STEM Camps at the Military Academy, Naval Academy and AF Academy are lots of fun!
Every summer, the three major US service academies -- the US Naval Academy, the US Military Academy and the US Air Force Academy -- host STEM Camps on their campuses. These recruiting programs are ways to show younger students the kinds of academic programs and STEM opportunities that exist at the service academies and the career paths possible in the US armed forces and beyond.
I have had a number of students attend these summer STEM programs, and the overwhelming reaction was that they were fun, informative and motivating. Each program offers insights into the Academy itself. Typically, you meet cadets and midshipmen, visit facilities, meet academic staff, eat in the mess halls and stay in the dormitories.
Let's explore each of the three STEM camps. They are the US Naval Academy's STEM Camp, the US Military Academy's STEM Program and the Society of American Engineers' (SAME) Air Force Academy Engineering & Construction Camp.
USNA Summer STEM
The Naval Academy’s Summer STEM Program is dedicated to rising 9th, 10th and 11th graders in three separate sessions. They are typically held starting on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Mondays of June. Each dedicated session (for an individual grade) lasts for six days and five nights. Students stay in Bancroft Hall and eat in the dining facility, King Hall.
The STEM camps are all about exploring, creating, building, and making things better using hands-on experiences. Attendees come from all over the country allowing students to develop their problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills. The program fee is $750 per session (as noted in the summer of 2025).
A quick web search using the term, "USNA summer STEM," will lead you to the details and your application, which are all located on the Naval Academy Admissions website.
USMA STEM Program
West Point's Center for Leader Development in STEM organizes and runs the summer middle school and high school STEM workshops. Attendees are not charged a fee to attend the sessions. Housing, meals, and all activities are provided for attendees. However, travel to and from West Point is not included and is the responsibility of the student.
All USMA STEM Program attendees stay in the barracks at West Point under the supervision of USMA cadet mentors and faculty members. The program offers students currently in 6th and 7th grades (middle school) and 8th and 9th grades (high school) the opportunity to participate in hands-on STEM activities taught by academy faculty and USMA cadet mentors. Note that students must be citizens of the United States, demonstrate strong academic performance, and demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a college education.
There will be two sessions in 2025:
Middle School: June 2-6 for 6th and 7th graders (rising 7th and 8th)
High School: June 9-13 for 8th and 9th graders (rising 9th and 10th)
The deadline for applications is February 28. A quick web search fot "USMA summer STEM program" will lead you to the details and application.
SAME Camp
Although the Society of American Military Engineers holds a number of summer camps across the country, I recommend that students apply to the one hosted at the US AIr Force Academy. Like the other STEM camps at USMA and USMA, it provides some great ways to visit the school's facilities and campus. However, students do not stay in the cadet dormitories or eat in the dining facility, Mitchell Hall.
Here are some of the details shared for this camp:
Rising juniors and seniors are given first preference in the selection process, but SAME encourages rising sophomores to submit an application (if they will be at least 15 years of age at time of the camp).
Applicants should have a goal of attending an accredited engineering college or university and possess a minimum GPA of 3.2.
Students should demonstrate leadership characteristics through participation in extracurricular activities, sports, and community activities, which are the foundation of a good application for any of the service academies.
Attendees should be prepared to participate in various physical activities.
Plus, all applicants must be U.S. citizen and able to provide proof of medical insurance.
Registration fee for the AFA camp is $800, which includes lodging, meals, materials, instruction, and mentoring. Once selected to attend, campers must submit half the registration fee to hold their spot. Often, local SAME posts will cover the other half of the amount. Sponsorships are not absolutely guaranteed, and if not sponsored by a SAME post, the attendee will be responsible for all camp fees and transportation.
You will find all AFA/STEM Camp details and the application here. The deadline for 2025 is March 12, 2025.
All three STEM camps are fun! And my students would encourage others to apply and attend, if offered the same opportunity. Applications will open in the early months of each new year, including 2025. All three applications are open as of this writing. However, you don't have much time to complete them by the different deadlines -- so move fast!
STEM is an important component of the curriculum as each of the US service academies. In fact, every cadet and midshipmen graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree -- no matter your chosen major. STEM camps, such as the three noted in this article, are great ways to improve your STEM skills and to explore your interests, plus they provide an ideal way to visit USNA. USMA and USAFA.
Good luck with your applications!
[ I would welcome a chance to discuss details with you. I offer coaching services to pace and prepare you (and your parents!) for the entire Academy application process -- including assisting students with their STEM camp applications! Contact me at chris@cbbrechin.com, 503.515.7406 or complete my contact form on the home page. ]
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