Camp themes for 2026

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

Four children gathered around a wooden table examining a large map with pencils, a magnifying glass, and a compass in a bright classroom.
Explore

Mapping my world

Young explorers become cartographers this week, learning how maps tell stories about the places we live. Through measurement, observation, and creative design, campers transform their understanding of space into real maps they've drawn themselves. The week ends with a thrilling treasure hunt using the maps they designed.

Measurement and scale

Map symbols and legends

3D model building

Locations

Dates

Mapping My World runs at one Bay Area school this summer.

Map highlighting Belmont Community Learning Center in Belmont, California, near San Mateo and Redwood City.
Mon
15
Jun 2026
Belmont

Belmont

Full Day STEM Curriculum
June 15-19 & July 27-31
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Experience

What makes our camp different

Built by scientists who know how children learn best

Observation

Real-world exploration and spatial thinking

Campers observe their surroundings and learn to translate the 3D world into 2D maps. They practice real measurement and spatial thinking to understand size, scale, and distance in their own environment.

Four children outdoors looking at a drawing on a clipboard and a compass, surrounded by greenery.

Hands-on modeling and cartography

Children bring topography to life by building 3D landscapes with clay and cardboard. They design custom maps, learning that accuracy and clear communication solve real-world navigation challenges.

Confidence through accomplishment

Children work in teams to design accurate maps and test them in a thrilling campus treasure hunt. They learn collaboration and problem-solving, building confidence as they proudly say, "I found it!".

Schedule

Five Days of Discovery

Step into the role of young explorers! Here is a day-by-day look at how we blend spatial thinking, measurement, and hands-on map design to turn curiosity into confidence.

Full Day STEM Curriculum
Half Day STEM Curriculum
Map Makers Begin
(Day 1)
Why we map
Activities
We kick off the week by diving into the world of maps! Campers will explore different types of maps, learn essential map symbols, and start drawing simple classroom and playground maps to understand their surroundings.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Spatial awareness and foundational mapping skills
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Line drawing of two children, one holding a map and pointing while the other holds an open compass.
Measurement Experts
(Day 2)
Sizing it up
Activities
Campers practice real measurement using everyday tools like footsteps and ropes. They learn how to calculate size, distance, and scale, translating the real world into proportional representations on paper.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Mathematics, measurement, and scale
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Three hands working on a scroll with a ruler and pencil, marking symbols and grids.
3D Modelers
(Day 3)
Building landscapes
Activities
Young designers take their maps to the next level by building 3D models. Using clay and cardboard, they add hills, buildings, and pathways to visualize topography and understand how 2D maps represent 3D spaces.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Topography and 3D spatial design
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Two children assembling a layered topographic model with cutout pieces and glue on the floor.
Cartographers
(Day 4)
The final draft
Activities
Campers synthesize their learning to create a complete 2D campus map. They carefully add legends, symbols, and direction arrows, ensuring their custom maps are accurate, readable, and ready for a real-world adventure.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Cartography and visual communication
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Three children working on a topographic map with drawing tools like ruler and compass at a table.
Innovators
Showcase
(Day 5)
Follow the map!
Activities
The week concludes with a thrilling treasure hunt! Campers put their newly designed maps to the test, navigating through the campus. It's a day of celebration where every child gets to confidently say, "I found it!".
Outdoor
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Problem-solving, confidence, and navigation skills
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Three kids exploring with a map and magnifying glass, one wearing a backpack and hat.
Map Makers Begin
(Day 1)
Why we map
Activities
We kick off the week by diving into the world of maps! Campers will explore different types of maps, learn essential map symbols, and start drawing simple classroom and playground maps to understand their surroundings.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Spatial awareness and foundational mapping skills
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Two children with map and compass; one points while the other holds a compass, suggesting navigation or exploration.
Measurement Experts
(Day 2)
Sizing it up
Activities
Campers practice real measurement using everyday tools like footsteps and ropes. They learn how to calculate size, distance, and scale, translating the real world into proportional representations on paper.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Mathematics, measurement, and scale
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Three hands working with a ruler and pencil on a rolled blueprint featuring symbols of trees and leaves.
3D Modelers
(Day 3)
Building landscapes
Activities
Young designers take their maps to the next level by building 3D models. Using clay and cardboard, they add hills, buildings, and pathways to visualize topography and understand how 2D maps represent 3D spaces.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Topography and 3D spatial design
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Two children working together on assembling a layered topographic map model with tools and glue around.
Cartographers
(Day 4)
The final draft
Activities
Campers synthesize their learning to create a complete 2D campus map. They carefully add legends, symbols, and direction arrows, ensuring their custom maps are accurate, readable, and ready for a real-world adventure.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Cartography and visual communication
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Three children working on a topographical map with a ruler, compass, and terrain symbols at a table.
Innovators
Showcase
(Day 5)
Follow the map!
Activities
The week concludes with a thrilling treasure hunt! Campers put their newly designed maps to the test, navigating through the campus. It's a day of celebration where every child gets to confidently say, "I found it!".
Outdoor
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Problem-solving, confidence, and navigation skills
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Three children exploring: one holding a treasure map, another with a magnifying glass, and the third wearing a backpack and hat, pointing ahead.