Math and Science Summer Camps for Your Gifted Child

Do you have a mathematically gifted child or one who just loves science or technology? If so and if you're looking for a fun and challenging summer camp, then consider one of several great summer camps designed for kids who love math and science.

From filmmaking to video game design, from computer programming to exploring space, there is a summer camp that's perfect for your gifted child. Here are some of the best.

Space Camp

Young boy with homemade rocket and space helmet

Hero Images / Getty Images 

Space Camp is an absolutely remarkable experience for kids who love space and space technology. Six-day camps are available for kids ages 9 to 18, but a Family Space Camp experience is available for kids as young as 7. (This is a 3 or 4-day weekend camp for parents and kids.) These camps are available all year-round, but if you are looking for an exciting camp adventure for your child during the summer, this is an excellent choice.

Regardless of the camp a child attends, he or she will learn about space and space exploration and will get some hands-on training. They can experience the sensation of walking on the moon in the 1/6th Gravity Chair and prepare for a space mission. There is just way too much to list here!

iD Tech Camps

If your child is interested in technology, then this camp offers a perfect summer camp opportunity. Camps are available in these categories: Video Game Design, Filmmaking and Photography, App Programming, Web Design, Robotics Engineering, and 3D Animation.

Camp experiences are available for kids ages 7-18. Kids between 7 and 17 can choose among many week-long camps while kids between 13 and 18 can attend one of many two-week camps. These camps are held in 80 universities across the US.

Emagination Computer Camps

Emagination is a camp for technology-loving kids ages 8-17. Their two-week sessions allow kids to choose three workshops among a variety of options, which include creating digital art and music, designing video games, building radio-controlled cars and robots, setting up computer systems, and exploring computer programming.

In addition to the workshops, there are other fun camp activities: outdoor games like capture the flag and soccer, talent night party, theme days, astronomy night, and weekend LAN parties.

Lawrence Hall of Science Summer Camps

The Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California at Berkeley offers week-long science camps for children in grades pre-k through twelve. These camps are half-day, full-day or residential camps.

Half-day camps are for children pre-k through grade eight and full-day camps are open to children in middle and high school. Parents can combine half-day camps to make a full-day camp experience for children in grades one to seven.

Currently, there is one residential camp centered around marine biology research for students entering grades 9-12. Other camps cater to interests in technology, engineering, math, new media, and physics, chemistry, and life science.

Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth (VAMPY)

VAMPY is a summer residential camp held at the Center for Gifted Studies of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It attracts kids in grades 7-10 from all over the US and even from other countries around the world.

Science and math courses offered include astronomy, environmental science, forensic chemistry, genetics, mathematics, and physics. Courses in the humanities are also offered and these include writing, Chinese, humanities, presidential politics, and Nazi Germany and the Holocaust.

By Carol Bainbridge
Carol Bainbridge has provided advice to parents of gifted children for decades, and was a member of the Indiana Association for the Gifted.