What is Camp Connect?
Camp Connect is a week-long day camp that introduces students to a variety of engineering disciplines such as Electrical, Computer, Industrial, Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Environmental, Construction, and Computer Science. Students participate in activities, informative presentations, and exciting lab tours while getting a chance to meet our wonderful faculty and students. The Center for Initiatives in STEM is thrilled to offer 3 unique programs: Camp Connect I, Camp Connect II, and Camp Connect Advanced!
Camp Connect I:
What: Camp Connect I introduces students to various engineering fields through activities, presentations, and lab tours. Each day focuses on a different department and activities are led by our own faculty and students. Students will also work on a team project to be presented on the final day of camp.
Who: Rising 8th through 11th graders with a goal of broadening participation in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Students must be a minimum of 13 years old by the start of the program in order to participate.
When: June 22-26, 2026
- June 22: Student sign-in will begin at 8:00am with the Student Welcome beginning at 8:30am. The day will end at 4:30pm.
- June 23 – 26: Student sign-in will begin at 8:30am with the camp starting at 9:00am. The day will end at 4:30pm.
- Please note that we do not offer early drop-off or late pick-up options. Students MUST be picked up by 4:30pm.
Where: L3Harris Engineering Center (HEC) 101 on the UCF Main Campus
All communications will be sent to accepted participants via email. Please be sure you allow emails from STEM@ucf.edu.
The cost for Camp Connect I is $200 and includes lunch, a backpack, t-shirt to be worn daily, and materials for all activities.
A $75 non-refundable deposit is required to hold each student’s seat once accepted into the program. Additional details regarding payment will be provided in the email invitation.
Scholarships are available to students who establish need as defined by the university. Students requesting scholarship assistance should contact the program coordinator for more details.
Important Dates (Subject to change – please check back for updates):
- March 2, 2026: Online application window opens. Note: The application includes short-response questions that must be answered by the student applicant.
- March 30, 2026: First round of invitations to be sent by the end of the day; Additional invitations to be sent every two weeks until all seats are filled
- May 1, 2026: Online application closes (may close early if camp is full)
- June 5, 2026: Final payment and waivers due
- June 22, 2026: Camp Connect I begins!
Camp Connect II:
What: Camp Connect II is a week-long day camp that provides students with a deeper hands-on experience within the various engineering fields. Students participate in hands-on activities, group projects, and presentations led by our own faculty and student organizations. Students may also visit various off-campus UCF labs.
Who: Students who previously completed Camp Connect I are invited to attend
When: July 13-17, 2026
- Student sign-in will begin at 8:30am with the camp starting at 9:00am each day. The day will end at 4:30pm.
- Please note that we do not offer early drop-off or late pick-up options. Students MUST be picked up by 4:30pm.
Where: L3Harris Engineering Center (HEC) 101 on the UCF Main Campus
Email invitations will be sent to students who previously completed Camp Connect I. Please be sure you allow emails from STEM@ucf.edu.
The cost for Camp Connect II is $200 and includes lunch, a backpack, t-shirt to be worn daily, and materials for all activities.
A $75 non-refundable deposit is required to hold each student’s seat once accepted into the program. Additional details regarding payment will be provided in the email invitation.
Scholarships are available to students who establish need as defined by the university. Students requesting scholarship assistance should contact the program coordinator for more details.
Important Dates (Subject to change – please check back for updates):
- April 13, 2026: Invitations to be sent via email
- April 24, 2026: Confirmation deadline (or until all seats are filled)
- May 4, 2026: Deposit due ($75)
- June 12, 2026: Final payment and waivers due
- July 13, 2026: Camp Connect II begins!
Camp Connect Advanced:
What: Camp Connect Advanced is a week-long day camp designed to provide students with an in-depth, team oriented STEM experience. Students work with a faculty member where they are immersed in a discipline specific research project or set of activities structured to encourage deeper learning, problem-solving, self-efficacy and collaboration.
Who: Rising 10th through 12th graders. Students must be a minimum of 15 years old by the start of the program in order to participate. Prior participation in Camp Connect I or II preferred, but not required.
When: June 8-12, 2026
- Student sign-in will begin at 8:30am with the camp starting at 9:00am daily. The day will end at 4:00pm.
- Please note that we do not offer early drop-off or late pick-up options. Students MUST be picked up by 4:00pm.
Where: L3Harris Engineering Center (HEC) 101 on the UCF Main Campus
All communications will be sent to accepted participants via email. Please be sure you allow emails from STEM@ucf.edu.
The cost for Camp Connect Advanced is $300 and includes:
- Materials for all activities
- T-shirt to be worn daily
- Backpack
A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to hold each student’s seat once accepted into the program. Additional details regarding payment will be provided in the email invitation.
Scholarships are available to students who establish need as defined by the university. Students requesting scholarship assistance should contact the program coordinator for more details.
The online application, recommendation forms, AND transcript must be submitted by April 24 to be considered for participation.
- Teacher Recommendation (form will be available March 2026)
- School Recommendation (form will be available March 2026)
Important Dates (subject to change – please check back for updates):
- March 16, 2026: Online application window opens. Note: The application includes short-response questions that must be answered by the student applicant.
- April 3, 2026: Early application deadline; students will be notified by April 13 regarding acceptance
- April 24, 2026: Online application closes; students will be notified by May 4 regarding acceptance
- May 25, 2026: Final payment and waivers due
- June 8, 2026: Camp Connect Advanced begins!
For additional questions, please contact stem@ucf.edu or 407-823-6230.
Click here for information on all of our summer programs.