Camp themes for 2026

Discover this year's hands-on STEM adventures designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child.

Young boy in a green striped shirt building a small pile of leaves and sticks on a tree trunk outdoors.
About

Bird Nest Architect

Campers explore how birds build nests through biology, material science, and biomimicry design. Daily activities include studying nest types, testing natural materials, weaving structures, designing for stability, and creating camouflage. By week's end, campers design, build, and present their own bird nests.

Hands-on nest buildling

Biomimicry design principles

Material engineering challenges

Locations

Dates

Bird Nest Architects runs at three Bay Area schools this summer.

Mon
13
Jul 2026
Map showing Belmont Community Learning Center location marked with a red icon between Belmont and San Carlos in San Mateo County, California.
Belmont

Belmont

Full Day STEM Curriculum
July 13–17 & August 3–7
Register now
Map showing Burlingame Parks & Recreation Department location in Burlingame near San Mateo with zoom controls.
Mon
13
Jul 2026
Burlingame

Burlingame

Full Day STEM Curriculum
July 13–17
Register now
Map showing Millbrae Recreation Center, CA marked with a red location pin near South San Francisco, Pacifica, Burlingame, and San Mateo.
Mon
20
Jul 2026
Millbrae

Millbrae

Half Day option available
July 20–24
Register now
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Discover

What makes our camp different

Built by scientists who know how children learn best

Observation

Outdoor labs and nature-inspired learning

Campers observe real nests, identify bird species, and collect natural materials. They learn how form connects to function through hands-on discovery.

A group of six children outdoors examining a bird's nest with speckled eggs on a wooden table using a magnifying glass.

Hands-on building and design

Children build functional bird nests using engineering principles, learning that failure drives innovation through iteration and problem-solving.

Confidence through accomplishment

Children work in teams to design real solutions, learning collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership. They present their finished projects, building confidence and curiosity.

Schedule

Five Days of Discovery

Step into the role of nature's engineers! Here is a day-by-day look at how we blend biology, material science, and hands-on biomimicry design to turn curiosity into confidence.

Full Day STEM Curriculum
Half Day STEM Curriculum
Nest Architects Begin
(Day 1)
Why birds build
Focus
We kick off the week by diving into the world of birds—the original architects and engineers of nature. Campers will study various nest types and explore how different birds build them to protect, camouflage, and support their young.
Studio
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Biology and foundational observation skills
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Two children observing a bird nest in a tree using binoculars, accompanied by an adult with a backpack and notebook.
Material Scientists
(Day 2)
Material matters
Activities
Campers learn about materials by testing natural items. They try different things to find which ones bend well and stay strong. Then they can use these materials to build things. Feathers, twigs, and mud show what birds already know about building.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Material science and analytical testing
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Line drawing of two pairs of hands weaving a circular wreath with feathers and twigs.
Structural Engineers
(Day 3)
Make it stand strong
Activities
Young builders test their skills. They practice weaving and binding materials together. They learn how to design strong structures. They figure out what makes a nest sturdy enough for the wild. Angles matter. Weight matters. Balance matters. Children discover all this by building.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Structural engineering and design stability
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Child crouching while constructing a dome-shaped structure made of interconnected sticks.
Environmental Designers
(Day 4)
Hidden in plain sight
Activities
Exploring biomimicry design, campers learn how nature hides things. They study camouflage and blend into the environment. They build nests that stay hidden and safe. Every nest solves a problem. Children find these solutions by watching nature.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Biomimicry design and environmental adaptation
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Line drawing of a girl and boy crouching and kneeling, arranging leaves and moss around an egg in a bird's nest.
Innovators
Showcase
(Day 5)
This is my nest!
Activities
The week concludes with an exciting family showcase! Campers will make final refinements to their designs and proudly present their custom bird nests to their peers and families. It’s a day of celebration where every child gets to confidently say, "I built it!".
Outdoor
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Confidence, creative expression, and presentation skills
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Line drawing of four children smiling; two girls and two boys, each holding bird nests with eggs.
Nest Architects Begin
(Day 1)
Why birds build
Focus
We kick off the week by diving into the world of birds—the original architects and engineers of nature. Campers will study various nest types and explore how different birds build them to protect, camouflage, and support their young.
Studio
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Biology and foundational observation skills
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Two children observing a bird nest in a tree using binoculars, accompanied by an adult with a backpack and notebook.
Material Scientists
(Day 2)
Material matters
Activities
Campers learn about materials by testing natural items. They try different things to find which ones bend well and stay strong. Then they can use these materials to build things. Feathers, twigs, and mud show what birds already know about building.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Material science and analytical testing
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Line drawing of two pairs of hands weaving a circular wreath with feathers and twigs.
Structural Engineers
(Day 3)
Make it stand strong
Activities
Young builders test their skills. They practice weaving and binding materials together. They learn how to design strong structures. They figure out what makes a nest sturdy enough for the wild. Angles matter. Weight matters. Balance matters. Children discover all this by building.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Structural engineering and design stability
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Child crouching while constructing a dome-shaped structure made of interconnected sticks.
Environmental Designers
(Day 4)
Hidden in plain sight
Activities
Exploring biomimicry design, campers learn how nature hides things. They study camouflage and blend into the environment. They build nests that stay hidden and safe. Every nest solves a problem. Children find these solutions by watching nature.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Biomimicry design and environmental adaptation
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Line drawing of a girl and boy crouching and kneeling, arranging leaves and moss around an egg in a bird's nest.
Innovators
Showcase
(Day 5)
This is my nest!
Activities
The week concludes with an exciting family showcase! Campers will make final refinements to their designs and proudly present their custom bird nests to their peers and families. It’s a day of celebration where every child gets to confidently say, "I built it!".
Outdoor
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Confidence, creative expression, and presentation skills
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Line drawing of four children smiling; two girls and two boys, each holding bird nests with eggs.