Maker camps are one of the most exciting, rapidly growing type of summer camp or March break program. These camps focus on a very practical curriculum influenced by the Makerspace (also called Hackerspace) movement. Some official maker camps originated in association with makezine.com, but the term is also applied more generally and includes camps around the world. Read more
Camps below offer Makerspace among other fun kids' camp activities.
PROGRAM STEAM Technology Oct 08 - Dec 14, 2022
Students build confidence & independence as they are exposed to 2D and 3D design, woodworking, robotics and more! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Arduino Oct 08 - Dec 10, 2022
Learn all about electronics and programming! Build a sci-fi spaceship! Visit website |
PROGRAM Robotics STEM Apr 07 - Dec 31, 2022
Dive deeper into the world of autonomous rovers, setting the stage for enhanced learning in robotics engineering! Visit website |
DAY CAMP STEAM Programming Dec 26, 2022 - Jan 06, 2023
Build projects all week long while learning coding & robotics, 3D printing, woodworking, and more! Visit website |
PROGRAM Robotics STEAM Oct 08 - Dec 14, 2022
Design, build and program a remote-controlled tank powerful enough to battle other robots! Visit website |
PA DAY STEAM Programming Sep 23, 2022 - Jun 02, 2023
Build projects all day long while learning coding & robotics, 3D printing, woodworking, and more! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Technology Oct 08 - Dec 14, 2022
Projects are inspired by the grade 3 and 4 Ontario Science and Technology Curriculum! Visit website |
PROGRAM Robotics STEAM Oct 08 - Dec 14, 2022
Learn text-based programming (Python) and build electronics projects like automated watering systems and self-driving cars Visit website |
PROGRAM Robotics STEM Apr 07 - Dec 31, 2022
Students build, design, and investigate simple and complex machines such as levers, pulleys, and axles. Visit website |
VIRTUAL Game Design STEM Apr 07 - Dec 31, 2022
Delve deeper into game design by developing classic games like Brick Breaker, Angry Birds and more using graphical coding. Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Arts Oct 08 - Dec 14, 2022
Students will cultivate creative strategies while exploring and developing new applications of technology and art! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Architecture Oct 08 - Dec 14, 2022
Create architectural scale-models using 3D design software (SketchUp) and bring the design to life with our Tiny Home program Visit website |
PROGRAM Robotics STEM Apr 07 - Dec 31, 2022
Discover the excitement of robot navigation! Learn the basics of robot design plus hands on building and coding challenges. Visit website |
PROGRAM Woodworking STEAM Oct 09 - Dec 14, 2022
Students will learn basic safety practices, hand tools, construction techniques, & finishing methods. No experience required! Visit website |
VIRTUAL Scratch Animation Apr 07 - Dec 31, 2022
Students are introduced to basic coding concepts through the creation of animated stories and starter games. Visit website |
PROGRAM Scratch Animation Apr 07 - Dec 31, 2022
Students explore more advanced programming concepts using graphical coding to animate and create games using Scratch. Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Technology Oct 08 - Dec 14, 2022
Students build confidence & independence as they are exposed to 2D and 3D design, woodworking, robotics and more! Visit website |
PROGRAM Scratch Animation Apr 07 - Dec 31, 2022
Students are introduced to basic coding concepts through the creation of animated stories and starter games. Visit website |
VIRTUAL Scratch Animation Apr 07 - Dec 31, 2022
Students explore more advanced programming concepts using graphical coding to animate and create games using Scratch. Visit website |
PROGRAM Robotics LEGO Apr 07 - Dec 31, 2022
Students design, build and program stationary and moving robotic models that use motors, sensors and block-based programming. Visit website |
PROGRAM Robotics STEAM Oct 08 - Dec 14, 2022
Explore the world of robotics by building a variety of miniature Micro:Bit electronics projects! Visit website |
DAY CAMP Traditional Mar 13 - Mar 17, 2023
Creative computer coding fun and learning with a variety of tools Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Minecraft Sep 07 - Dec 03, 2022
Build your own Minecraft world and learn to code! Visit website |
PROGRAM Architecture Jul 10 - Jul 28, 2023
Experience design thinking and making. Discover the creative culture of studio. Develop new skills and portfolio material. Visit website |
OVERNIGHT Arts Jul 03 - Aug 04, 2023
Combines the best of camp with the best of the arts, a full recreation schedule, and a core of incredible arts programming! Visit website |
OVERNIGHT Arts Jul 03 - Aug 04, 2023
Combines the best of camp with the best of the arts, a full recreation schedule, and a core of incredible arts programming! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Science Sep 07 - Dec 03, 2022
Learn about different areas of science each week with this hands-on program! Visit website |
DAY CAMP Arts Jul 03 - Aug 04, 2023
Combines the best of camp with the best of the arts, a full recreation schedule, and a core of incredible arts programming! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Sep 07 - Dec 03, 2022
Offering science, robotics, coding with Roblox and Minecraft, engineering, 3D printing, culinary arts, and more! Visit website |
DAY CAMP Arts Mar 20 - Mar 24, 2023
Students will learn all about the creative design process and use it to develop their own projects. Visit website |
VIRTUAL Computers Programming Mar 13 - Mar 17, 2023
This year’s March Break camp for middle schoolers and teens will take place virtually! Visit website |
DAY CAMP Arts Jul 03 - Aug 04, 2023
Combines the best of camp with the best of the arts, a full recreation schedule, and a core of incredible arts programming! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM STEM Feb 01, 2022 - Jan 31, 2023
Structured, reinforcing projects in the subject pathways of fabrication, physical computing, engineering and digital arts. Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Robotics Sep 07 - Dec 03, 2022
From lego robots to motors and circuits, learn about it all in this Senior robotics class! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Engineering Sep 07 - Dec 03, 2022
Learn "how" and "why" things work in this beginner engineering course! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Roblox Sep 07 - Dec 03, 2022
Have fun, build your own world and learn coding at the same time! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Science Sep 07 - Dec 03, 2022
Learn about a new area of science each week with hands-on projects! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Cooking Sep 07 - Dec 03, 2022
Cook recipes from around the world, learn how to chop and dice, and how to enhance tasting pallets! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Robotics Sep 07 - Dec 03, 2022
Come and make a new best friend in this robot filled class using LEGO WeDo kits! Get your hands ready to start building! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Sep 07 - Dec 03, 2022
Offering science, robotics, coding with Roblox and Minecraft, engineering, 3D printing, culinary arts, and more! Visit website |
VIRTUAL Architecture Jul 31 - Aug 04, 2023
Experience design thinking and making. Discover the creative culture of studio. Develop new skills and portfolio material. Visit website |
VIRTUAL Computers Programming Mar 13 - Mar 17, 2023
Are you a complete beginner or a Minecraft pro? this March Break Mini is a fun & recreational week, all things Minecraft. Visit website |
DAY CAMP Traditional Jul 03 - Aug 25, 2023
A fun mix of sports and other fun activities for the camper interested in a bit of everything! Visit website |
PROGRAM STEAM Visual Arts Sep 07 - Dec 03, 2022
Learn about different types of art in this visual arts class. Visit website |
Maker camps offer programming similar to STEM curriculum but add practical tech interests (ranging from robotics to coding to design) as well as craft materials. Makerspace camps tend to emphasize collaboration and can be thought of as more workshop-oriented than other technology camps. Some are associated with major corporations such as Intel and others.
The advantage of maker camps may seem obvious in our increasingly technology-oriented world, but here's a close look at some reasons to dive into a maker kids camp:
Addition of a social element. While technologically-oriented kids may delight in making things on their own, makerspace summer camps add the benefit of collaboration, comparison, presentation and communication (among other things). Growth in these critical soft skills gives kids an edge in social situations, and in job skills as they look at future career paths.
Curriculum is created by experts. Maker camps in major cities are often associated with universities and/or corporate sponsors. Teen makers can always work on independent projects, but the discipline instilled through professionally-developed curriculum gives them needed guidance in understanding a practical application of makerspace learning.
They meet kids from elsewhere in their area. Kids at any summer camp form friendships and connections that can last a long time into the future. Some Toronto maker camps are attended by kids from countries around the world, in fact. This is an extension of camps' ability to help kids grow in social skills and form early connections to others with similar interests. They might indeed form collaborative connections that may extend far into the future and be fruitful in ways that parents and instructors cannot anticipate.
Maker camps are part of a rapidly expanding universe of technology camps focused on helping kids develop skills they will use well into the future. Their practical-oriented curriculum has implications for the development of an entrepreneurial bent, and career choices, etc. these camps might be thought of as oriented toward older kids, related to robotics and other technology camps and targeted toward older kids who may have previously attended Lego or Minecraft camps.
Parents navigating their way through these options or descriptions need to work closely with their kids and with camps listed below to note which camps most closely match their needs and expectations.
How many Maker camps are there?
There are 44 programs offering makerspace as an activity. Use the filters to narrow by age and program type, then click on matched programs to see daily activities, dates, rates and registration information.
What are the fees to attend Maker camps?
Fees for programs offering makerspace as an activity range from $33 to $1,800 per program (program types and lengths vary). Use the filters here to narrow programs by age and type.
Where can parents meet with Maker camps?
Meet with program directors and staff at the Our Kids Camp & Program Expo. The Expo is held annually in February, and is a fun and informative day for parents, kids, and teens. Find event details and free tickets here.
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