STEM Summer Camp

This year we are offering a multitude of camps affiliated with Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and the Department of Geosciences. Amazing collaborations between VT departments and institutes equals awesome experiences for kids and our future generation of scientists. All camps will take place on the Blacksburg, VT campus.

Geosciences- Campers (ages 15-18) in our all day, week-long high school summer camp will enjoy solving real life research problems in geosciences. Campers will explore topics including soil structure and water drainage, modeling earthquake and volcano activity in East Africa, using geophysics to peer below the surface of the Earth, and tour active lab spaces in the Department of Geosciences. We will visit some careers in geosciences and share insights on the college application process. Campers will have the opportunity to design an exhibit for the Museum of Geosciences, which will be featured during the 2026-2027 academic year. Cost- $120, June 1-5, 9am-4 pm, limit 16 campers

Geosciences- Campers (ages 12-14) in our half day, week-long summer camp program for middle school students will engage in hands-on activities representative of real research problems in geoscience, including problems understanding earthquakes, geologic history, and modeling. Campers will get to try their hand at real field techniques in geoscience and will have the opportunity to tour a lab space in the Department of Geosciences. cost- $120, limit 12 campers, July 6-10, 9 am to noon

Geosciences- Campers (ages 9-11) in our half-day, week-long summer program for elementary school students will engage in hands on activities based on the work that real geoscientists do every day. They will experience activities in geophysics, soil, paleontology, geology, and find out how geoscience impacts their every day lives. Cost- $120, July 20-24, 9 am-noon, limit 12 kids

Geosciences- Campers (under 5) in our half day, three-day long summer program for preschoolers will enjoy structured games and activities exploring three broad concepts of earth science: prehistoric animals, gems and minerals, and volcanoes and earthquakes. A parent is required to be in attendance. Cost- $40, limit 10 kids, August 3-5, 10 am-12 pm.

If you choose to enroll your child in a Bug Camp please only enroll them in one of the camps. The materials and conversations will be the same in both camps and we don't want bored kids!--

Bug Focus STEM Camp- During this camp, campers (ages 9-12) will learn about various types of bugs, learn how to preserve bugs (through pinning) and do a research project on a bug they want to learn more about. Cost- $120, June 1 - 5, 9am-noon, limit 16 campers.

If you choose to enroll your child in a STEM Cooking camp please only enroll them in one of the camps. The materials and conversations will be the same in all three camps and we don't want bored kids!--

STEM Cooking Camp- During this camp campers (ages 9-12) will learn the science behind cooking some of their favorite foods including bread, jam, pickling and jerky. July 20 - 24, 9am-noon, Cost- $140, 16 campers

STEM Cooking Camp- During this camp campers (ages 9-12) will learn the science behind cooking some of their favorite foods including bread, jam, pickling and jerky. Aug. 3-7, 9am-noon, Cost- $140, 16 campers

For all camps- Snacks will not be provided however we will take a 15 min break around 10:30 am so that students can eat a quick snack outside and use the restroom. We encourage kids to bring a water bottle.

To register please see- https://tinyurl.com/FLSI-Summer-Camps

If you are in need of a scholarship, please contact me directly at kdivitto@vt.edu . Two scholarships are available each week for students whose parents indicate they have a financial need.

A young student with a STEM activity at summer camp.

Currently, our schedule of activities include tours of the Hahn Horticulture Garden, tour of the Geosciences Museum, and hands on activities including making sun prints, DNA Extraction, dissection of a worm, making sugar scrub, making paper and team STEM building activities. These activities are subject to change pending interest of the kids and availability of tours/activities on campus.

Since a majority of our time will be in a lab setting the child must wear long pants (or skirt to the ankle) and close-toed shoes. We will also be moving around campus so please make sure your shoes are comfortable and plan on being on your feet the entire time.

Snacks will not be provided however we will take a 15-minute break around 10:30 am so that students can eat a quick snack outside and use the restroom. We encourage kids to bring a water bottle.

If you are in need of a scholarship, please contact Kristy Collins to receive a discount code. Scholarships are available for students whose parents indicate they have a financial need.