Tech Trek Summer Camp 2026

Tech Trek
Innovation & Leadership Camp

Where STEM Meets Creativity • Where Curiosity Fuels Discovery • Where Kids Become Innovators

Register Now!

Overview

Discover the perfect summer experience for your child! Our Innovation & Leadership Camp for kids aged 6–12 blends cutting-edge technology with hands-on projects to inspire tomorrow's problem-solvers. For teens 13-16, our Counselor in Training program offers leadership development, STEM skill-building, and valuable experience working with younger campers. Both programs combine creativity, leadership, and fun in a dynamic learning environment.

Children collaborating on STEM project
Hands-on learning with 3D printed prosthetics

Summer 2026 Highlights:

🎯
Flexible Program Options

Choose 1-week, 2-week, or 4-week sessions to fit your summer schedule

🔧
Hands-On STEM Projects

Design and build balsa wood planes, create amazing 3D printed creations, and conduct exciting egg drop challenges.

💻
Computer Literacy & 3D Design

Learn 3D printing fundamentals, create digital designs, and even get your head scanned for custom creations!

Leadership & Teamwork

Develop communication skills, practice collaboration, and present projects in our end-of-session showcases.

Flexible Session Options

Choose the perfect camp experience for your child! We offer 1-week and 2-week sessions with unique projects and learning experiences.

Join Any Week – Build at Your Own Pace Our small, personalized groups mean your camper can join at any point. Each week builds on the previous one, but thanks to the iterative nature of our projects and individual coaching, new campers are quickly brought up to speed. Whether you start Week 1 or Week 4, your child will dive right in and make amazing progress!

Most Popular

Session 1: Flight, Physics & Fun

July 6 – July 17, 2026 (2 weeks)

Also available as individual weeks: July 6-10 or July 13-17

Featured Activities:
✈️
Airplane Design
Balsa wood planes through iteration
🥚
Physics Challenges
Egg drop tests & engineering
🖨️
3D Printing Intro
Learn 3D design basics
🌤️
Flight Science
How planes fly & aerodynamics
Week 1: Build & Fly (July 6-10)
  • Goals: Learn the principles of flight; design first balsa wood glider.
  • Activities: Paper airplane challenges, wind tunnel demonstrations, simple 3D design of propeller blades.
  • Take-home skill: Understanding of aerodynamics and ability to iterate on a design.
Week 2: Test, Improve & Launch (July 13-17)
  • Goals: Optimize aircraft design; conduct egg drop experiments; introduce 3D printed parts.
  • Activities: Build powered gliders, test payload capacity, create custom 3D printed nose cones.
  • Take-home skill: Engineering design process, teamwork, and presentation of results.
Session Goals:
  • Understand basic aerodynamics and flight principles
  • Design, build, and test multiple balsa wood plane iterations
  • Create protective structures for egg drop challenges
  • Learn 3D printing fundamentals and design simple objects
  • Develop problem-solving skills through trial and error
New for 2026

Session 2: Digital Creation & Innovation

July 20 – July 31, 2026 (2 weeks)

Also available as individual weeks: July 20-24 or July 27-31

Featured Activities:
📷
3D Scanning
Scan your head for custom creations
🔧
Advanced 3D Printing
Design complex creations
💻
Computer Literacy
Digital skills & safe computing
🎨
Creative Design
Pokémon, Roman busts & more
Week 3: 3D Scanning & Design Basics (July 20-24)
  • Goals: Learn 3D scanning techniques; create digital models of everyday objects.
  • Activities: Scan faces, toys, and natural objects; edit scans in Tinkercad; print small objects.
  • Take-home skill: 3D scanning workflow and basic 3D modeling.
Week 4: Advanced Design & Creative Projects (July 27-31)
  • Goals: Combine scanned elements into custom designs; produce final showcase project.
  • Activities: Create personalized creations (e.g., Pokémon with your face, Roman busts), use advanced slicing software, prepare models for printing.
  • Take-home skill: Project planning, digital file management, and confident use of 3D printing.
Session Goals:
  • Master 3D scanning technology to capture objects and faces
  • Create advanced 3D printed designs combining scanned elements
  • Develop computer literacy skills including digital safety
  • Design personalized creations (Pokémon with your face, Roman busts, etc.)
  • Learn digital design principles and file management

Dates & Tuition

Summer 2026 Program Details
  • Session 1: July 6 – July 17, 2026 (2 weeks)
  • Session 2: July 20 – July 31, 2026 (2 weeks)
  • 1-Week Options: Any week from July 6-10, July 13-17, July 20-24, or July 27-31
  • Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Aftercare Available: 4:00 – 5:15 PM (additional fee)

Includes all materials for projects, camp T-shirt and snacks

Program Options

1-Week Program
$900
$900 per week

Perfect for trying camp

Choose any week

Register 1-Week
Session 1 Only
$1,700
$850 per week

Flight, Physics & Fun

July 6-17, 2026

Register Session 1
Session 2 Only
$1,700
$850 per week

Digital Creation & Innovation

July 20-31, 2026

Register Session 2
🏛️
Brandeis University and LembergCC Discount
10% OFF For Brandeis University faculty, staff, and alumni families and Lemberg Families
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Sibling Discount
10% OFF For second child registration on any program
About Zeffy Payments

We use Zeffy, a platform that allows nonprofits to collect payments with zero transaction fees. When you register, you'll have the option to leave a voluntary donation to support Zeffy's mission. You can set this donation to $0 if you prefer — the full camp tuition still comes directly to us. Thank you for supporting our program!

How to Apply Discounts (click to expand)
  • Multiple Week Discounts: Automatically applied (2 weeks: $1,700, 4 weeks: $3,400)
  • Sibling Discount: 10% off for second child on any program option. For sibling discounts applied to CITs, the discount will be applied to the cheaper of the two registrations.
  • Brandeis Discount: 10% off for Brandeis community members (verification required)
  • Discount Stacking: Yes! Discounts can be combined. For example, if you qualify for both Brandeis and sibling discounts, you would receive a 20% discount total.
  • Aftercare Note: Discounts do not apply to aftercare fees. Aftercare is $50 per week with no discounts available.
  • CIT Discounts: Counselor in Training participants are also eligible for both the sibling and Brandeis discounts.

For discount verification or questions, please contact us during registration.

Optional Add-ons

Aftercare: $50 per week

Available Monday-Friday from 4:00–5:15 PM. No discounts apply to aftercare.

Sample Daily Schedule

Time Activity
8:30–9:00 AM Arrival, Check-In & Morning Challenges
9:00–9:30 AM Group Meeting: Daily Goals & Skill Instruction
9:30–11:00 AM Morning Project: Hands-on STEM Activity (Airplanes/3D Design)
11:00 AM–12:00 PM Testing & Iteration: Try, Fail, Improve!
12:00–1:00 PM Lunch & Outdoor Play
1:00–2:30 PM Afternoon Exploration: 3D Printing/Computer Lab/Demonstrations
2:30–3:30 PM Creative Design Time: Custom Projects
3:30–4:00 PM Daily Show & Tell: Share Progress & Cleanup

Counselor in Training Program

Program Details (click to expand)

Frequently Asked Questions

We maintain a 6:1 camper-to-instructor ratio to ensure personalized attention for every child. This ratio does not include our Counselor in Training (CIT) participants, who work under the direct supervision of our instructional staff.

All materials are provided. Just bring lunch, snacks, a water bottle, comfortable clothing, and closed-toe shoes. We recommend applying sunscreen before camp.

After submitting your child's application, a $250 per week deposit is required to secure your child's spot.

Camp tuition payments will begin in the month of May, with all remaining balances due by May 31.

Refund requests made after June 1 will be eligible for a 50% refund of tuition. No refunds will be issued after June 19.

If you would like to move or adjust any camp weeks, please let us know and we will be happy to try to accommodate your request.

We provide healthy morning and afternoon snacks. Please pack a nut-free lunch for your child. We have refrigeration available.

No prior experience is needed! We start with the basics and progress based on each child's comfort level. Our curriculum is designed for complete beginners.

Yes! Discounts can be stacked. For example, if you qualify for both Brandeis and sibling discounts, you would receive 20% off the base tuition. Note that discounts do not apply to aftercare fees.

Our CIT program for ages 13-16 focuses on leadership development and STEM education skills. CITs work under supervision, assist with camp activities, receive specialized training, and build valuable experience for college applications. The program requires a minimum 2-week commitment at $200 per week.

Meet Our Team

Gerry Gagnon, MAT, MEd.

Camp Director

Chair of Newton South Science & Tech Department. Leader of award-winning STEAM programs and robotics initiatives.

"Great innovators ask 'What if?'—we help kids find answers through hands-on discovery."

Ian Roy

Brandeis Director of Design & Innovation

Founded the Brandeis MakerLab; expert in 3D printing, drones, and social-impact tech.

"Anybody can make something—creativity starts with trying, failing, and trying again!"

Our Experienced Instructors

STEM Educators & Mentors

All instructors are experienced educators with backgrounds in science, technology, and working with children ages 6-12.

Student-to-instructor ratio of 6:1 ensures personalized attention and guidance.

Child exploring virtual reality technology
Hands-on exploration with Virtual Reality