Camp themes for 2026

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

A group of children in a classroom building a wooden model sailboat with white sails and tying ropes.
Explore

Set Sail

Campers design and build watercraft from scratch, testing materials and observing how different designs perform in water. Through experimentation and racing, they discover principles of buoyancy, water resistance, and structural integrity while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Campers collaborate to improve their designs, participate in friendly races, and finish the week with a family boat showcase where they proudly present their creations.

Buoyancy and stability principles

Propulsion and materials testing

Collaborative design and iteration

Locations

Dates

Set Sail runs at two Bay Area schools this summer.

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Mon
6
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 6-10
Register now
Map showing Burlingame Parks & Recreation Department location in Burlingame near San Mateo with zoom controls.
Mon
3
Aug 2026
Burlingame

Burlingame

Full Day STEM Curriculum
August 3–7
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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Experience

What makes our camp different

Built by scientists who know how children learn best

Observation

Physics and materials investigation

Campers investigate the principles of buoyancy and stability. By testing different natural and engineered materials, they discover how weight, balance, and structural form keep heavy objects afloat.+

Two children closely observing a small wooden sailboat floating in a clear plastic tub filled with water on a wooden table.

Hands-on engineering and iterative design

Children build and refine functional watercraft using real engineering principles. By testing propulsion methods like sails and paddles, they learn that troubleshooting and iteration drive innovation.

Confidence through accomplishment

Children work in teams to design, build, and test real boats. Through friendly races and a family showcase, they develop resilience and teamwork, proudly sharing their creations with an "I built it!".

Schedule

Five Days of Discovery

Step into the role of marine engineers! Here is a day-by-day look at how we blend physics, materials science, and hands-on boat design to turn curiosity into confidence.

Full Day STEM Curriculum
Half Day STEM Curriculum
Marine Engineers
Begin
(Day 1)
Will it float?
Activities
We kick off the week by diving into the history of boats—from ancient rafts to modern ships. Campers will explore the basic engineering principles of buoyancy and figure out what makes heavy objects float.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Physics and foundational buoyancy concepts
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Boy kneeling and placing a bundle of sticks tied with string into a rectangular tub of water.
Material Scientists
(Day 2)
Finding the balance
Activities
Campers investigate materials science and stability. Through hands-on testing, they determine which materials work best for watercraft and learn how to balance weight to keep their boats from tipping over.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Material science and structural stability
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Two hands assembling a small boat model using hex nuts around its edges.
Propulsion Experts
(Day 3)
Making it move
Activities
Young engineers explore how boats move across the water. They test different propulsion methods—from sails to paddles—and integrate these mechanisms into their growing boat designs.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Physics of motion and propulsion engineering
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Three children playing with model sailboats, one holding a stopwatch, another holding a fan, and the third adjusting a sail.
Boat Builders
(Day 4)
Test and refine
Activities
It’s time for project-based learning in action! Campers build their final watercraft designs, placing them in the water to test buoyancy, stability, and speed. They collaborate to troubleshoot and refine their boats.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Iterative design and problem-solving
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Young boy drawing a sailboat design on paper using a ruler at a desk with drawing tools and a model sailboat.
Innovators
Showcase
(Day 5)
Set sail!
Activities
The week concludes with an exciting family boat showcase and friendly races! Campers proudly present their custom watercraft to their peers and families. It's a day of celebration where every child gets to confidently say, "I built it!".
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Confidence, creative expression, and presentation skills
Afternoon

Outdoor lab, high energy collaboration games & team building

Line drawing of three children kneeling by water, launching a toy sailboat together.
Marine Engineers
Begin
(Day 1)
Will it float?
Activities
We kick off the week by diving into the history of boats—from ancient rafts to modern ships. Campers will explore the basic engineering principles of buoyancy and figure out what makes heavy objects float.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Physics and foundational buoyancy concepts
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Boy kneeling and placing a bundle of sticks tied with string into a rectangular tub of water.
Material Scientists
(Day 2)
Finding the balance
Activities
Campers investigate materials science and stability. Through hands-on testing, they determine which materials work best for watercraft and learn how to balance weight to keep their boats from tipping over.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Material science and structural stability
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Two hands assembling a small boat model using hex nuts around its edges.
Propulsion Experts
(Day 3)
Make it move
Activities
Young engineers explore how boats move across the water. They test different propulsion methods—from sails to paddles—and integrate these mechanisms into their growing boat designs.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Physics of motion and propulsion engineering
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Three children playing with model sailboats, one holding a stopwatch, another holding a fan, and the third adjusting a sail.
Boat Builders
(Day 4)
Test and refine
Activities
It’s time for project-based learning in action! Campers build their final watercraft designs, placing them in the water to test buoyancy, stability, and speed. They collaborate to troubleshoot and refine their boats.
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Iterative design and problem-solving
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Young boy drawing a sailboat design on paper using a ruler at a desk with drawing tools and a model sailboat.
Innovators
Showcase
(Day 5)
Set sail!
Activities
The week concludes with an exciting family boat showcase and friendly races! Campers proudly present their custom watercraft to their peers and families. It's a day of celebration where every child gets to confidently say, "I built it!".
Location
Indoor & Outdoor
Focus
Confidence, creative expression, and presentation skills
Afternoon

Outdoor exploration, yoga and free choice stations

Line drawing of three children kneeling by water, launching a toy sailboat together.