacking.
https://www.codeninjas.com/camps/
Camp Katy
Located in the Katy, Texas near Houston.
http://www.canisius.edu/sciencecamp/
Fun 2 Learn Code (Round Rock, Austin)New
San Francisco Bay Area/Silicon Valley
Embark Labs
App building and computer science classes in San Jose, Santa Clara, Mountain View, and Menlo Park.
http://embarklabs.com/
Tynker
Tynker offers interactive one week summer courses for children to learn programming and game design at their own pace at home, in addition to their grade based curriculum for schools. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
http://www.tynker.com/summer-camps/
VisionTech
Camps in Danville and Saratoga, California.
http://www.visiontechcamps.com/
Camp EdTech
Located in the San Francisco Bay Area.
http://www.campedtech.org/
The Tech Summer Camp
Part of the Tech Museum in San Jose, California. Registration should begin late January 2014.
http://thetechsummercamps.thetech.org/
Vermont
Young HacksNew
Young Hacks Academy offers summer Computer camps and after School Programs for ages 6-14 currently in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts.
http://younghacks.com/
Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland
Com-Star LearningNew
Classes in Manassas, Fairfax, Herndon, and Arlington, Virginia as well as Washington and Glasgow, DC and Rockville, Maryland.
http://comstar-learning.com
Seattle, Washington State Area
TechVenture Kids Summer CampsNew
Summer programs include Minecraft, Digital Photography, Bots, and Teens. Also school clubs, and classes.
https://techventurekids.org/
Camp TechwiseNew
Kids set flexible schedules to learn digital photography, game design, computer networking, and more. Located in Seattle area.
http://www.camptechwise.com/
Creative Coding 4 Kids
After school and summer camp classes in Seattle and Bellevue locations.
http://www.creativecoding4kids.com/
Technology Summer Camps for Kids: Canada
App Camp for GirlsNew
Their camps empower girls entering 8th and 9th grade in fall by providing engaging programs in software development. Camps in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, and Southern California.
http://appcamp4girls.org/
Digital Media Academy
Includes Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal locations in Canada. Ages 6 to 17 and adults.
http://www.digitalmediaacademy.org/
Hatch Canada Summer Break CampNew
Located in Toronto, camp spends half the day coding and half the day on field trips.
hatchcanada.com/summerbreakcamp
Thinnox Design & Technology Camps
Located in Mississauga, Ontario in Canada.
http://www.thinnox.com/camps/summer-camp/
Technology Summer Camps for Kids: Europe
If you have attended technology summer camps in Europe, please contact me.
Centro de Estudos de Fátima, PortugalNew
Their summer program is 2-14 July and includes programming, robotics, arts, and sports activities for children ages 9-12.
http://www.cef.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&layout=edit&id=165?
http://www.cef.pt/documentos/SummerCodeCamp2017-Flyer.pdf
Digital SwitzerlandNew
Summer programs include a programming camp, a space science project camp, and a camp to teach entrepreneurship as a team effort. Classes held in Dübendorf, Zug, and Zurich.
http://digitalswitzerland.com/2017/04/17/digital-summer-kids-register-now-limited-number-participants/
http://digitalswitzerland.com/nextgeneration/
Con Mas FuturoNew
Summer technology and nature camps for kids ages 5-15 in Madrid, Spain: drones; 3D printing; Minecraft; game programming with Scratch, Stencyl, and League of Legends; robotics, Lego Mindstorms; electronics with Arduino; multimedia; music, and creativity.
http://www.conmasfuturo.es
http://www.campamentos.conmasfuturo.com/
Technology Summer Camps for Kids: Asia
Children’s Technology Workshop (Mumbai)
http://www.ctworkshop.in/
https://www.facebook.com/ctwindia
Children’s Worklab (Singapore)
Saturday Kids Holiday CampNew
http://saturdaykids.com/holiday-camps/
The Genius Workshop (Hong Kong, Shanghai)
http://www.g-workshop.com
http://www.g-workshop.com.cn/
ee-ya (Seoul)
University Technology Summer Camps
These camps are run only at a specific university or college. Other programs like iDTech and Digital Media Academy hold courses at many colleges and universities in the US and Canada.
Definitely go online and call local colleges near you to ask if they have a summer computer science program. For example, George Washington University in Washington, DC, the University of Houston, Georgia Tech, and Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York have had summer technology camps geared towards kids and teenagers.
Marymount Summer Science and Technology Camp
Located at Marymount University in New York City.
http://marymountsummer.org/science-technology-camp/
Michigan State University Engineering Summer Programs
Located in East Lansing, Michigan, they run a number of summer technology day camps.
http://www.egr.msu.edu/future-engineer/programs
Tufts University DevTech Camp (near Boston)
For kids in kindergarten through second grade, technology courses geared to their interests and capabiities.
http://ase.tufts.edu/devtech/DevTechSummer2014.asp
Directories of Technology Summer Camps
Unfortunately, I did not find any useful directories while researching this page. For example, some directories list entries in a way that effectively spams their results with one or two technology summer camps because those camps have many locations. I’m not giving up on finding one or more great directories for these camps. Your feedback is welcome.
The EdSurge article at least includes ideas for local groups like Coder Dojo and Black Girls Code to contact to see if they have technology camps.
EdSurge: Heading Off to Summer Coding Camp
https://www.edsurge.com/n/2013-05-13-heading-off-to-summer-coding-camp
Summer Science Camps
Science and technology camps in United States.
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/summer_science_camp-directory.shtml
For more ideas about how to find and evaluate summer tech camps, read How to Find Summer Tech Camps.
Top story photo courtesy of Robert Couse Baker on Flickr.