STEM camps are incredibly popular in this digital age, especially with the mad technology skills kids have these days. With that in mind, we went on the hunt for innovative STEM summer camps in and around DC. There's a STEM camp for every age, skill level, and interest. Most are in-person, but there are virtual options for those who want a little more flexibility.
For more virtual options, check out our list of Best Online STEM, Robotics, and Coding Classes and Camps for Kids.
Looking for other summer camps near DC? Bookmark our local Summer Camp Guide, and peruse our full Camp Directory for more programs to fit any budget and interest, from sports day camps to overnight summer camps and everything in between.
Stephanie Shipman contributed additional reporting to this article.
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STEM Summer Camps in Washington, DC
STEM Summer Camps in Maryland
Rockville Science Center offers full-day STEM camps (9:00 am - 4:00 pm) throughout the summer for children ages 7-13. Each week has a different theme, from geology and coding, to weather/climate and engineering. Read More
KID Museum Summer Camp offers interactive, hands-on sessions for rising second- through ninth-graders. Choose from an array of enriching programs focused on electronics, coding, 3D design, wizard magic, space exploration, and more. Read More
The Maryland Science Center offers educational camp experiences for kids ages 4-13. Campers explore interactive exhibits, participate in hands-on activities and experiments, learn, and get messy at this fun science camp. Read More
At this camp, rising kindergartners through third-graders work individually or in groups to create mixed-media art projects, building a personal portfolio. Campers also explore engineering and scientific discoveries through interactive play throughout the museum, as well as participate in theater, music, and dance. Read More
Landon Summer Camp offers traditional day camps as well as specialized sports clinics, academically-focused camps, art workshops, and tech camps for kids ages 4-17. The 75-acre campus features academic buildings, art studios, an auditorium and music rooms, two gymnasiums, technology labs, a 25-yard outdoor pool, five athletic fields and a turf field, 10 tennis courts, and two archery ranges. Landon encourages campers to build their confidence and explore their passions. Read More
STEM Summer Camps in Northern Virginia
Turn video game ideas into reality at Game Camp Nation. We offer both day & overnight camps for aspiring game designers, programmers, and artists of all skill levels. Read More
Campers entering first through fifth grades participate in hands-on STEM projects ranging from engineering to chemistry. With five themes throughout the summer, young scientists learn about space, movement, the Earth, and more through lab work and experiments. Read More
FREE
Students in grades 6-8 can apply online to attend this free weeklong aviation camp at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Campers receive hands-on flight instruction on FAA-certified simulators, take off on a 30-minute discovery flight with a local flight school, participate in indoor skydiving or outdoor zip lining, launch a rocket, visit air traffic control facilities, and more. Lunch and snacks are provided. Applications are due March 31, 2024, and priority is given to students who attend Title I or Title I eligible school or qualify for free or reduced lunches. Read More
STEM Summer Camps With Multiple Locations in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
Bethesda, MD
Spanning both the DC and Bethesda campuses, Sidwell Summer has a camp for kids ages 3-17 of every interest. From sports and STEM to arts and LEGO to traditional day camps, campers will experience an enriching summer consistent with the values of Sidwell Friends School. These values include a commitment to diversity while respecting the individual, the stimulation of intellectual and personal growth, and the building of a summer-camp community. Read More
Arlington, VA
College Park, MD
iD Tech offers weeklong tech camps all summer long for ages 7-17. Whether your student wants to dive into coding, AI, machine learning, film, robotics, or game design, iD Tech aims to bring the magic of camp to them. The camps at American University in DC and the University of Marlyand - College Park over an overnight option. Read More
Arlington, VA
Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Kensington, Rockville, & Silver Spring, MD
Mad Science offers science summer camps and after-school classes for grades 1-6 in DC; Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Program themes include NASA: Academy of Future Space Explorers, Eureka! Inventor's Camp, Flight Academy, and more. Read More
Steve & Kate's Camp
Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s Camp has put kids in charge–allowing campers to choose from a variety of activities in real-time, including sewing, stop-motion animation, coding & gaming, sports & recreation, maker crafts, water play, baking, and more.
As children are empowered to make their own choices at camp, they discover new reserves of confidence, resiliency, and creativity as they learn to make course corrections and trust themselves and as they go.
Families can buy any number of days, to use at any time–no weekly reservations required. Or, buy a Summer Pass, which covers the whole season. Either way, any unused Passes are automatically refunded at summer’s end.
Ages: 4–12 (*Atlanta ages are campers 5-12.)
Lunch, snacks & all hours (8am–6pm) included
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Alexandria, VA
Baltimore, Chevy Chase, & Potomac, MD
Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s has put kids in charge of their own camp experience. Campers ages 4-12** choose from a variety of activities in real time including sewing, stop-motion animation, music, coding, sports and recreation, crafts, baking, and more. Families can buy as many days as they’d like and use them at any time, no reservations required. Camp runs from 8am-6pm, and lunch and snacks are included. **Atlanta ages are campers 5-12. Read More
McLean, VA
Bethesda, MD
TIC Camps include multiple technology options—animation, programming, filmmaking, robotics, Minecraft modding, digital arts, and more—plus athletics and special events for campers ages 7-15. Read More
Virtual STEM Summer Camps
Lavner's STEM camps for kids ages 6-14 are both in-person at George Washington University and virtual. Campers can participate in one or more of 35 cutting-edge tech camps including coding, computer skills, spy tech, digital fashion design, 3D printing, and more. Read More
iD Tech Summer STEM Camps and Classes
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