Engineering summer camps
Summer 2026 camp registration coming February! Our on-campus summer engineering camps are interactive, social programs that will fuel your child's passion for engineering. Campers will explore the engineering design process and sharpen new math and science skills. The high-quality curriculum is delivered by University of Nevada, Reno engineering faculty, students and engineering professionals from the community in a fun, engaging environment.
What our camps offer:
- Focused-learning time: Eight hours of hands-on lessons, engaging discussions and short lectures.
- Teambuilding and breaks: Our day includes icebreakers, team building activities, energizers and breaks to keep campers engaged!
- High-quality instruction: Content is developed by University of Nevada, Reno engineering faculty and engineering students.
- Social interaction: Campers will participate in team activities, group reflections and get-to-know-you activities.
- A 6:1 student-teacher ratio.
For more on registration, scholarships, refunds and a disclaimer, see the registration section.
Middle school camps
Our middle school camps are for ages 12-14.
Engineering is in every aspect of our lives—from the roads we drive on, and the medicines we need, and the technology that connects us. This camp invites middle school students who are just starting their engineering journey to delve into the exciting field of engineering by focusing on the Engineering Design Process to solve complex problems in a variety of fun and hands-on challenges.
Through a combination of engaging real-world applications, campers will:
- Design, build, and test projects: Work on daily creative engineering challenges that showcase the problem-solving strategies of various engineering fields.
- Learn from the experts: UNR Faculty and College of Engineering students will lead interactive sessions, providing guidance, inspiration, and valuable insights into the profession.
- Experience engineering in action: Participate in field trips to engineering sites, where they'll see professionals tackling real-world challenges and making a difference.
- Collaborate on real-world problems: Engage in teamwork activities that mirror the collaborative nature of engineering, emphasizing the critical role of communication, creativity, and cooperation in the field.
Whether you're curious about civil, mechanical, biomedical, or computer engineering - or simply enjoy building and creating! - this camp is the perfect place to spark interest and explore the possibilities!
Spark creativity and entrepreneurial thinking at UNR’s Invention and Innovation Camp, designed for middle school students ready to turn big ideas into real-world solutions. This dynamic program highlights how engineers across all disciplines invent, prototype, patent, and bring their ideas to market, giving students an inside look at the engineering-to-entrepreneurship pipeline.
Throughout the camp, participants will engage in hands-on design challenges, explore real case studies of groundbreaking inventions, and learn how intellectual property protects creative work. Each day features an exciting prototyping engineering challenge, where teams refine their concepts, pitch to reviewers, and build the confidence needed to share their innovations with the world.
Perfect for young entrepreneurs and future engineers, this camp empowers students to dream boldly, design fearlessly, and take the first steps toward launching their next breakthrough idea.
High school camps
Our high school camps are for ages 15-17.
UNR’s brand-new Aerospace Engineering Mini-Camp invites high school students to explore the exciting world of flight, space, and advanced engineering in a fast-paced, two-day curated experience. Guided by University of Nevada, Reno Aerospace Engineering faculty and College of Engineering students, participants will dive into hands-on activities inspired by Aerospace Engineering: from aerodynamics and propulsion to structural design and emerging aerospace technologies.
During this mini-camp experience, campers will:
- Take part in cutting-edge Aerospace Engineering challenges
- Experiment with real-world design concepts
- Work collaboratively to build, test, and refine their own aerospace creations.
Whether students are curious about aircraft, rockets, satellites, or engineering innovation, this camp offers an engaging introduction to the professionals, tools, thinking, and creativity that define the aerospace field. Designed for motivated high school learners, this immersive camp blends academic insight with exciting, project-based learning, providing a first look at one of UNR’s newest engineering disciplines.
From creating clean water solutions and designing transportation systems, to building sustainable communities and advancing aviation, engineering in our local community plays a vital role in solving the challenges of our time. This camp offers a dynamic experience that combines hands-on activities, engaging lectures, field trips, and a unique exploration of how engineering is integrated into aspects of university life and beyond.
Here’s what campers can look forward to:
- Hands-on engineering projects: Tackle real-world challenges, such as designing a water filtration system or creating aerodynamic rockets. Each activity emphasizes problem-solving, creativity, and practical skills.
- Focused learning sessions: jump into various engineering fields like environmental, civil, and mechanical engineering through interactive lectures led by university faculty and professionals. Discover how these disciplines work together to tackle the world’s biggest problems.
- Exciting field trips: Step beyond the classroom to visit sites where engineering in our own backyard comes to life, and learn how engineering plays an integral role in enhancing quality of life and addressing societal challenges through infrastructure development, healthcare advancements, and sustainable solutions.
This camp for high school students provides an immersive and inspiring look at how engineering touches every corner of our lives, from the university campus to the skies above and even to the luxury spaces we enjoy. Perfect for curious minds ready to explore and innovate, this camp offers a one-of-a-kind experience that will spark a passion for engineering and problem-solving!
Civil and Environmental Engineers ensure that our infrastructure, from the roads or bridges we drive on to the buildings we live and work in, is safe. They maintain our waterways, provide safe drinking water, and design stormwater systems to prevent flooding. This camp offers students a chance to learn the ins and outs of Civil and Environmental Engineering while discovering solutions to engineering challenges by following the engineering design process. They will meet with University of Nevada, Reno faculty and College of Engineering students to learn about key practices that will enhance critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving skills.
What this camp offers:
- Interactive engineering labs and activities: Led by University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, participants will explore various aspects of this field through engaging, hands-on projects, including making your own concrete canoe, utilizing state-of-the-art driving simulators, and engaging in 3D printing projects.
- Field trips to see engineering in action. Campers will step outside the classroom and into the real world to witness the work of Civil and Environmental Engineers firsthand. Visits may include Water treatment facilities and construction sites to see how modern engineering principles are applied to minimize environmental and societal impact.
- Mentorship and skill building: Meet UNR Faculty and students who will guide participants through the camp experience, sharing their expertise and providing valuable insight into the field. Develop essential skills like critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving that are foundational for success in any engineering discipline.
This camp is an incredible opportunity to learn how Civil and Environmental Engineers shape the world around us, offering a glimpse into how these professionals create safe, sustainable, and efficient communities. Ideal for students curious about engineering and eager to make a positive impact, this camp is a gateway to exploring a rewarding and impactful career.
Registration, scholarship info, refunds and disclaimer
Registration coming in February for Summer 2026 camps! To reserve a spot in the camp, the deposit must be received within seven days of registration.
Scholarship information
Scholarships to cover camper registration are available to those who qualify. For more information about this process, please contact Paige Froese.
Refund policy
If you choose to cancel or leave a camp session for any reason;
- 14 days or less prior to the camp session starting date, you will not be eligible for a refund.
- 15 or more days prior to the camp session starting date, you will be eligible for a refund.
Behavior & Conduct Policy
Participation in UNR Engineering Camps is a unique and once-in-a-lifetime privilege. These camps provide students with rare opportunities: access to high-tech and cutting-edge university labs, leading faculty experts in their respective fields, specialized and fragile equipment, and hands-on learning environments that are often waitlisted due to very high demand. To ensure a safe, respectful, and productive experience for all participants, the University maintains clear expectations for behavior and reserves the right to decline or discontinue a child’s participation.
In alignment with University policy, the University may deny participation to any student who has previously attended a University camp where their behavior violated University rules, or who has documented incidents of behavior that negatively impact the safety, learning environment, or well-being of other participants, counselors, staff, or individuals associated with the camp.
To support positive behavior and uphold a welcoming learning environment, a three-strike system will be used during camp:
- First strike: private verbal warning. The student will receive a private, respectful reminder of expectations and they will be coached through an opportunity to correct their behavior.
- Second strike: parent/guardian phone call. The camper and Camp Coordinator will call the parent/guardian together to discuss the behavior and outline what must change for continued camp participation.
- Third strike: removal from camp (Nonrefundable). If the behavior continues or escalates, the camper will be dismissed from the program. Camp tuition will not be refunded, as the spot could have been offered to a waitlisted participant.
This policy will be communicated clearly in all registration and approval documents and reviewed with campers on the first day. Both campers and their parent/guardian will be required to sign an acknowledgement of this policy during registration to confirm understanding and agreement.
The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where every student can learn, create, and thrive.