SAME Camps Program
SAME has been supporting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) events for over 30 years and conducting camps for more than 20 years. Our camps are world-class and feature a very impressive record of producing thousands of engineers and STEM leaders. They provide a rigorous experience for students interested in exploring STEM skills and careers.
Campers gain a sense of what it takes to become a STEM professional and what options exist to explore that interest from high school to college and beyond. Each camp has a unique curriculum that features hands-on activities that are conducted in competitive environments that promote teamwork, leadership, project management, and problem-solving.
Dates and details on the 2024 camps will be available in the coming months. Applications will open later this year.



Spring/Summer 2023
U.S. Army
U.S. Navy
U.S. Air Force
Engineering & Construction Camp
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Vicksburg, MS
June 11 – 17, 2023 | Fee: $100.00
Grades: Rising Sophomore, Junior, or Senior as of Fall 2023
View the camp flyerEngineering & Construction Camp
Naval Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, CA
July 16 – 22, 2023 | Fee: $800.00
Grades: Rising Sophomore, Junior, or Senior as of Fall 2023
View the camp flyerEngineering & Construction Camp
Scott Air Force Base
Scott AFB, IL
July 17 – 22, 2023 | Fee: $800.00
Grades: Rising Sophomore, Junior, or Senior as of Fall 2023
View the camp flyerU.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Marine Corps
Engineering & Construction Camp
U.S. Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO
July 6 – 12, 2023 | Fee: $800:00
Grades: Rising Sophomore, Junior, or Senior as of Fall 2023
View the camp flyerEngineering & Construction Camp
Camp Lejeune
Jacksonville, NC
June 18 – 24, 2023 | Fee: $800
Grades: Rising Sophomore, Junior, or Senior as of Fall 2023
View the camp flyerPartner Camps
Logistics and registration for these camps are managed by our partners
SAME partners with the following camps to recruit participants. Please follow their links to apply to these specific programs:
- SAME-Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Exploring Engineering STEM Academy. Participants will be exposed to different engineering disciplines and hear from STEM professionals from local engineering societies like SAME, ASCE, IEEE, STE, and GEF. We forwarded all the campers the registration link. Fee is $1100. BSA administers this camp
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy Introduction Mission. Registration is handled by the Coast Guard Academy directly.
Do you like math, science, and engineering? Do you enjoy discovering new concepts, problem solving, and learning about system mechanics? Are you creative, persistent and desire to make the work a better place through STEM?
If so, the Naval Academy Summer STEM program is for you. The program is a great catalyst to initiate your pursuit of a future in science and engineering.
Participation in the Naval Academy Summer STEM program provides an opportunity to experience what the Naval Academy and Annapolis, MD have to offer.
During this residential program, campers will create, build, and explore in world-class lab facilities, working alongside USNA’s distinguished faculty and Midshipmen.
Participants will also experience real-life application and learning at one of the Top 5 “Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs” in the country, as ranked by U.S. News and World Report.
Applications for the 2023 program open January 4th.
Apply for the USNA Summer STEM ProgramResources & Information
About SAME Camps
Each summer, SAME Camps provide aspiring engineering students from across the country an opportunity for hands-on learning in collaboration with military engineers and SAME members.
The week-long camps, held in conjunction with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps are designed for high school students who excel in math, science and technology courses and are interested in pursuing engineering, architecture, or a related field in college. The camps are led by a professional staff of engineers from both private industry and the uniformed services. Many former campers have gone on to STEM careers in both the military and civilian capacity and come back to the camp as mentors.
If you are interested, your first step is to determine if you are eligible and then go through the application process for the camp you select.
Am I Eligible?
To qualify for consideration, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be at least 15 years old and have completed their freshman year of high school at the time he/she departs for camp.
- For the US Army Camp, you must have completed your sophomore year in high school.
- Be enrolled in school at the time of the camp.
- Be on a high school track that will provide a basis for attending an accredited engineering college or university (i.e., taking appropriate math and science courses).
- Have an intent to pursue a degree in architecture, engineering or a related field.
- Have demonstrated leadership characteristics through participation in extra-curricular activities, sports, and/or community activities.
- Be physically fit and healthy.
- Be of high moral character.
- Students cannot attend more than one SAME Camp in the same year.
There are more details on the Camp Application.
Additional Information for the U.S. Air Force Academy Camp:
- If the student is completing their junior year of high school, they must provide proof of an expressed interest in applying to a Service Academy or ROTC Program (this does not include JROTC).
- Proof of being a qualified applicant.
Questions?
Contact Steve Taylor, Camps Program Manager
Congratulations on becoming an alumnus of a SAME camp. We hope you continue to strengthen and grow the relationships you developed while at camp. Here are more resources you can access as camp alumni.
SAME College Scholarship Application
SAME offers former campers from any of the camps an opportunity to compete for a $5,000 scholarship (four-year, continuing scholarship with annual stipends of $1,250).
In addition to having attended a SAME camp, qualified applicants must be high-school seniors preparing to enter college and who will major in engineering, architecture, or other STEM field. The scholarship is not intended for those who have already been accepted to a service academy.
Download the application instructions and submission form.
SAME Membership
Student members represent the next generation of innovative STEM thinkers ready to take on society’s challenges. Recognizing the need to cultivate this valuable asset, SAME offers FREE membership to all full-time students enrolled in high school, 2-year or 4-year colleges and universities (through the undergraduate level), trade schools, and military academies.
Go to the student member section for information on member benefits and how to join.
What is SAME?
A professional organization that supports your technical knowledge and career development. SAME offers a wide variety of professional development opportunities to help you stay current on issues facing the nation.
The benefits to joining SAME include:
- Scholarships ––SAME provides over $1M in scholarship money annually from the national society and our local Posts.
- Opportunities to serve as a camp mentor.
- Contacts at College chapters to learn more about the college experience.
- Participation in a Virtual Student Chapter, an online community of STEM interested students.
- Free attendance to SAME national conferences and training events.
- Networking with other SAME members.
- Access to cutting-edge professional development opportunities.
- Volunteer leadership opportunities at the local, regional and national levels to grow your skills.
Join SAME today to start building your professional network! In addition, you can also follow SAME on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to begin engaging with the organization.
Student Chapters
Student Chapters promote the goals and objectives of SAME and encourage the advancement of careers in STEM by connecting college students with private, public, and military professionals.
Student Chapters are listed in the Post directory. Scroll through the list to find a chapter near you.
Can’t find a SAME Student Chapter? Take lead and start one! Find relevant information under the College Outreach Committee on how to start a Student Chapter in your local school or university. Students interested in starting a Student Chapter should contact the nearest SAME Post and ask for a mentor to assist them.
The Military Engineer
Want to keep up on what’s happening in the world of engineering, then read The Military Engineer, the official journal of SAME. Originally published as Professional Memoirs, since 1909, TME has been the leading voice championing the contributions, the achievements, and the legacy of military engineers and those aligned with ensuring the national security of the United States.
View the Special Inserts on the SAME camps
Sept/Oct Issue, 2016 | Sept/Oct issue, 2017
Mentors, Assistant Mentors, Squad Leaders & Staff Application Instructions
Be a Camp Mentor or Camp Staff
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) annual STEM Engineering & Construction Camps offer Young Members, Non-commissioned Officers, teachers, strategic partner staff, and individuals with a STEM background a valuable opportunity to support tomorrow’s leaders and STEM professionals.
The success of the SAME camp program depends on the experience and talents contributed by the staff, cadets, college students, and other volunteers that come from our many SAME Posts and partner organizations. They fill critical mentor and staff roles.
Learn more about camp mentor and staff recruitment and apply to become a mentor. If you have questions about serving as a mentor/staff, contact the specific camp director, or email
Steve Taylor, SAME Program Manager.
As part of the 2023 camp season, SAME is recruiting candidates for the following positions:
- Mentors – 8-20 per camp
- Assistant Mentors/Squad Leaders – 4 to 10 per camp
- Support Loggies – 3 to 10 per camp
- Staff – 3 to 10 per camp
Host a Camp
For posts looking to host a camp, SAME has resources available to you.
Contact
Cindy Miller, Chair, SAME Camps Community of Interest
Jack Seibert, SAME National Asset on Camp Development, 404-660-9063
Video
Watch STEM Camp — How to start The Exploring Engineering Academy camp.
Partnering with BSA
Want to partner with the Boy Scouts of America to develop a camp or engineering merit badge event? SAME has a national agreement with the BSA’s Learning for Life Program. Please contact Jack Seibert to connect to the Boy Scouts.
Watch the BSA promotional video: “Exploring Engineering Academy“.
STEM Activities
If you need assistance with activities as part of your camp curriculum, take a look at the Boy Scouts of America STEM related merit badge requirements.
View the list of STEM related merit badges.
More About Our Mission
Campers are supervised by mentors made up of professional engineers, engineering students, military personnel, educators, and other STEM professionals. These mentors are committed to inspiring campers to pursue STEM in college. Mentors are also resources for the campers, providing long-term connections for our alumni.
Specific locations vary year to year. Additional information about the locations and registration information will be posted here as it becomes available.
Financial aid: Many SAME Posts provide full or partial sponsorship for camp fees.
STEM Camps 2022
Thanks to all the mentors and volunteers for inspiring future STEM professionals at our 2022 Engineering & Construction Camps.