In recent years, academic and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) camps have surged in popularity as parents seek summer programs that combine learning with fun. These camps are designed to equip children with future-ready skills like coding, robotics, and critical thinking, while also addressing concerns about learning gaps and keeping kids intellectually engaged during the summer. Unlike traditional classroom settings, STEAM camps use hands-on, project-based approaches to make complex concepts exciting and accessible, appealing to parents who want their children to grow academically without sacrificing the joy of summer.
DNA Learning Center
1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island
516-367-5170
dnalc-camps@cshl.edu
summercamps.dnalc.org
The DNA Learning Center of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory offers fun and challenging week-long camps for science enthusiasts entering 6th to 12th grade. Guided by experienced instructors, students use sophisticated laboratory techniques and online DNA analysis tools to perform experiments several grade levels ahead of their peers. Participate in-person at one of four locations: Long Island, Brooklyn, Westchester, and a new location in New Jersey, or virtually using on-demand kits. Scholarships and other camp discounts offered!
Penguin Coding School
156 Smith St, Brooklyn (Cobble Hill)
424 7th Avenue, Brooklyn (Park Slope)
penguincodingschool.com/summer
Penguin Coding’s summer program combines coding and robotics with hands-on science and outdoor fun! Kids ages 6-9 learn coding through Minecraft’s Education Edition. Kids ages 9-12 can learn Python or code their own games in Roblox. Penguin Coding provides plenty of non-screen activities throughout the day with Lego Robotics, 3D Printing, and Hands-on Science Experiments. Students also get to picnic for lunch and play at a nearby park. Extended day programs are available until 5pm. Brooklyn parents say they “appreciate the care that went into the structure of the daily agenda. The variety of science projects and the project-based teaching of the coding class ignited further appreciation for all things STEM for their child.”
STEM at Camp Kids Club
Locations in Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Park Slope
nykidsclub.com
Campers will delight in STEM through experiential and project-based learning sessions at Camp Kids Club. Through a holistic approach, focused on skill-building, they create a dynamic environment where children learn through inquiry, discovery, and reflection. Each STEM-related camp experience will be outcome-based, designed specifically to foster their curiosity, critical thinking, and sense of wonder needed in a child’s early years. Through nature–based play, they weave STEM into the beauty of their surroundingsExploration through thematic projects, working together to create a nature-themed art mural or simple pinhole cameras, are just a few examples of activities that will weave together science, math, and creative expression. STEM at Camp Kids Club ignites a spark in children that’ll burn a lifetime.
Voxel Academy
134 Atlantic Ave
718-619-4108
camp@voxelacademy.org
voxelacademy.org/summer-camp/info
Where STEM and pop culture collide, creativity ignites! At Camp Voxel, hands-on projects are blended with digital design, turning passions into lifelong skills. The mantra? Make / Code / Game. From coding custom Minecraft mods and 3D printing Beyblades to designing AI-generated Pokémon cards and modding Nerf blasters, there’s something for every young innovator. Plus, screen time is balanced with outdoor fun—park trips, Nerf capture the flag, and social gaming sessions keep campers active and connected.
