Summer is coming: Check out the 2025 U of A summer camps

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A young woman in gray attire is leading a hands-on science activity for a group of children. The children are seated on bleachers, all wearing colorful safety goggles and name tags. Some of the children are paying close attention, while others appear to be lost in thought or distracted. In the foreground, there are some plants and materials related to the activity, with the woman holding a small object and explaining something to the group. The background features a brick wall.

Summer Fusion Camp lets kids participate in science activities, arts and crafts, planetarium shows and outdoor activities with weekly themes including "Galactic Adventures," "Science Sleuths" and "Grossology."

Once again this summer, the university is has several options to keep your kids engaged once the final school bell rings. Here's a list of the summer camps being offered on campus and at other University locations.

Please note:

  • This is not a complete list as some camps are continuing to finalize their plans. For the most current information, please visit the camps' websites.
  • An asterisk (*) indicates that a camp offers a discount to university employees.
  • If you are a camp organizer whose camp information is not listed below, please let us know by filling out this form. You can send any questions you have to andyober@arizona.edu.
  • The popular "A" Camp hosted by Campus Recreation is full and no longer taking names for its waitlist.

Arizona Basketball Camp

Arizona Basketball Camp offers fun-filled days of learning essential basketball drills, engaging warmup activities and friendly gameplay. Lunch is provided and each camper will receive a camp T-shirt. Additionally, campers can participate in an autograph session with Arizona basketball players.

Registration deadline: Registration is open until the camp is filled. Those who register by May 1 will receive an early registration camp discount.
Dates and times: Three sessions are available: June 2-5, June 9-12 and June 23-26. Coach Tommy Lloyd will not attend the final camp week. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: McKale Memorial Center and Richard Jefferson Gymnasium
Cost: Prior registration is $438 (per one session; multi-session bundles are available). Walk-up registration costs $435. Those who register early will save $30 on one session or $60 on two sessions.
Open to: Boys entering first through eighth grade. Dates for a girls' basketball camp are being finalized.

Camp G.R.I.T.

4-H Camp G.R.I.T. (Growing, Reaching, Impacting, Tomorrow) is a six-day, five-night residential camp where kids will engage in a variety of fun activities such as arts and crafts, hiking, GPS navigation, archery and canoeing, plus evening activities including campfires, a scavenger hunt and a talent show.

Registration deadline: Early-bird registration deadline is 11:55 p.m. on May 5. Registration closes at 11:55 p.m. on May 19. 
Dates and times: June 8-13. Drop-off is Sunday, June 8, from 1-2 p.m. Pickup is Friday, June 13, between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Families need to arrange transportation to and from camp. 
Location: Harold and Mitzie James 4-H Camp & Outdoor Learning Center, 5200 S. Forest Service Road 105, Dewey, AZ
Cost: $600. Early-bird discount: $100 off if registration is received before 11:55 p.m. on May 5. Family rate: Pay the regular rate for the first camper and get $50 off for each additional camper.
Open to: Ages 9-14

Entrepreneurship Summer Camp

During the Entrepreneurship Summer Camp, students stay in university dorms and work in teams, developing their ideas from concepts to business plans, with an emphasis on collaborative, hands-on learning. Courses will be taught by university faculty members, business professionals, entrepreneurs and university students. The program includes field trips to companies and interactions with executive management. The week ends with a "Shark Tank"-style event where students present their plans and compete for prizes.

Registration deadline: April 1
Dates and times: June 8-13; course times vary.
Location: McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, 1130 E. Helen St. Room 202
Cost: $500. Children of university employees receive a 20% discount.
Open to: Students currently in eighth through 12 grade

Summer Fusion Camp

This camp features science activities, arts and crafts, exploration of science exhibits, planetarium shows and outdoor activity time for kids starting second through eighth grade in the fall. Each week offers a new theme, including "Galactic Adventures," "Science Sleuths" and "Grossology."

Registration deadline: The Friday before each weekly camp date; however, camps often sell out well in advance of the deadline.
Dates and times: Families can sign up for one or more weeks. All sessions are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The first week is June 2-6, the second is June 9-13, the third is June 16-20, the fourth is June 23-27, and the fifth and final week – for middle schoolers only – is June 30-July 3.
Location: Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
Cost: $395 per week. Flandrau members pay $355 per week.
Open to: Students entering second through eighth grade

Our Land, Our Education, Our Health

Our Land, Our Education, Our Health is a two-week, overnight summer program that promotes college and workforce readiness to Native American high school students. Through a partnership with Arizona tribal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs, participants will get to experience being a University of Arizona Wildcat by living on campus, gaining an introduction to the field of environmental health science and connecting with other Native students and faculty.

Application deadline: Until spots are filled
Dates and times: July 6-19 (overnight)
Location: Roy P. Drachman Hall (Health Sciences campus)
Cost: Free
Open to: Current high school or GED students

Quantum Quest: A Free Quantum Computing Summer Camp for Girls

During Quantum Quest, participants will explore quantum computing with hands-on activities, including learning to code on real quantum computers. Girls will learn from University of Arizona researchers and hear from STEM professionals from organizations throughout Southern Arizona. The camp is organized by a partnership of several organizations, including the Office of Research, Innovation & Impact's Office of Societal Impact.

Registration deadline: None listed 
Dates and times: June 9-13
Location: Central Arizona College, Coolidge, Arizona
Cost: Free
Open to: Girls 14-17 years old

*Summer Engineering Academy

For more than 30 years, the university's Summer Engineering Academy has offered a taste of life as a Wildcat. Attendees will work with professors, graduate students and undergraduate students on design projects and other hands-on activities; meet mentors and learn about engineering degrees, research and careers; explore the University of Arizona campus; and learn about pursuing engineering majors in college while making meaningful connections with peers who share similar interests and passions.

Registration deadline: Each camp is open until three weeks before the start date. Enrollment into all programs is on a first-come, first-served basis. All needs-based scholarship applications are due April 15.
Dates and times: The camp runs for seven weeks beginning the week of June 9-12; the last week of camp is July 21-25. Participants can choose day camps or overnight camps. See website for details.
Location: Engineering building
Cost: Day camps are $350 per week; overnight camps are $750 per week. University employees receive a 20% discount if they contact the director at engr-sea@arizona.edu after the initial non-refundable fee has been paid. Need-based scholarships are available.
Open to: Rising ninth through 12th graders

Summer Literacy Camp

This camp is part of a grant funded through the federal Office of Special Education Programs. The camp is focused on training future speech-language pathologists and special education teachers to work together to become experts in delivering evidence-based literacy instruction to children with reading disabilities. The camp will include both individualized and group evidence-based instruction in decoding, listening comprehension and writing. Instruction will incorporate children's interests. 

Children interested in attending will first be screened for eligibility. The eligibility screenings will be held on April 12 and 26.

Application deadline: Open until filled. Contact Jennifer White to schedule a screening session.
Dates and times: May 27-July 3. Camp will meet Monday-Friday from 2-5:30 p.m. for a total of 28 sessions.
Location: Speech and Hearing Sciences, 1131 E. Second St.
Cost: $150. Scholarships are available.
Open to: Children entering second through fifth grade

*Summer Music Camp

This weeklong camp is open to middle school students who have had experience in band, orchestra or choir. The day camp will include large ensemble rehearsals, sectionals, non-Western/non-traditional electives and fun activities.

Registration deadline: Open until filled.
Dates and times: June 16-20, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: School of Music, 1017 N. Olive Road
Cost: Early-bird tuition of $200 for registration by April 1, then standard tuition of $225. University employees are eligible for the early-bird rate until registration closes. 
Open to: Children entering sixth through ninth grade

*Toxic Detectives

Toxic Detectives is a weeklong summer program for middle school students that introduces them to the field of environmental health and toxicology. The program allows students to make real-world connections to their environment through various hands-on science experiments, research laboratory tours and guest speakers. In addition, students will get the chance to explore the University of Arizona campus and go on field trips. The program ends with a final showcase event where students give an oral presentation on a toxin of their choice.

Registration deadline: Open until filled
Dates and times: June 2-6, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Roy P. Drachman Hall (Health Sciences campus)
Cost: $275. University employees receive a 25% discount.
Open to: Students entering sixth through eighth grade

University of Arizona GenCyber Middle School Camp 

The free University of Arizona GenCyber Middle School Camp is a five-day cybersecurity camp designed for middle school students. Camp participants will explore cybersecurity through hands-on sessions. Learning sessions will cover confidentiality, integrity, in-depth defense, Python programming, cryptography and more. Participants will receive a camp shirt and Raspberry Pi 400. Lunch and snacks provided.

Registration deadline: Open until filled. 
Dates and times: June 2-6, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Location: The camp will be held on campus. Location details will be emailed to parents. 
Cost: Free 
Open to: Students entering seventh through ninth grade

Young Global Leaders

Offered by the Global Health Institute in partnership with the Environment, Exposure Science and Risk Assessment Center – both part of the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health – the Young Global Leaders Program is an immersive summer program designed for motivated high school students interested in exploring the intersection of public health and health sciences. The summer 2025 theme, "Public Health Mysteries – Science vs. Myths," will allow participants to work in teams to explore public health questions, collect and analyze data, and engage with University of Arizona faculty and researchers.

Application deadline: May 1
Dates and times: Session 1 is June 2-6 and session 2 is June 9-13. Each day runs from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: University of Arizona Health Sciences campus
Cost: $350. Scholarships are available.
Open to: Current high school students

YWI: Writing Personal Statements Camp  

This Writing Skills Improvement Program camp will help participants learn about the best practices and common pitfalls of writing a personal statement for scholarships, internships, college applications and other opportunities. The program will include workshops, activities, panel presentations and feedback from peers and instructors. Participants will end the session with a personal statement to include with any application.

Registration deadline: May 15
Dates and times: July 7-10, 9 a.m.-noon
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: $200 per student
Open to: Students entering ninth through 12th grade

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